TV Workshop tunes into Hants Open (From Daily Echo)

TV Workshop tunes into Hants Open

8:00am Saturday 26th April 2008 in

By Clive Downton »

Skip social links
Print
Email

HEDGE END company TV Workshop and Sky have tuned into the Hampshire Open.

The television sales, repairs and independent Sky installation specialists are the new sponsors of the popular one-day event at Southampton's Novotel.

Owner Tim Gallagher may not be taking part in the event but he will not be far from the oche on May 31.

He said: "I have played darts in the pub but have not followed in recent years. I am going to have to swot up on who is who in the game. We are really looking forward to it.

"We are really excited to be able to sponsor the Hampshire Open - it is something very different for us."

The competition - now known as the TV Workshop Hampshire Open, in association with Sky - has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in 2000.

It attracts up to 400 players from all levels of the game - from pubs and clubs to stars from the television, including those with world title pedigrees like Canadian John Part and Southampton's own Les Wallace.

Current champion Kirk Shepherd, who was runner-up in the PDC Ladbrokes World Championships last year, is hoping to return to take away the £1,000 winner's purse once again.

Hampshire Darts Organisation spokesman Frank Branscombe said: "We are delighted to be involved with TV Workshop and that they have enough confidence in our event to use it as a platform for business. We are confident we can show them how worthwhile it is.

"We hope that it turns out as successful for them as it has been for us over the last eight years."

The TV Workshop, which also specialises in decoding car radios, has recently moved to the centre of Hedge End after 15 years at Shamblehurst Lane.

Former Hampshire Open winners: