Bullseye — MRC hits the mark

The event will feature former World Darts Federation number one Scotty Mitchell, number two Jim Williams, four time world champion Lisa Ashton, reigning BDO world champion Mikuru Suzuki and current Australian champion Justin Thompson.

And as part of the Darts Triple Threat, the 2019 Pacific Masters and the 40th Australian Darts Championships will follow at the Rich River Golf Club between August 4 and 11, completing a 14 day carnival of darts for the twin towns.

Darts Australia president Kelvin James said they were excited to bring darts to the region.

‘‘We are thrilled to bring these incredible events to the town,’’ James said.

‘‘We’ve been in discussion with the Murray River Council about a partnership for a few years, and we are very excited to finally get it across the line.’’

With a prize pool of $50,000 on the line, the open will be the richest darts tournament in the Asia Pacific region.

And unlike many major darts events, it will give members of the public the opportunity to compete against the best in the world.

For a $25 entry fee, the general public will have the opportunity to compete in the four mens’ last chance qualifiers, or the two womens’ last chance qualifiers, to earn one of 24 mens and six women spots in the main event.

For James, it is the most exciting change to the sport in some time.

‘‘It’s wonderful to get to have quality competitors in the event, but also give the public a chance,’’ he said.

‘‘The prize money will bring the top competitors to compete, but the last chance qualifiers are what excites me the most. How often do you get to enter an event and win the chance to play against a top ranked player in the world?

‘‘We have a three year deal with the Murray River Council to run this event, and we believe we will see the open grow into the biggest event in darts in time.’’

Following the open, the Australian Championships and Pacific Masters will see the best players from across the country in town for competition.

And the access to these players will be unparalleled.

‘‘During the event our players will be around, the public can have the chance to easily talk to them, ask them for advice on their game, or even have a playoff on the practice boards. It gives the public a rare opportunity not only to see the best talent, but to learn from the best in the sport.’’

James said Echuca-Moama’s setting was ideal for the sport.

‘‘Echuca-Moama has everything we could possibly want,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s such a wonderful community up here who really get involved in these events, there is fantastic accommodation and tourism, so it was the perfect venue for the event.’’

Murray River Council mayor Chris Bilkey said council was excited for the opportunities he expected it to bring.

‘‘Council is excited about the Moama Bowling Club Australian Open Darts Tournament and the economic benefits that it will deliver to Echuca-Moama,’’ he said.

‘‘We are delighted to have partnered with Darts Australia and numerous sponsors to host this prestigious international event and look forward to a lasting relationship with the Australian darts fraternity.’’

Tickets for the group sessions and finals of the open are $30 for the three days, and can be bought from echucamoama.com/australian-open-darts-tournament