Scott Kirchner's Blog

Catching Up

2009-10-23T00:43:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, sorry it has been so long since my last post. I have had many thing going on in my family life, but I will get to that later in my blog. As far as darts go I was supposed to go to Shanghai China last week for a huge Steel Tip Tournament. Everything was all set up for me to go when I was talking to a friend who was also going. He asked me if I had my Visa. I could have thrown up! This was Thursday night and as I found out the next day, the Visa office was closed on Friday and Monday. This meant I would not be able to get my Visa until Tuesday night at the earliest. My flight was scheduled for Monday morning so I would have to change it. The earliest I would be able to fly out was going to be Wednesday morning now. This would have put me into China Thursday late afternoon. I would have missed the whole first day of play at the tournament. This added to the fact it would have cost me almost double to change my flight, I decided this was not to be so I canceled the trip. I am very disappointed that I had to miss this great event and am very grateful for the invitation from the Chinese Dart Authorities. I will definitely will be making the trip next year.

I will be playing in some dart tournaments over the next few weeks here in Wisconsin and Illinois. This weekend will be a very special tournament as it will also be a benefit for a very close friend of mine named Ben Dersch. He has been sick and had to have surgery. He will be off work for a while so we are counting on our fellow dart players to help out a friend in need. The tournament will be at: THE CELLAR 112 ROWELL ST. BEAVER DAM WI. If anyone of you will be in the area please stop in and show your support. We will be having many raffles and door prizes, including a stand up Valley Dart Board. There will also be many other prizes. If you can not attend but would still like to make a donation please e-mail me at juda10010@yahoo.com and I will give you the address to send it to. Thank you for anything you may give. Hope to see many of you there. I will give the results of the tournament next week.

As for the family, my daughter Tracie and Ryan had their baby!! Me and Juda are the PROUD Grandparents of Conner Ryan Olson. He is doing great and growing like a weed.I will add a picture for everyone to see. He might just be the cutest baby ever. I might also might be bias...lol.

My son Jake has been sick for a couple of months now. He went to the hospital back in Aug. for stomach pain. They thought it was just a stomach virus so they treated it and it went away. It came back again and last week they did many tests on him. They think it is Crohn's Disease. He will have another test next week in Madison to verify it, but Crohn's is what the signs point to now. I just want them to figure it out so they can treat him, he has been sick way to long. I just want him to feel better.

Juda and I just celebrated our 11th anniversary. We have been together for 22 years now, who knew she could put up with me for that long...lol. Things have been crazy around the house as well. We moved last month to a much smaller travel friendly home. It will be so nice not having to worry about snow removal and lawn care while I am gone. I would like to thank everyone who reads my posts and if you have any ideas for new posts please let me know and I will do my best to answer it. Good luck, shoot great, and most of all have fun. I will talk to everyone next week.

ScottyK

New Book

2009-07-24T01:43:00.000-07:00

OK folks its available now! I get TONS of emails asking for practice tips and other things related to my dart career. George has done an excellent job with this book. If you have a question he has an answer. I also have an interview in the book, along with some other great players. I highly suggest this book, not only for the beginner, but for anyone needing some help along the way in your dart career. I wouldn't attach my name to something I didn't agree with and I must say again, George has done a great job with this one. Check it out!

Darts: Everything you need to know about darts from beginning to endWilmington, DE – July 6, 2009 – Sports offers unique opportunities for the individual to experience the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” But not everyone can participate in a sport because no matter how committed a person is, he may be limited by his abilities. But one sport gives everyone – physically challenged or not – a chance to play as impressively as anyone else. And that’s darts. The spectators’ eyes follow the dart instead of the player. There is a broad range of prowess among darts enthusiasts and everyone can find a level at which he or she can compete. Renowned author and recognized darts authority George Silberzahn provides valuable information about this sport with the release of his new book Darts: Beginning to End.Darts: Beginning to End is specially-written for readers who wish to learn about darts, its players and its importance in the world of sports. With it, darts players, aspiring players and those just curious and interested will be able to appreciate and learn the game even more.“Your techniques have given me the tools to become the best player I can be.” – Joe Everett (aka: dart face) New York City, U.S.A.“Certainly from reading the additional information in George's book (a must for all dart players’) I now understand and feel when my stroke is good and bad and also I'm in a position where I am able to correct it if the first dart thrown is poor.” – Antony Sharrett (aka: Tanman) Harrogate, England“I know it's working for me because now what feels like a bad night would have been considered a great night 6 months ago.” – Mark Kelly (aka: Drac0) Australia“I have never felt more controlled and focused with my darts. The drills, the reading material, all of it are a huge help.” – Greg Kanes (aka: P-man) S. AfricaSilberzahn prepares a comprehensive book on darts – a background on the game, the types of darts, dartboards, the different equipment, practicing and perfecting ability at the game. Thirteen champions and experts tell their stories, including competitors Stacy Bromberg, Dave Kelly, Scott Kirchner, John Kuczynski, John Part, Marilynn Popp, Chris White, Joe Slivan, Drew Tustin and Mark Wuerstle, plus tournament directors Chris Bender, Peter Citera and Ron Marks. This book explains the basic applications, and the physical, mental, and emotional practices needed to be a fit and good dart player. For more information on this dart book, log on to www.Xlibris.com.About the AuthorGeorge Silberzahn is a renowned author and recognized authority in the sport of darts. During his career, his knowledge, skills and determination ranked him as one of the top ten players in the United States. An expert darter, he averaged more than fifty on an American dart board. His involvement in the sport spans fifty years and his passion for the game has led to this, the most comprehensive book about American, steel tip and soft tip darts written to date. His tutorial, “Flight School,” has helped darters worldwide improve their game. He also developed the “Players Tournament,” unique because of the opportunity it affords all levels of dart shooters. He lives in Wilmington, DE with his wife Sandie. He can be contacted through his website, http://www.howtodarts.com/
DartsBeginning to EndAmerican, Soft-Tip & Steel Tip* by George SilberzahnPublication Date: June 25, 2009Trade Paperback; $19.99; 281 pages; 978-1-4415-3871-0Cloth Hardback; $29.99; 281 pages; 978-1-4415-3872-7To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 x. 7876.

Paq-Man Tourny

2009-06-15T22:35:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I am very excited about heading to L.A. for the Paqmania Dart Tournament. I have been working hard to prepare for this and I feel confident that I will play well. The best players in the country will be here so the competition will be very tough. I sure hope that the turn out for this tournament is good as they have put a lot into the set up of this event. This could change the way darts is played and run here in the USA, and I mean for the better. If you have the chance please make the trip and enjoy the best darts has to offer. If you coming, can't wait to see you and have a drink or two. Good luck and good shooting to everyone.

Scotty

North American Open

2009-06-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Sorry so late with this post but I have been very busy since I have been home. The weekend was not the best for me. I didn't play bad, I just ran into people that played better. I hate it when that happens...lol. As always there was no shortage of great shots in Boston. With it being a warm up for the North American everyone here was a great shot. On Sunday I played as well as I ever have in the first 3 matches. I then ran into a very hot Ray Carver. I played very poorly against him, but he shoot great and deserved the win. My run ended in the last 16. I am disappointed in my play against Ray but happy with the total play for the day. It will only push me to work harder. I will now be practicing even harder for the Paq-Man Tournament June 18th-21st. I sure hope everyone who has the chance to attend does, it should be a great tournament. I would like to personally congratulate Scotty Burnett on winning the North American Open. He played great all day long and really does deserve all of the recognition he is receiving for this. Well off to practice. Good and good shooting to all.

Scotty

Bullshooter Results

2009-05-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Just got home from the Bullshooter World Champ. It was a great weekend. I love catching up with people who I only get to see a couple of times a year, and also all of the new friends that I was able to make. It is always my favorite tournament of the year.

The weekend started off with the Monsters of the Mid-Way Team tournament. I played with JohnnyK, Isen, and Shawn. We went undefeated and won the title. That was the first time that I had won that event so it was great. A big thanks to the guys for holding me up.

The second event was the Top Gun Singles Cricket. I had never won this event either so I am very proud to say that I won this one as well. Wow what great competition. I played some of the best darts of my life and needed everyone one of them. It was a complete honor to have beaten all of these great players and claim the title. Later that night I played in the Top Gun Mixed Triples. I played with Lisa Bastian and my son Jake. I can not tell you how great this was, to be able to play the game you love with your son at the World Championships is just unbelievable. We won our first 2 matches and lost to a great team that had Team USA member Roger Carter on it. They played great, but I know they didn't have more fun than us...lol.

Saturday events started with the Pro Doubles 501. I played with JohnnyK again and we ran into a buzz saw from Slovenia. They are a great team and the got us in the tie-breaker game. On the losers side we lost to one of my teammates from Thursday Isen and Bob. Bob hit a 180 then followed it up with 156 for the win, with me on 4 and Johnny on 30. What a great shot.

Sunday was Pro Luck of the Draw. I drew a great guy named Bob Hudzik. We are good friends away from the game so this was a great fit for me. We had a blast. We played my partner JohnnyK and Darin Young in the finals. What a great team that was. We won the diddle in the tie-breaker game and went on to win. It was so much fun playing with a great guy and beating such a great team. Just class all around. Thanks again Bob for playing so well.

Monday was time for the Pro Singles 501 and Pro Doubles Cricket. I missed a couple of doubles early and they cost me dearly. I lost my first match to Brady McCaw. He played very well. I won 2 matches on the losers side and lost to the eventual champion Seba from Slovenia. I missed only 3 darts in 3 games and still lost. The diddle is so important in this game. The second event was the Cricket. It went very well as we won the winners side. Darin Young and Ray Carver came out of the losers bracket to play us in the finals. We beat them in the 2nd round earlier so we knew they would be a tough match. It went all the way to the end and they got us. 2nd Place. Not bad but it is a disappointment when you win the winners side and get double dipped. Even when it is a great team like them. They played better and deserved the win.

All in all it was a great weekend. Had a blast and made many new friends. Just want to say thanks to my partner JohnnyK. As always it was a pleasure shooting with you and you are a class act. Looking forward to next time. Talk to everyone soon. Time to practice.

Scotty

Bullshooter Week

2009-05-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

Well everyone it is the week of the World Championships and it is practice, practice, practice. This is the best Plastic Tip Tournament in the country in my opinion. We will have to see how the new rule changes effect the turn outs. I hope people still come out to play. Good luck to all of you that are coming to Chicago and shoot great.

I also wanted to let everyone know about a huge Steel Tip Tournament that is going to happen June 18-21 in Burbank Cal. Manny Paquiao the Pound for Pound best boxer in the world is again sponsoring a dart tournament. This is going to be the biggest tournament we have had in the USA in many years. It is a $100,000.00 in prize money. We need everyone who can make to trip to come out and support this tournament so that they will have more like it. Please pass the word on to all your friends. Here is the flyer: I sure hope to see everyone there. Well have to go practice a little more. Shoot good and most of all have fun.

Scotty

Wisconsin State Results

2009-05-18T11:35:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. I just got back from a long weekend of shooting. It was a great time. We played in Wisconsin Dells at the Kalahari Resort. This is one of the biggest State tournaments in the country. I played Singles Cricket first. I had some very hard fought matches and I lost in the last 4 of the winners side to Ben Dersh in a great match. I came back to play Ben again in the 3rd place match and got him back. I then played Randy "Big Dog" VanDeursen. It was another great match. I won the first set 2-1 forcing a second match. In a back and forth game Big Dog got the last bite winning the 3rd and final game. It was a blast even though I lost. I love playing in matches like that.

The Doubles was on Thursday night, and there was not much break between events. I played with a local kid Brian Monroe. We had a blast and won some really tough matches. We lost our first match to the team that ended up 3rd, and we lost our second one to the team that got 4th. We gave it our best and ended up 13th. I would like to say we had more fun than any other team in the tournament. Thanks Brian.

The Team 501 event was last. I played with Tim Tegal, Lane Helgson, Joel Portaga, and Mark the owner of Coins Sports Bar. We won our round-robin bracket on Friday night and moved on to the final 16 on Sunday. We again played some very tough matches and winning the winners side. We now had a wait to see who we would play in the finals. The team from Milwaukee came through. They shoot some great darts beating us in the first match in the tie-breaker game. Again in the second match we went to the tie-breaker game, but this time it was our time coming out on top. It was a very tough match and congratulations to them for a great match.

All in all it was a good weekend of darts. I played pretty well and had a blast catching up with old friends. Golfing went well and many of our local players did very well this weekend also. Next up is the Bullshooter World Championships in Chicago Ill. This is the hardest electronic dart tournament in the world in my opinion, so I will have my work cut out for me. I will post results from that one next week. Have a great week and good luck to everyone going to the Bullshooter World Championships. Shoot great and have fun.

Scotty

Wiscosnin State Week

2009-05-10T22:26:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. It is the week of my Wisconsin State Dart Tournament. I am really looking forward to playing this year. Last year I had to miss because the US Open and North American Open were played on the same weekend. This year both of those tournaments were moved to the last weekend of May witch means I will be able to play in both events this year. Wisconsin State is one of my all-time favorite tournaments, not only is the competition great but I love catching up with old friends that I have played with and against for the last 17 years. I will start playing Thursday morning in Singles Cricket. Thursday night I will play 501 Doubles with Brian Monroe. He is a great kid and we should have a blast. This will be the first time that we play together, so we will have to learn on the fly. The Team Event is 501. We will play a round robin on Friday night. Two teams from each bracket will advance to the final 16 teams to be played on Sunday. Saturday is an off day witch means it is time to catch up with all of my old friends. I will be going golfing with a group of about 25 guys. This is my favorite time of State. We will have a Preakness horse racing pool and just have as much fun as we can while playing 18 holes of golf. Now it is time to get some more last minute practice in before it is time. I will let everyone know the results next week. Wish me luck, and thank you again for everything.

Scotty

Janesville Team Tournament

2009-05-04T18:04:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Last weekend I had a Team 501 tournament in my town of Janesville Wis. It was a 1 Pro/3 non-pro 501 master out. I played with one of my old dart partners Steve Peterson, his 19 year old son Sam, and Ben Dersh. We had a blast. I sure do miss playing in these type of events. All of the events in England are singles, and as much as I love playing those events I really love being part of a team. We played well all day long and won. There was a LOD afterwords and I was partnered up with a great friend of mine Tank. We lost in the 3rd round to some really good darts by Ben and his partner. We won our next 2 matches to get to the final 4. At this point they draw for the Triples Pot. It was $1687.00 per dart. Chad got drawn and missed all 3 darts at the triple 15. Next week the Triples Pot goes up $2150.00 per dart. We continued on, winning the next 2 matches to get back to the finals. It was late so we chose to split 1st and 2nd and go home after a long, fun day. This week I will be practicing hard to get ready for our Wisconsin State Dart Tournament. The tournament is May 14-17. Wish me luck, I will need it, as there are many great shots that will be there. Good luck to all of you in your darts, and have some fun.

Scotty

NDA Results

2009-04-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

Well everyone I am back from Las Vegas. Wow what a week. This event truely is a battle of attrition, 9 events in 7 days. The competition was great as always. Here are the results:

Singles 01 9th
Singles Crk ---
Dbls 01 7th
Dbls Crk ---
Team 01 2nd
Team Crk 1st
Mixed Trips 1st
Team USA 1st

Sorry the blog is behind but the internet in the hotel in Las Vegas was really crappy. I will do my best to keep this blog up to date. I am learning as I go. If anyone has any suggestions on how to make this blog better please let me know. Thanks again everyone. Talk to you all soon.

Scott

Las Vegas NDA International Dart Tournament

2009-04-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

Hello all. I am in Las Vegas for the NDA International Dart Tournament. I start shooting on Saturday. I will be playing in Singles Cricket and Singles 501 DBL in/out split bull. The Doubles events on Sunday are the same events and I will be playing with Scott Miller. Monday will start the Team Cricket event. My teammates are Big Dog, Cobra, and Lane Helgeson. On Wen. I will be playing on the International Team USA. I always love playing for my country. Thursday is the start of Team 501 with the same team. I will post my results as they happen if i can keep the inter-net working...lol. Thank you for all the well wishes and I will do my best to make everyone proud. Thanks again and talk to you soon.

Scotty

Scott Kirchner Bio

2009-04-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

I have been playing darts for almost 20 years. Wow, I can't believe it has been that long. I started playing when my dad asked me to sub for his team at the last minute. I told him that I didn't play darts. He said "I don't care. We need a body or else we will forfeit ". I did play and much to my surprise, I won 2 games during the night. I was hooked right away. I went out the next day and bought an electronic board for home. I played non-stop from then on.

When I turned 21, I started traveling to tournaments in the mid-west. I sure took my lumps at first. I did have some days where I would upset some of the best shooters around and that kept me driving. 1994 was the first trip to the "Bull-Pen" at the Bullshooter World Championships. Wow, what a thrill. We took 4th place in the Mixed Triples. Playing in there only drove me harder. Over the next 14 years I have been blessed to have played in the Bull-Pen many times and I still get the goose bumps when I do. I have been lucky enough to play for Team USA 17 times at the Bullshooter World Championships, NDA World Championships, and overseas. It is an incredible honor to have been on these teams, and have played with and against the best in the world.

I would like to say thank you to some of the special people that have made it possible for me to get to where I am at, and also continue on while I try to reach my dreams. First, I would like to thank my sponsor, Triple Eight, and Junkei Lin. Thank you for your belief and trust while taking a chance on me. I will do everything in my power to do you and your company proud. I would like to thank all of the dart partners that I have played with over the years. Without them, I would not have been able to have reached so many of my goals. My mom and dad. Without there support, I would not have ever been able to dream as big as I did. Most of all, I would like to say thank you to my family. My wife, Judith for always allowing me the opportunity to play. Without her, I would have never been able to do any of this. To my children, Tracie and Jake, thank you for always being behind me. You guys will never know how much it means to me.

"It is just a game. Play that way, and enjoy the ride" Thanks Dad for the advice. I will always try to make you proud.

Bullshooter Finals Chicago

1 Pro Singles Championship

4 Pro Doubles Championships

8 Time Team USA Member (5 Times Champion)

17 Time Team USA Representative (11 times Captain)

Bullshooter Japan

"The One" World Champion

"The One" Doubles Finalist (with Mig)

Bullshooter Japan Yokohama Style World Invitation Champion

Bullshooter Asia

Hammer Cricket Champion

3 Times Team USA Member (1 Championship)

NDA World Championships

3 Time Masters Singles Champion

2 Time Doubles Champion

5 Time Team Champion

6 Time Team USA Member (4 Times Champion)

2 Time Mixed Champion

2 Time Top Gun Award Winner