TENNANT Creek Darts hosted its annual Darrell “Bear” Logue Memorial Golden Nugget Tournament over the weekend of December 2-3. 

The 35th edition of this fabulous tournament attracted 63 competitors to Tennant Creek Memorial Club for an action-packed weekend of darts.  

The competition brought players from all over the country - 53 men and 20 ladies, including 10 locals, 18 from other parts of the NT and 45 from interstate. 

It was good to see many familiar faces, as well as many playing in their very first Golden Nugget.

Although the traditional Calcutta could not be held this year, the weekend kicked off on the Friday, with many of the dart players enjoying a meal, having some refreshments, throwing a few casual darts and catching up with old friends.   

The players turned up bright and early Saturday morning – with breakfast available at the Memories Restaurant.  

Before the start of play, a minute’s silence was held to remember all of our Nugget Family who are no longer with us. 

The first event was the Pro-Am pairs which was a straight knockout event.  The pairing of Trent Read and Peter Kudub defeated Billy Ramsbotham and Tracie-Lee Richardson in the final 4 legs to 1.

After the Pro-Am, it was on to the Mens and Ladies Pairs.  In the Ladies Pairs, the first semi-final saw Sue Gilla and Judy Taylor defeat Glennis Beddow and Maureen Homer 5 legs to 3.  

In the second semi-final Nany Myers and Wakita Young defeated Roberta Gilla and Joyce Oxenham 5 legs to 2. 

In the final Myers/Young proved too strong for Gilla/Taylor 6 legs to nil. 

In the Mens Pairs, there were many close battles throughout the day.  In the first semi-final Trent Read and Derek Whittaker defeated Jason Dunemann and Stephen Schmitt 6 legs to 5.  

In the second semi-final the father-son pairing of Geoff and Billy Ramsbotham defeated Dylan Salmon and Bailey Marsh 6 legs to 4. 

The final was another superb display of darts. After dropping the first leg, the Ramsbothams reeled off the next 3 legs, only to see Read/Whittaker storm back with the following 5 legs.  

The Ramsbothams levelled the match at 5-5, before Read/Whittaker claimed the next 2 legs to win 7-5.  

The match was highlighted by Billy’s 110 peg and Trent’s 144 peg and a 180.

After a massive day of doubles, it was on to the singles, with all players vying to have their name etched on the trophy and win the iconic gold nugget as part of the winner’s prize.  

In the Ladies’ Singles, Maureen Homer stormed into the final with a 5-0 victory over Wakita Young.  2018 Nugget winner Judy Taylor defeated Glennis Beddow 5-1 to book her place in another Nugget final.  

Taylor started the final the stronger edging out to a 3-1 lead.  Maureen hit back with the following 3 legs and looked like making it a fourth leg in a row after hitting a 180, but Judy showed nerves of steel to level at 4-4.  

Maureen closed out the game, taking the next two legs for a 6-4 victory and etching her name on the trophy.

In the Men’s Singles Bailey Marsh progressed through to the semi-final, looking to defend the title he won last year.  

He ran into a red-hot Trent Read who raced to a 5-1 lead and within site of his first Nugget final.  

But Bailey had other ideas, fighting back to level at 5-5 and take it to a last leg decider.  In a nail-biting finish, Trent claimed victory 6-5.  

In the other semi-final, 2017 winner Stephen Schmitt was at his clinical best – scoring well and taking every opportunity to defeat Ronald Nakata 6-1.  

The final was an absolute thriller.  Schmitt continued on from his semi-final rampage, racing out to 5-2 lead which included a 180 and a 154 peg.  A couple of legs later, Read looked down and out, trailing 6-3.  His response was to start the next leg with a 180 and hold the throw with a 14-darter.  And the rest they say is history – he reeled off the next 3 legs to clinch victory 7-6.

Tennant Creek Darts would like to thank the Memorial Club Staff and Management for providing a great venue and atmosphere for this event. 

We would also like to thank our sponsors who made this event possible, with a total prize pool of $21,000: Tennant Creek Memorial Club (Major Sponsor), Papulu Aparr-Kari Language Centre, Outback Outfitters, Leading Edge Computers Tennant Creek, Darrin’s Rubbish Removal and Cheeky Bum Nappies, Woks Up, Dexter Barnes Electrical, Steve Edgington MLA and Little Rippers Lifestyles.  

We are humbled by your kind donations in helping to attract 57 competitors to our great little town of Tennant Creek - the majority of these were from interstate (35).    

Thank you to everyone who helped over the weekend with calling and chalking the finals – you all make this one of the most loved tournaments in the country.  

A very special mention to my good mate Stephen Schmitt, whose work behind the scenes in setting up the venue is exemplary – and thank you to those who helped him set up and pack up – it is truly appreciated.  

And lastly, thank you to Lachlan and Kirsty (who have never run a tournament before), who jumped in and helped run the tournament and provide regular updates on social media – you did a fantastic job.    

I want to apologise to Sue Gilla – we did miss your peg of 112 on Saturday, which was the highest for the day.

We are happy to see everybody has made it safely back home and wish everyone a very merry Christmas, and a prosperous new year, and look forward to seeing you all again on the oche somewhere soon. 

WINNERS:

Men’s Singles: Trent Read

Ladies’ Singles: Maureen Homer

Men’s Pairs: Derek Whittaker and Trent Read

Ladies’ Pairs: Nancy Myers and Wakita Young

Pro-Am Pairs: Trent Read and Peter Kudub

High Pegs Saturday: Nancy Myers (109) and Trent Read (144)

High Pegs Sunday: Helen Derschow (112) and Chippy Miller (170)

Most 180s: Judy Taylor and Maureen Homer (2), Trent Read (9)

Wayne Frampton “Spirit of Darts” Medal: Glennis Beddow and Pikoy Borgonos