Fast-developing darts venue hosts Grand Slam Doubles Event featuring top players including 11-year-old darts champion Lennon Wharf
Stonham Barns Park – one of Suffolk’s premier leisure, retail and holiday destinations – staged a major darts tournament on Saturday 9 November for the second year in the company of some of the country’s top players, including PDC tour card holders and last year’s winners Stephen Burton and Ryan Meikle.
The Grand Slam Doubles event had a full entry of 160 players. Organised by Evolution Darts, with the support of Target Darts and The Darts Referee (YouTube’s no1 darts influencer), it has a £2000 prize fund with competitors coming from all over the UK to play at the community venue The Barn.
Victory went to Suffolk county stars JJ Wright and Nathan Potter – The Wizard from Beccles – who beat the Cambridgeshire pairing of Darren Youngs and Phil Johnston Hale in the final, the competition including past victors and PDC stars Stephen Burton and Ryan Meikle who lost to Youngs and Hale in a high quality semi Final.
Also included in the line-up for this year was 11-year-old darts champion Lennon ‘The Force’ Wharf, from Brandon in Suffolk, who partnered fellow Suffolk County youth player Jack Elvin. Lennon is more than familiar with the leisure and holiday venue as he is sponsored by Stonham Barns Park among others.
Lennon ‘The Force’ Wharf – the name he chose from his favourite Star Wars films – joined Target Dart’s Elite 1 team at just 10 years old which made him their youngest ever player. He aims to be an integral part of the JDC Foundation Tour going forwards having been playing competitive darts for a while now breaking records as he goes and becoming the youngest ever player to represent the UK Under 18s.
Said Lennon: ‘I put my all into the Grand Slam Doubles tournament. It’s a tough competition for adults so Jack and I did well. I have been playing really well – having just hit my 600th 180 – so I feel happy with my playing form right now!’
‘I always enjoy my time at Stonham Barns Park. It’s an awesome darts venue. The atmosphere is always special. It was awesome to be playing two PDC players in our group and I have gained lots of experience from the event. I can’t wait for the next big event at the venue.’
Stonham Barns Park has been hosting various darts events at The Barn and Legends Bar – named in honour of a variety of sporting legends – including famous names from the world of darts Russ Bray and Ipswich-based Keith Deller.
Said Darren Moyes from Evolution Darts, ‘This year we hit an even higher standard than before as some very serious players stepped up to the event. We are looking forward to staging our Super Series Finals tournament on 7 December at Stonham Barns Park which is the perfect venue for such a prestigious event.’
‘It’s going to be a great event and is open to all to come and watch some high quality darts, we will also be holding a free to enter youth comp on the day with some of the best youngsters in the area attending
The Super Series Darts final will culminate in an event to be staged at Stonham Barns Park on 7 December.
