Mount Gambier dart sensation Karl Schaefer is back on home soil in a big way, dominating the sport’s Australian scene after having his international dream crushed.
Schaefer travelled to England to attend the Professional Darts Competition (PDC) Qualifying School in December 2021 in the hopes of obtaining his PDC Tour Card.
Unfortunately, he came down with COVID 10 days before he was due to attend Q School, cutting his trip short in a move he described as a ‘let
down’.
“I not only felt like I let myself down but I felt like I let a lot of people back here down as well,” he said.
“Everyone helping me out and getting me over there and that and then not being able to do anything it sucked very badly.
“It costs so much, I had to give up a portion of my life to do it and I could not go and then I have had to come back here and try and rebuild from here.
“It took me probably a solid 12 months before I was really feeling like I wanted to play darts again.”
Schaefer travelled around England for a month and a half playing darts beforehand which he said was more competitive than Australia.
“You have to make every chance hit basically,” he said.
Schaefer said since coming back he has been throwing a lot better and in doing so has won the South Australian Country Darts for the third time this year, making him the first person ever to do so.
Schaefer also took out the South Australian State Doubles with Kevin Young and the State Singles as well as qualifying for the State team.
“That is one that I will sort of cherish because obviously going for the first time and managing to take it out,” he said.
“Performance wise I would say this is the best (year) because I have been able to do it consistently at a state level.
“They are all players that can throw a 90 plus average and not break a sweat so for me to do that against them gives me huge confidence going into the Australian Open.”
Schaefer also won the SA Open and qualified for the platinum graded Australian Darts Open which is the biggest national darts competition, offering a total prize pool of $50,000.
Schaefer said he feels ready for the Australian Darts Open, which will take place in August in Echuca Moama, despite it being his first time qualifying.
“I tried last year, I was not really expecting anything but I just went to the qualifiers and had a bit of a crack and I made it to the top eight a few times and just did not quite have the same drive as what I do at the moment,” he said.
“I have hit the board every day, two to three hours a day and leading up to it I have got a couple of tournaments to go to to try and get me ready for it, but I feel ready.
“Just go through my routine and continue what I have been doing which is what has been getting me over the line the whole time.”
Schaefer will go face to face with other well known Australians names such as Peter Machin (South Australia) in the prestigious competition, Harley Kemp (Victoria) and reigning champion Raymond Smith (Queensland).
He will also play international players including World Darts Federation World Number One Canadian Jeff Smith.
“I have played a majority of these players,” Schaefer said.
“There’s no reason I cannot win it, I’m playing well enough.
“If I play my actual A game then I am pretty hard to beat on any day but you do have the likes of Raymond Smith and Jeff Smith and Harley Kemp whose an extremely good player himself.
“It is just going to be an absolute fight and see what happens on the day.
“I know when it counts I can dig deep and find the way to win.”
Schaefer said he has not played on a stage of this level which has the potential to throw a curve in his game.
“Obviously you have to try and manage your nerves and all that sort of stuff so that is going to take a bit of getting used to but if I can manage then I will be in for a shot,” he said.
“I do not really have much to lose I just need to go up there and play my game.
“This will probably be the biggest tournament I have ever been involved in.”
