Morton enjoys top season
It would be easy to assume Sam Morton dreams of bowls.
The Temuka Bowling Club member wears numerous hats for his club and Bowls South Canterbury while being a more than handy player as well.
‘‘This year has been my best season ever. All sorts of things have clicked. It’s been a year when I’ve lived and breathed bowls,’’ Morton said.
Here’s a brief rundown:
■ This season he has won five South Canterbury centre titles in pairs, triples and fours and the champion of champions triples and fours (possibly the first player to do so).
■ He was a member of Temuka teams that won the Bristol Cup, the premier inter-club competition, and the Super 10, the top post Christmas competition.
■ He played in every representative fixture as well as being a selector and chaired the Bowls South Canterbury men’s match committee.
‘‘I think I’ve been so engrossed, it has played out on the green, and I’ve had some really good teams round me with players who have a lot of potential.’’
Morton started in the sport 15 years ago at Pleasant Point after emigrating from Britain.
‘‘I felt I had a natural knack for the game.’’
He won the national under 20 singles in 2009, but work commitments meant he did not have the time to advance his playing career.
Now communications officer with the Waimate District Council, Morton has worked as a journalist for several newspapers and also written for lawn bowls publications.
As for pursuing higher playing honours, he said he was quite career focused and this had priority.
‘‘But never say never; if the chance comes to chase it, I will.’’
He said it had been satisfying seeing and helping two development Temuka bowlers Marshall Stoddart and Travis Cook develop their game.
‘‘They’ve really got a good future.’’
So has Morton.