Senior women bowlers form lasting friendships on Morningside greens
After eight weeks of spirited competition, Johannesburg's senior women bowlers celebrated, not only champions, but also the friendships and community bonds built throughout the tournament.
The greens at Morningside Country Club were alive with concentration, laughter, and friendly banter on June 3, as the Johannesburg Bowls Ladies Seniors Tournament reached its exciting conclusion.
For the 26 teams who spent the past eight weeks battling for championship honours since April 8, the final day was about much more than winning; it was a celebration of friendship, community, and the enduring joy of sport. While competitors carefully lined up their shots and fought for every point, the atmosphere around the greens remained warm and welcoming.
Players, all aged 60 and older, demonstrated that competitive spirit and camaraderie can go hand in hand.
According to Johannesburg Bowls Ladies Seniors chairperson Jacqueline Lauder, that unique balance is exactly what has made the tournament such a success. “The main objective of this tournament is to play good bowls, but even more important, is that we actually meet new people and we become friends, and that’s actually what happened.”
She explained that the event has grown significantly over the years, expanding from just 16 teams to 26 this year. “Every year, it’s got more and more popular. The main thing that people say is that the atmosphere, it’s relaxed, people have made new friends and they like coming.”
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Although the competition featured highly skilled bowlers, including provincial players, Lauder said the focus always remained on enjoyment. “There’s no pressure, even though the bowls is serious. We have some provincial players here. We have seriously good bowlers, but the main thing is that people leave here feeling they’ve had a good game of bowls.”
The tournament proved that age is no barrier to excellence. Throughout the eight-week competition, players showcased impressive skill, tactical thinking, and unwavering determination, all while encouraging one another and sharing plenty of laughs between ends.
@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: The greens at Morningside Country Club are alive with concentration, laughter, and friendly banter on June 3, as the Johannesburg Bowls Ladies Seniors Tournament reaches its exciting conclusion. Video: Xoliswa Zakwe #Bowls #Sandton ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
When the final scores were announced, Diana Jerrard and her teammates, Jill Sinclair and Lynda Delaney, emerged as champions, and were awarded R1 500. “We had a fabulous team,” Jerrard said. “We jelled together very well and we had a lot of fun. It’s not all about the money, it’s about the comradeship.”
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