Champion bowls by ‘instinct’

“With Linda’s help, you’ve just got to figure out where the jack is and how far you’ve got to push it.”

Uhrenholt took up the role following the passing of Brittain’s late husband, Noel, who previously talked her through positions and strategy while bowling.

“I was nearly going to give it away but I thought Noel would have wanted me to go on,” she said. “Last year I didn’t get the singles prize, so this was a bit of revenge. I wanted to prove to myself I can do it.”

Brothers secretary Allen Begg said Brittain had become a legend within the Far North Queensland bowls fraternity.

“She really is quite an amazing bowler,” Begg said.

“Every time she plays socially she’s named captain because she’s that good.

“She always comes to the club very well-dressed – very prim and proper.

“She’s quite mobile. She doesn’t use a walking stick, or seeing-eye dog. People are always staggered to see how well she gets around. When she’s bowling, she doesn’t even lift her head, she bowls by instinct and I reckon eight times out of 10, she’s right on the money.”

Brittain lost complete vision in her right eye more than a decade ago and has had ongoing issues with her left eye.

“I have a vague picture but I think because I was a bowler before I went blind, I still have a feel for it,” she said.

“(Before I lost my sight) I used to paint, which I can’t do, and I can’t read anymore, but I can still get out and bowl. It’s become a big part of my life.”

A former golfer, Brittain said sport can be a lifelong pursuit.

“I know one lady who is 91 and she plays blind bowls,” she said. “There are plenty of ladies in their 80s still playing.”