Beginnings of a Dart League

D I S C L A I M E R

The following information has been gathered with the assistance of the many people involved in the game of Darts. Some "licence" was taken to "fill in" some of the years, people, places and events. Our apologies for any items which may have been omitted or entered through wrong dates or names.
Feel free to correct any errors or add comments by E-mail at the following address: wip@vaxxine.com .

DON HURST (09/16/84)
The "BOILERMAKERS" do it all!
It's said by some people that darts were carried into battle on the shields of Greek warriors, they have also been found in the drawings in ancient Egyptian tombs. The English Knights (they say), threw shortened arrows at the tops of beer kegs.(Hence the triple!) It really doesn't matter who or even how Darts were started, just that someone carried the game on! The following Man is one example of those people...
Organized Darts in Southern Ontario and the Niagara Peninsula got their start with the help of a local St.Catharines native and Mailman by the name of Don Hurst. Through his efforts, he was instrumental in starting a number of Area Dart Leagues along with being one of the original founding member of the National Darts Federation of Canada (N.D.F.C.). As "founding father", Don soon became a predominant figure in Leagues and Tournaments throughout the Peninsula, and the U.S.
He began playing darts for recreation and during the early 50's,through 'til 1982, played out of Branch 24 Legion, on Church Street in St.Catharines. Anyone who knew Don as dart enthusist or Mailman, knew a man dedicated to the game of darts and its growth. He never turned down a friendly challenge.
His personal records and accomplishments stand alone in the early beginnings of Darts.
1955/56, playing for Br. 24, Zone B Singles and Doubles events
1956/57- Runner up Zone B.
1960 he was the O.D.A. Runner-up in the Singles and Doubles.
1962 through 1972, - Winner District B Doubles and Singles with his favourite partner, Joe Wackett. Their ten year reign has yet to be beaten! During these years he continued working with people throughout Canada in creating what was to become The National Dart Federation of Canada.
December, 1971, First of three "recorded perfect" games that year, DI - 156 DO - 145.
At the same time, he already had fourteen 180's on file. By the end of his dart career Don had accumulated 31-180's, and 9 perfect games A formidible opponent!
1972 helped to get the Thorold Dart League started, in which his team was the League Playoff Runners' up and League Team Champions. During the next few years the Team would go on to win or place in most League Events until 1976/77 when the Niagara Frontier Dart League started. That first season saw the Hurst Team, "The Boilermakers", continue their winning ways, by taking the Playoffs and Runners-up the following year. Over the next few seasons Don played in The Niagara Falls City Dart League with similiar results. His accomplishments and awards are too numerous to list here, but suffice to say that He carried the game to its' limit and made many friends along the way. Joe Wolkowski, Ken Farmer, Bruce Wise, Joe Wackett, were a few of those who were to play with Don during his active years in Darts.
In the Spring of 1981, Don was Hospitalized after suffering 3 strokes in under seven months, he had lost the use of his left arm and leg. This did not deter him from participating in and winning the Singles at the "1982 Greater Cleveland Fall Dart Extravaganza" the "'82 Blossom Festival" and finishing the Season as "A" Division Champions. Throughout this period he was still very heavily involved with the N.D.F.C. and the promotion of Darts, in particular the Niagara Peninsula. His goals were never about himself in the Game but for others who played. Win or lose he would always shake your hand or give words of encouragement!
Through 1982 he continued to travel to the many tournaments in the U.S. and Canada and was respected by all he met. By December of '83 he had had another stroke, which all but ended his career in darts. Don Hurst lived and died for the game and will be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to meet and play with or against him. Don Hurst past away on September 16, 1984 but his memory is preserved by the Leagues who continue to hold their "ANNUAL DON HURST DART TOURNAMENT" in his memory. Thanks to Bryon & Helen Hurst for all of the above information about a man so dearly missed by so many.
The 21st ANNUAL DON HURST RESULTS - 2005
FRIDAY BLIND DRAW
WINNERS: Rick Kewell & Mark Neilsen Ganapathy
RUNNERS-UP: Bruce Davey & Mike St.Amour
JOINT THIRD: Doug Hamilton & Adam Warnock / Steve Warnock & Shawn Barret
180 Scores Alex Stamper & Bruce Davey - 2, Gary Marland, Mark Neilsen - 1
Hi-Scores - Finishes Rick Kewell - 124 Bull Finish, Gloria Armbrust -125, Danielle Waite - 121
SATURDAY EVENTS
MEN'S SINGLES
WINNER: Bruce Davey RUNNER-UP: Steve Warnock
JOINT THIRD: Gary Marland & Dan Breen
180 Scores Bruce Davey - 5
WOMEN'S SINGLES
WINNER: Roni Webb RUNNER-UP: Leah Smith
JOINT THIRD: Wendy Paterak & Lisa Christie
WOMEN'S DOUBLES
WINNERS: Karen Fitzpatrick & Roni Webb
RUNNERS-UP: Cathy Cockings & Jeanette Renneboog
JOINT THIRD: Cheryl White & Connie Vallee / Carole Rogers & Cheryl MacKay

MEN'S DOUBLES
WINNERS: Gary Mawson & Sam Stark Jr.
RUNNERS-UP: Jim Munro & Bruce Davey
JOINT THIRD: John Mc Pherson & Alex Stamper / Paul Williams & Gary Marland
Steve Warnock, Dan Snow - 180
PRO-SHOOT
WINNER: RUNNER-UP:
JOINT THIRD:
Jay Barlow, Chris Leslie - 2X180, Al Devine & Jim Munro - 180
MIXED DOUBLES
WINNERS: Jean Bremner & Dan Snow
RUNNERS-UP: Dave Paterak & Wendy Paterak
JOINT THIRD: Adam Warnock & Carole Rogers / John McPherson & Loni Randall
Sreve Warnock - 180, Karen Craig - 153 Finish
SUNDAY TEAM EVENT
WINNERS: Club Belvedere "Shitey Blokes" {N F D L}
RUNNERS-UP: R C L Br 24 "Loons" {St.CMNDL}
JOINT THIRD: The Port Dart League "MOW" & R C L Br 138 "Raiders" {St.CMNDL}
Dan Snow, Sheldon Walbourne - 180, Steve Warnock - 177

NOTE: There were 21 -180's Men's Leagues | Youth Programs