GERRY BAKER BOWS OUT OF PROTEA SQUAD
BOWLS South Africa media officer Alan Simmonds this week announced the retirement of Gerry Baker from the Protea squad.
Weeks after returning from Kenya, where he represented South Africa in the All Africa tournament, Baker has decided to walk away from the international code he triumphantly graced throughout the world, to spend more time with his family and focus on the needs of his business.
“I will continue to compete in domestic competitions, but the demands of family and business must now be given the same attention I have allowed my sport for so long,” said the tough-as-teak left-hander.
Focusing on the lonely, gruelling singles and pairs disciplines, Baker, a youthful 58, can boast Commonwealth Games gold, silver and bronze; multiple triumphs at World Bowls; a triple African States singles gold medal haul and a singles title at the Atlantic Championship, to go with myriad club and domestic district (nine) and national (11) titles.
Gerry also holds the joint record (with the late, great Doug Watson) of five South African Masters Singles titles, plus an amazing six silver and three bronze medals in the Masters Championship, during his unparalleled career.
Bowls South Africa president Rob Forbes commented, “It’s the end of an era of excellence.
“Gerry has been at the sharp end of South African bowls for 20 years. He can proudly attest to not only his host of gold medals, but also umpteen awards and distinctions for composure, integrity, demeanour and sportsmanship. He has done his nation proud.”
Recognition and praise have also arrived from lawn-bowling stars from Australia, New Zealand, England and Scotland who were often bewitched and bewildered by Baker’s brilliance.
Baker, who plays out of the Bryanston Sports Club, will be remembered for saving which was possibly the greatest shot of his career when spearheading South Africa to victory over England in the men’s pairs at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.
Baker and his lead, Shaun Addinall, won the first nine-end set 8-7.
After seven ends in the second set, England led 13-4, making the tie-break imminent.
On the eighth end, the South African duo picked up three shots, but would require all six shots available on the ninth end to tie the match and thus win – an almost unobtainable feat.
Addinall and Baker were holding shot and four third shots, with a single England bowl holding second. Facing a shot of incredible difficulty, Baker delivered his final bowl with perfect weight and line, sparking a near riot from the thousands watching, as he pulled off the once-in-a-lifetime delivery to chop and lie on the England bowl, removing it from the head to claim the six shots required to force a tie and win the gold medal.
Internationally, Baker’s contribution to the game of lawn bowls has been invaluable and is summed up by a text from South African head bowls coach Jessica Henderson, “…It was with sadness in my heart I read your email. I do understand and respect your decision. Your retirement will, however, leave a void in the squad and in future teams. Your support and knowledge will be dearly missed…”
This weekend sees the continuation of the Port Natal men’s and women’s pairs with the first of the knock-out rounds being contested on Saturday at Durban Wanderers and Stella Park Bowling clubs.
The round robin sectional play saw the surprise exit of both the 2018 men’s and woman’s pairs champions, and the knock-out rounds promise exciting confrontations as the remaining teams battle for supremacy.