Oz trip hits a bullseye

DIMITRI Van den Bergh is nicknamed the Dream Maker on the PDC Darts Tour but a trip to Australia was beyond his wildest imagination when he turned pro three years ago.

Now the 23-year-old Belgian, is part of the International Pro Darts Showdown Series alongside the likes of Phil “The Power” Taylor and Australian No.2 Kyle Anderson.

The inaugural series, which hit Gold Coast last week, rolls into Townsville on Wednesday and Thursday night before finishing in Mackay on Saturday and Sunday.

He was invited on the tour as a replacement for Simon Whitlock, who could only play in the first two legs in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast due to PDC commitments in the UK.

Van den Bergh said he initially wasn’t sure about talking up the invitation but then the draw of a first visit Down Under, which also included exhibitions in NSW, proved to be an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“I did think twice, because I thought ‘why do they want to have me over in Australia?” he said.