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AMERICAN DARTS
ORGANIZATION
Incorporated 1975
 

1995 ADO PRESS RELEASES

For more information, call: Sandi Cain, (714) 497-2680 or (714) 833-8373.

ADO PRESS RELEASES

 

Dec. 26, 1995 - Press Release

Contact: Sandi Cain 714/497-2680 or Katie Harris 714/254-0212

BROMBERG RUNNER-UP AT WINMAU WORLD MASTERS

Anaheim, CA: Stacy Bromberg, current North American Open Champion and a former National Champion and National Points Champion, successfully defeated several of the world's best female players to advance to the finals of the Winmau World Masters competition held in London, England in early December. While she succumbed to England's Sharon Colclough in a hotly contested final, Stacy set a new ladies' record for 180s thrown, with five in the semi-final match against the Netherlands' Francis Hoenselaar. Bromberg entered the final match with a 27.11 point per dart average.

Prior to the World Masters competition, both Bromberg and fellow teammate Lori Verrier made history when they were among the first women to vie for slots in the Embassy World Professional tournament to be held next week. America's Roger Carter will represent the U.S. in that competition by virtue of his semi-final performance at World Cup X earlier this year.

In other news, 1996 ADO Pacific Cup national finals will be held on May 10, prior to the start of the Derby City Dart Classic in Louisville, KY. Association playoffs for Pacific Cup must be completed by February 25; Regional deadline is March 22-24. The Pacific Cup will take place in Brisbane, Australia next October.

Senior (50 and over) members of the AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION have been invited to participate in the International Senior Games on the Island of Bermuda April 13-27. The International Senior Games offer competition in over 15 sporting events. The darts events will be governed by the rules of the Bermuda Darts Association, a member of the World Darts Federation. for more information on the International Senior Games, contact Clyde Tinnen, Jr. at (800) 867-5935; for rules or other information from the Bermuda Darts Association, contact Ruth Holder in Bermuda at (809) 299-5221 or write to PO Box HM 207. Hamilton, Bermuda HM AX.

General Secretary Jim Dickinson has reported the following ADO election results: Area Managers Dee Philip and Buddy Sartoletta have been re-elected; new Area III Manager is Russ Grantham, formerly Regional Director for Region III-3. He follows Area Manager Butch Barton who declined to run for re-election due to career duties. In Region IV-3, Keith Wilkinson of Charlotte, NC has replaced Steve Morrow who did not seek re-election; in Region IV-5, Robert Sconzo replaced Lamont Carr, who resigned earlier this year. Special elections are in progress in Regions I-2, where long-time Regional Director Anne Lund resigned for personal reasons and in IV-3 where Russ Grantham advanced to the position of Area Manager. Elections are also under way in Regions II-4 and VI-2. The ADO thanks Butch Barton, Steve Morrow, Lamont Carr, Waylen Frederick, Reba Ainsworth and Anne Lund for their dedicated efforts on behalf of the ADO during their tenure.

Regional Directors and Area Mangers serve two-year terms. Ballots are sent to association representatives for election of officers. Clubs should make certain that their association representative information is current with the ADO office, and that these individuals are instructed to vote on the club's behalf when such ballots are received.

Area Managers in Areas II, IV and VI, Regional Directors in Areas I, III and V and the positions of the Vice President and General Secretary will be up for election at the end of 1996.

Members of the AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION are reminded that all dues expire on December 31 each year. Member benefits continue after the next year's dues are received. The annual ADO calendar is available to clubs and will be shipped per league shipping instructions upon receipt of 1996 dues. Members are reminded that beginning January 1, 1996, Championship points will be awarded only to those whose clubs are members at the time the points are earned, or who are current individual members of the ADO. No points will be awarded retroactively.

Membership renewal information was sent to all 1995 members during the last quarter of the year. Applications are also available from Area Managers.

Clubs interested in doing more in the way of promotions are reminded that a Marketing chapter was added to the ADO Operations Manual in 1995. The Marketing section costs $2 for those who already own the Operations Manual, and can be added to the binder. Members wishing to purchase a complete Operations Manual may do so by submitting $24.95 to the ADO office. Non-member price is $29.95.

New guidelines for sanctioning, fees for sanctioning and the new Championship Point structure will be sent to all members with their 1996 membership packets, and the new guidelines will appear in the first Double Eagle of 1996. Member clubs with questions about sanctioning for tournaments should contact their Area Managers.


Dec. 3, 1995 - Press Release

Contact: Sandi Cain 714/497-2680 or Katie Harris 714/254-0212

ADO ELECTIONS UNDER WAY

ANAHEIM, CA: Elections for the Executive Officers of President and Chief Financial Officer of the ADO were completed at that organization's recent meeting of the Board of Directors. Sandi Cain and Katie Harris were re-elected to those respective offices. Elections for Area Managers in Areas I, III and V, as well as for Regional Directors in Areas II, IV and VI are currently under way. Club representatives are urged to cast their ballots now to avoid delays in declaring the winners for these positions.

The Executive Officers of the board of Directors vote for the Executive and for Area Managers. Area Managers vote for the Executive, for Area Managers in their own areas and Regional Directors in their own areas. Regional Directors vote for regional directors and Area Managers in their own areas. Association Representatives vote for Regional Director. Due to a printing error in the 1994 edition of the By-Laws, that edition shows that the National Youth Manager votes for Area Managers and the Executive. That is an error. The National Youth Manager is appointed by the board and votes on policy matters only, not for people.

In other matters, the fourth quarter Double Eagle, with full results of World Cup X in Switzerland has been shipped to all clubs. If your club does not receive its shipment, please contact the office to verify the shipping address. In addition, 1996 ADO calendars are now available and will be shipped to members as 1996 dues are paid.

Those joining the Points Plus Program can expect to receive membership cards in January, 1996. In the mean time, those joining are entered into the database and will begin receiving points based on club membership, offices held and playoffs in which they participate (based on proper documentation). Questions about Points Plus should be directed to Sandi Cain.

Nov. 14, 1995 - Press Release

Contact: Sandi Cain 714/497-2680 or Katie Harris 714/254-0212

ADO ANNOUNCES YOUTH MANAGER APPOINTMENT

> Anaheim, CA: The AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION Board of Directors elected Kerry (Buc) Buchan of Savannah, Georgia to serve as the new National Youth Manager during its recent meeting of the Board of Directors. Buchan, a member of the Savannah Area Darting Association, has worked with youth groups in various sports, including darts, soccer, and football, and is the current Director of the Savannah Junior Dart League.

Buc is also an active member of his church choir, a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, and a YMCA volunteer. In addition, he has served as a Boy Scout Master, Cub Scout Leader and taught vacation Bible school.

The Board is confident that Buc will bring an added spark to the Youth Program and help its development for the future. Buchan will take office January 1, 1996. He can be reached at (912) 238-0619.

In other youth-related action, the Board wishes to remind tournament organizers that prize money in youth events is discouraged; a disclaimer stating that prize money won by youth in darts could affect their amateur status in other sports is available from Area Managers and the ADO office and should be used any time such prize money is awarded.

The Board also wishes to remind players that the Mixed Triples Championship is in its infancy. Feedback from participants is welcome; the board will consider player recommendations and fine-tune the program in 1996 before its second year of competition. Constructive suggestions should be directed to your Area Manger.

In other action, Area V Manager Buddy Bartoletta was appointed to serve as the Area Manager delegate to the Executive Board for the ADO in 1996. Area VI Manager Don Coy has served in that capacity during 1995.

Nov. 1, 1995 - Press Release

Contact: Sandi Cain 714/497-2680 or Katie Harris 714/254-0212

ADO REVAMPS SANCTIONING RULES

ANAHEIM, CA: In response to member requests and the changing needs of the dart community, the AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION implemented sweeping revisions to its sanctioning requirements and Championship points structure at its fall board meeting. Based on input received from members in the past year, the new formula is expected to ease sanctioning problems and encourage more tournaments to add ADO sanctioning for their events.

Changes include:

1)Permitting tournaments with total prize money over $20,000 to include percentage payback events in their schedule as long as the percentage payout is listed and with the remaining restriction that Championship Points are not awarded in percentage payout events.

2)Permitting "restricted" events (i.e. husband/wife doubles; pro singles, etc.) to be included as part of the sanctioned purse as long as the restrictions are clearly listed on tournament publicity, and as long as the tournament as a whole is open to any player wishing to participate.

3)Allowing Championship Points to be awarded in a maximum of two mens/open singles and two women's singles in any sanctioned tournament. The new policy allows a singles event playing a "Chicago" format of 501 and cricket in the same event to be eligible for Championship Points.

The Board of Directors also approved a revision of the Championship Points structure that will create an additional layer of points. Currently, all tournaments between $5,000 and $19,000 are awarded the same championship points. The new structure will separate tournaments between $5,000 - $9,999 in prize money from those with $10,000 to $19,000 in prize money.

4)Changed the sanctioning fee structure to the following:

  • Tournaments under $5,000 - $20
  • Tournaments $5,000 to $9,990 - $30
  • Tournaments $10,000 to $19,999 - $40
  • Tournaments $20,000 and up - $50

In addition, beginning January 1, 1996, Championship Points will only be awarded to players who belong to clubs that are paid members AT THE TIME THE POINTS ARE EARNED, or who are individual members of the ADO.

Sanctioning is the process by which the ADO determines the viability of a proposed tournament. Players attending sanctioned tournaments are assured that those tournaments will be conducted by the ADO Tournament Rules and that there is a reasonable expectation that the purse will be paid as advertised. Sanctioning is also an assurance that the tournament is open to any dart player wishing to participate.

Sept. 25, 1995 - Press Release

Contact: Sandi Cain 714/497-2680 or Katie Harris 714/254-0212

Anaheim, CA: Despite misunderstandings in 1994 that resulted in only a skeleton team representing the U.S. in the BDO Masters competition, ADO members kept the faith and turned out to compete for the 1995 Masters, sending 41 finalists to compete in New York on September 29. While this number is three fewer than in 1994, it demonstrates member's desire to compete for internaitonal trips through the ADO playoff system, an encouraging sign for member clubs who wish to provide full ADO services to their membership. This year's American Masters team will consist of four men, two women and Kevin Luke, the National Youth Champion. They will compete in England the first weekend of December.

ADO members are reminded that a national list of newspaper contacts is available from ADO board members. This list can be used to distribute promotional information about members; accomplishments or planned activities. The ADO Board uses the list to help promote awareness of ADO sanctioned tournaments listed on the ADO calendar each month, sending letters to key sports writers in areas where tournaments are scheduled to take place.

The next meeting of the ADO Board of Directors will take place on October 28-29 in Gulfport, MS. The Board is still seeking additional suggestions for possible sanctioning requirement changes, an item on the October agenda. Members should contact their Regional Directors or Area Managers with these or other items that need to be addressed at this meeting.

Sept 18, 1995 - Press Release

Contact: Sandi Cain 714/497-2680 or Katie Harris 714/254-0212

Anaheim, CA: As the AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION prepares for its first-ever mixed triples championship playoffs, player questions have arisen in two areas: ADO championship points and the conduct of local playoffs.

As noted in the current Double Eagle, Championship points will be awarded in the mixed triples championships. Regional points will be divided by three, with each member of qualifying teams receiving 1/3 of the regular points. Local associations may conduct playoffs as "open" to any ADO member, as "closed" events for local members only, or as a qualifier in which any one member of the team must be a member of the organization. Entry fees may be determined by the host organization, as usual. At the regional level, team members must all be from the same region. Regional entry fee is $270 per team ($90 per person on the team).

The Points Plus Program, a frequent-player system for ADO members, was launched with application forms in Las Vegas last month. The program, designed to reward people for participating in the sport of darts, will begin rewarding Points Plus members with points based on their membership for the 1996 year. The earlier your club pays its dues for 1996, the more Points Plus reward points you can earn. For a Points Plus application, members may contact any board member or the ADO office.

ADO clubs planning to host tournaments of $5,000 or more in 1996 must have pertinent information to the ADO office no later than October 15. Forms have been mailed to all ADO club representatives. If you need additional forms, please contact your Regional Director or Area Manager.

ADO members are reminded that some news published as ADO news is written by media editors and not by the ADO. Members wishing to be added to the ADO press release distribution list need only to provide a tax number and club or publication name and location to Sandi Cain at (714) 497-2680 to be added to the distribution list. Releases are issued every 2-4 weeks.

July 26, 1995 - Press Release

Contact: Sandi Cain 714/497-2680 or Katie Harris 714/254-0212

Regional Directors Meeting

There will be a Regional Directors' meeting in Las Vegas on Friday (Aug. 11) following the National Championships and presentations in the same room as the welcome party (between 4-5pm approximately).
ADO Announces Dart Board Deal.

Anaheim, CA: In response to member requests, the AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION is pleased to announce that, beginning immediately, member organizations may order dart boards for sanctioned tournaments and ADO regional or national playoffs directly from North American Darts Supply (NADS), a division of General Sportcraft Co., Ltd.

The new arrangement requires a minimum order of four boards. Special ADO pricing is avilable; freight will be charged from New Jersey and 30-day payment terms have been arranged. Event organizers may order by contacting Tom Howard in Boston at 508/384-4100, fax 508/384-4141.

The AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION strives to provide the best possible benefits to its members and is fortunated to have a close and long-standing relationship with General Sportcraft Co., Ltd. that makes this arrangement possible.

July 17, 1995 - Press Release

For more information, call Sandi Cain (714) 497-2680

ADO Summer Activities in Las Vegas

The AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION (ADO) will host its annual East-West All-Star match, National Youth Championships and the National Championships on August 11 from 10am to 5pm in Las Vegas. A record number of All-Stars, 114, will compete in the East-West match this year. It is estimated that these 114 players represent more than 9,000 participants at the local and regional levels.

In addition, the national team, chosen on the basis of their 1994 performances, will be recognized and the ADO will announce its World Cup team slated to compete in Switzerland in October. All-Star participants, national team members and youth finalists will kick off the weekend of festivities at a welcome party on August 10 from 7pm to 9:30pm.

All events take place prior to the start of the 26th annual North American Open which runs from the evening of August 11 through August 13. Participants in that tournament will compete for $45,000 in cash prizes.

The August 10 Welcome Party will offer a new twist this year when national team members are paired with youth finalists for an exhibition match. During the match, spectators will be able to purchase chances to name the number of 180s in a match, the highest out and other statistics. Winners will split each pot with the ADO Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Those in attendance at the Welcome Party will have the opportunity to "Challenge a Champ" in another area of the hall; a "Mystery Out" competition will also be offered.

The National Championships will take place on August 11 at 2pm (this is an approximate time; the exact time will be determined by the end of the East-West All-Stars which is anticipated to end at 1:30). National Team members are seeded into this competition and compete against those All-Stars who have performed with the best point-per-dart average during the All-Star match. $1,500 in total prize money will be awarded to the finalists in these championships.

For more information, or to obtain a press pass to the Welcome Party or National Championships, please call the ADO office at (714) 254-0212 or Sandi Cain at (714) 497-2680.


June 28, 1995 - Press Release

For more information, call Sandi Cain (714) 497-2680

POINTS PLUS PROGRAM

ANAHEIM, CA The AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION has announced that it will begin accepting memberships into its "Points Plus" program in September. Full details will be available in the August edition of the Double Eagle; membership applications will also be available in Las Vegas in August.

The "Points Plus" program is designed to reward players for participating in the sport - even if they never win!

Because of questions from across the country, players should note that smoking will be permitted in the tournament hall at the Gold Rush San Francisco Open scheduled fro August 4-6, 1995.

Remember, only those who are individual members of the AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION receive individual points printouts. Players should remember that points earned at tournaments are not always reported immediately; points cannot be awarded until the report forms are received. Points published in other media are up to date as of the publication's deadline, other points may be earned between that time and the publication date. All tournament players can help the proper reporting of points by making sure they give tournament personnel their ADO affiliation and by encouraging tournament committees to file reports at the earliest possible time after the conclusion of the tournament (but no later than 10 days).

}The ADO office has hired some part-time help. Players calling may reach an unfamiliar voice-please be patient with these folks while they learn the ropes.

Anyone wishing to donate items to the yearly pool of awards for the Points Plus Program (tournament entry fees, membership fees, dart supplies or other goods) should send a description of the item to be available in the awards catalog to Sandi Cain at POBox 694, Laguna Beach, CA 92652. All those donating rewards will be given credit on the quarterly listing of rewards available beginning in 1996.

May 30, 1995 - Press Release

For more information, call Sandi Cain (714) 497-2680

ADO ANNOUNCES POLICY ON WDF RANKING OF U.S. TOURNAMENTS

Anaheim, CA: The AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION has announced that it cannot recommend WDF ranking to any U.S. tournament during 1995 or until the conflict between the WDF and WDC is resolved.

New WDF Bye-Laws passed at the December, 1994 WDF meeting make it impossible for American tournaments to comply with both WDF tournament requirements and the "laws of the land".

The decision was based on lengthy research and on legal opinions of ADO counsel. The ADO deeply regrets the necessity to take this action and is hopeful that circumstances for 1996 will allow the organization to once again recommend tournaments for WDF ranking.

May 11, 1995 - Press Release

For more information, call Sandi Cain (714) 497-2680

ADO ANNOUNCES AUGUST PLANS

Anaheim, CA: The AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION has announced its overall plans for the Welcome Party and East-West All-Star Challenge scheduled for Thursday and Friday August 10 and 11 at the Sahara hotel in Las Vegas. The events, held prior to the North American Open Dart Tournament, will be conducted in the same venue as previous years, but will see a few minor changes.

A new format is planned for the Welcome Party that will include a Mystery Out Challenge in place of the bulls eye challenge to raise funds for the Scholarship Program, and the showing of dart videos during the Welcome Party is planned. Other activities will be announced at a later date. The National Team, All-Stars and Youth finalists are all invited to attend.

The East-West Challenge will begin at 10am this year to accommodate a slight change in format. In response to player recommendations, the East-West All Star Challenge matches will consist of three legs each, as they are played in the Regionals, instead of the best of three. The East-West Challenge will be followed by the presentation of the National Team and by the National Championships. The World Cup team will be announced at the conclusion of the National Championships. Players involved in these events will be notified of details by mail after the Regional playoffs.

The Board of directors of the AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION will meet in an abbreviated session at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas from noon to 4pm on August 10.

In other matters, the organizers of the North American Open have chosen to drop the WDF ranking for 1995 in order to avoid possible legal liability that could develop from refusing entry to players ineligible under WDF Bye-Laws.

The Board of Directors will review ADO sanctioning policies and procedures later in the year. Constructive suggestions for changes or additions are welcome and should be directed to the ADO office or to your Area Manger.

April 14, 1997

ADO PICKS NEW LOCATION FOR MASTERS

For more information, call Sandi Cain (714) 497-2680
For immediate release:

ANAHEIM, CA: The AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION has announced a new location for the National Masters' Finals, traditionally scheduled in September. Because the Windy City Open was forced to move to an October date due to booking conflicts at the hotel, the Windy City Open will be held after the deadline by which player information for the Masters must be submitted. therefore, the AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION has chosen the Empire State Open, a $15,000 tournament scheduled for the last weekend in September in New York City as the site of the 1995 Masters playoffs. The Truckee Meadows Autumn Open in Lake Tahoe had previously declined an offer to host the event in Lake Tahoe due to lack of space.

In other action, the board of directors rescinded a boundary change scheduled to take place between Regions IV-4 and VI-3 in 1996 at its March board meeting. Opposition from players in the affected regions was cited for the change in plans.

Alamo Rent A Car, a corporate partner of the AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION, has recently mailed an offer to ADO member clubs. ADO members can receive their own Alamo Identification Card, which entitles them to a variety of discounts, by having their association representatives fill out the card provided by Alamo and returning it in the business reply envelope provided. Corporate partners are important to the organization, and all member clubs are urged to take part in this promotion. There is no charge to receive the identification cards.

Have you checked USA Today for dart news lately? If not, watch for their monthly amateur sports page. There you'll find news of ADO tournaments as well as listings of outstanding performances, space permitting.

 

April 13, 1995 - Press Release

Watch for the amateur sports page that runs monthly in USA Today-ADO functions are included! This small item alone generated more than half a dozen calls to just one local organization in Ohio and shows the power of the press!

Alamo Rent A Car recently mailed an offer to all ADO clubs - all your club needs to do is fill out the form provided and return it to Alamo, and your members will receive their own I.D. Cards valid for discounts at Alamo! The promotion was (incorrectly) addressed to American Darts Association Chapter Leaders, but is in fact for AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION members.

NEW THIS YEAR! In case you didn't yet get the word, those who are Individual Members of the ADO can enter Regional playoffs directly upon payment of a $100 entry fee using a money order, cashier's check or club/sponsor check. All-Star Regionals are fast approaching, so if you're interested in this option, contact your Regional Director immediately!

NEW PLAYOFF PROGRAM COMING IN FALL! Beginning this fall, the ADO will offer a Triples Championship for ADO members. Triples teams may be made up of any three members residing within the same region. Watch for further details coming soon.

Sandi Cain

March 24, 1995 - Press Release

ADO players in the northwest will have an opportunity to talk with Area I Manager Dee Philip at the following tournaments this year: Oregon Open, March 31-April 2; April Fool's Tournament in Seattle on May 26-28; Central Washington Open on June 16-18; the Water Folies on July 21-23; Portland Open September 15-17; Truckee Meadows Sept. 22-24 and the Seattle Dart Classic Nov, 24-26.

President Sandi Cain will be touring to some parts of the country not reached last year to get input from players. Her tournaments will include the Cincinnati Spring fling april 7-9; St. Louis Gateway Classic May 19-21; and the Muscular Dystrophy Dart Classic in Norfolk, VA Sept. 1-3.

All ADO Board members will be present at the North American Open in Las Vegas in August. There will be a Regional Directors' meeting at that tournament on Saturday, August 12. Details will be announced later.

ADO members in good standing with the WDF are invited to participate in the Welsh Open on May 14. Details available from the ADO office.

Sandi Cain

March 20, 1995 - Press Release

For more information, call: Sandi Cain, (714) 497-2680 ADO INTRODUCES INTERNET, NEW PLAYOFF PROGRAM

ANAHEIM, CA The AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION held its regular, semi-annual meeting on March 10-11 in Costa Mesa, CA. Among actions taken at the meeting were the following:

Internet introduction
ADO information updates are available now on the Internet through the courtesy of Rick's Darts & Games in Houston, TX. Look for CyberDarts on the World Wide Web. The address is http://www.CyberDarts.com/. While in-depth stories will still be provided by the Double Eagle, as well as the newsline through Bull's Eye News, updates and new items of current interest will be provided every 7-10 days on-line.

Youth trust fund
The Youth Scholarship Fund is being converted to a trust fund with a tax-exempt status, allowing contributors to deduct their contributions from their income tax. The process should be complete within the next quarter.

New playoff program
A new grass-roots playoff program will be introduced in the fall of 1995 as a result of player interest in a doubles or team event. The likely format will be a mixed triples. Teams can be made up of any three individuals residing in the same region (not necessarily from the same club). A committee headed by Vice President Bob Ditzler will develop the details for the program, which will appear in the next edition of the Double Eagle. Input from interested parties is welcome.

Individual members
Beginning with playoffs this year, ADO players who hold individual membership in the ADO may participate in regional playoffs for the region in which they reside without qualifying through an ADO club. A $100 entry fee, payable by money order, cashier's check or club/business check, will still apply.

Boundary change
A realignment of boundaries between Regions V-1 and V-5, requested by Member Clubs and Regional Directors, was approved, retroactive to January 1, 1995. Contact Area V Manager Buddy Bartoletta for details.

World Cup
The ADO has received an official invitation from the Swiss Darts Association to participate in the World Cup in October, 1995. The board voted to accept the invitation and send a full team to Switzerland to compete. World Cup team selection is based on points earned between August 1, 1994 and July 31, 1995. The team will be named at the board's August meeting in Las Vegas.

Masters Playoffs
Masters playoffs will be conducted as scheduled, with significantly increased cash prizes to be offered at the national level should the ADO be unable to participate in the Masters in England for any reason. All ADO members in good standing are eligible to participate at the Regional level.

Tournament Player Liaison
Rae Chesney, who was named tournament player liaison to the Board of Directors for 1995 last November, attended the board meeting to provide input from players about ADO activities and ideas for the future.

Future board Meetings
The next meeting of the Board of Directors will take place on August 10 in Las Vegas. This will be an abbreviated, half-day meeting at which only crucial business will be discussed. The next full meeting will take place October 28-29 in Biloxi, MS.

March 3, 1995 - Press Release

AD0 member clubs are reminded that they can receive free tournament listings in the quarterly Double Eagle newsletter. Simply submit tournament information to the ADO office for inclusion. As always, league 180s, special achievements and articles of general interest are also welcome! Next deadline for copy is April 15.

Any ADO member interested in supporting the World Cup team in Switzerland next fall (October 4-7, 1995) by taking part in a World Cup tour should contact their Area Manager and leave the name, address and phone of all interested parties to be forwarded to President Sandi Cain- If enough people are interested, a tour group could still be arranged, but plans all have to be made soon (before the end of May) if this is to happen!

February 18, 1995 - Press Release

For more information, call: Sandi Cain, (714) 497-2680 or (714) 833-8373

(ed's note: Sandi Cain is the current ADO President)

ADO LOOKS TO WORLD CUP; BEGINS GRASS ROOTS PROGRAM

The AMERICAN DARTS ORGANIZATION has asked the Executive Board of the World Darts Federation for a clarification of the resolution passed in December tightening restrictions on eligibility for WDF events. The request was made so that complete World Cup plans could be made at the March ADO Board meeting.

A new program for ADO members, to be known as ADO Points Plus Program, has been introduced in the Winter, 1995 Double Eagle. A companion program to the Championship Points (which will remain unchanged), it will allow ADO members to earn points for simply participating in the sport. The membership phase of the plan is scheduled to begin in late 1995. All ADO members will be eligible for PPP points. In addition, points can be earned for holding a board position in your club, acting as an officer or ADO association rep for your club or for participating in your club's playoffs for ADO programs. Points will be accrued toward prizes that will eventually include trips to tournaments and other big-ticket items, as well as small items that can be claimed at lower point levels.

The Savannah Area Darting Association distinguished itself in 1994 by contributing more than any other ADO club to the Youth Scholarship program - $1,180.30. For its efforts, the club will receive a plaque from the ADO President. Runner-up was the Austin Darts Association with a contribution of $703.

The ADO Board of Directors plans to finalize Association Rep duties at its March meeting. While duties for Area Managers and Regional Directors have previously been outlined, Association Rep duties had not been compiled into one easy-to-read page until now. It is hoped that a flier outlining these items will assist Association Reps who are new to the job and help improve the overall communications within the ADO.

The Second Edition of the Operations Manual will be available to ADO members April 1, one month later than originally expected due to production delays.

February 7, 1995 - Press Release

Contact: Bob Ditzler 601/374-1614

ADO RELEASES 1995 CLUB DEMOGRAPHICS

Survey results from ADO clubs in 1995 show the continuing strength of the midwest and east coast for dart clubs. Area V, which includes much of the eastern seaboard, represented 23% of the total ADO clubs during last year; Area IV, which strentches from Michigan to Florida was home to 22% of the clubs.

Almost half the member clubs report membership figures between 51 and 400 members. Thirty-nine percent have been in existence 10 years or less, illustrating the continuing expansion of the sport.

A surprising 23% of the ADO clubs charge no sponsorship fees; 85%, however, do charge membership fees. Half the clubs reported having club newsletters, an increase from previous years.

Factors that illustrate continuing problem areas for sports organizations include:

-81% of the member clubs have volunteer officers

-68% elect officers, but 63% serve only one-year terms

These factors contribute to difficulty in keeping a smooth line of communications open between grass roots players and the board of directors.

On the plus side, however, 81% now say they use a computer for league activities.