The Intimidator

Why is a stay-at-home dad from Foster City striking fear in the hearts of San Francisco darts players?

A A A Comments By Mark Athitakis Wednesday, Feb 13 2002

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"The girls are going to preschool in the fall," she explains. "So he'll have more time to go to the bigger tournaments."

It was White's bittersweet pleasure in Cleveland to play against another local in the quarterfinals. Paul Soncuya, who's been playing darts seriously for only two years, lost, but he concedes that White simply has more experience. "I'm proud of myself that I made the top 16," he says. "I did my best. You can't win 'em all."

Paolo Vescia

Players gather at the Eagles Drift Inn for Friday-night competitions.

Paolo Vescia

White: The reigning U.S. champion.

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Last year was White's first step in his climb up the national -- and international -- ranks. This year, the plan is to compete in as many major tournaments as he can get to, and do well -- Las Vegas this week, Sacramento later this month, Saskatoon again in May, St. Louis in the fall. It's not for the money; winning a shoot at the Eagles gets White about 50 bucks, and even a solid performance at the Golden Harvest earned him the princely sum of $5,000 Canadian.

No, what matters is simply getting good, getting so focused that nothing worries you. Nothing exists except the board, the shot, and transcending fear. "People say to me, "Chris, nothing bothers you,'" he says. "That's a load. Everybody feels pressure. It's how you handle it. A lot of people do get overnervous when they play me. Sometimes they get a little tight, miss one or two darts. That's all I need, right? But then you've got people gunning for you, people trying to knock you off."

So what's the reward, then? What's the goal? White takes a moment to ponder the question. "You know, I always wanted one of those basements where you keep all your stuff," White says. "You put up your plaques, trophies, articles. Put up a dartboard, have a pool table. A bar. That'd be great."

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