As we inch our way into the warmer weather, one of the indicators of spring every year is the start of the outdoor lawn bowling season. That season is just about to begin, with both a general meeting for members of the Nanaimo Lawn Bowling Club and an open house for newcomers happening this weekend…
During recent weeks, members of the bowls club down at Bowen Park have been preparing the green for action. The incoming board of directors was elected over this past winter and the group has since been busy getting plans in place for the new season which is about to begin.
Those plans will be discussed at the Nanaimo Lawn Bowling Club’s spring general meeting, to be held this Sunday (April 15) at 2 p.m. in the clubhouse adjacent to the Bowen Activity Centre. All club members are encouraged to attend to hear committee reports and get details about the start of leagues and upcoming tournaments.
Taking over as president of the club this year is Janet Taylor, assisted by past-president Jeff Dixon and vice-president David Mitchell. Also on the executive are treasurer Bob Calderwood and Vernie Dawkin who continues in her role as club secretary. Directors include Dave Towns, Margaret Coleman, Zena Buck, Joyce Mitchell, Ed LaChance, Vern Hagstrom, Donn Sherry and Len Gafka.
For anyone curious to learn about the sport, the Nanaimo Lawn Bowling Club is again this year hosting open houses. The first of those was held last Saturday and the second occurs today (April 14) from 1-4 p.m. at the Bowen Park green. Club members will be on hand to chat with and show visitors the clubhouse. For anyone wishing to try some bowling, equipment will be provided and coaches will provide basic instruction in the sport.
For current club members, the season will get underway April 21. Traditional opening day ceremonies will take place beginning at 1 p.m. on that day and the mayor has been invited to attend to deliver the first bowl of the season.
Then, the season will get into full swing with games and competitions nearly every day of the week through until the end of September. Among those taking part with be many of the defending winners of fours, triples, pairs and singles competitions. Last season’s games chair George Gibson sends word that the winning team in the Jim Gavin mixed fours club competition was that of Mona Haddad, Derek Shandley, Ed Bryce and Teresa Rogerson. In the Norval Wheatcroft mixed fours open event, first place went to Nanaimo’s Rick Quibell, Marj Fenske, Ed Bryce and Anne Ashdown.
In triples play, the Inkster mixed triples crown went to Keith McMann, Vernie Dawkin and alternates Evelyn Scharf and Bob McKenzie. Taking home the Vince Crawley ladies’ triples championship were Mona Haddad, Teresa Rogerson and alternate players Janet Taylor and Louise McLeod. Keith McMann, Walter Bechtold and alternates George Shaw and Joe Bewley teamed to win the Jack MacLachlan men’s triples, while Jeff Dixon, Evelyn Scharf and Joyce Mitchell combined to claim the Ernie Johnson mixed triples crown. Winners of the Alan Cup mixed triples were Keith McMann, Anne Ashdown and Glen McCord.
Marj Fenske and Chuck Rogerson teamed to captured the H&M Jones mixed pairs competition, while Gordon Phillips partnered with Zena Buck to claim the Tom and Ruth Novis 75-plus mixed pairs event. Winners of the Ralph Wilson men’s pairs were Eric Spalding and Myron Mishio, while Pat MacLachlan and Jean Giszas together earned the Wheaton ladies’ pairs title. In another pairs event, Marj Fenske and Chuck Rogerson combined to capture the club membership competition.
Men’s singles club champion on the year was Vern Hagstrom, with Trish Higgs the ladies’ singles champion. It was a family affair for novice titles, as the ladies’ novice club champion was Edna Cote and men’s novice champ was Gene Cote.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.
Ian Thorpe writes about sports Saturdays.
