MULTIPLE World Seniors major winner Leonard Gates will make his Ladbrokes UK Open debut next month, after winning through last weekend’s Rileys Amateur Qualifiers.
Gates, from the USA, a former World Championship, World Cup and Grand Slam of Darts participant, won through Sunday’s Rileys Victoria Qualifier in London to book his spot in the 160-player field at Butlin’s Minehead Resort from March 1-3.
The 53-year-old defeated Christopher Holt 5-3 to confirm his big stage return, after Joe Croft and Jack Male celebrated success in Saturday’s events in South Benfleet and Liverpool respectively.
Croft – the grandson of the late Olly Croft, who founded the British Darts Organisation – defeated Gates in Saturday’s South Benfleet showpiece to confirm his qualification.
The 30-year-old has been a regular feature on the Winmau Challenge Tour over recent years, and he emerged through a 103-player field to secure a spot in his first televised PDC event.
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Male, meanwhile, claimed victory in Saturday’s Liverpool qualifier to continue his progress in the sport, having competed in last year’s Winmau World Youth Championship.
The Rileys Amateur Qualifiers conclude on February 17-18, as the final four knockout events take place at Rileys clubs in Chorlton, Norwich, Liverpool and Coventry.
Entries will cost £10 and are available through the Rileys website – with entry open to all players over the age of 16 who do not hold a PDC Tour Card.
Online entries will close at 1700 GMT on the day before a qualifying event takes place. Please note that some venues cannot permit entries for under-18s. Please see the Rileys website for full details.
2024 Rileys Amateur Qualifiers
Dates & Venues
Saturday January 20
Rileys Chester – David Sumner
Sunday January 21
Rileys Coventry – Johnny Haines
Saturday January 27
Rileys Norwich – Ashley Coleman
Rileys Solihull – Jenson Walker
Sunday January 28
Rileys Victoria (London) – Harry Lane
Rileys Liverpool – Harry Gregory
Saturday February 3
Rileys Harlow – Connor Scutt
Rileys Chorlton – Michael Taylor
Sunday February 4
Rileys Aberdeen – Jason Hogg
Saturday February 10
Rileys South Benfleet – Joe Croft
Rileys Liverpool – Jack Male
Sunday February 11
Rileys Victoria (London) – Leonard Gates
Saturday February 17
Rileys Chorlton
Rileys Norwich
Sunday February 18
Rileys Liverpool
Rileys Coventry
—–ENDS—–
Images: WAST / Chris Sargeant
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