Ontario Singles Championships 2009

GOLD

D 7 SUSAN KARLINS & D 6 DAVE HOUTBY

SILVER

D6 MARG LEPERE & D9 JEFF HARDING

BRONZE

D10 Nanci Myers & D14 Robert Steffen

Exciting play in the Provincial Singles event sends a strong contingent to BC to compete for the Canadian Championship.

Preparations are underway to load the last wagon for the trip west.

Sunday 11:00 AM
Harding edges Townsend 21-17 and Houtby ends the surprising Henly run 21-8.
Two skilled bowlers in the men's gold match - Harding vs Houtby


Rain on the plains of Oshawa has delayed the action in men's play but the city stayed dry enough to set up a Susan Karlins and Laura Seed final. Laura is a constant at the Provincial Championships and Susan is reclaiming her spot along side the top women bowlers in the province. Susan returned from a work stint in Texas to the greens of Canada.
A surprise exit by Anna Panton and a climbing up the ladder by Julia Farrell caught my attention.
What a first round match in the men's division. Anderson and Harding, two of the favourites.
Jeff won that contest and David has set his sights on returning to contention with his 'B' side play. A dandy 'A' semi-final with Chuck Townsend and Harding doing battle. And how about Martin Henly from Windsor. First Don Caswell and then Bob Bester fall to the man with the extended arm. Could he continue his march past Dave Houtby?
Lot's of exciting action to-day

Women - Toronto Cricket Club -July 25th

Round 1
D12 Gloria Cheung 21 D3 Jan McLean 17
D10 Nanci Myers 21 D6 Marg Lepere 13
D7 Susan Karlins 21 D5 Julia Farrell 13
D2 Jeniffer Fisher 21 D1 Lynne Newton 10
D9 Laura Seed 21 D14 Anna Panton 17
D11 Helen Wright 21 D8 Helen Kelley 17
D4 Shirley Schmidt 21 D16 Leone Braby 11
D13 Peggy Dundas 21 D15 Eleanor Henderson 5

Round 2 'A'

D10 Nanci Myers 21 D12 Gloria Cheung 17

D7 Susan Karlins 21 D2 Jeniffer Fisher 8

D9 Laura Seed 21 D11 Helen Wright 11

D4 Shirley Schmidt 21 D13 Peggy Dundas 4

'B'

D6 Marg Lepere 21 D3 Jan McLean 4
D5 Julia Farrell 21 D1 Lynne Newton 17
D14 Anna Panton 21 D8 Helen Kelley 7
D15 Eleanor Henderson 21 D16 Leone Braby 15

Championship Semi-Finals

D7 Susan Karlins 21 D10 Nanci Myers 14
D9 Laura Seed 21 D4 Shirley Schmidt 15

GOLD

D7 Susan Karlins 21 D9 Laura Seed 18

Round 3 'B'

D6 Marg Lepere 21 D2 Jeniffer Fisher 12

D5 Julia Farrell 21 D12 Gloria Cheung 18
D13 Peggy Dundas 21 D14 Anna Panton 4
D11 Helen Wright 21 D15 Eleanor Henderson 6

Round 4 'B'

D6 Marg Lepere 21 D4 Shirley Schmidt 16

D5 Julia Farrell 21 D13 Peggy Dundas 6

D10 Nanci Myers

Semi-Finals 'B'

D6 Marg Lepere 21 D5 Julia Farrell 19

D10 Nanci Myers 21 D9 Laura Seed 20

Finals 'B'

D6 Marg Lepere 21 D10 Nanci Myers 19

Men

Oshawa LBC

D2 Chuck Townsend 21 D4 Lee Ryan 11
D13 Bob Stover 21 D14 Robert Steffen 18
D9 Jeff Harding 21 D5 David Anderson 17
D16 David Jefferies 21 D11 Vince Donohoe 13
D6 Dave Houtby 21 D10 Bert Harvey 12
D7 Steve Brancier 21 D15 Peter Wong 15
D1 Martin Henly 21 D3 Don Caswell 18
D8 Bob Bester 21 D12 Albert Wu 13

Round 2 'A'

D2 Chuck Townsend 21 D13 Bob Stover 5

D9 Jeff Harding 21 D16 David Jefferies 12

D6 Dave Houtby 21 D7 Steve Brancier 14

D1 Martin Henly 21 D8 Bob Bester 13

'B'

D14 Robert Steffen 21 D4 Lee Ryan 16

D5 David Anderson 21 D11 Vince Donohoe 18

D15 Peter Wong 21 D10 Bert Harvey 5

D3 Don Caswell 21 D12 Albert Wu 11

Championship Semi-Finals

D9 Jeff Harding 21 D2 Chuck Townsend 17

D6 Dave Houtby 21 D1 Martin Henly 8

GOLD

D6 Dave Houtby 21 D9 Jeff Harding 19

'B'

D14 Robert Steffen 21 D16 David Jefferies 19

D5 David Anderson 21 D13 Bob Stover 0

D8 Bob Bester 21 D15 Peter Wong 19

D7 Steve Brancier 21 D3 Don Caswell 15

Round 4 'B'

D14 Robert Steffen 21 D1 Martin Henly 18

D5 David Anderson 21 D8 Bob Bester 16

D2 Chuck Townsend 21 D7 Steve Brancier 18

Semi-Finals 'B'

D14 Robert Steffen 21 D5 David Anderson 12

D9 Jeff Harding 21 D2 Chuck Townsend 18

Final 'B'

D9 Jeff Harding 21 D14 Robert Steffen 6

Pre-Provincial SINGLES Rankings 2009

WOMEN

1. D14 Anna Panton 2-1

2. D6 Marg Lepere 3.5-1

3. D9 Laura Seed 4-1

4. D5 Julia Farrell 5-1

5. D12 Gloria Cheung 5.5-1

6. D11 Helen Wright 6.5 -1

7. D7 Susan Karlins 7-1

8. D10 Nanci Myers 8-1

9. D16 Leone Braby 10-1

10 D3 Jan McLean 11-1

11 D8 Helen Kelley 11.5

11 D2 Jeniffer Fisher 11.5-1

11 D1 Lynne Newton 11.5-1

14 D4 Shirley Schmidt 12-1

15 D13 Peggy Dundas 13-1

16 D15 Eleanor Henderson 13.5-1

MEN

1. D5 David Anderson 3-1

2. D6 Dave Houtby 4-1

2. D9 Jeff Harding 4-1

4. D2 Chuck Townsend 6-1

5. D12 Albert Wu 6.5-1

6. D3 Don Caswell 7.5-1

6. D8 Bob Bester 7.5-1

8. D14 Robert Steffen 8.5-1

8. D16 David Jefferies 8.5-1

10. D7 Steve Brancier 10-1

11 D10 Bert Harvey 10.5

11 D15 Peter Wong 10.5-1

11 D11 Vince Donohoe 10.5-1

14 D4 Lee Ryan 12-1

15 D1 Martin Henly 12.5-1

16 D13 Bob Stover 14-1

The CHALLENGE HOMESTRETCH

The last of the big 3 events is on the board and it is near time to determine who combines compassion with savvy in the world of bowl's predictions.

First - we will RANK the SINGLES event. Already the punters have started picking and choosing as if there were certainty in this process. We all know different but , if like me, nod with satisfaction when our pick is successful and take even greater delight when the dark horse trots by the field.

Second - it is time to make your move to seal the CHALLENGE. Study carefully the players and the odds. Wager wisely. There will be no 'bob' carry over until next season. This is it. The last standing event of the Big Three.

To date we have raised FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE DOLLARS to donate to the CANCER SOCIETY - half to Breast Cancer and the other half to Prostate research.

Those donations came from the players in the wagering fun challenge when they exchanged a $10.00 donation for 10,000 'bob'. Others simply donated a sum to the worthy cause. One hundred per cent of the donations will be directed to the chosen charity for 2009.

You can still get involved if you choose by wagering on the final Singles event or by simply making a minimum $10.00 donation. Current players can top up their account with a minimum donation of $5.00 for 5,000 'bob'.

The first Singles rankings went out on July 15th and close on Tuesday July 21st. You can submit your 'wagers' any time before the start of the competition.

Off to WOBA on Saturday and then to a cottage at Grand Bend the week after. I will be accompanied by the lap top and hope there is a wireless connection close to our residence.

When I was in Prince Edward Island I had to sit outside a bar in the parking lot to get online.

When I used the computer during the day , to be able to see the screen, I would put my jacket over my head sitting in my truck. It is a wonder that the police didn't offer a different location in response to my clandestine method.

I will be scrambling to stay up to you but if I lag behind I will be along soon. Just have to be sure to have some bail money in my pocket.

SOLO FLIGHT TO TORONTO & OSHAWA

District SINGLES Winners 2009

D1 Lynne Newton

D1 Martin Henly

D2 Jeniffer Fisher

D2 Chuck Townsend

D3 Jan McLean

D3 Don Caswell

D4 Shirley Schmidt

D4 Lee Ryan

D5 Julia Farrell

D5 David Anderson

D6 Marg Lepere

D6 Dave Houtby

D7 Susan Karlins

D7 Steve Brancier

D8 Helen Kelley

D8 Bob Bester

D9 Laura Seed

D9 Jeff Harding

D10 Nanci Myers

D10 Bert Harvey

D11 Helen Wright

D11 Vince Donohoe

D12 Gloria Cheung

D12 Albert Wu

D13 Peggy Dundas

D13 Bob Stover

D14 Anna Panton

D14 Robert Steffen

D15 Eleanor Henderson

D15 Peter Wong

D16 Leone Braby

D16 David Jefferies

THIS WOBA WEEK HAS SIX DAYS

July in Ontario is the Western Ontario Bowling Association's annual tournament.

Six days of top notch competitive bowls with players coming from hither and yon.

It has been a topsyturvy early season as Fairmont, the people's choice for hosting, has grappled with green conditions that rendered their playing surface a question mark. That was a dilemma.

The good people at Woodstock were willing and able to man the lifeboats but we still had a shifting of the main locale from London and a the significant loss of Tree Time - the home of hilarity and hyperbole.

Yo, hold the phone. Don't change your reservation. The greens are back. I have played at Fairmont as late as last Tuesday, July 7, and the hard work by greens keeper Gary Chessman puts the game back in town.

Note however there is a change from the last year to start the festivities off.

The FOURS event will be held at WOODSTOCK in its entirety.

REPORT TO WOODSTOCK SUNDAY MORNING

From Brian Fowler and the WOBA newsletter:

FOURS
Sunday July 19th @ 8.30
Monday July 20th
Finals @ 7.00 all at Woodstock.

SINGLES
Fairmont/Woodstock
Tuesday July 21st @ 8.00
Finals @ 7.30 Fairmont

WOMEN'S PAIRS

Woodstock
Wednesday July 22nd @ 8.30
Thursday July 23rd
Finals @ 6.30 Fairmont

MEN'S PAIRS
Fairmont/Woodstock
Wednesday July 22nd @ 8.30
Thursday July 23rd
Finals @6.30 Fairmont

MIXED PAIRS

Friday July 24th @ 10.00
Fairmont

It is a 28 minute 32 second drive from the Airport Inn to the Woodstock greens.

Just follow Dundas street north through Thamesford to Woodstock. Turn right at Mill St and left at Parkinson and wave as you pass the greens.

If this is the 114th consecutive tournament, just wait until you experience the 115th. Rita and Wayne Wright have already volunteered to be co-convenors of special events just to have time to get the gala event organized. Actually I do not know the details, as I am certain they have not confirmed, but I do know you will want to get your entry filled out this WOBA Week to reserve a spot for 2010.

Always a week to remember, looking forward to seeing friends from all over North America and even from across the sea.

WESTWARD HO -WAGON 3 LOADED

This didn't take long at all to get ready. A seasoned group who have travelled many a mile and are as efficient limiting their luggage as they are eliminating their opposition.

Mind you this buckboard will be a mixed gender undertaking for 3 or so weeks as they must get started on the long trip and only will receive relief when the lighter Singles wagon catches up.

Budget constraints you know. The plan is to meet at Tsawwassen, leave the wagons on the mainland, board the ferry as general passengers and walk on down to Victoria which can't be far since it is on an island.

The pattern of the Women's winners in Ottawa were similar. Both had one game that caused pause for thought and thereafter they bowled with full intent to be at the Medicine Hat stop to sing their campfire selection. Helen Culley and Shirley Ko edged the Laura Seed/ Kelly McKerihen duo in Round Two 13-12. Helen was facing a 2 down situation in the head when she narrowingly drew around the front bowls to trail the jack for the extra end win. Her magic continues, her partner quietly does her quality work and our game of inches survives.

Meanwhile Laila Hassan and Chrystal Shephard were wringing their hands after the Pres and her Vice sent them back to the bench with a loss in Round 1. Elaine Houtby and Arja Nesbitt not only can organize but they can play as well and they edged the ranked favourites 15-13 to catch the attention of the gathered.

But whoa, take a deep breath, focus on the next game and gather ye rosebuds. And that they did. "The Little Engine That Could " would. No one was closer than 9 points final score in the remaining 5 games. Laila, Helen and Shirley are all National Team experienced. Chrystal appears to me to be a budding star peeking through the knothole in the fence at the international field.

Larry McLellan and I have an ongoing ritual every time we cross paths - and it is often, even though we live 2 hours apart. A finger pointed at the other and " I didn't know you were here to-day" comment. We have done it forever and Larry has never failed to have a smile to hand out as well. This consistency for Larry transfers to his game. Always around the jack is a nice trait if you seek success. Front end or back, draw or aggressive, it matters not as he quietly goes about his business. I know for sure he has played in 4 Canadian Championships, 1 Fours and 3 Pairs, three with his son James, but there may be more. But no doubt I'll find out soon.

I joke with his pairs partner, Jurgen Fessler, that he is known around the world but he is a mystery in his home province of Ontario . Jurgen is our resident globe trotting lawn bowler. He has played in Australia and for Australia, he journeys off to the UK to play their best. Every time I look up in Arizona he is either practicing or listening to the pre-tournament rules. He must have a green card as he 'lives' in the USA. He has a special bent for travelling to the state of California and finding a club and a rink to have a match. A bed is not that important. An accomplished lawn bowler far and wide, it is certainly surprising that he will be competing in his first National Championship.

Wayne Wright and Ryan Stadnyk both 'know their way to San Jose' and the highest level of the Canadian medal podium. They will have to turn right to find their new destination but stepping down isn't an option. Wayne has been golden in Pairs with Brad Fleming in 98 and again with Don Caswell in 2003, in Fours back in 1982 and is making his 6th trip to the 'Show'. Ryan was part of the team in 03 but it was as a solo in Regina and he did it on his own winning the top prize in Singles. This will be number 3 on his August trip list. Both have National Team credentials.

So a wagon loaded for bear is ready to hit the dusty trail. Write if you can.

A Character Lesson

THE GINGHAM DRESS A lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in a homespun threadbare suit, stepped off the train in Boston and walked timidly without an appointment into the Harvard University President's outer office. The secretary could tell in a moment that such backwoods, country hicks had no business at Harvard & probably didn't even deserve to be in Cambridge . "We'd like to see the president," the man said softly. "He'll be busy all day," the secretary snapped. "We'll wait," the lady replied. For hours the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would finally become discouraged and go away. They didn't, and the secretary grew frustrated and finally decided to disturb the president, even though it was a chore she always regretted. "Maybe if you see them for a few minutes, they'll leave," she said to him! He sighed in exasperation and nodded. Someone of his importance obviously didn't have the time to spend with them, and he detested gingham dresses and homespun suits cluttering up his outer office. The president, stern faced and with dignity, strutted toward the couple. The lady told him, "We had a son who attended Harvard for one year. He loved Harvard. He was happy here. But about a year ago, he was accidentally killed. My husband and I would like to erect a memorial to him, somewhere o campus." The president wasn't touched. He was shocked. "Madam," he said, gruffly, "we can't put up a statue for every person who attended Harvard and died. If we did, this place would look like a cemetery." "Oh, no," the lady explained quickly. "We don't want to erect a statue. We thought we would like to give a building to Harvard." The president rolled his eyes. He glanced at the gingham dress and homespun suit, then exclaimed, "A building! Do you have any earthly idea how much a building costs? We have over seven and a half million dollars in the physical buildings here at Harvard." For a moment the lady was silent. The president was pleased. Maybe he could get rid of them now. The lady turned to her husband and said quietly, "Is that all it cost to start a university? Why don't we just start our own? " Her husband nodded. The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment. Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford got up and walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California where they established the university that bears their name, Stanford University, a memorial to a son that Harvard no longer cared about. You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them. ---- A TRUE STORY by Malcolm Forbes {not true according to http://www.stanford.edu/about/history} "People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did." "But people will never forget how you made them feel"

Top 15 - THE CHALLENGE

Oh my, the Bank of Bob, BOB, took a financial bath in covering the Provincial Pairs' wagers.

Two hundred and ninety seven and five hundred 'bob' were distributed to the wise punters.

The Fours a very manageable total of !b!82,500.

This event played out closer to the wise selector's choices in the rankings.

The top two ranked women's teams finished as predicted. They did switch places with Helen Culley and Shirley Ko leapfrogging Laila Hassan and Chrystal Shephard but silly BOB pays win money for picking a Canadian qualifier.

The men produced the #3 and #4 ranked teams as the best choice and a good number of the participants wagered that way right from the start.

THE TOP FIFTEEN BOB ACCOUNT LEADERS JULY 6 2009

1. Spadaboom July 5 $41,000.00

2. The Toucher July 6 $34,000.00

3. DukeofEarl July 5 $32,500.00

4. JH July 6 $27,000.00

5. Triactor July 5 $25,000.00

6. RS July 5 $22,500.00

7. N.Wind July 6 $20,000.00

8. Ugly One July 5 $18,750.00

9.DS July 5 $16,500.00

10UZ July 6 $16,250.00

11 Angel July 6 $16,000.00

12 CS July 6 $14,500.00

13 Team Trev July 6 $12,000.00

13 KJ July 5 $12,000.00

13 DC July 6 $12,000.00

Hot and Spicy

The Top Ten Competitive Districts 2009

DISTRICT F WF P WP SINGLES MIX PAIRS SENIORS NOVICE Average

1 District 12 2 4 6 1 2.75

2 District 3 6 4 2 3 3.75

3 District 6 1 6 6 6 4.75

4 District 4 13 2 1 9 6.25

5 District 2 4 6 4 13 6.75

6 District 9 3 13 9 4 7.25

7 District 16 3 6 13 9 7.75

8 District 15 13 1 13 6 8.25

8 District 8 4 13 3 13 8.25

8 District 10 9 13 9 2 8.25

9

ONTARIO OTTAWA PAIR UP

Sunday July 5, 2009

Elmdale L.B.C. Ottawa

PROVINCIAL PAIRS MEDAL WINNERS

WOMEN

GOLD D12 Helen Culley(S), Shirley Ko

SILVER D10 Laila Hassan(S), Chrystal Shephard

BRONZE D3 Rita Wright(S), Andrea Weigand

MEN

GOLD D4 Larry McLellan(S), Jurgen Fessler

SILVER D3 Ryan Stadnyk (S), Wayne Wright

BRONZE D8 Mike Bester (S), Ken Bester

'B' WOMEN

SILVER MEDAL GAME

D10 Laila Hassan(S), Chrystal Shephard 22 Final

D3 Rita Wright(S), Andrea Weigand 9

'B' MEN

SILVER MEDAL GAME

D8 Mike Bester(S), Ken Bester 13

D3 Ryan Stadnyk(S), Wayne Wright 17

'B' WOMEN

Round 5

D10 Laila Hassan(S), Chrystal Shephard 22

D9 Laura Seed (S), Kelly McKerihen 5

D3 Rita Wright(S), Andrea Weigand 13

D11 Jeanne Christie(S), Helen Wright 10

'B' MEN

Round 5

D2 Jim Foley(S), Jim Roth 10

D8 Mike Bester(S), Ken Bester 14

D3 Ryan Stadnyk(S), Wayne Wright 19

D7 Darryl Fitzgerald(S), Derrick Bruder 9

'B' WOMEN

Round 4

D10 Laila Hassan(S), Chrystal Shephard 20

D14 Susan Smith(S), Laura Hawryszko 8

D15 June Hickman(S), Jennifer Amphlett 6

D9 Laura Seed (S), Kelly McKerihen 22

D6 Elaine Houtby(S), Arja Nesbitt 8

D11 Jeanne Christie(S), Helen Wright 17

'B' MEN

Round 4

D2 Jim Foley(S), Jim Roth 22

D1 John Fantin(S), Dennis Skipper 12

D12 Albert Wu(S), Raymond Cheung 7

D8 Mike Bester(S), Ken Bester 17

D6 Remi Canuel(S), Michael Spadafora 7

D7 Darryl Fitzgerald(S), Derrick Bruder 17

Saturday July 4, 2009 ROUND 1 MEN
D5 Rich Peart(S), Bill Ball 14
D14 Alan Steffen(S), Robert Steffen 12


D6 Remi Canuel(S), Michael Spadafora 15
D2 Jim Foley(S), Jim Roth 10


D3 Ryan Stadnyk(S), Wayne Wright 16
D15 Peter Wong(S), Bryon Luther 8


D10 Bob Bates(S), Ken Uyesugi 13
D12 Albert Wu(S), Raymond Cheung 10


D1 John Fantin(S), Dennis Skipper 16
D8 Mike Bester(S), Ken Bester 13


D11 Harold Danby(S), Greg Steele 12
D16 Grant Fletcher(S), Bill Rogers 9


D9 Mark Sandford(S), Jeff Harding 15
D13 John Ferguson(S), John Wilson 11


D4 Larry McLellan(S), Jurgen Fessler 16
D7 Darryl Fitzgerald(S), Derrick Bruder 8


ROUND 1 WOMEN
D13 Anne Perkin(S), Jean Johnson 15
D8 Helen Kelley(S), MaryAnn Alexander 8


D6 Elaine Houtby(S), Arja Nesbitt 15
D10 Laila Hassan(S), Chrystal Shephard 13


D3 Rita Wright(S), Andrea Weigand 22
D15 June Hickman(S), Jennifer Amphlett 7


D5 Joan Way(S), Carol Risidore 13
D7 Susan Karlins(S), Carolyn Cook 10


D11 Jeanne Christie(S), Helen Wright 16
D1 Anja MacKenzie(S), Barb Bellmore 14


D14 Susan Smith(S), Laura Hawryszko 22
D4 Shirley Schmidt(S), Dorothy Mero 8


D12 Helen Culley(S), Shirley Ko 18
D16 Flo Barclay(S), Leone Braby 6


D9 Laura Seed (S), Kelly McKerihen 16
D2 Rebecca McQueen(S), Julie Foley 13

ROUND 2

MEN

'A'

D5 Rich Peart(S), Bill Ball 11

D6 Remi Canuel(S), Michael Spadafora 15

D3 Ryan Stadnyk(S), Wayne Wright 15W

D10 Bob Bates(S), Ken Uyesugi 15L

D1 John Fantin(S), Dennis Skipper 13

D11 Harold Danby(S), Greg Steele 8

D9 Mark Sandford(S), Jeff Harding 2

D4 Larry McLellan(S), Jurgen Fessler 17

'B'

D14 Alan Steffen(S), Robert Steffen 7

D2 Jim Foley(S), Jim Roth 17

D15 Peter Wong(S), Bryon Luther 12

D12 Albert Wu(S), Raymond Cheung 14

D8 Mike Bester(S), Ken Bester 13

D16 Grant Fletcher(S), Bill Rogers 6

D13 John Ferguson(S), John Wilson 14L

D7 Darryl Fitzgerald(S), Derrick Bruder 14W