Playing in a biting-cold wind
Saturday’s first game was played in a slight drizzle which was not too unpleasant, but the afternoon’s game was played in a biting-cold wind which had all the bowlers running for extra warm clothing
The Ladysmith Country Club Men’s Fours bowls tournament was played on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22, and once again we managed to field 10 teams for this annual men’s tournament.
We had hoped to secure entries from as far afield as Durban and Pietermaritzburg, but unfortunately there was a clash of dates with the Port Natal and Natal Inland Pairs Championships, so these two teams had to withdraw. We will certainly be looking at the calendar dates critically next year to get the best possible standard of bowls at this very popular bowling tournament.
Teams from Harrismith, Bergville and Ladysmith made up the field and the competition was strong from the very first of the five games of 15 ends played over the two days. Saturday’s first game was played in a slight drizzle which was not too unpleasant, but the afternoon’s game was played in a biting-cold wind which had all the bowlers running for extra warm clothing. After Saturday’s three games, there were only two teams that remained unbeaten with six points each. As the draw would have it, these two teams were drawn to play one another in the first game on Sunday morning, which was sure to bring at least another two teams into contention. Peter Landsdale’s team came to the fore against Adam Bookless’ team from Harrismith and managed a narrow 15-13 win to remain the only unbeaten team after four rounds. At this point, there were two teams with only one loss in four games and one team was Bertus van der Westhuizen’s, who were drawn to play Peter Landsdale in the fifth and final game. A tough encounter ensued, but in the end, Bertus’ team came out tops with a good 17-5 win to turn the results completely around, as this resulted in three teams finishing with eight points from a possible 10 and the results being decided by ‘shot average’.
Overall winners of the ‘Don-Nino Trophy’ in the end were the defending champions from Harrismith Bowling Club – Adam Bookless, Pierre Swart, Louis Nel and Harold Pratt – with eight points and +49. Runners-up were Bertus van der Westhuizen, Geoff Lee, Pier Turconi and Ettienne de Pindray with eight points and +22, followed by Peter Landsdale, Donovan Fischer, Craig Booth and Kurt Swoboda with eight points and +14. Fourth spot went to the Bergville Bowling Club team of Peter Scott, Phil Rooke, Jimmy Nel and Chris Hill. Our sincere thanks go to the sponsor of this event, Boardman Bros and Clover Leaf Candles, for their excellent sponsorship and continued support of this men’s bowling tournament. The bowlers in our district greatly appreciate this support, and this incentive encourages bowls at a higher level of competition.
The official ‘Opening of the Green’ competition, after the spring treatment, was played on Sunday and a good turnout of bowlers enjoyed the bowls and the braai fellowship that followed. Congratulations to Geoff Lee, Liz Mackintosh and Ralph Duncan on their fine win.
The ‘Meat Hamper’ golf competition was played on Saturday afternoon. Winners on a three-way count-out were Mike Attwell and Aurette Boardman with 46 points, followed by Stephen Lotter and Dave Salmond and then by Trevor Jacobs and Warren Petersen. ‘Nearest the Pin’ winners were Gerald Boardman, Ledlie Hume and Peter Landsdale, with David Lourens claiming the ‘Longest Drive’ prize. Five golfers managed to card two-clubs on the day.
This Saturday is the Ladysmith High School Golf Day and Sunday sees the ninth round of the Mortimer Toyota League, with the draw for teams as follows: Black Bees vs Boardman’s Nationals at tees No. 1 and No. 2; Four Must Get Beers vs Team Golf at tees No. 3 and No. 4; Rough Riders vs Automark at tees No. 5 and No. 6; The Bullets vs Fat Bastards at tee No. 7; Bells Cousies vs Toyota at tees No. 8 and No. 9; Scorpions vs Nambiti Plumbers at tees No. 17 and No. 18.
There will be a shotgun start at 8am. A really super Sunday lunch has been catered for, so team captains are again requested to ensure that bookings are confirmed with the club early.
Dr Mags Magan was the winner of the Friday ‘100 Club’ draw, but for some unknown reason he was not present, so the draw has grown to two-grand for this Friday evening at 6.30pm.
