SleepyKramer.com

Welcome to The Charis Interview Page!

Charis has become well known as the darting world's roving reporter. Charis is actively involved with translating and contributing to a major German darts website, and also shares her work at SEWA-darts.com.

It was only natural for me to ask Charis to contribute some of her work here for everyone to share.

 Charis writes "We often hear and discuss „darting heroes“ or more recently "Ambassadors“ and every time when I thought about who impressed me most of all the players I had the chance to meet as a fan or a “reporter” one of the players that come to my mind is John MaGowan. I wouldn’t say John is a hero neither would he I am sure. And he certainly is not a Phil Taylor who goes from win to win.

 Since then I frequently met John and talked to him, last year I got acquainted with his wife too, who accompanies him to the major tournaments.

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An interview with

1994 World Matchplay Champion

Larry Butler

Larry – you certainly are an American dart legend. Can you tell me a little bit about your darting background?

Well – my best time was in the 1990s when I did win and play quite a lot of tournaments in the US. I played up to 30 tournaments a year that were 30 weekends traveling and away from home.

But you did play in England as well?

Yes. I played some BDO tournaments, once even in the BDO World Championship. When the PDC started I was invited to play there what I did – with some success.

You were the only North American player who till today did win a PDC Major tournament.

That’s true. I did win the World Matchplay in 1994; I did beat Dennis Priestley in the final. And I got into the quarter finals of the World Championship 2006.

Did you only play steel-dart?

No. I played a lot of soft-darts as well. I even did win the Bullshooter a couple of times.

Had you a sponsor then to help you financially?

Yes, I had a sponsor.

But suddenly you disappeared from the stage?

As I already told you it really was hard – it was hard enough all the traveling in the US, traveling to the UK where the major tournaments took place was even harder.

Did you only stop playing tournaments?

No – I stopped playing completely. I really didn’t play at all for around ten years.

And then?

Well –the PDC came over to America not only with the LVDC, but with some more tournaments and I thought I could give it a try.

Why?

I thought when such a lot of prize money is around it might be worth to try to get some of it – it really is worth trying it.

You spent some time this spring over in the UK?

Yes – I stayed over there for seven weeks – I am still friends with Ronnie Baxter – was over all those years – and I could stay with him. I played some of those UK Open Regional/ Players Championship weekends.

And you managed to qualify for the UK Open in Bolton?

Yes – I managed to qualify for Bolton and came over again for the tournament.

You lost first round?

That’s true – it was rather hard to play such a tournament. I honestly have first to get used to it. I am not used to such a crowd.

Is that much different in America?

It´s totally different. There are not really a lot of spectators. That is one of the problems for the Las Vegas Desert Classics. There is not enough interest in darts in America. Perhaps because one can’t see darts on television though a lot of people watch the streams.

And what will be your next tournament?

The Las Vegas Desert Classic, but I have to go through the qualifiers first. Last year I did manage.

Have you got a sponsor?

Not yet – but I think there´ll be one soon.

How do you combine your job and playing such a lot of darts?

I have no problem with that. I am more or less independent and can take off as much time as necessary. It´s creative computer services.

Did this ten year break harm your darts? Did you have to practice a lot to reach your level again?

No, not at all. From the beginning I played as good as before the break. My problem is really to get used to the tournaments. I didn't forget anything about darts.

Do you practice a lot?

I practice every day. Doubles and triples around the board is what I do.

Have you got a practice partner?

Not a regular one.

Would you say players are better now then they were ten years ago? Do you feel there is a difference?

No – I don´t think so. Perhaps a little bit. The biggest difference is that there are a lot more good players then ten years ago!

An interview with

American PDC player

As everybody is still discussing and nobody really seems to know, are you now an American or a Canadian or are you British? Or are you all three? And why? And what do you feel you are?

I have dual citizenship. Both British and Canadian. I was born in Canada but my parents were both British. I am a permanent resident in the United States and will hopefully get my citizenship next year.

And if you are a Canadian, why did you decide to play for and in America?

My wife is American and we decided to live in the states. I have always enjoyed playing in America and it offers the best opportunities for me.

Did you come in contact with darts, because of your British origin?

I would have to say a little bit. I can remember visiting England as a child and seeing darts on TV.

When and why did you start to play darts?

I started playing darts in 1985. Played in a blind draw for the first time and I won with a really great player. From then on I was hooked.

I read you did play darts in England for some time in the 1990s. Did you then live in England for some time?
And where?

I moved to England in 1989 to become a professional dart player. Darts was on downswing and I only stayed 8 months. I was living in Bolton at the time.

Did you play BDO/WDF tournaments and with what success?

Played in some events over the years but no major wins to speak of.

I read as well, you after the split were approached by the PDC to join their tournaments. Could you tell us, what exactly did happen?

I can remember in the beginning there was talk about a new dart organization that would help improve the sport of darts. It seemed like the right direction at the time. It was called the WDC. We all know what happened after that. It is now the PDC and is bigger than ever.

And did you then join the PDPA?

Yes I did.

Did you ever think to move to England for good?

I have often thought about it. I may buy a house over there in the future to have a place to base myself out of.

It seems you disappeared some time completely from the PDC circuit, though you had played it with some success. Why?

I basically needed a break. Wanted to stop travelling and take it easy for a while. Needed to find the enjoyment for the game again, which I eventually did.

But you didn't give up playing darts totally or was there a time you didn't play at all?

I always had a board up. Played with friends locally for fun.

And where and what did you play during this time?
Canadian tournaments? American tournaments?

Just played at home until I started hitting the American circuit again.

You returned back to the LVDC last year and immediately reached the quarter-finals. Now you started again playing PDC tournaments. What let you change your mind?

I just love to play darts. The PDC is growing and I would like to be a part of it.

You play in America and Canada for a long time now. Do you think darts got more popular or the skill level of the players got up?
How would you say it developed in those years?

Darts has gotten more popular. It needs more exposure on television here in the states to really take off. There are a lot of fantastic players in North America. The skill level has gone up. More players are playing for bigger prizes and that is fueling the fire in a lot of players to improve their game.

Would you say, the American players will and can make an impact in the PDC in future?

Of course they will and have. America has been a big part of the PDC since the beginning. Its only a matter of time before America can dominate the PDC.

How did you as a friend of John Part assess the effect his three World Championships had on the American and Canadian dart scene?

It was an amazing accomplishment. Everyone on both sides of the border are very proud of him. It makes him one of the greats. John has made believers out of us all that hard work can pay off.

What do you feel is the biggest problem for darts to overcome to be really a popular sport in America?

I like to think an American Pro League on TV could really improve the game of darts in the states. Americans like to see Americans playing. If the players could hone their skills against each other on a regular basis I think it would improve are chances internationally as well.

Do you think there is a difference in the attitude of an American and a British dart-player?

Sure there is….lol. Let’s just say one is better than the other.

There was a discussion whether the Americans perhaps might not be competitive enough to really get “top players”. Do you think there is a difference in the mentality that really might be a problem?

Not at all. You just have to have the desire to achieve and believe you can do it. I understand the expense of travelling and all the other costs and it’s a shame that it holds a lot of people back from being a top player.

Do you feel all those new PDC tournaments in the US will help American darts and dartplayers?

Of course they will. These tournaments will give players opportunities that they wouldn’t likely get otherwise. Potential Grand Slam spot and World Championship spot. Not to mention playing the best in the world.

Do you intend now to play the whole circuit again, as John Part does?

Yes I do

What are you plans for your dart career at the moment?

Well I am trying to break into the Top 32 in the rankings and go from there. I am on the Americas Cup team and off to Trinidad & Tobago at the end of July and then off to Australia.

Are you a full time professional?

Pretty much. I still work a small amount.

And if not, can you imagine one could become a full time professional and earn a living with the North-American circuit or will it always be necessary to take part in tournaments in England as well?

If you are going to play darts for a living you are going to want to go to England anyway, so I would have to say yes to going there.

Have you got a sponsor?

I am sponsored by Unicorn Darts.

What darts do you play?

I play with my own signature dart. 25grams. Made by Unicorn.

How did you get your nick name and do you really intend to change it?

A friend of mine just said it one day and I decided to use it. The Mawler or Mauler whichever you prefer. I do like awesome mawson but that is going to be for the website. Awesomemawson.com

I heard you tell, your mother was a dancer. Do you like dancing yourself and are a good dancer?

My mom was a dancer (ballet) a long time ago. Believe me, it did not rub off…. lol
I am not known for my dancing skills.

An interview with

PDC player

Tony Eccles

Tony, how difficult is it really to find a sponsor?

At the moment it’s really very, very hard to find one – at least for us dart players.

Do you think it’s getting worse?

It’s getting worse and worse – it’s not that there are more players around. It’s definitely the financial crisis. People just don’t have any interest in sponsoring at the moment – not with their financial problems.

But you did have a sponsor?

Yes, I once had a sponsor. But that was not too easy either. Always when I was not able to perform I did think I let my sponsor down – that even dragged me down more!!!

Is it more important to have a sponsor playing PDC?

It’s a lot more important as playing the PDC circuit is a lot more expensive then playing BDO.

How expensive is it to play the PDC Pro Circuit?

It’s around 20,000 Pounds a year.

And does that SOD sponsorship really help?

Oh yes, believe me – it really makes a big difference and I am very grateful for it!

Why did you change to the PDC and do you still think it was the right decision?

It only were financial reasons and looking at the money one could make in the PDC it definitely was the right decision.

Though it’s harder to get into the top players at the PDC?

Yes, though that really is harder.

Is playing darts in the PDC something like a job?

It certainly is like a job. I still try to enjoy it nevertheless. In the BDO it was really enjoyment and I had a rather good time but I didn’t earn enough money.

What for you was the biggest difference between the two organizations?

I think it’s the format of the matches. It’s best of five without exception in the BDO. And when you here look at the format – the UK Open starts with best of 11, now in round three we’ve got best of 17. That is much longer and we all have to struggle at the beginning. You need a lot more staying power playing PDC!

Are you now a full-time professional?

At least I try to be, yes, I think I can say I am.

What’s your original profession?

I am a landscape gardener.

That’s hard work – had it any effect on your darting capabilities?

I would say it even had a positive effect! I played rather good but then got an arm-injury at my throwing-arm because of the hard work and that really had an effect on my capabilities. The last year was not easy! I don’t work in my profession any longer and now slowly it get’s better. The arm now finally stays through matches again.

Was it difficult to combine job and playing darts?

It was. I usually did practice after work during night time.

And what and how long do you practice?

I practice around two hours every day – it’s mostly doubles I practice.

And do you still play league?

Yes, I play that as well.

What about exhibitions?

I think that it’s not a good time for exhibitions at the moment. At least I am not much in request. I would say there really is only interest in the top ten and might be legends.

Have you got a practice partner?

No, not really. Not a regular one.

Do you think a practice partner is necessary?

Well, I think a practice partner is very important. You play a totally different rhythm when you play alone. So for playing tournaments and to get used to the tournament playing rhythm a practice partner is necessary.

Would you say you still get better and better?

I have played for 23 years now and I think I am getting better all the time. Everybody seems to get better and better.

What is your goal for this year and do you have something like a long-time goal?

My former goal was to be really a world top player. I reached that in the BDO – I was number four for a long time. With my change to the BDO that was all gone. But I was there – so that’s not really something I still urgently try to achieve.

With the PDC now it was to get into the top 32 to qualify for the Major tournaments – which I achieved as well. So now I’ll try to establish myself there.

Might be my goal could be to get into the top 16, but that will be very hard and I am not really anxious to get there.

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A conversation with...

 Bill Davis

 Charis writes...

Should you like me sit here in the press tent of the PDC World Championship totally undreamt chances will disclose for you. You only have to snap your fingers and—there you are—the player you wish to see appears in front of you.

Well, it not really happens like this, snapping the fingers will not work you better ask Dave Allen and of course it might not work at all, not before a match and not after a match should the player not want to appear.

And of course do you intend a proper interview you should better be prepared for it. In this case that was more my problem, it was a rather spontaneous idea to try the finger snapping part and as I somehow had no idea the schedule had changed I didn’t have the time to prepare. That´s why I don´t dare to call it an interview, too many questions you all might be interested in will not be answered, I call it a conversation.

Bill Davis agreed even though he had lost his match against Barry Bates and appeared at my desk in the press tent.

Why I snapped for him is easy to declare: I don´t know him at all and thought it might turn out rather difficult to find another chance to talk to him, while I can always find somehow a PDC player and I am sure you´ll be able to read some more interviews next year. And of course Bill Davis played a rather good match to throw the reigning champion out of the tournament.

And there he stands and I first introduce myself and congratulate him as though he lost he didn’t play a bad match. He doesn’t seem to be too shocked by defeat, he’s very well aware the missed doubles cost him.

Bill Davis lives in Philadelphia a town I know by now once was a very important town for darts in the USA. He usually practices alone in his basement; his wife is not really a darts fan. He practices regularly though he couldn’t exactly tell me for how long a time he practices but it can happen he totally forgets the time practicing. He plays darts now for around 25 years and he thinks there is not much about practice he doesn’t know. He tried a lot of different things but he can’t recommend anything that really and honestly will work all the time. I can’t help to believe him, he really gives the impression he did think about it a lot.

Bill did play BDO/WDF tournaments as well but thinks that the PDC offers more chances for him to play in major tournaments. He tries to take part in all the US PDC tournaments, though he missed the one in Canada which really would have been a very long journey. He thinks it would be a good experience for all American players to take part in those tournaments. Being a professional player in the USAEngland and took part in a few pro tour events and he can imagine to do that again as he really enjoyed himself very much; it was a great experience to play all those players. he thinks at least at the moment is impossible. Two years ago he passed some time in England and took part in a few pro tour events and he can imagine to do that again as he really enjoyed himself very much; it was a great experience to play all those players.