POEL'S EYE Kudelstaart

To share the passion for darts with www.poelseye.nl all the way from Chicago is a great gift.
This interview is an absolute highlight in the existence of this website, thank you Sherilyn.

How long do you play darts ?
It's hard to believe that I have been playing darts for almost 20 years...it seems like just yesterday that I picked up my first set of darts. People are not allowed in pubs here until the age of 21 and before then, I never even knew that something like darts even existed! The first time that I threw darts was electronic darts in a small, local honky-tonk kind of bar named Punkys, that played only country and western songs on the jukebox! I fell in love with darts the first time that I threw and I have been in love with the game ever since. There was a poster on the wall looking for steel-tip team members for a steel-tip league, so I called and left my name on a list. It sounded like such fun! Keep in mind, this poster was looking for steel-tip darters and I had never, ever, ever even seen a bristle board!

So, I left my name on the list and someone called looking for a player - the team was going to meet at a pub for a team practice. I was excited!; beyond excited, I cannot even explain it!
I got in my car, stopped at the local sporting goods store and bought a cheap set of steel-tip darts - Keep in mind, I had NEVER thrown steel-tip darts before and here I was joining a steel-tip team! I went to that practice and it was an eye-opener because steel is much different then electronic. Still, I threw steel-tip at that practice and LOVED it! I had so much to learn about mechanics and strategy and games that required hitting the doubles - something that most electronic games do not require. Still, I loved it and have loved it since and never looked back! (My non-darter friends think I am kooky, crazy in a good way and they cannot understand my obsession with darts!)

The darters on that first steel-tip team (West Suburban Dart League out of Villa Park, Illinois)were very patient with me, explaining the game and the strategy and introducing me to the all important out-chart. That first night my mind was spinning with so much to remember. These guys were the best and helped me so much. We practiced at least twice a week for the longest time! They took me to my first tournament, where I did pretty well probably because I was an "unknown", didn't know who the good players were and was on a mission to do my best and win. Sometimes being new is a good thing because you don't necessarily know who the good players are so you have no fear when you step up to the line! Quite a few were taken back that here this gal came out of no where and was doing well. The thing was, I was new and didn't know enough to be intimidated by players who were more skillful. I went in with the attitude to do my best and feared nothing; So I did just that, I did my best and made several money rounds!

How often do you play these days ?

Today I shoot on two teams and practice at the pub twice a week - more if I am able to! My practice includes a round of doubles, a round of triples, 50 bulls, and then throwing at outs starting at 40 and moving up as far as I can go. I love competing, and regularly challenge the darters, both men and women, at my home bar. Most of the time these are the guys...who sometimes think that a woman doesn't know how to shoot darts or is only playing darts because her husband play. Not me! I just love to play darts and I love a good challenge, which I will never turn down.

The Sponge Reef, Team Redeux :
From left to right are Todd, Sherilyn, Andy, Jim and Eric. (I'm the only girl...)

My perfect dart room at home: 3 dartboards, one of which is a Championship dartboard with the doubles and triples that are half the size. The boards will be encased in the "Circumlumator" dart light and surround (made of bullet proof glass) and will show no shadows.
From the ceiling will be 3 hanging pendulum lights of green glass. The floor will be carpeted in deep green, extending to the perfect length of the throw line - from there the rest of the floor will be carpeted in "dartboard red carpet". The walls will also be carpeted in red carpeting...

The score boards will be original chalk boards (there is nothing like the feel of a real piece of chalk in your hands!) together with 3 Dart Master electronic scoring machines! There will be plenty of room to throw and to watch the action! Across the bottom of the wall, under the boards, will be a hand painted out-chart running the length of the wall. To the sides of the boards will be glass encased shelves to hold my plaques and trophies - and the artwork on the side walls will be collages of pictures of all my dart friends, professionals whom I admire, and the darters worldwide whom I have interviewed!

When did you get started with your website ?
Do you have many visitors ?
When did you get started with your website ? Ahhhhh, my website! At the time I was working in IT as a Project Manager and very bored and unfulfilled. Don't get me wrong, I have always been a hard worker and very conscientious and have always wanted to give 110% in whatever job that I was working at - but it was not my dream job, simply a job to pay my bills...So I had the idea to take a web certification class in hopes that I would change careers and become a graphics designer and web programmer. The course was long - 4 months long, 3 times a week and I loved it. My plan was to create a professional website for Project Managers that I could use as part of my portfolio to show perspective employers...the final project was to create a website with all sorts of technical requirements and at least 10 pages of related content. At the end of the course, there were 2 weeks to complete the final project. Mine was about Project Management Consulting Services. Oh my and I hated that part of it. Though I like to write, I hated my job and the last thing that I wanted to do was to write 10 pages of content about Project Management Consulting Services. I mean, I hated my job, so how could I write 10 pages of content for this web project? I thought to myself that I work all day in Project Management and didn't like what I was doing, and here I was trying to write even more about Project Management for this website project for class. ARGHHH!
The professor had to approve our concept for the final project and two weeks before the course ended I had the brilliant brainstorm to create a website about darts. My professor thought I was nuts. Here I was in a 4 month program and two weeks before the course finished I wanted to switch gears and create a website about darts. So I went to the instructor and pitched my ideas. He was dubious at best. "How can you create a website about darts in only 2 weeks? Are you sure you will have enough content, 10 pages minimum, to write about darts??? Is this some sort of underground subculture that I know nothing about? You know, Sherilyn, your grade depends on this, are you sure you can do this?" I assured my instructor that yes, indeed, I would be able to create 10 pages of content for my new website and against his better judgement, he approved my concept.

The next morning, while in the shower (inspiration comes when you least expect it) the concept of www.thepassionatedarter just came to me and by nightfall my website was designed, complete with the layout and design, initial graphics and a list of the topics that I would write about. I received an A+++ for my final project and that is the beginning of it all! (I never did begin a career as a web programmer...)

It wasn't a course requirement to actually port my website project over to the Internet but immediately I did. I had a vision and I was on a mission.
My first month on the Internet, I received only 40 hits. My husband asked "What if no one visits or reads your website? What if no one is interested in your website about darts?" It didn't matter. I was simply joyful to be writing about darts, and I told my husband so! Fast forward to today, where on a month, my site receives over 13,000 hits per month, and I am amazed at this each and every single day, that a small mid-western gal from the states can create a dart website with tens of thousands of visitors each month. This amazes me every single day and I feel incredibly lucky and blessed to be doing something that brings me so much joy!

Darin Young, Peter Manley, John Part, Sherilyn J. Herkey and Mr. (!) John Lowe

Paul Siegel, AKA Dartoid, an International Darts Columnist (who is quite humorous) reviewed my website in 2003 and here is what he had to say:
"Sherilyn Herkey created www.thepassionatedarter.com a couple of years ago for some class she was taking about auto mechanics. She set out to design a web site about vintage cars. This is the result. She failed the course (of course, of course) but continued to follow her passion. She has catapulted her project into one of the more unique and interesting sites on the Web today. Buried here is an exhaustive listing of books about darts, dating back to the 1930’s, and tips on how to find them. There is also a collection of interviews including one with John Lowe that simply has to be among the best ever conducted."
Looking back, I had a vision but had no idea how this project would grow or how much joy that it would bring me. Again, I am amazed every single day as to how far this project would grow or the opportunities that I would have because of this!

Are there many pro's in America ? Are all the tournaments with price-money ?
Yes, Yes, YES! There are professional darters in America but very few have given up their day jobs to be a professional darter. They do make money but probably not enough to become rich because of darts, which is why most continue their day jobs.
The best tournaments are held all over the country and do have guaranteed pay-outs. While these pros do make a significant amount of money, most need to keep their day jobs to have a good standard of living. Like I said, very few make enough money to play only darts as their major source of income.

Can you buy darts everywhere?
In Holland we have shops that only sells darts and nothing else... is that also in America?
Years ago there were many dart stores that you could walk into, try the darts out and then purchase them. Those are the days of the past though and mostly one has to buy their darts and parts online, without ever even thrown them, rolled them over in their hands to get the feel of them and so on. It's tough and a gamble to buy darts over the Internet but we don't have much choice here. Personally, I throw 23 gram Black Widows, which are manufactured here in the states by Horizon Darts. And I use the standard shaped poly flights. I have my favorites, including personalized flights that are imprinted with "The Passionate Darter."

From Left to Right...Jeff, AKA "Hollywood", Bartender Barb, Linda "Master of Strategy & Outs",
Captain Mike, Andy "The Dog" or "H" as He is Affectionately Known,
and Sherilyn "The Passionate Darter"

Look closely at our winning plaque - It's tradition for each team member from the winning city
Championship to tuck one of their personal dart flights under their engraved name...
Good people, good friends, good darts - Who could ask for anything more?
And to my teammates - "Joy to the Fishes in the Deep Blue Sea, Joy to You and Me"
Life is good, isn't it? Yes, indeed, life is good!

How can you stay so passionate for such a long time ?
As for the passion for darts - this is in my blood. Why ask why? It just is. I have been passionate about darts since the beginning and my passion only grows. When I interview other darters, both the professionals and amateurs, this gives me Goosebumps and is exciting. I feel their passion and their energy and this drives my passion even more! I cannot fully explain this, it is what it is, it's in my blood and I am passionate about darts. Period. There is nothing like it and again, I can't explain it, it is what it is and I love it!

Can a passionate darter like you enjoy a game that you've lost ?
Nobody likes to lose but let's face it. There's only going to be one winner and one loser and chances are you have lost along the way. Yes, sometimes it is frustrating and disappointing but as an ambassador of the sport you must be a good sportsman and this means, with both your words and actions, appreciating the efforts of others whether you have won or lost. I have shot my little heart out and lost - but in the end, I do feel good about shooting my best and to lose doesn't mean that you are a "loser" - it means that at that moment in time your opponent shot better than you did. With a handshake, looking your opponent in the eye, thanking them for the match and appreciating the effort that one has put forth - that is what it is all about. There are more matches and more tournaments and more opportunities to improve and that's how I look at it. Yes, winning is good, but to shoot some of your best darts and to still lose, that's okay as long as you're a good sport, think about what you need to improve, let go of it, and move on to the next match.

Chicago's Windy City Open 2008; did you meet our Dutch man Co Stompé (The Matchstick) ?
At the Chicago's Windy City Open, '2008...Unfortunately I did not meet the Dutch man Co Stompé (The Matchstick) ? I wished I had met him, watched him lay and volunteered to chalk for him. I will certainly be looking for him at next year's Windy City Open!

               Please note that the bar has an awesome out chart painted on the wall and it is the coolest
                    thing that I have ever seen. If and when I create my own dart room (we need a bigger house)
                    I will have the same out chart painted on the wall because it is very cool!

Sherilyn, you have interviewed so many pro's.
Which are your best interviews ?

The best interviews, are every interview because I learn something new every time about the darters, the pros, the amateurs, their philosophy of darts and everything else. EVERY interview is a wide opening experience and we all have a story to tell, don't we? As a dart writer who interviews others I am constantly trying to hone my interviewing style and my interview questions. If I am successful then I am able to capture the essence of the darter - sometimes easier said then done. That said, every single interview has been a joy and allowed me a unique opportunity to get to other darts. I am extremely grately to these darters, both pros and amateurs alike to who have given me the opportunity to get to know them, and understand what makes them tick, so to speak, and I want the results of all these darters.

While I was lucky enough to conduct an interview with dart legend Mr. John Lowe ( who threw the 1st perfect game on television in the 80s and won more money then John McEnroe that year for winning the Wimbledon, I am very proud of this interview with John Lowe and I am incredibly honored to have been given this opportunity! Every darter has a story to tell and if I am doing my job correctly then I am able to capture the true essence of the darter and that is my goal.
Mr. John Lowe was a wonderful interview subject and I will never forget this especially when I have the opportunities to go outside of my way to help other darters. I have been extremely lucky and I know that I my only hope is that I am worthy of that and may return that favor to others that I meet along the way!

You like to read, you have an excellent website, isn't it time to write THE passionate dartsbook ?
As for a book about darts...I'm on a mission to own every single book that has ever been written about darts and I am proud to say that I own the first ever published book from England, that was published in 1936. Currently, I own about 40 dart books and like I said, someday I would like a collection of every single dart book in the world. Yes, yes, yes, I will write my own book someday and maybe you, Jeroen, will be my co-author. Never say never, it all starts with an idea and a dream and in today's world anything is possible. Yes, one way or another I will have a dart book out there in the world!

What do you think of sports hypnosis ?

The lure of sports hypnosis is one thing: to have that superior edge. Let's face it, once the mechanics is down, the entire game of darts is a mental game - it is you against the board and often times the only thing holding you back is your lack of mental focus and intensity when you need it most. Would sports hypnosis help me? That was the test, a very expensive test that in the end proved unsuccessful for me. That doesn't mean that hypnosis won't be successful for other darters, maybe I just wasn't ready. Or maybe I couldn't be hypnotized!

As a darter, once you have practiced day after day, month after month, your body soon learns how to perform the exact skills needed for your sport, because you have now developed a habit. Your body automatically knows how to perform the skills. I believe the only thing that separates a "Winner" from an "Also Could-Have, Should-Have, Would-Have been a winner" (that is a nice way of saying loser), in sports is limiting decisions, limiting beliefs, fears, and doubts that creep in and disrupt your superior sports performance.

The ad in the yellow pages of the phone book asserted that hypnosis and hypnotherapy can greatly improve your inner beliefs, and in the world of performance, especially sports performance, belief is everything. Do you believe you are able to compete at the top of your game even after an injury? Even after a devastating loss? Even when you have lost but you were right there with your darts and on the cusp of winning...

Hypnosis, husband Andy and top US Pro Woman Darters Marilyn Popp and Stacy Bromberg

I showed up early for my hypnosis appointment with a certified sports Hypnotist. I sat in a very comfortable chair, listened to soothing music, and wore headphones so that the Hypnotist could talk to me and make the subliminal suggestions that would help my mental game. I also wore a special set of heavy glasses that covered half my face that sent little red light impulses to my eyes/brain. Supposedly these red impulse lights would help to keep me focused.
Thought the Hypnotist specialized in sports hypnotism, she had no experience with a darter. Still, all things apply to all sports when it comes to the mental focus..learning to eliminate the memory of a disastrous performance that may be holding you back, ignoring distractions while competing and focusing on upcoming performances, remaining calm under pressure, improving self positive talk after a poor performance, improving and refining your skills, improving your motivation and your attitude, and illiminating fear of success, fear of failure, fear that you are not good enough and fear that you do not deserve to be the best, and lastly, fear of competition.

After the session, I was fully relaxed and ready to play darts and put my new hypnosis concepts to work. Other then hitting a couple of double-16s when I needed them, I shot the same old darts. For me, hypnosis at this time was not the answer. Maybe in the future.

What I have decided is to:
1) Save my money and not spend it on hypnosis;
2) Visualize winning;
3) Practice and compete more;
4) Ask other skillful darters for ways to improve my stance, stroke, release and strategy.

All in all, it was a great experiment but didn't work out so well for me. I'll be going back to basics and I am sure that my game WILL improve and I will become a better and more consistent darter. I know this - after all, I am a competitive passionate darter!

When will you come to participate in a Poel's Eye tournament ? (Kudelstaart,Netherlands).
And meeting you (Jeroen) at the oche, shaking your hand to wish you good darts, and playing in your tournament(s) - this might happen when sheeps fly! A round-trip ticket and hotel in the Kudelstaart area of the Netherlands is $3205 American dollars and unfortunately not in my budget right now. But! Never say never as this just might happen someday!

Kudelstaart Chicago

If one of our local darters will visit Chicago, which places are a must to visit ?

If you or your friends were to travel to Chicago, I would be honored to show you the sights and the best of the best in darts, darters, the best places to play and the best tournaments to attend. Ideally this would take approximately 2 weeks! We would start with a Friday blind draw at one of the best dart bard in the city known as Di's Den where only the best of the best compete at the Friday night luck of the draw. These darter are the best in the state and flock to Di's Den because to the great setup - the owner, Lady Di who support darts in the best way possible. It is at Di's Den luck of the draws that the best of Illinois and Chicago darts come from all over to the state to compete for the big prize money on Friday nights! This is the best competition in the state! and open to all darters. The setup is great with about a dozen boards in its own dart room with plenty of room. This skill of the darter is unhead of and they are quite skillful. There is never a dull moment at Di's Den luck of the draws and darters come from all over the world when they are in Chicago to compete at Di's Den. Lady Di, is the host and not only supports darters in very positive way that she can do, but she also is quite philanthropic and always contributing and raising money for those less fortunate. She and her bar, Di's Den, is a legend not only in Chicago but in Illinois and across the country. This is an experience not to be missed.

To be smart, you would plan to come the weekend before the Windy City International Open tournament where pros and amateurs alike come from all over the world. This is so exciting that it is impossible not to get goosebumps just to be in the presence of these professional darters from all over the world. One of the great things is that the blind draw event gives every darter the opportunity to draw a pro as a partner! Where else in dart can you have the opportunity to shoot with a professional dart player at a blind draw event in Chicago? This has something that all passionate darters need to experience for themselves and if you ever have the opportunity to travel to the Windy City Open International Tournament, please plan to be there! This is like nothing that most have never experiences for themselves and just something so wonderful that only in the world of darts could this happen.

After some dart it would be time for a road trip to Big River Darts in the Midwest where they have just a bit about everything that a darter might need. This is definitely worth the trip! Following that, a weekend of darts in the midwest of the states at Blueberry Hill is the next place you MUST visit and compete at! This tournament has been running for years with quite a reputation as someplace you must visit and compete at. The owner, Joe Edwards, is gracious beyond compare and his restaurant food, complete with regional recipes like deep fried ravioli are not to be missed! This bar is one of the oldest in the state with the largest collection of jukebox music in the entire country. Yes indeed, this is one dart bar you have to see to believe and to compete in would be the best!

After all the miles in the car, the road trip and darts in different cities, I would take you next to my home bar, The Sponge Reef in Schaumber, Illinois USA, 30 miles west of the city. My home bar is cozy with lots of nice people and together we would challenge those who wanted to play us. There would never be a dull moment and good darts are good darts so this would be something to see! All you have to do is to travel to Chicago, Illinois, USA and I would personally be your guide to take you to the best of the best of dart pubs and of course, we would eat the local cuisine so that you would have something to write home about!

Jeroen - you'll have to fit this in and tweak this - I don't think that I have a favorite interview - each interview and getting to know another darter and their culture is an adventure! Each interview is new and different and I learn something new every time. I'm not sure that I have a favorite because they are all so interesting that they actually give me goosebumps - I get excited and energized learning about other darts and their excitement and enthusiasm! And I have met so many wonderful people over the Internet and through E-mail! Maybe someday I will be lucky enough to meet many of the darters in person, whom I have interviewed over the Internet...
- I'd like to travel to the Netherlands, Portugal, England, Spain, Russia and Australia!

As for my future goals - I am not skillful enough to be a professional darter but that's okay. I love writing about darts, especially the interviews. I learn something new every day and I am constantly surprised. Most darters are down to Earth, humble, gracious with their time and energies and I admire them greatly. My favorite part of my dart website are the interviews and though they take time, they are fulfilling and very rewarding and I'd like to think that I am making some lifelong friends, whether they come to Chicago someday or I travel to their country - I look forward to sharing a point and talking about darts, the difference in cultures between countries and learning more than I ever thought possible!

This picture is when I visited Paul Lim at his home bar in California, some 2000 miles from my home.
I was on a business trip which is why I am dressed in a suit - but he shot a few games with me and was the epitome of a good sport and of course, an excellent darter!

I had previously written him a letter explaining that it would be my dream to shoot mixed doubles with him in a tournament and he responded, lucky me. We met 1/2 across the states in St. Louis and shot together. It was one of the most awesome experiences of my life - and I hit my first Ton80 in competition.
We won of course but I shot my little heart out and threw some of the best darts of my life. He is truly an ambassador of the sport and goes out of his way to be kind to others. He is also the only darter to throw a perfect '9 dart '501 game in a world champion. In my book, he is simply the best.

What word of wisdom do you want to end this interview with?
My words of wisdom? Whether you're having a good day of darts, or not your best day of darts, always be an ambassador of the sport and illustrate the qualities of good sportsmanship with both your words and actions. Encourage others, especially those who are just beginning, don't ever get frustrated, appreciate the good times and always have fun. Follow your passion for darts as we all have moments of greatness and as long as your passion for darts is there, good things will happen. When your passion wanes, it's time to take a break, put your darts down, and take a break so that you may come back refreshed and better than ever!

To the visitors to your website Jeroen, and to those reading this particular article,
shoot well, good wishes to you and you are all welcome to visit me in
Chicago, Illinois US.