Karl Schaefer’s passion for darts has taken him all over the world, pinpointing England as his next overseas destination.

Schaefer took up darts after enduring one too many injuries while playing football, confessing when he joined the darts C Grade side, he did not expect it to turn into anything bigger.

That has now changed with the keen player setting his sights on the United Kingdom.

“I am flying off to England on December 9 to try out for Q school in the hopes of obtaining my Professional Darts Competition (PDC) tour card,” Schaefer said.

“A PDC tour card would entitle me to a two-year sponsorship from the PDC, meaning I can stay over there under their sponsorship and play all their tournaments.

“I believe that I can get over there, get my card, really knuckle down, try make my way through the ranks over there and push my way into the top 32.”

It has certainly developed into something more than anticipated, with the Mount Gambier star having a host of achievements to show for his 10 years of playing darts.

“I have two recorded 170 peg outs which is the highest peg out you can get,” Schaefer said.

“I recently won the 2021 Murray Bridge Anzac Open on Anzac Day.

“At the start of January, I won the Victorian doubles Classic with Laurie Loch.”

Schaefer has also won 10 online tournaments, proudly beating World Number four Michael Smith on a Dart Stream Live Event in October 2020.

Despite being able to play as part of a team, Schaefer said darts was more of a solo sport.

“When it is your turn, you are still putting your darts into the board and recording your score so it is what you do as an individual that helps your team,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer followed this philosophy playing in the Mount Gambier team which won the 2021 SA Country Championships under captain Danny Skull and patrons of the Western Tavern, where the trophy is hung proudly behind the sports bar.

The local player is still in the running for a shot at the William Hill World Darts Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace.

“On October 30 and 31 I will compete in the Oceanics trial challenging the top sixteen in every state for a chance to get a ticket to the worlds in Ally Pally,” he said.

“I am just waiting to see if I can go to Morwell in Victoria or if I will have to go to Kadina.”

Shaefer thanked his sponsors Team Gladman, Swift Fly, Jason Fuller from Danger Point Darts and the German Club as he looks to hit some of the world’s biggest targets.

“Darts did not start out as a dream, but it has just evolved,” he said.

“I have about 15-20 people who support me constantly telling me that I can keep going with this and that is exactly what I am trying to do.

“This has definitely turned into something more than just darts so I am really trying to push for the next level.”