Kiwi darts exponent Craig Ross thought his 2018 season was done.
He had put his darts away and started organising Christmas Day plans with his family - but then everything changed.
Less than a month out, the 48-year-old received the call up to fly the New Zealand flag at the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) world championship held at London's Alexandra Palace, running from December 14 to January 2 (NZT).
Ross was selected to replace Tahuna Irwin, after finishing runner-up in the Dart Players New Zealand (DPNZ) qualifier in Invercargill in July. Irwin, who was forced to withdraw from the world event due to immigration complications, beat Ross 7-2 in the final.
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As a result, the Ashburton local had to inform his family that turkey dinner wouldn't be at the Ross household, as he, his wife and two daughters would be on the trip of a lifetime to the 'Ally Pally'.
While that's disappointing for Irwin, it's a great opportunity for Ross, which has been 25 years in the making, since he first started playing darts.
Ross, who works as a beekeeper, has played darts for almost half his life and has yet to experience a match on the TV stage.
"I had put my darts away for the year, because I'd finished, so I wasn't prepared at all," he told Newshub from London. "It was all out of the blue.
"Even when I heard Tahuna hadn't gone for the youths, at that stage, I had no idea. It was news to me."
"It's gutting for Tahuna. I haven't played on the TV before, so it is going to be new.
"All of this is quite overwhelming, to be honest. I'm just trying to ease myself into it.
"It is what every dart player aims for and where they want to go in their career."
This has been a good year for Ross, who won the Canterbury men's singles in July and also reached the semi-finals twice during Auckland Darts Masters qualifying.
He will face a tough challenge in his first-round match on Sunday (NZT) against Spaniard Toni Alcinas, who is currently ranked 55 in the PDC Order of Merit. Ross is unranked.
Alcinas has competed on the professional circuit for 10 years and has plenty of big-stage experience. His biggest achievement was reaching the round of 16 at last year's world championships.
The winner will then square off against world number three Peter Wright.
While Ross doesn't know much about his opponent, he's just trying to focus on his own game, with the support of other Kiwi arrowsmiths.
"I was quite fortunate that some of the boys from Canterbury let me come down and have a few throws with them.
"I was playing with Ben Robb and John Hurring and Haupai Puha. Those guys have been going well, so it was good, even though they were giving me a hiding at times.
"But that's what you need - you need to be put under pressure, but it is going to be a whole new ballgame on the stage.
"They told me to try to stay calm and grounded, and try to keep everything in check and do what I do best.
"Hopefully, I can get into my game and get into the game itself. Whatever happens, happens on the night."
Even if Ross doesn't make it past Alcinas, he will enjoy a payday of 7500 pounds (NZ$ 13,671).
Reaching Round Two would double his earnings, with the winner of the tournament taking home 500,000 pounds (NZ$ 911,457) - an increase of 100,000 pounds on last year.
The World Darts Championship features 96 of the world's best players - 24 more than last year - with 28 countries represented.
Ross isn't the only New Zealander competing at the event, with Cody Harris earning his spot through the Challenge Tour Order of Merit.
Harris will face world youth finalist Martin Schindler of Germany on Friday and a win would see him take on 28th seed Jamie Lewis the following day.
"Cody is playing well at the moment, so he's got a great opportunity to have a good crack," Ross added.
"Hopefully, I can catch up with some of the Australian guys and Cody, and maybe get a few games with those guys to see where I'm at.
"It is going to be massive."
Regardless of what happens, this 25-year-long dream will finally come to fruition.
Newshub.
