Kara qualifies for World Masters
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KARA Sutherland is celebrating after her breakthrough win in the Glenrothes Open at the weekend earned her a place in the Winmau World Masters where she will take on the best players in the world.
The Fife competition was memorable for the Caithness Youth Darts (CYD) member as it was the first major title she has won in her fledgling career at the oche.
The Wick High School pupil had a tough start against CYD team-mate Abigail Duncan, who in January had booked her place in the Masters event.
Kara prevailed 3-2 before coming from two legs behind in her semi to beat Blairgowrie’s Chloe O’Brien 3-2.
She went on to whitewash Bobbie Smith from Angus 3-0 in the final.
She will now head down to Bridlington to play in the Winmau Masters, on Monday, September 25,
She is looking to carry her good form from the Glenrothes Open into the competition where she is determined to make a big impression.
“I hope to get a good experience of taking part and get a few wins against some of the other players” she said.
“It is a competition where I think I can go all the way.”
Kara has been a member of CYD since it was first established and takes darts seriously to ensure she is competitive at major tournaments.
“I practise every day and make sure I play for a few hours.”
Kara’s mother Maggie Sutherland plays darts in the Wick and District Darts League (WDDL) and is a coach at CYD.
She said she is proud of her daughter’s achievements and said Kara and other girls at the club have what it takes to go far in the sport.
“It is brilliant to see her doing so well,” she said.
“There was no club to get kids into darts when I was a child and it is great to see so many youngsters playing as they are the future of the sport.
“There are five girls from Scotland who have qualified for the World Masters and two of them are from Caithness.
“There are other girls in Caithness who are coming through so it is brilliant to see the club doing so well.”
Kara also plays in the WDDL for Francis Street Club but is limited to the venues she can play at due to licensing regulations.
Having now achieved success at national junior level, she hopes one day to make a name for herself and make it to the top.
But in the meantime, she is focusing on her junior career and would encourage more teenagers to get into the sport.
“I would like to make it to the world championships one day,” she said.
“I would encourage other youngsters to get involved in darts as it does help with your counting skills and boosts your confidence.
“And it is also a good way to make new friends.”
