THE EXCITMENT OF HEADING TO A PROVINCIAL FINAL - NEVER OLD

Ontario Fours  - District Playdown Weekend

 

For many competitive tournament bowlers in the Province the first dates set aside on their playing schedules are the District Playdowns weekends. No decisions to contemplate here . . Fours, Pairs , . . maybe Singles. These weekends are booked and locked up early . . forget entering any other events . . . Oh no, an invitation for cousin Matt’s wedding on June19 . . . . . what an inconsiderate couple . . .  that’s the same day as the District Pairs.. How do I get out of this one  . . I’ll figure out a way . . he’s just a bloody 2^nd cousin anyway. 

 

OK, some family occasions may take precedent . . and other special times too. I did go to Matt’s wedding in Beaver Creek Alberta (250 miles NW of Edmonton) for a week in 2008 and missed some bowling . . and my poker groups gambling wkd at the cottage has kept me and friend Eric out of the Fours several times . . . but on a whole the playdowns usually take priority.

  

All across Ontario this past weekend was the time for the best of the best to gather for their local District’s Fours Playdowns . . and I don’t like to miss it.

- Some travelled from afar to get to their local club (McKerihan & Wallbank from B.C.) so as not to miss their chance.

- Some crossed County lines to play with old friends or better their chances at the big prize.

- Many grabbed their bowls and headed for the local club willing to put out $20 just to play a couple good games of bowls knowing they had only a slim chance to move on.

 

Most Districts have the same rivalries carried forward from year to year. You pretty well know who’s going to be there  . . .  who’s going to be tough to beat . .  .  .  who beat you last year that you owe one to. In our District, although most clubs have similar membership numbers (5 hovering around 100 and a couple smaller ones) we normally only get entries from 3 clubs. In the Fours this basically held true . . 2 from Cosburn, 5 from Balmy Beach, 3 from Agincourt, 1 from Kew Beach. (with a couple Cosburn players filling in as 4^th men on Balmy’s teams). For some reason this has been the case over the last 15 yrs.

 

In any event, one thing is usually certain. The last one out of the clubhouse when its over will be the District Chairman, sitting trying to get all the paperwork wrapped up while others are celebrating with a few cold refreshing beverages (not iced tea). Sometimes a thankless job, but truly appreciated by those who have been there before.

 

All my experience in District play has been in District 10 (Basically all clubs in Toronto east of Yonge Street) . . . .  sometimes wonder what’s the story in other areas . . maybe you do too . . probably all run quite similarly. I thought I’d give you a quick replay of how a typical Playdown weekend (this years Fours) goes by in my home base.

 

 Fours Playdowns – District 10 – Balmy Beach Style

 

Planning starts early . .  can’t wait til game day to do everything. Must keep the masses informed. The week before the first jack is thrown the edict had been eMailed out to all participants. “Come early . . . new check in rules on bowls . . new District Convener . . limited parking at Balmy Beach . . . hot weather expected so lather up with lotion”. 

 

I arrived early at 8:35 for a 9:30 start. Playing at Balmy Beach or Kew Beach on a warm spring or summer day means searching for parking which is sometimes non existent if you get there after 9 am. Coming down to watch later, my wife had to go a mile away to find a parking spot . . . something you get used to in the beaches area . . but didn’t mind as it meant a nice long walk along the boardwalk to the club. Say what you will (and many do) about Balmy’s greens in May . . but the location and clubhouse are 2^nd to none.

 

Once there I was surprised to see I was just about the last one to arrive as most had obeyed the early arrival request. Was also surprised to see such a long line up at bowls check in. Umpire for the day, Eric Brands (who has tirelessly done most District 10 playdowns the last few years) had a busy agenda as the new bowls checking procedure included recording the make, colour, year and serial number of every player’s bowls. After initial mumblings about the necessity of this new requirement and the long wait in line (44 bowlers to check) most settled in to the usual pre game chatter at our playdowns . . much of it from the grumblers . .  

- Why are the Ladies playing all in one group (5 Team Rd Robin) while the Men have to go in 2 Groups (of 3)?  - How come it costs $20?  - Why are we on the east green and the Men on the West . . isn’t the West better? . . . .Why don’t we play Double K.O. (if we were playing Double K.O, the same people would say “Why don’t we play Rd Robin) . . . and so on and so on. After 7 years as District Chairman I learned to let most minor grumblings go in one ear & out the other. (Good luck Jan . . taking over this year).

 

Convener Jan Ferguson was busy recording OLBA card numbers and taking money. Could be heard many times saying “Go away . . come back when you have your whole teams money” Club rep Joe Green had his best 6 rinks set up for play and co-coordinated with Jan on green assignments for game 1.

 

When the appointed time arrived and Jan called for everyone’s attention . . . the rules were read from the OLBA script . . . and the games were underway. Men quickly checked who was in their group. Damn, we drew Larry Wales & Albert Wu . . won’t be easy getting to Day 2.

 

Got a bye in game 1 therefore wouldn’t be playing until about noon. Had a decision to make. Stay and watch the 1^st game . . or walk along the boardwalk down by Kew Beach (only 15 minute walk away) where a women’s volleyball tournament was on. Very tough decision . .NOT.   By the time I got back most games were in about their 10^th end. Lots of time to go and throw a few before my game.

 

As is normal in our District, the players were supported by their family, friends and club mates. Over the course of the 2 days there was usually about 15-20 spectators watching the proceedings at any one time. (Some between trips to the main clubhouse for refreshment breaks . . .which usually included the bowlers with a Bye).

 

Now . .The bowling: If not spectacular (very tough greens) the play was truly exciting as all the action came down to nail biting finishes.

 

Ladies: On day 2 of the round robin the only undefeated teams met in the morning with the Jeri Lynn Lamb team winning out over Debbie McCourt. Lamb however lost her final Rd Robin game, giving Debbie a 2^nd chance as they both finished at 3W 1L in Rd Rbn.

 

In an exciting playoff match the two teams were tied going in to the last end. A bowl rolled right on the jack by Jeri’s front end managed to stay there despite the opponents best efforts to dislodge it (I knew Fours was a front end game) and the victory for Jeri was sealed. Good luck to a nice group of ladies heading to the provincials for the 1^st time.

 

Men: Day 2 morning action couldn’t have been any closer. In Single K.O. competition both semi final games went to an extra end. Tom Marley of Balmy Beach stepped up for the last bowl of the extra end in his game against Albert Wu down one and facing a clogged head. His Hail Mary bullet caromed off 3 bowls before coming to rest . . . beside the jack for the win.

 

Eric Brands had to make a great takeout in the 15^th end of his game against Joe Green to preserve a tie (way to go skipper!) . . . then in the extra end, down 2, Joe’s vice Bert Harvey threw a heavy bowl hitting the jack dead on and looked like it would carry it to the ditch for the win . . . but it bounced off another bowl and went about 3 feet forward to the shortest bowl on the rink (mine) . . where it stayed for shot the rest of the way.

 

Brands then went on to win the final match over the Marley four who had run out of steam. An ‘Opening of the Deck’ party at the lakeside clubhouse with strict security (Members Only Please) couldn’t keep the Brands team from finagling their way in for a few brown pops in celebration . . . . but judging from the list I just saw of who the opposition will be in Burlington, the celebration may be a short one!

 

Sound a lot like what went on in your District this weekend?  Probably . . . except for the Volleyball!

 

BB in the GTA

Bountiful Burlington Bowls

A little catch up here. 


'Open it and they will come'.
The premier provincial Fours test tournament prior to the road to Provincial glory. And it culminates on June 12,13 right on these same grounds.
I am referring to the Burlington Men's Fours, The Edward Jones Investment Invitational  held on a wet May 22nd. No matter, we played and played and actually didn't see anymore wet from the sky in the last game. To cover a potential weather problem Draw Master, how do you say that Draw Mistress?, Lenore Roach explained that the tournament was moved from Sunday to Saturday to allow for a Sunday rain day. However the rebound effect of impacting other District tournaments led Lenore to announce that next year the Burlington Fours will return to Sunday with no rain date.
It wouldn't impact other tournaments if the competitive masses didn't want to play against a stellar field on quality greens. Mind you the latter is always going to suffer when the grass is being nourished at the wrong time of the day.
A full two greens, a dandy lunch included, a membership that know how to host a party and the quest to put your name on a beautiful trophy.
Was it close? You bet. Lenore said in her 12 years of doing the draw never had two teams ended tied ( +49 ) after their 3 games. It took the tie breaker of total points against to clinch the victory for Herb Nesbitt, Dave Houtby, Hugh Branston and Craig Thompson from Niagara Falls. Some young blood in the person of Craig and he sure has some excellent champions all for his mentors.
Just nipped at the wire was the team of Gord Legacy, Ron Geniole, Martin Foxhall and Dave Llewellyn. Martin a waiver pick up with neither Mark Sandford nor Martin Haalstra in action at this time leaving Jeff Harding without a team after his National Team  Camp.Keep your eye on both of these foursomes come the Districts. 
Third went to the young and young at heart. The Whyte boys, Malcolm and Trevor at the back end and Greg Wilson and Dave Ball at the front. You know, the settling influence of an elder.
The other 3 game winner on the day was the mainly local team of George Wilson, Nick Vanwessel, Charley Roach and Doug Hoskin from London.
In a time of a trend towards a reduction in tournament entries, Burlington continues to hold fast to appeal and satisfaction.

MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS

Old Traditions fading .  New Ones Beginning.

Leaside: Joe Davis Mens  Mixed Trebles

 

When I started bowling back in 1989 there were 2 great Mens Trebles tournaments at Leaside . . . must stops on the men’s local circuit  . .  entries from players across the GTA. (Of course it wasn’t the GTA then  . . just Toronto & the suburbs). Enter early or you were left behind. The Joe Davis in the spring & the Cy English in the fall . . . greens guaranteed to be in top shape of course . .  Lloyd Woods was in charge.

 

Those were the days . . 96 men in white pants (no colours allowed) . . 288 black or brown Henselites or Taylors (and Dunlops) on the green (no other colours existed) . . . getting clobbered by the Alf Kirton, Al Ferguson, Jim Ellieff trio (well, all memories aren’t so great) but learned how to play winning bowls while getting thumped. As Yogi put it . . .  “You can observe something just by watching”.

 

Today those rumblings under foot aren’t tremors from the volcano in Iceland . . that’s the heaving of the ground from old time Skips rolling over as the two grand old east Toronto events have now officially departed. After a few years of  lagging entries (down to about 14 as I recall in 2008) the Cy English was put to rest in 2009.  This year the Joe Davis was changed to a Mixed Treble’s event to see if the number of entries could improve. Not too bad . . 18 entries on Sunday . . ok for many clubs . . but still disappointing for an event that was always filled to overflowing. Maybe the Mens event will return to try again. 

 

Why the lag in entries . . maybe a topic for another day. Most entrants on Sunday were unaware that they were part of a change in Leaside’s traditional ways. Didn’t faze the winners one bit. Arnie Markowitz / Hazel Jaffe / Sum Tang were #1 followed by the Charlie Lyle team from Burlington.

 

Despite Leaside dropping the event you still have a chance to win the Cy English Trophy . . maybe a little harder to earn than winning Leaside’s event. It was won the last 2 years by the Ontario ‘B’ team as the top Mens team at the Canadian Championships. (Which Arnie & Sum were part of last year).

 

One down note at the event. There was a prize (Entry Fee back) given out in a lucky draw for teams that weren't in the regular prize money. A ploy used by many clubs to keep players there until the prizes are given out by their sponsor. Unfortunately the sponsor had to draw out 6 team names from the hat before they got to one that hadn't already left. The absentee's loss (of $45) was Remi's gain . . . but also a loss to show the sponsor that many participants really didn't know or care that the sponsor was there supporting  the club.

 

New Traditions Beginning . . . The Richard Bruton Trophy at Insert Name of Club Here.

Three or 4 years ago Financial Advisor Richard Bruton (Cannacord Wealth Management) was encouraged by client Mike Vince (Cosburn President) to sponsor a tournament at Cosburn Park. He gladly agreed to do it and the 1^st Cannacord Classic MP was born.

 

It  has now spawned several brother & sister events as Richard last year sponsored tournaments in at least 8 different clubs. The first one this year was the Victoria Day Open Fours at Coburg. Richard doesn’t just support his events with cash (quite a generous amount I might add) . . he is on hand with good lucky draw prizes along with bottles of champagne & strawberries for all to toast the winners (and the Queen) at the end of the day. He even played in the tournament with Jim Smith. Bravo Richard (and Jim).

 

Another tradition . . Wayne Wallwork (Al Purcell, Al Handlecher, Vera Richardson) winning the Coburg Open Fours . . the only winner of the event in its long 2 yr history. Will have to have a talk with the draw masters (Laura Hawryszko / Susan Smith) next year. They helped Wayne both years by pitting my team against him in the 3rd game. Second place captured by the Bob Matthews team from Peterborough. They were down 2 points after 11 but managed to score 3 in the last end  (against Pauline Hill) to take the 3^rd game.

 

Norm Smith (Matthew’s team) was fresh off winning 3 in Oshawa on Saturday where he had graciously thanked Bob Guppy (also on Matthews team) and Matthews for going to Burlington & letting him run the team in Oshawa without interference for once. Looks like he can win with them or without them.

 

Points were hard to come by this day as Wayne won with just 38 pts and I believe Matthews took 3 games with 34 points.  As always . . no matter what he does . .Gord Terwilligar seems to get in the money. Just scored 29 points but was the high 1 gamer.

 

Now . . all preliminaries behind us . . off to the Fours.

 

BB in the GTA (and Coburg)

Canada's Commonwealth Team Selection Camp

The National Team Committee (NTC)  have pared the Delhi India candidates to the top 8 lawn bowlers in Canada and will select the final 6 women and men to wear our colours as they go head to head this week.
They are gathered in White Rock British Columbia on a Dales Sport Canada artificial surface , the same surface that will be used at the new facility at the Commonwealth Games.
The NTC will pick separate Triples and Pairs teams and a Singles player for the Women and Men to bring the  travelling group to 12 players.
The seekers are:
Women - Amanda Berg, Alberta; Clarice Fitzpatrick, Manitoba; Shirley Fitzpatrick-Wong, Manitoba; Shirley Ko, Ontario; Rachel Larson, Saskatchewan; Josephine Lee, British Columbia; Harriette Pituley, Saskatchewan; Erin Roth, Ontario.
Men - Ryan Bester, Ontario; Hiren Bhartu, British Columbia; Jeff Harding, Ontario; Michel Larue, Quebec; Tim Mason, British Columbia; Steve McKerihen, Ontario; Keith Roney, Sasakatchewan; Fred Wallbank, Ontario.

I include the provinces simply for the reader's awareness. Once you are a National Team member your identification becomes Canada.
The camp got underway yesterday ( Sunday, May 23 ) with a team meeting and they will be in full gear and action to-day until Friday (the 28th) at noon. The few hours earlier termination time will allow the Ontario bowlers, for one, to catch a flight back to their District and compete in the Fours. It is an appreciated adjustment for competitive bowlers to allow them to maintain an active summer schedule leading to a possible fall trip to the CG.
Of course being there is the easy part compared to the cost and travel tribulations of some of the participants.
I am not referring to the Canadian resident bowlers. They take turns bouncing from province to province along with many winter trips to Arizona.
No, it is our keen bowlers who have wandered from their home nest to settle far enough away to negate dropping in for a visit.
My guess is Erin Roth's total trip is close to 8,000 km. one way. I believe there is at least a 14 hour plane  ride as a part of this trip tik. Erin started out on Thursday so you know there was time to read Gone With Wind in her airport hours.Yes Erin, of the Isle of Guernsey, one of the English Channel Islands much closer to France than England, has come a long way in her young years.
Now Ryan Bester couldn't travel the leisure way like Erin. His earlier departure was hindered by a very important Pennant match at and against the St. Johns Park team on Saturday. A win against 5 players who all play for Australia, including Leif Selby, the only man to win back to back World Singles titles after this years win at Warilla, would clinch for Cabramatta  the Zone Number One Pennant Flag and a trip the State Championships in August.
Not a bad warm up for the Canadian Camp.
Ryan flew out Sunday morning from Sydney Australia and by the magic of  the southern hemisphere calendar
landed in Vancouver Sunday afternoon.
Did you know that you can 'drive' from Sydney to Vancouver. My Goggle Map instructions informed me that the 21,735 km would take 54 days and 13 hours. Curiously I followed the written directions and found it included kayaking 5,404 km across the Pacific Ocean to Japan plus two little similar trips to Hawaii and the USA. Pressed for time Ryan hurried here but can look into the return trip being a much more exciting adventure. As it was Ryan traveled 12,500 km over 18 hours to be on Canadian soil for this selection week.
He does plan on making a round about after this camp and visit family and friends in Ontario and roll a few at Hanover and London Fairmont, have a go at the men's Wednesday circuit and finish at the OBA Singles at Burlington on June 25th. Then it will be time to pack his boat for the return trip to Down Under.


Making the selections for the National Team is never an easy task nor is it ever embraced with resounding agreement.
And it will be the norm no matter who sits in the chairs.
We are involved in a sport that at any time the best bowlers may be defeated by one of lesser ability. That characteristic not only mindfully narrows the gap between those who are and those who are not worthy to be named the best but it also seemingly increases ones expertise to be a judge.
And judge we will in our regional scrums right across this bowling nation.
However let's not ignore the fact that the appointed decision makers are now watching in real life, bowlers from across the country on the same green. They are scrutinizing intensely, discussing at length and have the opportunity to order their week to meet their goal of determining the best combinations for representing Canada at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. 
They will be the selectors. We need to be the supporters.

Hanging Out In Oshawa On The Victoria Day Weekend

Victoria Day Weekend - A great holiday weekend of bowls . . kicked off by the MacMillan Trebles in Oshawa.

 

Gentlemen from points east of Toronto plus a few T.O. teams gathered in Oshawa Saturday (May 22) for the 2010 renewal of the Gord MacMillan Memorial Men’s Trebles. They came from Whitby, Peterborough, Coburg, Belleville, Pickering, Cannington, Port Perry, Oakville, Toronto . . .  and lets not forget the strong contingent from the host Oshawa club. Those outsiders looking for an easy 1^st game against a weak home team need not apply in Oshawa. They have so many good teams you have to be up to the test right from bowl number one.

 

The scheduling of this event on the same day as another premier tournament in Burlington resulted in the absence of a few regular attendees . . . but that void opened the door for a few teams that may not normally have made the entry list as vacated spots were quickly snatched up by local teams. The weathermen had been saying all week ”watch out for rain on Saturday” . . .  but the bowling Gods had the final say as 5 minutes of misty drizzle was all that materialized.

 

Good weather . . . great greens. . players anxious to show their stuff after hibernating all winter . . . resulted in a great day of bowls. As usual when conditions are good the cream rises to the top and the 3 game winners were all teams who are no strangers to the winners circle.

3^rd place to Norm Smith of Peterborough, 2^nd place to Fred Thompson of Oshawa with Gord Terwilligar & Keith Olan, (I can’t remember many tournaments I’ve been to where Gord didn’t cash in).

 

Winners on the day: Wayne Wallwork of Cannington with Al Purcell and Roger Buck. (Roger’s patented yells of “YES SIR” & “OH BABY” could be heard from rink 1 to 16 several times during the day).

 

Yikes . .my teams own satisfaction of managing to walk away with a prize was greatly tempered by the fact that we lost game 2 by a score of 18-17 . . . .  by giving up 7 points in the last end!  Well . . already forgotten  . .  moving on to the next game.

BB in the GTA

IN TOUCH WITH BOWLS IN THE GREATER TORONTO AREA

Something new and something blew - your socks off. . Bob Bates has his finger on the pulse of bowls in his area and he has agreed to share his observations. He will report specifically from a GTA perspective but he has been known to wander afield occasionally and there are no limits on his parameters. This blog doesn't operate on any hard deadlines so this Bob can roll his copy when ready. Set, Go with  BB in the GTA.

Will keep you updated on anything interesting that crosses my radar in the GTA. Other than the Provincials and the odd trip to Burlington or Peterborough most of my playing is done locally . . so I don't know the scoop on other areas . . other than there seems to be good bowlers who are hard to beat everywhere I go!

 

Winners of the trophies at AGINCOURT [ WF/F Sun. May 26 ] were the Wayne Wallwork team (same team as 2008: Al Purcell, Gord Terwilligar, Al Handlechener) and Doreen Semple (Willowdale) took the Ladies event. Only other 3 game winner on the day was Dave Johnson of Willowdale.

 

Most of the Men's teams present (Skips: Larry Wales, Allan Steffan, Rodger Thompson, Wayne Wallwork) had the same line ups as last year and did well. Guess familiarity is a plus as a couple of good made up teams with bowlers from different clubs looked strong but didn't get the prize. Note: Was also good to see Frank Zazzara there watching and looking as good as ever.

 

Team / District Changes:

After winning all 3 events in Dist 15 last year Peter Wong is going to play in Dist 10 this year. He is playing with Albert Wu (who is moving from Dist 12). Andy & Mike Watson (newer players out of Agincourt) are playing the front end.

 

It will make the Dist playdowns a little tougher in Dist 10. We don't really need the added competition in my District but look forward to playing Peter as we’ve had several great games in  past playdowns. On my team Eric Brands & I just changed positions and I am leading, he is skipping. I find it a much more sociable game at Lead . .and I seem to play better when I don't have to worry about all the other bowls in the way!

 

Ladies have some new combinations.

Last years Ont champs Pauline Hill & Pat Gemmell are back for another go at it with a new front end.

Helen Wright is moving back to District 12 after playing out of Dist 11 for a few years. Her normal teammate Jeanne Christie will be touring Europe and is not playing. Helen has Jackie Hogan, Joyce Kruss & Shirley Ko with her. This also means Vince Donohue has to find a new Mixed Prs partner to carry him (lol) after medaling the last 2 yrs with Jackie Hogan.

 

Helen will find it tougher in District 12. If the Doreen Semple team (with Gloria Chueng, Brooke Reid, sorry didn’t see who the 4^th was ) is playing the Districts they looked pretty good.

 

Auriel Daniel is moving to Dist 10 (from 14) to play with Debbie McCourt, Maureen & Jan Ferguson.

 

Laila Hassan & Chrystal Shephard are hoping to duplicate their trip to the Canadians in the Pairs so are once again not entering the Fours. I played with Laila, Chyrstal & Jeff Harding in one of the N.Falls Fours events. Got a first hand view as to how they manage to win so many games. Wish I had their confidence in being able to make the right shot at the right time.

 

Played at my club last night. Not too bad a turn out with about 36 players on a mid May evening. We have a photo gallary on the wall of all the Ont Champions from Cosburn since about 1980. About a dozen photos of Women’s teams and only 1 of Men! Seems we continue to have a much better contingent of Ladies at Cosburn then men. With Laila & Chrystal, Nanci Myers (last yrs. Ladies Singles Bronze) and now Cathy Haskins (Sorry . . Cathy Larking after she got married to Ron on the weekend) it looks like the trend in the photos on the wall will continue!

 

Ps – Just got back from Mens Pairs at Agincourt: [ P Wed May 19 ] Winners today were the Jim Butler/Gord Terwillegar team. Other 3 game winning skips: Martin Foxhall & Remi Canuel. (who won all 3 despite only outscoring his opposition 36-33 during the day).

 

Big weekend schedule coming up: Oshawa Tebles / Leaside MT / Coburg OF. Hope my boss doesn’t find out I’m doing all this bowling . .usually when I take off work to bowl I tell him I’m going to the race track or casino . .he understands that better!.

 

 BB in the GTA

May Your Colours Be Bright In Bowls 2010 By "IZ"

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling Down By The River

The Ontario Bowl's season really started this weekend.
Oh, we had the X(ceptional)  Games in Niagara Falls and James Gardens with that dandy artificial carpet offered a preview performance but the Open Gates were prevalent from Barrie in the north to Leamington in the south.
I made the trip to the St Marys Classic Open Fours. A beautiful town on the Thames River filled with limestone buildings.
So did a strong field of competitors , many using this event to ready for the upcoming Provincial Fours play downs. Steve McKerihen, David Anderson, John Devonshire and Fred Wallbank captured the tournament and the $400 first prize. They were but a few of  National Team caliber bowlers out for a dry day and a dry run to the Districts. A calculated guess makes that number to be 20 of the 64 players on hand to be either current or former wearers of the Canadian uniform.
I had a first hand view of  why the McKerihen rink is a consistent Provincial winner. They don't take one bowl off. Every shot is important, they are on the same page in strategy and they don't give up big ends. They are serious but they enjoy playing a competitive game in each others company. Did I mentioned they are all skilled bowlers.
Malcolm Whyte, Trevor Whyte, Dave Ball and Dave Falconer from Burlington were the other 3 game winners showing early season finesse.
The tournament format was an interesting change. It is not surprising that creative thinking emits from the McLellans, Larry and James, of 'The Stone Town'. They are always thinking of a different way to approach the game and experiment to see if it makes it better.
I like the altered format.
It is a form of preliminary play to establish the playoff teams. The concept is to group like ability teams together for a competitive finale. Thus every team has an opportunity to win a prize in the last round of the day.
I believe I have grasped how it was run. We will see if I can explain it so you understand.
The McLellan Matrix
Sixteen teams and the usual draw for your opponent. After the first round the 8 winners are ranked - one to eight with the opponent draw being 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6, 4 vs 5  in the 2nd game. The same procedure for the 8 losing teams in the 1st round.
After the 2nd game the teams are now ranked again and placed in 4 groups of 4 teams. 'A' group is the 2 win 0 loss teams ranked by the win plus system - ie #1 Team X 2W +28, #2 Team Y 2W + 27 et cetera.
Follow the same process for establishing Group 'B' and Group 'C' the 1W 1L teams and Group 'D' the 0W 2L teams. This time #1 will play #4 and #2 vs #3 in game three. There is a reward for being a higher ranked team by theoretically getting an 'easier' opponent.
The prize money was distributed to the top two teams in Group 'A' and the top team in the other 3 groups.
Opportunity right to the last game and equitable opponents seems to me to be a solid base of operation.

Larry also announced at the start of the day a time schedule to keep the day moving at a good pace.
The next round would start 20 minutes after the last teams finished their game.
Boy, do I ever agree with this. People often tell me they don't play golf because it takes too long.
Well we won't get them at a bowls tournament either then. Mind you I relish the day with the the interaction with fellow participants, but we still can do that and finish prior to 5 PM. If I noted the time correctly this tournament with a start time of 9:30 AM, 3 X 14 ends finished shortly after 4:00 PM. You can get on your way if need be or sit back and catch up with the talk of the greens.
Speaking of noteworthy news, Chris Johnson has attended 26 Blue Rodeo Concerts. Wouldn't you think he would change the colour of his bowls?
We are really on our 2010 way.

Coming up, Our expatriates are winging their way home.