18-year-old clinches bronze at Gauteng Open U18 Singles after only 1-year in the game
Morningside Country Club bowler Ruttger Schliesser, made waves at the Gauteng Open U18 Singles held at Pretoria Old Bowls Club, securing a bronze medal in his third major tournament, after only playing for a year.
Bowler Ruttger Schliesser (18), from Morningside Country Club, claimed the bronze medal at the Gauteng Open U18 Singles held at Pretoria Old Bowls Club on June 28 and 29.
This was Schliesser’s third time competing in such a competition.
Schliesser’s bowls journey began just over a year ago, inspired heavily by his parents, Heinz and Michelè Schliesser. “I started playing to spend more time with them, and that really motivated me to get involved.”
Going into the Gauteng Open, Schliesser’s expectations were modest. “Honestly, I went there just to have fun. I didn’t expect much, except for experience.”
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His approach paid off when he narrowly clinched his first game, taking three shots on the last end to win, a moment he describes as quite cool. “Besides me winning my section, I had to play the winner from last year, which was pretty cool. I ended up winning against her, but finally losing to an amazing bowler from Pretoria Old Boys bowling club.”
Schliesser expressed gratitude to his parents for being his biggest cheerleaders. “I’d like to thank my parents for being the biggest influence on my bowls journey. It’s been a year since I started bowling and out of the three major competitions I entered, I came away with two medals. In my first year, I think that is quite impressive.”
Looking ahead, Schliesser’s ambitions include playing for South Africa at the Commonwealth Games, though he admits that completing his matriculation is his current priority. “Right now, I’m doing matric, so no specific goals yet, but I hope to represent my country someday.”
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