Howie Reed’s Column

Tuesday, July 12, 2023
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MID-SUMMER CLASSICS

After a brief vacation (wishing all Happy Canada Day and/or Happy July 4^th) Toeing the Oche is back!

The PDC and the ADO both have Mid-Summer classics.  The PDC has the World Matchplay starting Saturday with a prize fund of £800,000 with the winner scooping up …

Tuesday, June 27, 2023
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The Cowboy Rides Away

George Strait sang, “Now I just found a game that I can’t play.  And this is where the cowboy rides away.”  

But first.  The PDC World Cup 2023 is in the rear-view mirror but, like “The Song is Ended (but the Melody Lingers On)”, …

Friday, June 20, 2023
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All Hail the Victors… WALES!

There is nothing in the world more aggravating than the jerk that says, “I told you so!”  That person deserves “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” as Bill Shakespeare wrote.  The Old Dart Coach is willing to accept his fate as he wrote …

Friday, June 16, 2023
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WORLD CUP KO ROUND SET!

The first round of the PDC World Cup is done and, with a new format, produced some exciting moments and upsets.

The doubles play led to some “singles play” when players didn’t set up their partners.  Another oddity was missing the big single for …

Wednesday, June 14, 2023
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WORLD CUP & OREGON OPEN SNFU

The 2023 PDC World Cup is upon us – starting tomorrow and running for four days in Frankfurt.   The World Cup is the Old Dart Coach’s favorite PDC event.  If the name Frankfurt rings a bell, it should.  The frankfurter (aka hot dog) …

Thursday, June 8, 2023
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WOW!

That describes the weekend for Canadian Jeff Smith who had a career weekend when he captured the North American Championship for the second time.  He achieved this milestone in spectacular fashion (which is a gross understatement).  The Show Biz Bible, Variety, would report Mr. Smith’s debut in …

Wednesday, May 24, 2023
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LUCKY or GOOD?  AND a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT!

Golfer Jack Nicholas heard a brainless sportswriter (like there’s another kind) say, “Boy that Nicholas is lucky”.  Jack responded, “…funny, the more I practice the luckier I get.”

Had Jonny Clayton heard a similar comment after Thursday night’s Premier League he’d say…

Thursday, May 18, 2023
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DEEP SUBJECTS

Well, well, well.  That is a deep subject.  The Old Dart Coach was spot on…

He wrote that the battle for the 4th Premier League playoff berth will be decided this Thursday in the “Great City of AAAAAberdeen”.

Jonny Clayton and Nathan Aspinall meet head-to-head to see …

Wednesday, May 10, 2023
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Shootout in Sheffield?  Mistake on the Lake & Shania Twain

That sums up this week’s effort.  The Premier League appears set for a dramatic shootout on Thursday.  Fake news.  NO shootout in Sheffield.  Regardless of the results Gerwyn Price, MvG and Michael Smith will hold the three top spots …

Wednesday, April 26, 2023
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OUTHOUSE TO PENTHOUSE

“From the Outhouse to the Penthouse” originated before indoor plumbing.  It’s long gone now, sort of.  In some “modern” cities, San Francisco being one, it’s not uncommon to observe a “squat and dropper” on any given day.  In sport it’s a much less common occurrence.  Last …