2008 Masters Nationals
by Dennis Aitken, ADO General Secretary

The 2008 Masters Nationals were played in Houston, Friday June 20th. 39 men and 24 women vied for the chance to play on this years Masters team. A round robin format was used with the men divided into three brackets of ten players and one with nine players. The top two from each bracket advancing to the final eight bracket. The ladies were divided into four brackets of seven each, again with the top two ladies advancing to the final eight bracket.

The eight men advancing out of the preliminary brackets were Ed Labarbera from Region 2-5, Jerry VanLoan from Region 5-2, Time O'Gorman from Region 5-3, Brian Blake from Region 5-4, Steve Brown from Region 6-2, David Schuyler from Region 4-3, Scott Wallaston from Region 3-2, and Eddie Moore from Region 3-5. After a very hard fought battle Jerry VanLoan took 1st place with 14 legs, David Schuyler placed 2nd with 13 legs, Scott Wallaston finished 3rd with 12 legs, and Steve Brown finished in 4th with 11 legs. This will be the Men's Masters Team.

The eight women advancing to the finals were Andrea Taylor from Region 3-2. Christina Medina from Region 3-2. Jeannine Rose from Region 3-2. Marilyn Popp from Region 5-4. Sandy Hudson from Region 4-3, Kathy Podraza from Region 3-1, Carolyn Mars from Region 5-5, and Stacy Bromberg from Region 2-3. Stacy Bromberg finished 1st with 19 legs won and Sandy Hudson finished 2nd with 13 legs won. This will be the ladies Masters team. Finishing 3rd was a tie at 12 legs between Carolyn Mars and Christina Medina. Carolyn won the tie breaker for first alternate.

I would like to express my thanks to the folk at the Harris County Darts Association. The set up was great, all of the equipment worked as advertised and was ready to go way before I was. I also wish to express my thanks to Chris Helms, the Area 3 manager who ran the men’s side with no flaws, Lloyd Hoover, the Area 4 manager who also ran the men’s side and Janice Mansfield, the region 3-1 director and Harris Counties tournament director who ran the ladies brackets to perfection. Because of them the tournament ran smoothly and finished well before what we had planned on. Great job all!