Northland Darts Open brilliant success, says association president

Taniwha Darts Association president Paul Baker, second from right, said the Northland Darts Open was a rousing success. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Taniwha Darts Association's first major event as been hailed as a rousing success by president Paul Baker.

The Northland Darts Open was a major drawcard for dartists from around New Zealand with 92 players in the singles draw and 52 in the doubles.

Baker said they couldn't have asked for a better event.

"It was absolutely brilliant," he said.

"When you get the top players from around the country saying they'll definitely come back next year is everything you could have wanted from the event.

"We didn't have one complaint and that's a great representation of the tournament for us."

The men's singles event was won by Wellington's Craig Caldwell, the number two ranked darts player in New Zealand while Judy Fenton took out the women's side of the draw.

Fenton beat Whangarei's Michelle Turner in the final.

Meanwhile Baker paired up with Brian Steed to win the doubles, defeating Caldwell and Craig Brown in the final.

Having the likes of Caldwell and other top dartists from around the country increased the standard of darts played with the Wellingtonian leading the way as he hit 14 180s.

Baker said the players enjoyed having the Wellingtonian playing in Whangarei and was ecstatic about beating him in the doubles with Steed.

"There was a top class standard of play across the whole event," he said.

"Craig has played in England against some of the best players in the world and he was fantastic up here.

"I was absolutely stoked to beat Craig and his partner with Brian. Craig told me my darts have improved so much and for a guy like him to say that was awesome."

TDA revert their focus back to their regular proceedings, however Baker said their next big event promised to be another entertaining one.

"We'll carry on with our club nights but our next big one is our Mid Winter Christmas tournament," he said.

"Last year we had 50 entries but a lot of people from the open said they'll come up so we are expecting a full field for that which is brilliant for us."