The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Unexpected invitation for Burnett
Darren Burnett, number nine on the World Bowls Tour ranking list, has accepted an unexpected invitation to play in the Just World Indoor Mixed Pairs championship at Potters Resort in Norfolk.
The community policeman, from Arbroath, slipped out of the WBT Top Eight and so forfeited his place in the field for the mixed event which he won with Suffolk star Katherine Rednall in 2016.
He has agreed to step in to replace his fellow Scot Paul Foster.
“The circumstances are regrettable, because Paul’s father Hugh died suddenly on Wednesday,” said Burnett yesterday.
“All the players here feel for him, and it’s not the way I would have wanted to make a return into the event, but I will do what I can.”
Foster, the world number four, and holder of the World Indoor singles title, was on his way to the venue, and had reached Kings Lynn in Norfolk when news came through that his father, who was his mentor and inspiration in life and in bowls, had died after suffering a stroke.
He returned immediately to Troon, leaving officials of the World Bowls Tour to find replacements for him.
Neil Furman, from the US, slotted in with Alex Marshall in the open pairs, because he was the next in line on the ranking list, and Burnett was called on to play in the mixed pairs.
Burnett was grateful that cover could be arranged for him at work, and will take to the green next Friday in partnership with local star Rebecca Field, from Norwich, a former winner of the Women’s Matchplay singles title.
“We are scheduled to play the defending champions Claire Johnston and Nick Brett,” he said.
First, however, this morning, the Arbroath ace will launch his bid to regain the pairs title he won with his close friend Stewart Anderson in 2016.
They face Midlothian’s Ronnie Duncan and Colin Walker, who came through the Scottish PBA play-offs.
In the singles, Burnett has been drawn to play Ireland’s Graham Mckee in the first round on Monday morning, and is expecting a tough game.