Morningside Bowler heads to championships in Scotland

Morningside Country Club (MCC) member Emma Murphy (24) has been selected to represent South Africa in the Bowls World Championship to be held in Scotland from December 4 – 8.

Members of the MCC Bowls club held an intimate sending-off celebration for Murphy, who has been bowling for 15 years, five of which were spent bowling competitively.

“I started when I was 9, took a break in high school, then came back when I was 19,” Murphy said.

Murphy, who works as an accountant, credits her mom, and the competitiveness in the bowling sport, as having influenced her decision to take up bowls.

“My mom played. I got so bored of watching her, so then I tried it,” said Murphy. “The bug bit me. That was it.”

The opportunity to represent South Africa means a lot to Murphy, she admitted, emphasising how diverse and accessible the sport is.

“I’ve always wanted to play for my country, this is the first step to me achieving everything else I want to achieve in this game,” Murphy said. “Anybody can play this sport, it doesn’t matter what size you are, how old you are, how young you are – anybody can play. I found my sport in bowls.”

The MCC Bowls club donated R5 000 for Murphy’s trip to Scotland, which was doubled by club members wishing her success on the looming sporting trip.

“We’ve decided to donate because she’s extended her trip by a week to get more practise over there,” said MCC Bowls chairman Roger Hagerty. “We wish her all the best and good bowling.”

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