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6
FLIGHTS PUB; EVERETT, WA
Record-setting day at Flights
By Ty Hughes
It was seven o'clock on the morning
of Saturday, January 8, when folks
starting showing up to Flights Pub.
There was a big day that lay ahead.
Lucky Pence and twelve other handchosen
dart players were psyched to
start throwing darts in hopes of setting
a brand new world record in darts.
The planning process for this
event actually started years ago in
Lucky's brain, and in the months leading
up to the big day, had consumed
all of his time and energy. He and his
crew were up all night preparing the
bar to accomodate the expected crowd
of supporters. Not only was this to be
a record-setting day, but with the help
of so many others, Lucky was able
to organize the entire event around
the Make A Wish Founation with an
all-day silent auction to benefit these
bright-eyed children.
Thirteen avid dart players from
around the Puget Sound began throwing
darts at 8:35am on two dart boards
for almost exactly 11 hours, taking
down a gigantic game of 300,001.
You've heard of 501 Yeah, this makes
501 a mere flash in the pan. The
numbers and stats generated from the
entire day of darts are both staggering
and fascinating at the same time.
There were over 800 rounds
played in all. Todd Jordan led the
pack with 27,358 points, followed by
Juan Ramos with 25,864, Dave Foster
with 25,793, Dave Bresee with 24,547,
Jeff Springer Jr. with 24,543, Chad
Brown with 23,669, Darin Bohland
with 23,121, Jeff Ewing with 22,477,
Steve Roth with 21,655, Sam Resa
with 21,171, Lucky Pence with 20,901,
Norm Wold with 20,184, and Dave
Mozingo with 18,718.
Although this was not a competition,
the audience was great about
making it one, which helped to keep
the dart players interested long
enough to keep up with the marathon.
People in audience were shouting out
amounts they would donate if so and
so hit a Hat Trick on the next round or
not. Then they'd pit the players against
each other in the spirit of competition
in order to fill that donation bowl to
the rim. Just an exciting display of
affection for the children benefitted by
the Make A Wish Foundation.
Each player established their
own sponsors, some bringing over
$600 to the table to support the cause.
Sporty's donated 10 cents for every
bullseye thrown during that 11 hour
stretch. Donations came flying in all
day long from players, sponsors, audience
members, everywhere. What an
incredibly touching gesture, one after
the other.
Meanwhile, the entire back half
of the bar was stuffed with items for
auction. There were UW ice chests, remote
control airplanes, 2 full-sized dart
boards, adirondac chairs, golf bags, spa
kits, on and on, so many items up for bid.
And bid they did. Off the hook!
All in all, Flight's raised over
$6,000 for the Make A Wish Foundation
and set a world record in soft tip darts to
boot! Now that's a successful day.
Special thanks to all the players
of course, to Lucky and Ty of Flights,
their staff, the score-keepers who
worked tirelessly recording every
single dart thrown, Dan who emcee'd
the event, and everyone who came out
to represent and support these guys.
Thanks especially to all those sponsors
who donated their time, money, and
auction items. This was truly a community
effort and worthy of record.
When the dart board read 69,
Steve Roth slowly steps up to the
board. The levity of the moment was
not lost on anyone in the room. It was
as if the entire bar stood paralyzed,
staring, unable to exhale. Steve
throws a S19, and you could hear
the angels sing when his second dart
sailed through the air and landed perfectly
in the center of the board to take
out the game of 300,001. A sea of faces
explode with applause and jubilation.
Players hugged each other, high-fives
all around, literally jumping for joy.
Just a fantastic culmination to an
event that we were all proud to be a
part of and one that will live forever
in our memories.
Despite all of the days success,
camaraderie, and human spirit, in
the final tally, among the thousands of
darts recorded, there were three questionable
entries that would ultimately
jeopardize the setting of a legitimate
world record that day. Therefore, the
players will once again come together
under more quiet circumstances, without
that blasted stage that had them
buckling at the knees after 11 straight
hours, and do it all over again, and
this time without a doubt.
February 2011 - www.themedallion.net