Mark ‘Mile High’ Hylton & Open Competitions (The path to success?)

Posted on February 18th, 2012

Thanks to ‘The Suit’ for providing us with another interesting article. With much emphasis and focus on players joining the pro tour, Q School etc, the potential yields on the darts open circuit are often overlooked. I use the term not just in the monetary sense, but also valuable competitive darts experience. Open tournaments provide the perfect environment for players to serve their tungsten apprenticeship. Any aspiring dartist young or old, should take note of Mark’s route into the pro game and perhaps look at the upcoming series of  Harlow Grand Prix/open events as a starting point.

Open Competitions (The path to success?), by The Suit

MARK began playing at the age of 15 for the same pub team as his father (George Hylton), who was no mean player himself! Following a period playing in local leagues around his home town of Rugeley, Mark went to University in Wales. Here he again played pub and league darts, eventually becoming a true Englishman abroad, playing for the Welsh County of Clywd in the late 1980’s. This famously strong darts county currently features former BDO World Champion Mark Webster and a number of Welsh squad members.

Although Hylton always impressed, the next level of darts seemed to elude him, possibly due to personal circumstances or perhaps just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Over the next 15 years or so Mark combined darts with the normality’s of life; relationships, career and family. Playing league and super league darts in many areas of the UK and representing Staffordshire County. Mark is very proud of his 80 plus caps over a 10 year period.

2005 seemed to be a turning point, Mark achieved many notable wins and a great leap forward took place. As a county (Staffordshire) representative in the Winmau Masters and English National Singles in 2006, surely bigger things were just on the horizon? Not so, these impressive feats went relatively unnoticed with the biggest stages seeming to always be a step too far.

However, in 2007 another avenue presented itself; the qualifying system for the PDC UK Open allowed amateurs from all codes to enter and finally the break though appeared. Mark qualified for the televised stages and thanks to his interesting background and vocation, he received plenty of attention. His first TV appearance against American No. 1 Ray Carver was a success. The victory gave him confidence and self belief, and despite his next round exit, Mark was positive that a career as a professional darts player would be the next chapter in his life.

Misfortune struck again, just as Mark felt ready to take the plunge, the credit crunch struck, followed by very tough commercial times for everyone, resulting in several potential sponsors being unable to commit to the levels of support needed. This also coincided with changes in Marks personal circumstances, and his aspiration to play professional darts was put on hold.

The desire to succeed though was still there, and so, with considerable courage and upon the advice of an old friend, Mark decided to reduce his work commitments (a part time pattern was negotiated) which would allow him to enter as many open darts events as possible. This new level of commitment paid off immediately, and over the next 2 years or so, Mark won or was well placed in over 50 tournaments. These events also provided the opportunity to play and test himself against many top professionals in match play conditions week after week. Marks successes in open tournaments are listed in the achievements section of his site www.mark-mile-high-hylton.com , the fact that these non-professional achievements are listed here reveals the value Mark places on them!

In early 2009 Mark attended The Tamworth Spring Open; this event was the first of its size to be organized by Let’s Play Knockout Darts. The event organiser was an enthusiastic amateur player and promoter, and during a pause in proceedings, he and Mark chewed the fat about darts, the open circuit and how competitive it was. The organiser, having kept a close eye on proceedings, then watched Mark play through the tough field to a close semi final defeat at the hands of Andy `The Hammer’ Hamilton, then ranked in the world’s top 10 and a major finalist.

Having followed developments in the PDC (the Tour Card was imminent) the enthusiastic promoter monitored Marks performance carefully throughout the year. At the same time others from the Midlands were talking of supporting players in the PDC 2010, surprisingly no one mentioned Mark!  Mark attended many open events during this period and his record was second to none. Only Nigel Heydon achieved the same sort of success over that period of time and number of events.

Having identified an opportunity others had missed, the enthusiastic amateur promoter decided to follow his judgment and offer Mark the backing to enable him to play in the PDC. The rest as they say is history, and in this case it still in the making!

Fast forward to 2011 and part of Marks speech upon receipt of his PDC New Player of the Year Award, was a big thank-you to the open darts circuit, and especially those staged in the Midlands area. This circuit is exceptional in many ways, and continues to be so even in these tough financial times.

It provides competitions for any number of players up to 4 days a week usually within 50 mile or less radius. Fields may vary in terms of numbers but seldom in terms of quality. They provide a true test of progress and a great way to develop skills, friendships and even friendly rivalries. They also provide any venue willing to make an effort, a great revenue stream from non regular customers; a huge benefit for pubs and clubs in the current climate

In recent times at open tournaments run by TD Events, Diamond Wire, Double16.com, Lets Play…, KJK and others, not to mention the many individual and charity events, we have seen fields of up to 220 competitors and a playing standard that includes – World Championship runners  up ( Kirk Shepherd, Dean Winstanley and Dave Chiznal), top 10 players from both PDC and BDO systems and many future stars of both codes!

The open circuit provides opportunity regardless age or playing experience, for example we have seen the development of Adam Smith Neale via pro practice leagues, open events and the youth system. He has now moved on to winning main events featuring players in the PDC top 60, gaining a tour card at Q School and creating a splash on the Pro Tour, and picked up sponsorship deals from major companies in darts. At the other end of the age range Simon Jones has won many open events this year from Friday KO’s through to the prestigious Tipton Open and has now made his PDC move. Newark star and multiple Open winner Mick Todd and Northampton’s James Richardson came through strongly also earning their places on the PDC ProTour.

Many open’s provide fantastic days out as well; we at Let’s Play Knockout Darts have taken up to 13 people to events as far as Swindon, Oswestry and Nottingham. Many raise huge sums of money for worthy causes and still provide top quality competition. I attended a Friday KO outside Derby, 64 players played in a small back room and used the spare board in the pool room! It was a highly entertaining evening which raised close to £1000 for a local cause, one of many we have seen.

The darts open circuit is finally gaining some recognition, many are keeping records and studying form from these events and suddenly seeing the value of them. There are even rankings showing prize money and tournament wins etc. Our long held opinion that these events are a tour in their own right seems to be gathering favour at last!

Fittingly Mark Hylton is ranked as the  No1* Open player in the country . He may have led the way in the new route to pro darts, which no doubt more will follow.

Credit is due to players, venues, promoters, organisers and helpers at all of these events regardless of size or prize fund, many thanks to you all. Especially in the Midlands where the game is made far better by your efforts!

Related posts:

1. Join The Exclusive Mile High Club & Support A Pro Tour Player
2. Mark Walsh Wins Second Irish Masters
3. Part Tastes Success Again in Derby

Tags: Darts Open, Darts Tournaments, Harlow Grand Prix, Mark Hylton, Route to Professional Darts
Filed under Callum Harris, General, News |