Twenty Years ago...
This year here in Blackpool the 20. World Matchplay will be played and as with many PDC Major tournaments Phil
Taylor has won it most often over the years. But the World Matchplay has to offer something special as well - it's
the only PDC Major tournament which ever was won by an American dart player and that even when it was played for
the first time in 1995. Larry Butler - who's got the nice nickname "The Bald Eagle" - defeated in the final Dennis
Priestley. But while Priestley almost has withdrawn from playing tournaments Larry Butler still is playing and
still playing with some success - might be because he once took a ten year's break from playing and only started
again when the PDC offered more tournaments in the USA.
Butler has won many tournaments in America before and after his break both steel-dart and soft-dart. Beside he took part in the BDO World Championship 1992 and in 2011 qualified for theWinmau World Masters. In 2012 he was member of the American WDF World Cup team. 1994 he won the first PDC World Matchplay and reached the quarter finals of the PDC World Championship 1996. In 2009 he qualified for the UK Open and I had the chance to do the following interview with him, which I only published than in the American SEWA forum. 2012 Butler won a tournament of the PDC North American Championship Tour and so together with Darin Young was Team America in the PDC World Cup 2013 in Hamburg. In July 2013 he again won a tournament of this American tournament series and now has the chance to qualify once again for the PDC World Championship.
Larry - you certainly are an American dart legend. Can you tell me a little bit about your darting background?
Well - my best time was in the 1990s when I did win and play quite a lot of tournaments in the US. I played up to 30 tournaments a year that were 30 weekends traveling and away from home.
But you did play in England as well?
Yes. I played some BDO tournaments, once even in the BDO World Championship. When the PDC started I was invited to play there which I did - with some success.
You were the only North American player who till today won a PDC Major tournament.
That's true. I won the World Matchplay in 1994; I beat Dennis Priestley in the final. And I got into the quarter finals of the World Championship 2006.
Did you only play steel tipped darts?
No. I played a lot oft soft-darts as well. I even won the Bullshooter a couple of times.
Had you a sponsor then to help you financially?
Yes, I had a sponsor.
But suddenly you disappeared from the stage?
As I already told you it really was hard - it was hard enough all the traveling in the US - travelling to the UK where the major tournaments took place was even harder.
Did you only stop playing tournaments?
No - I stopped playing completely. I really didn't play at all for around ten years.
And then?
Well -the PDC came over to America not only with the LVDC but with some more tournaments and I thought I could give it a try.
Why?
I thought when such a lot of prize money is around it might be worth to try to get some of it - it really is worth trying it.
You spent some time this spring over in the UK?
Yes - I stayed over there for seven weeks - I am still friends with Ronnie Baxter - was over all those years - and I could stay with him. I played some of those UK Open Regional/ Players Championship weekends.
And you managed to qualify for the UK Open in Bolton?
Yes - I managed to qualify for Bolton and came over again for the tournament.
You lost first round?
That's true - it was rather hard to play such a tournament. I honestly have first to get used to it. I am not used to such a crowd...
Is that much different in America?
Itīs totally different. There are not really a lot of spectators. That is one of the problems of the Las Vegas Desert Classics. There is not enough interest in darts in America. Perhaps because one can't see darts on television though a lot of people watch the streams.
And what will be your next tournament?
The Las Vegas Desert Classic but I've to go through the qualifiers first. Last year I did manage.
Have you got a sponsor?
Not yet - but I think there'll be one soon.
How do you combine your job and playing such a lot of darts?
I've no problem with that. I am more or less independent and can take off as much time as necessary. It's creative computer services.
Did this ten years break harm your darts? Did you have to practice a lot to reach your level again?
No, not at all. From the beginning I played as good as before the break. My problem is really to get used to the tournaments. I didn't forget anything about darts.
Do you practice a lot?
I practice every day. Doubles and triples around the board is what I do.
Have you got a practice partner?
Not a regular one.
Would you say players are better now then they were ten years ago? Do you feel there is a difference?
No - I donīt think so. Perhaps a little bit. The biggest difference is that there are a lot more good players then ten years ago!
