MEDICINE HAT, AB — Dawson Murschell is staying focused on the target this month.
The Medicine Hat darts player will be travelling to England this month for the Professional Darts Corporation’s qualifying school, the next step towards him turning pro.
“There’s four days of play,” he said. “The top four of each day come through, and also the top 16 seed from the four days also come through, so they hand out 32 cards in total out of around 400, 450 guys.”
Murschell is the first darts player from Medicine Hat to ever attend the school, and if he comes away with one of the 32 cards, he will earn the right to play on the professional darts tour.
“It’s been my dream to start playing darts (professionally),” he said. “I have a bulletin board with all of my goals for darts that I want to do, and signing with the PDC and getting my professional card was definitely at the top of that last.”
At 21, Murschell will likely be one of the younger competitors at the qualifying school, but he has experience beyond his years.
Last year, Murschell played on the Professional Youth Tour and also played in qualifiers for the World Masters.
Murschell’s uncle is a former Canadian champion, and Murshcell says he for helping him improve his mental focus.
“I played other sports, like hockey, and I played football for a bit, and other things like that,” he said.
“(Darts) is more mentally challenging than anything I’ve played.”
Murschell credits his grandmother, Anne Marie Coroluick. with introducing him to the sport. Coroluick, who has played on Team Alberta, says she is proud of her grandson’s progress.
“I have no doubt in my mind that if he continues on this path, he will be one of the world champions someday,” she said.
