Twenty-two teams took part in Honeydew Bowling Club’s three-week trips competition, which concluded on October 20, with Irish Rock sponsoring prize money for the participating bowlers.

The competition ran over three Tuesday afternoons, bringing together teams of three players from various bowling clubs in the area. Honeydew Bowling Club representative Orla Guilfoyle said organisers changed the format this year, awarding monetary prizes to winning teams each week instead of accumulating scores across all three rounds to determine an overall winner. As a result, there was no overall tournament winner.

Irish Rock sponsored R25 000 to the club, allowing it to decide how best to use the funds. Half of the sponsorship amount went towards prize money after the tournament’s previous sponsor could no longer provide financial support, with Guilfoyle noting the club had run the tournament for several years.

Des and Theresa Fouché from Irish Rock attended each week, treating participants to a tot of Shanky’s Whip. Guilfoyle said the competition received excellent feedback from players who enjoyed the format, with the final evening featuring free prego rolls and chips, and favourable weather.

Guilfoyle said sponsorship from local businesses helped ease financial pressure on bowling clubs, which rely on membership to cover day-to-day expenses, while allowing sponsors to advertise their products.

Meanwhile, the club’s newly installed floodlights are allowing members to continue playing after sunset. “Now that we have installed floodlights, we are open every Friday evening for floodlight evening bowls,” Guilfoyle said.

“We currently have a Chicken Run in place, with the winning team each winning a chicken; all welcome to join on a first-come, first-served basis. We also provide a food offering, so booking is essential.”