Thursday, September 26, 2024
Column HR467
The Baby PDC… CDC
The Professional Darts Corporation, since its inception as a for profit enterprise, has expanded its footprint throughout the world. Today, that footprint in found in Europe, Asia and North America. In North America that footprint found a home with the Championship Darts Corporation or CDC.
When the PDC stepped into North America they had two options available… either the American Darts Organization (ADO) or the CDC. If the Old Dart Coach were a betting man and he used to be (he had no trouble gambling – he did have trouble winning) he’d have put money on the PDC picking the CDC.
With that noted, the ODC would guess the main reason for the PDC’s decision was that the ADO was connected to the WDF via an umbilical cord. On the other hand, it’s possible that the ADO rejected PDC overtures.
Last weekend, the CDC held their final three events of the regular CDC year. Next up is their big event, the Continental Cup, to be held in Philly on October 18-19. In each of the previous 14 events the entry fee was $125 with the winner collecting $2,000. Others spilt the remaining $8,000 per event. Last weekend offered a total of $30,000, which isn’t chicken feed.
In addition, CDC players earn points with the ultimate goal of gaining one of three spots at the PDC World Championship at the Ally Pally. Also, players qualify for the CDC Continental Cup and the Cross Border War between the USA and Canada. The CDC is a series for serious players with all matches long form.
The top USA player and the top Canadian qualify for the PDC World Championship along with the player with the next highest points. Leonard Gates was the top of the USA player with 108 points. Jim Long, the top Canadian player, also had 108 points but declined the opportunity to play in the PDC World Championship. His place will be taken by David Cameron.
Gates and Long could have found themselves in second place to one Stowe Buntz. Buntz missed 6 doubles in event #13 against Jason Brandon, losing 6-4 and collecting 2 points. Had he won that match combined with his runner up finish in event #14 to winner Adam Sevada he would have been the overall champion with 110 points. As a consolation he will be the third CDC player going to the PDC World Cup.
Adam Sevada could have been that third CDC member at the Ally Pally but for a loss in event #13. He lost in the top 16. It was a 6-4 loss to Jacob Taylor. In the 6 legs that Taylor won Savada never had a look at a double. He got only 2 points. Had Sevada won the final of event #14 against Buntz he would have been visiting merry old England in December. Although Sevada won convincingly 7-3 his 18 points for winning left him 2 points behind Buntz.
Leonard Gates had a choice to make – does he go to the PDC World Championships or the WDF event at the Lakeside? The answer is found when looking at prize money. At the PDC World Championship the loser in the first round is guaranteed £7,500 which is $9,990.82. Gates is ranked as #5 in the WDF standings. Should he have decided to go that route he would have to reach the semifinals to collect £10,000 or $13,321 and a meaningless 1 cent. Is it possible Gates could reach the WDF semifinals? Yes indeed. On the other hand, if he wins his first-round match at the PDC Worlds he’ll collect a minimum of £15,000 or in real money $19,981.06.
With Gates choosing to bypass the WDF’s Lakeside event it’s a loss of prestige for the WDF. Gates is very popular in the UK. This proves that there is no accounting for taste. In addition, it looks bad when your #5 player in the world opts out of the WDF premier event giving you the Foxtrot Omega.
John Part is a multi-World Champion. He’s also a quality person. On the final day, he was in 20th place needing a top 16 finish to qualify for the Continental Cup in Philly. That’s the city where long ago they booed Santa at a Philadelphia Eagles football game. The Continental Cup charges no entry fee with a total prize fund of ? Yes, apparently unknown.
Going into event #14, Part trailed Dave Robinson, Daniel Baggish and Jack Robinson. Richardson and Baggish didn’t play. Robinson would take a 5-4 win in the top 64 over Rob Ethington but lose in the top 32 by a 5-4 score to Jim Long. Up 4-3 Robinson never got a look at a double.
That left the door open for Part. He went through that door with a pair of 6-0 wins, reaching the quarterfinals which was all he needed to gain the final spot of the Continental Cup. Good on ya, JP.
In addition to the three on their way to England the CDC’s Cross Border challenge matches 6 players from the USA and 6 from “Oh Canada”.
Team USA
1- Leonard Gates
2- Stowe Buntz
3- Adam Sevada
4- Alex Spellman
5- Jake Womack
6- Gary Mawson
Team Canada
1- Jim Long
2- David Cameron
3- Jacob Taylor
4- Steve Warnock
5- Jeff Smith
6- John Part
Yes, some questions remain unanswered…
Why is Jim Long not going to the Ally Pally being the highest ranking Canadian with 108 points?
Why does the ODC not know what the prize money is for the Continental Cup? (An email was sent to “CDC info” – but there was no response). Big Secret?
Finally – the Old Dart Coach always takes a little literary license when preparing these works called Toeing the Oche. The definition of literary license: Literary license (Latin licentia poetica) is a device which allows a writer not to obey some rules of grammar, punctuation or spelling. Proof of that is the screaming of his most honored editor as he attempts to figure out what the heck the ODC is trying to say.
“Don’t you have Spellcheck?”
“Yes.”
But when the ODC doesn’t know how to spell and uses Spellcheck, Spellcheck gives the ODC four options. He then has one in four chances. Not good odds. End of story.
Stay thirsty my friends.
