From Apr. 1 to 3, two local Legion men’s dart teams will be shooting for success at the 2016 BC/Yukon Command Darts Playdown that will be held in Comox B.C.
The local Fernie based teams competed against four other teams from Sparwood, Cranbrook, Creston and Invermere to win the opportunity to represent the East Kootenay.
“First we have to qualify in Fernie. Each place that has a legion puts a team in for the East Kootenay playoff. Only one team out of the five from this area will qualify and represent the East Kootenay. We won the men’s double and the four man team this year,” said Sam Campisi, a member of both teams.
The two teams that will be flying to the coast are the two-man, consisting of Sam Campisi and Jim Johnson and the four-man team, comprised of Chester Hirtle and Roland Hula, along with Campisi and Johnson. Many of the gentlemen have competed in the playdown before.
“It is my third year qualifying. I was not a member of the Legion before but have been for the last three years. The first year I won singles, second year we won doubles, and this year we won doubles and four-man team,” Campisi said. The legion has committed to paying $750 toward the travel and accommodations for the two teams.
“Because we are going to Comox and we are not driving, we wish to have enough support to pay for the trip, It’s pretty expensive. We have four places in mind where we can put a letter and get some kind of support and get to Comox,” he said. “The Legion will provide gas for us to get to Calgary plus the accommodation once we get to Comox for the three nights to sleep there.”
The tournament brings around 15 teams from both B.C. and the Yukon. Each team represents their area and competes to win. Campisi has his aims set high for this year’s competition.
“Every time you play the tournament you have no idea where you’ll end up. Last year in doubles, me and Chester came third out of 15 teams so it was pretty good. This year I expect to do pretty well the same or even better,” he said. “Once you’re there you have to pump yourself up to win for sure.”