The 49-year-old swooped into the finals of the inaugural John Smith’s People’s Darts tournament with a 3-0 whitewash of Stokesley’s Ronald McGinty in the North-east qualifier at Coundon.
He now goes on to join seven other regional qualifiers at the Lakeside in Surrey, with the final televised live on the BBC ahead of the BDO World Championship Final on January 11.
Dove, who also won £1,000 for his Norton-based chosen charity the Daisy Chain, will be mentored by former BDO world champion Martin Adams ahead of the tournament.
Adams was on the oche at Coundon to provide support and the England captain will visit Stockton Buffs for a coaching and exhibition night in the weeks before the final.
Dove said: “It was a brilliant day and I can’t believe I have made it through to the final at the Lakeside.
“I’m delighted to have won and I’m just looking forward to the next stage of the competition.”
Adams, who pipped Ferryhill’s Phill Nixon to win the 2007 BDO world title, added: “The Lakeside is a brilliant venue and it will be fantastic to see Tommy represent the North-east on the big stage.
“It will be a massive change in terms of atmosphere for Tommy so hopefully I can pass on some good advice that he can take with him to the final.”
Dove regularly stars on the local circuit for Stockton Buffs and will be cheered on at Frimley Green by nine guests from the club, including darts team captain Craig Turner.
Turner said: “Tommy is a cracking player.
“He has won all sorts of things for us, including three trophies in a year.
“This is the icing on the cake.”
If he emerges victorious at the Lakeside, Dove will win an additional £14,000 for the Daisy Chain and will get to play in three BDO tournaments, including the Torremolinos Open.
Nov 21 2008 by Adam Steel, Evening Gazette (story source...)
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