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AMERICAN
DARTS
ORGANIZATION
Incorporated
1975
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1995 ADO PRESS RELEASES
- Bromberg Runner-Up At Winmau World Masters -
Dec. 26, 1995
- ADO Elections Under Way - Dec. 3, 1995
- ADO Announces Youth Manager Appointment - Nov.
14, 1995
- ADO Revamps Sanctioning Rules - Nov. 1,
1995
- ADO Masters Team Forming/Newspaper Contacts
Available - Sept. 25, 1995
- ADO Mixed Triples Playoffs/Points Plus Program
Launched - Sept. 18, 1995
- ADO Regional Directors Meeting/ADO Announces
Dart Board Deal - July 26, 1995
- Plans For East-West All-Star, National Youth
Championships Slated- July 17, 1995
- ADO Points Plus Program Announced - June 28,
1995
- ADO Announces Policy on WDF Rankings - May 30,
1995
- ADO Announces August Plans - May 11,
1995
- ADO Picks New Location for Masters - April 14,
1995
- ADO Triples Championship Playoff Announced -
April 13, 1995
- ADO Pres. and Area I Manager Announces Schedules
- March 23, 1995
- ADO Announces Internet Introduction/Youth Trust
Fund Goes Tax Exempt - March 20, 1995
- ADO World Cup Tour Announced - March 3,
1995
- ADO Looks to World Cup Begins Grass Roots
Program - February 18, 1995
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.