BOWLSBANTER
What a weekend of bowls at the Port Alfred Bowls and Croquet Club, when their annual Harry Owsley Bowls Classic was held.
After the club’s women’s classic was called off due to a poor response, it was decided the Harry Owsley would be changed to a mixed classic of any gender, with 22 teams arriving.
Two games of 21 ends were played on Saturday with one on Sunday, followed by the prize giving.
While waiting for their supper on Saturday, many players joined in for a corner to corner contest, while earlier before the first game, a spider was held, with Julie Sluziuk the winner.
The men’s corner to corner winner was Rodney Tyson with Julie Alexander the ladies’ winner.
Prior to the prize-giving, there were squeals of delight when Julie (Sluziuk) was announced the winner of a huge bottle of whiskey and Jaco van Rensburg the winner of a wheelbarrow packed with alcohol.
At the prize-giving, cash prizes from 10th to first place were handed out with the winner of the classic being Dave West and his team from Kenton, with Judy Alexander’s side from Kowie, ending second.
Of the Port Alfred sides who played, Hein Stromeck’s team ended third, Jack Wiid’s side fourth, Brian McLean’s team ninth, Jaco van Rensburg’s team13th, Ron Orford’s side 15th and Julie’s team 21st.
Earlier in the week, the Build It-sponsored afternoon was won by Brian McLean (skip), Jim Haswell, Susan van Rooyen and Edie van Rensburg.
The Kêkkel En Kraai-sponsored afternoon was also won by Brian and Edie, along with Bill Wragg.
On Thursday a fitting memorial service was held to bid farewell to Copie. It was heart-warming to see just how many friends arrived from far and wide.
Wednesday’s tabs-in drew a large field while the Thursday Seeff competition was carried over as a fair number of the usual players were franticly completing their championship games before the prize-giving. One game was won by one shot on the last end.
The winners will be revealed at next week’s prize-giving.
Thursday’s games were played in gale force winds.
Skip forward to Saturday and the Kenton Garden Services Challenge. Gerald skipped his team to a 10 +18, pipping David with a 10 +15.
With Christmas shopping a priority for most, everyone is busy. For most of our members, this doesn't mean we don't make time to roll a couple of “woods” during the week though.
With the club surroundings looking as lush as ever, and the greens in immaculate condition, our week started on Tuesday with a good turnout to compete for the Kêkel en Kraai vouchers. The winners were Bryan Burger, PeeWee
Tomlinson, and Theo Kemp.
Wednesday morning ’ s novice/ golden oldie/practice session was well attended.
Thursday saw the wellsupported Pam Golding hamper competition being played in rather windy conditions.
After all the scores were tallied, the first prize winners of the huge hampers were Jacques Krige, Mike Ryan and Margaret Thomas.
The second-spot hampers went to Bryan Burger, Jacques Moolman, Phil Gillfillin and Louise Fleming.
Jonty Alexander and his team of Debbie Slattery and Rob Turner won the third-place hampers.
After prize-giving, the club president, Judy Alexander, thanked Andrew Meyer and his team from Pam Golding for their continued support.
Friday evening was again, a hive of activity at the club, where the fifth round of the Pick n Pay/Kowie night bowls competition was played.
With just two rounds left in the competition, the players took the evening a little more seriously. Again, there was some splendid competitive bowling on show.
The best score for the evening was team Buco, with Pam Golding Properties coming in second. The third-best score went to team Kowie Toyota.
After five rounds, the overall leaders are the team from Foresthill Construction on 18 points plus a shot difference of +29. In second place is team SiyakhulaTrading on 15,5 points +41. Third on the leaderboard is team Plumrite on 13,5 points +22.
The last round will be played this Friday evening, so come early and make sure you find a supporters’ spot around the greens, because we are expecting a bumper night for spectators (bring your own chair along).
As usual, the Lions Club will be on site with their burgers and hot dogs during the course of the evening.
The club will also be lighting a fire for all those wanting to braai after the final prize-giving has been completed.
With five teams playing in the Harry Owsley Fours competition hosted at Port Alfred Bowling Club, there were only a handful of members who handed in their tabs at the club. This did not deter the enthusiasm of the participants who spent the afternoon doing what they love best.
The bragging rights for the afternoon went to Mike Ryan and his team of Rob Turner and Theo Kemp after a ding-dong battle of note, where the game was decided in the very last end of the game.
Five teams from Kowie entered the Harry Owsley Shield competition over the weekend, where 22 teams took part. Two games were played on Saturday, and one on Sunday morning.
Jonty Alexander’s Kowie team of Judy Alexander, Avice Steenkamp and Phil Gilfillan played excellent bowls during the course of the weekend, and ended up as runners-up in the competition. Well done, you made us proud at Kowie BC.
For the record, Dave West’s team from Kenton managed to pip Jonty's team at the post with a mere three points to take the coveted shield back to Kenton.
For the detailed results of this competition, please read the report in the Port Alfred Bowling column.