
Brad Cook at the oche, watched by Gerwyn Price, left, and Michael Smith.
Brad Cook can tell every darts playing colleague that he’s played with, and been up against, the best.
Cook – ‘Cookie’ – was one of several players who were drawn last Thursday at the Hamilton Workingmen’s Club to go up to the oche with international players who were a day away from competing in the New Zealand Darts Masters at Claudelands.
The club gathering attracted players from throughout the Waikato and Cook, who plays for Cambridge C Town Brothers in the Hamilton Darts Association’s premier league, was named in the same team as world number four Gerwyn Price against a team led by current word champ Michael Smith, who produced a strong finish to win the tie.
Price goes into the masters tournament tomorrow as the 2022 winner.
“It’s not everyday you get a chance to talk to some of the best darts players in the world, let alone play against them,” Cook, who managed to get his blue club darts polo signed by a number of the professionals, said.
He was also able to chat with other leading players – the colourful Peter Wright, known as Snakebite, Danny Noppert and Rob Cross.
- Lachlan Douglas is a Wintec Journalism student.