It was Edmonton's Johnny Hannon's first time at the Annual Shoot on the Bow and like many darts players, he looks forward to coming back.

Just returning from playing for Team Alberta in the Canadian Championship, Hannon won the men's event at the 4th annual three-day tournament here, June 22 to 24, that continues to be a popular destination for darts players from across Alberta and British Columbia.

Originally from Ireland, the veteran player was impressed.

"It's a well-run tournament, I definitely will be back. It's a lovely area. I've been walking around the area and love it here."

Linda Ledingham and Linda Wilder won the women's doubles event.

He says it also offers tough competition. When it appeared he would win the final match four straight, his competitor fought back.

"When I went three-nil up I was already thinking about the finish line, but I started pushing my back into it.  I just tried to keep my composure but he kept pushing me and pushing me."

Hannon is among the many darts players who search for tournaments like the one hosted here.

Organizer Ellison Smith says about 90 players competed, about the same as last year, and he suspects there may have been more if not for the Nationals held in Quebec. Friday night offered a blind pairing event and Saturday and Sunday it was down to business in men's and women's singles and doubles as well as mixed.

"It was a good tournament. We want to keep this going. We'd like to eventually make it a nationally-ranked shoot."

Smith continues to seek sponsorships so they can better cover costs and increase the payouts to attract even more participants. Competitors currently come from as far north as Grande Prairie and south as Lethbridge and points in between as well as British Columbia.

Last year's tournament was the first major event at the Cochrane Lions Event Centre and the players continue to like the centre's amenities, central located and the space it provides.