My Ponder List

  • "Now is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end.But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Winston Churchill

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

ONTARIO JUNIOR BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2010

Peterborough  Lawn Bowling Club
June 26,27
18 &Under Singles

GOLD
District 7 - KAITLIN RYAN
District 2 - DYLAN JACOBS

SILVER
District 15 - STEPHANIE MILLER
District 8 - JACOB SCHUKNECHT
Gold & Silver Qualified for The Canadian Championships at the Fairmont Lawn Bowling
Club
August 4-7, London, Ontario

BRONZE
District 3 - STEPHANIE KENT
District 14 - MITCHELL DACK




From the Peterborough Examiner

Peterborough player earns first medal in third provincial championship

Mitchell Dack is steadily climbing the ladder at the under-18 provincial lawn bowling championships.
The 15-year-old Peterborough re s ident claimed a bronze medal at the Ontario U18 championships hosted at the Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club on Saturday and Sunday.
This is the third year Dack has competed in the provincial championships and the first time he has won a medal.
Dack will get three more chances in future years to try for silver and gold.
Dack defeated Kitchener’s Josh Cameron 21-15 to complete the weekend with a 4-3 overall record.
“It feels good to win a medal,” Dack, a Grade 10 student at Kenner Collegiate, told The
Examiner on Sunday. It feels good to win a medal. I think I bowled excellent this weekend. The experience, I think, helped.” Mitchell Dack Peterborough lawn bowler
“I think I bowled excellent this weekend. The experience, I think, helped.”
Dack was defeated in the semifinal by London’s Dylan Jacobs, who went on to claim his second-consecutive Ontario title with a 21-20 comeback win against Chesley’s Jake Schuknecht. Jacobs trailed 20-17, but reeled off a single point in four-straight ends to rally for victory.
“Jake is a really good bowler. I was trying to keep it respectable and I got lucky,” said Jacobs.
Last year, Jacobs finished third at the U18 nationals, but he won gold at the U25 nationals, earning a trip to the World U25 Lawn Bowling Championships in Australia where he placed 10th.
He has two goals this year. He’d like to win gold at the U18 Canadian championships, but also take the U25 title to get a return trip to Australia.
“I know nobody wants it more than me. That’s what I keep telling myself,” said Jacobs.
The finalists in both the boys and girls’ divisions advance to the Canadian U18 championships Aug. 4-7 at Fairmont in London.
Kitchener’s Kaitlin Ryan captured her second-straight Ontario title defeating Brighton’s Stephanie Miller 21-16 in the final.
Simcoe’s Stephanie Kent took the bronze beating Christine Schuknecht 21-19.
Ryan, 17, also the defending Canadian U18 champion, was excited to defend her provincial title.
“It’s a great accomplishment and I’m really proud of myself to know that I can do that well,” said Ryan.
“I just tried my best and it, obviously, showed. My competitors were great.
“They were tough to beat. It was a great weekend.”
NOTES: Two other Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club members competed in the boys’ division. Jesse Caldwell finished with a 3-2 round-robin record, but placed third in his pool of five and failed to advance to the semifinal round. His younger brother Lucas placed fourth in the same division with a 2-3 record.... There were 10 competitors in the boys’ division and 16 in the girls.
By 
MIKE DAVIES Examiner Staff Writer 

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

WOW!!!!!!!! THE CHALLENGE10 IS SOARING

The bowling community have been drawing ( from their pocket ) and hitting ( new heights ) in the 2010 campaign to support the fight against breast cancer and prostate cancer.
$650.00 Donated or Pledged To Date
Donations will be received until July 31st.
You can simply donate, the minimum is $10.00.
OR - You can donate your $10 and exchange your real money for 10,000 bob, (b10,000) from the Bank of BOB. You then have the opportunity to play the Challenge10. Your task is to study the field in the Provincial Pairs Championship and then wisely wager your bob on the team(s) you think will qualify for the trip to the Canadians.
In the Fours KJ turned b5,000 into b32,500 when he picked that upstart Cornwall/Ottawa team at 5.5 to 1. 
You know what else happened! Some people bet all their 'bob' , every single crisp new 'bob', and lost. But they still can play for the low, low cost of a further $5.00 cancer donation and receive an additional b5,000. A half price deal that makes Walmart blush.
Of course it isn't real but we have fun pretending that we know our sport and its players.
But more importantly we join with our friends to help make a difference.
Our reality is the support for the cause, our fantasy is a make believe betting pool.

It is time to rank the Pairs Teams.
The field is set with the exception of the second entry for District 2 due to the bye with the 'no entry' in District 11 Women. I didn't see the replacement on the OLBA website but my unofficial guess is it may be the team of Julie Fowler and Cathy Townsend.
In any case, make your picks and change them if that suggestion is not accurate. 
Remember the odds are set by you. Rank the teams as you think they will finish in Sarnia.
You have to rank a minimum of 10 ( no ties ) or right up to 16 if you want. Women or men or both if you have been paying attention.

Monday, June 21, 2010

And The Winners Are -District Pairs

Sarnia Lawn Bowling Club
July 3,4
Women
D1 Michelle Whitehead (S),Laurie Roth 
D2A Noreen Welsh (S), Karen Robinson
D2B Julie Fowler (S), Cathy Townsend
D3 Shirley Hague (S), Deanna Palmer
D4 Marilyn Lancaster (S), Kay Johns
D5 Margaret Beacroft (S), Dawn Beacroft
D6 Marg Lepere (S), Chone Chatterton
D7 Caroline Cook (S), Ellen Edwards
D8 Sandy Weatherall (S), Christine Schuknecht 
D9 Donna McCallum (S), Mary Meldrum
D10 Debbie McCourt (S), Auriel Daniel
D12 Helen Wright (S), Shirley Ko
D13 Jean McCron (S), Elaine Stevenson
D14 Susan Smith (S), Laura Hawryszko
D15 Pauline Hill (S), Pat Gemmell
D16 Joan Fedorchuk (S), Teresa Deroulin

Men
D1 Don Thornton (S), Fausto Angelini
D2 Chuck Townsend (S), Doug Hoskin
D3 Moe Cosyn (S), Bob North
D4 Larry McLellan (S), Jurgen Fessler
 D5  Nic Van Weesel (S), Dave Burrows 
D6 Dave Houtby (S), Hugh Branston
D7 Darryl Fitzgerald (S), Derrick Bruder
D8 Mike Bester (S), Ken Bester
D9 Norm Coulter (S), Mike Comba
D10 Bob Bates (S), Ken Uyesugi
D11 Vince Donohoe (S), Greg Steele
D12 Arnie Markowitz (S), Raymond Cheung
D13 Gord Legacy (S), Dave Llewellyn
D14 Alan Steffen (S), Rob Steffen
D15 Doug McLeese (S), George Boersma
D16 Grant Fletcher (S), Bill Rogers



Sunday, June 20, 2010

HOT OFF THE PRESS - RULE CHANGE FOR 2011

Our man of the bowling world, Jurgen Fessler, with his contacts sprouting in all directions brings us this ...



Hot off the press.....
 
Yesterday I received word from World Bowls that a new set of Laws of the Sport of Bowls has been finalized and will become effective in 2011. 
 
The Hammer Rule has been rescinded and we will go back to the way it was before....where the winner of the previous scoring end will set the mat and deliver the jack.
 
Conrad Melton
USLBA National Umpire in Chief

Sunday, June 13, 2010

PROVINCIAL FOURS CHAMPIONSHIP AT BURLINGTON

Monday, June 14 ( left click on photo)
GOLD
D16 Joelle Russell ( S ), Sandra Jefferies, Pat Lamoureux, Edith Pedden
D11 Steve McKerihen(S),David Anderson,John Devonshire,Fred Wallbank




SILVER
D2 Sue Roth(S), Debbie Archer, Julie Foley , Jeniffer Fisher
D16 Brian McCartney( S ), Ron Wood, David Jefferies, Gerry Laporte



BRONZE
D12 Doreen Semple(S), Gloria Cheung, Brooke Reid, Sandy McKenzie
D13 Gord Legacy(S), Ron Geniole, Martin Foxhall, Dave Llewellyn

























Sunday, June 13 8:30 A.M.
The Golden Arch
Women
D12 Doreen Semple(S), Gloria Cheung, Brooke Reid, Sandy McKenzie 6
D16 Joelle Russell ( S ), Sandra Jefferies, Pat Lamoureux, Edith Pedden 13
Men
D7 Darryl Fitzgerald(S),Andrew Wagner,Kevin Schinbein,Derrick Bruder 4
D11 Steve McKerihen(S),David Anderson,John Devonshire,Fred Wallbank 18
The Silver Ring
Women
D2 Sue Roth(S), Debbie Archer, Julie Foley , Jeniffer Fisher 16
D12 Doreen Semple(S), Gloria Cheung, Brooke Reid, Sandy McKenzie 15


D6 Marg Lepere(S),Chone Chatterton,Wendy Devonshire,Sherry Ridduck 13L
D2 Sue Roth(S), Debbie Archer, Julie Foley , Jeniffer Fisher 13W 


D12 Doreen Semple(S), Gloria Cheung, Brooke Reid, Sandy McKenzie 15
D15 Pauline Hill(S), Pat Gemmell, Sylvia Poulain, Donna Mcleese 6

D6 Marg Lepere(S),Chone Chatterton,Wendy Devonshire,Sherry Ridduck 14
D10 Jeri Lynn Lamb (S), Faye Henderson, Lillian Krajcik, Joanne Smith 10

D2 Sue Roth(S), Debbie Archer, Julie Foley , Jeniffer Fisher 21
D9 Sheila Lumley (S), Mary Meldrum, Donna McCallum, Christine Wild 13

D13 Jean McCron(S), Elaine Stevenson, Brenda Farthing, Deb Hare 12
D15 Pauline Hill(S), Pat Gemmell, Sylvia Poulain, Donna Mcleese 15
Men
D16 Brian McCartney( S ), Ron Wood, David Jefferies, Gerry Laporte 15
D13 Gord Legacy(S), Ron Geniole, Martin Foxhall, Dave Llewellyn 9


D2 Brian Fowler (S), Dylan Jacobs, Doug Hoskin, Chuck Townsend 13
D13 Gord Legacy(S), Ron Geniole, Martin Foxhall, Dave Llewellyn 14


D7 Darryl Fitzgerald(S),Andrew Wagner,Kevin Schinbein,Derrick Bruder 16L
D16 Brian McCartney( S ), Ron Wood, David Jefferies, Gerry Laporte 16W

D2 Brian Fowler (S), Dylan Jacobs, Doug Hoskin, Chuck Townsend 16
D6 Dave Houtby, Herb Nesbitt, Hugh Branston, Craig Thompson 11

D13 Gord Legacy(S), Ron Geniole, Martin Foxhall, Dave Llewellyn 20
D14 Alan Steffen(S), Bob Guppy, Rob Steffen, Gord Terwillegar 14

D4 Brad Fleming(S), Rick Woods,Dave Ducklow, Neil Beuerman 9
D16 Brian McCartney( S ), Ron Wood, David Jefferies, Gerry Laporte 13


Burlington L.B.C.June, 12,13 2010
The greens are running well.
The Club is wearing its Sunday best.
The weather was beautiful -- on Friday.
You can prepare in most every way but you can't dictate what the state of the atmosphere will be on the given day(s).
It appears inevitable that it will be a soggy weekend.
To stay up to date with the results check http://www.olba.ca/olbafoursresults.html
Off to play.
Will be back to you later.
BB

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Early Predictions of Provincial Fours

Final Cumulative Predictions
Wed.J9 There are favourites and they have held their positions throughout the week but there are strong chasers lurking in the shadows. This will be a dandy competition. 


It's over, no use attending the Fours Championships in Burlington next weekend.
A resounding declaration that the Jo Anne Bugler and Steve McKerihen teams can make early dinner reservations for the Sunday celebration - not.
I have heard several comments that this is one of the most experienced fields in awhile on the men's side. And believe it - there are ladies in waiting.
Late Sunday update. Moving up : Julia Farrell, Lynne Newton and Joelle Russell.
For the men - Wayne Wright, Tom Roth, Brad Fleming with Gord Legacy having the biggest jump in cumulative score.
Somebody knows something.
As of Friday June 11, 12:10 A.M.
Women
D4 Jo Anne Bugler(S), Maureen Thompson, Sharon Farrish, Carol Carter 1.4
D6 Marg Lepere(S),Chone Chatterton,Wendy Devonshire,Sherry Ridduck 2.9
D15 Pauline Hill(S), Pat Gemmell, Sylvia Poulain, Donna Mcleese 4.3
D12 Doreen Semple(S), Gloria Cheung, Brooke Reid, Sandy McKenzie 5.3
D5 Julia Farrell(S), Wendy Buick, Lenore Roach, Karen Peart 6.3
D9 Sheila Lumley (S), Mary Meldrum, Donna McCallum, Christine Wild 6.8
D14 Anna Panton(S), Maureen Simmons, Maureen Guppy, Mary Mininch 7.3
D13 Jean McCron(S), Elaine Stevenson, Brenda Farthing, Deb Hare 7.6
D2 Sue Roth(S), Debbie Archer, Julie Foley & Jeniffer Fisher 8.6
D7 Jean Brighton(S), Beverly Houston, Carolyn Cook, Ellen Edwards 9.4
D16 Joelle Russell ( S ), Sandra Jefferies, Pat Lamoureux, Edith Pedden 9.7
D10 Jeri Lynn Lamb (S), Faye Henderson, Lillian Krajcik, Joanne Smith 10.1
D1 Lynne Newton(S), Anja McKenzie, Jan Brown, Barb Bellmore 11.3
D3 Tilley Mannen(S), Jan McLean, Eleanor McDonell, Elaine Clayton 12.1
D11 Barbara Marks(S), Barbara Mann, Helen Gillis, Helen Corkell 13.1
D8 Helen Kelley(S), Velda Francis, Ann Darroch, Marilyn Rogers 13.3




Men
D11 Steve McKerihen(S),David Anderson,John Devonshire,Fred Wallbank 1.1
D3 Wayne Wright (S), Don Caswell, Ryan Stadnyk, Bob North 3.8
D8 Ian Jones (S), Mike Bester, Bob Bester, Chris Bester 4.1
D6 Dave Houtby, Herb Nesbitt, Hugh Branston, Craig Thompson 4.3
D5 Malcolm Whyte(S), Trevor Whyte, Dave Ball, Greg Wilson 5.1
D16 Brian McCartney( S ), Ron Wood, David Jefferies, Gerry Laporte 5.4
D13 Gord Legacy(S), Ron Geniole, Martin Foxhall, Dave Llewellyn 7
D2 Brian Fowler (skip), Dylan Jacobs, Doug Hoskin, Chuck Townsend 7.5
D14 Alan Steffen(S), Bob Guppy, Rob Steffen, Bob Matthews 8.4
D4 Brad Fleming(S), Rick Woods,Dave Ducklow, Neil Beuerman 10.6
D1 Tom Roth(S), Don Thornton, Frank Duransky, Fausto Angelini 10.6
D7 Darryl Fitzgerald(S),Andrew Wagner,Kevin Schinbein,Derrick Bruder 10.8
D10 Eric Brands (S), Dave Carruthers, Ken Uyesugi, Bob Bates 10.9
D12 Dave Johnson(S), Rick Matthews, Anthony Ko, Angus McKenzie 11.4
D9 Stuart Goodby (S), Bob Woods, Jim Curley, John Chow 12.5
D15 Jack Gemmell(S), Doug Mcleese, John Sager, Jim McLaughlin 12.8

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

The CHALLENGE 10 - CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY DONATION

Tuesday, June 8th
I am on the road again. Six Nations Reserve on Monday night for a grandson lacrosse game, another game in Burlington to-night, hope the rain clears and be able to pair up with Jurgen Fessler on Wednesday in Seaforth, off to Windsor to play with one of my Fours teammates Don Caswell, in Guelph for lacrosse tournament on Friday, before settling back in Burlington trying to squeeze up to the front of the championship line.
Whew! It takes your breath away.
But not as much as when your cancer doctor gives you a good report.
I saw Dr Chin in London to-day. PSA lower, The DRE smooth, the doctor satisfied, the patient delighted.
"My demise has been greatly exaggerated." Mark Twain
Fact : 95% of prostate cancer is curable if detected and treated in its earliest stages.
Fact : 1 in 6 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and this is expected to rise to 1 in 4 within a decade.
Think of it as 1 player on every Fours team.

Challenge the Challenge 10. The task is simple -select the teams that will qualify for the Canadian Championships; the success is difficult.
I can't post the final odds until I get home so they will be up Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
Donate if you can, play the Challenge if you want.

You were magnificent last year. I was hoping we could donate $100 and we presented a cheque for $445 at the end of the Challenge fun competition.
I started this last year because it is for a cause that has touched so many. I live with prostate cancer and I may die because of it but it does not change my view of life. 
Dream like you will live forever and live like you will die to-morrow. 
I am one of so many that has a choice when our circumstances deviate. I choose to do what I can to treat my condition and continue to open my eyes each morning to the world in all of its splendour. 
Don't feel sorry for me, I have been blessed in this life I lead.
Don't be embarrassed to ask, if I can help in understanding your concerns.
I want all to be proactive in monitoring your health needs. 
I speak especially to the guys since women in their natural caring and concerned ways tend to reach out for others and themselves when necessary.
But we men deny and delay when haste is a key factor in curing our malady.
Cancer will be conquered and even our little contribution will make a difference.


I know you are buffeted on all sides for requests for donations. If you can wonderful, if you can't I know you are supporting in your own way.
If you decide to be involved in this campaign:
You can play the Challenge Bowls Game as described below.
Or - You can donate any amount and not be in on test of your research and analytic skill. 


Here is what will happen to your donation this year:
1.You donate and request a receipt ( I will do the paperwork).
2.You donate and you don't want a receipt. This group then have the  option to be in on a group purchase of tickets supporting the Annual Cancer Society Lottery. 
All prizes are converted to cash and divided equally after prorating your contribution. For prizes that can't be converted we will have our own draw to determine the winner. One share ( BOB) for each $10 donation. 
3.You donate , don't want a receipt but prefer not to be involved in the lottery.


Already I have had two wonderful ladies, skilled in both bowls and compassion, hand me unsolicited donations. 
We are in this together.


THE CHALLENGE: Have the biggest deposit in the BOB ( Bank of Bob ) when the Big Three {Fours, Pairs, Singles } 2010 Provincial Championships are completed.


THE COST: Ten dollar $10.00 entry fee but you can donate any amount you wish. All fees ( no administrative expenses, no cash to winners) will be donated to the CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY. Half of the proceeds will be designated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Society and the other half to  Prostate Cancer Research. Free entry if residing in New Zealand, Australia and Guernsey . Receipts will be issued by the Canadian Cancer Society if requested.I will tabulate and submit at the end of the Challenge and make the request for you.

ENTRY: Submit your name to me at ant time but preferably before the Fours so you can participate in the 3 events. You can pledge your entry fee by email and then either wait to catch up with me somewhere in Ontario this summer or mail a cheque to my address ( check with me by email ). Multiple entries are accepted.You can be identified by your name, a team name or a numbered account ( a modern game ).

THE TASK: You will have $10,000 bob credited to your newly opened account for every $10 donated on entry. Let us call it the Bowls Ontario (BO) stimulus package. Your mission, "should you choose to accept it ...", will be to parlay that amount into a substantial profit. The method of your madness is to wager any amount of your dollars( minimum bet of $1000 ) on the upcoming BIG THREE Provincial Championships. This isn't the easy win, place show of the races, you have to pick the winners of the event. But to make it a cinch to be successful you win if your selections qualify for the Canadians ( 1st or 2nd ). If you lose all your money, game over and placed on the bankrupt list. Despite baseball's Pete Rose rule you can, are even encouraged, to bet on your own team.

THE ODDS: You have and are creating them as we speak by submitting your ranking predictions. They are ever changing so you can submit your 'bet' when you judge the odds are best for your maximum return.

PAYOUT: the Parimutuel system will be used but with no 14.25% commission deducted before the winning distribution. Wikipedia has a clear explanation of the calculations.

PRIZES: The enjoyment of the camaraderie and the satisfaction of doing something for others without credit. 




Monday, June 7, 2010

A Tale of Two Rainouts

Bowling at James Gardens & The Cricket Club . . . not that far apart on the map . . but worlds apart in atmosphere and playing conditions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
‘Rain’  - a bad 4 letter word to most lawn bowlers . . . particularly if it is a light rain / heavy drizzle that lingers over the greens for a long time.
 
“PLAY ON”  is the word from the draw master in Provincial play in almost any type of rain. No choice here . . must get the event completed over the weekend. But what about your local Mixed Pairs or Mixed Trebles tournament? When a light but steady rain hits it is sometimes tough to decide . . .  Do you play? . . . Delay things hoping it will clear up?   . . .  or do you just send everyone home for the day? . .  not fun playing in the rain.  . . also not fun . .  being the one to decide if everyone should stay out and play on in the rain. (which can make you very unpopular).
 
That wet 4 letter word reared its head and affected all events I was involved in last week.  
 
Always enjoy a trip to play on the artificial turf at James Gardens  . . especially with my mother Lorry. James Gardens is a nice small club located on the west bank of the Humber River in Etobicoke. A few years ago the city tore up their 2 grass greens and built one artificial surfaced green . . very good move.
 
While many struggle with the super quick (15-16 sec?) / wide drawing (8’) rinks, Lorry relishes them. They are one of the only greens where she can still easily get the bowls all the way down to the other end (especially in May), so their 3 MP events are the first I enter for us at the start of the year. Still going strong into her eighties, a 15-0 record in the last 5 events played there is testimony to her proficiency on the fake grass.
 
On this Wednesday, as the weatherman predicted, Mother Nature reared her head with a light rain as the 3rd game commenced.  Just 2 ends played and the rain started to get heavier. Draw Master Brian came out and not sure what to do he asked for opinions on whether to stop or continue. Regular Provincial players who come prepared for all weather seemed to want to play on, while the lesser established group (and most 2 game losers) were ready to call it a day. A show of hands was called for. “Who would like to stop play?”
 
Looking down the green I saw an already drenched partner . . . arm up in a flash and waving at me to do the same. Forget the fact that stopping now would relegate us to 2nd place, I knew if I wanted a ride home I’d better get my hand up quick.  But the majority (at least the most vocal ones) wanted to play on (or else their arms were just too sopping wet and heavy to lift) so play continued.  A minute later, a siren could be heard from the golf course on the other side of the river signaling players to get off the course. This, plus a couple rumblings of thunder, (and a few rumblings from bowlers who just kept getting wetter) prompted the Draw Master to come back out and declare that everyone should complete 5 ends then vacate the green.
 
The shortened match was to our benefit as we grabbed a 6-4 decision and had just enough points to eke out the top prize over Vince Donohue, which was a reversal from the previous event which Vince won & we were 2nd.
 
In the 3rd shortened game we played our club mates Meno Jose & Jan Luke. Look out for Meno . . . . a new bowler (3rd year)  on the rise. A regular at Richmond Green indoor bowling (which helps at James Gardens) he has developed his own ‘no step’ delivery for the fast artificial surfaces. Very good on the regular grass too. Will be a force to reckon with in future years.
 
Come Thursday it was off to the posh Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club. (TCSCC) for their Mixed Trebles event. This club at Avenue Road & Wilson in the north end of the city offers quite a different class of facilities compared to old James Gardens. (and most every other club for that matter).
 
If you’re looking to make a financial profit at lawn bowls . . go elsewhere as I believe only $10 of the $33 entry fee is allocated towards the bowling . . the rest is for lunch (and may be underpriced at that for the spread you are presented with). Unless you manage to grab 1st place, you will be walking out with less money than you came in with. Events here, always filled, are proof positive that bowlers are out for the enjoyment of a day of competitive bowls and not to reap great rewards.
 
Far different from the setting at James Gardens in the open spaces beside the Humber, the green here is tightly situated in between the tennis courts (on 2 sides) and the pool on the 3rd side. As we played we could watch the construction crew working as they were putting a retractable roof & stone patio at the pool area. I think this should be a must for every lawn bowling club! Someone in charge please amend the handbook for building a lawn bowling club accordingly.
 
This day the rains came as we dined after the 2nd game. From the 2nd floor Dining Room you could see it coming down hard over the lush green cricket pitch & croquet court. For sure . . so I thought . .  no 3rd game today. Draw Master Richard Wright advised though that we were going to wait for 20 minutes (until 2:45) and then make a decision. He had probably been to the sports office at the club where they can call up a ‘Doppler Radar’ screen on the computer to see what was headed our way. (another must for your club).
 
This gave us time to review the results from the first 2 games. At the Cricket club, while you dine on your 3 course lunch, (and have a uniformed gentleman bring a potent beverage to your table) you are handed a computer generated results tally showing the scores of all the games to date and the rankings after game 2.  (I’m surprised they didn’t also let you know what your score was going to be in the 3rd game! . . they seem to be really on the ball). There would be 6 prizes on this day . . . and I could see who was in line for them. 4 -2 game winners . . and the top 2 one gamers. My team mates Mike & Corinne Vince were happy to see that as high 1 game winner we would be in the money.   
 
Wouldn’t you know . . it was as if Mother Nature was taunting us . . . . at 2:44 the rain let up . . we had just enough time to trek down to the green and start play . .  before she opened up the faucet again. At 3:00 the deluge came back. I’m sure I heard a chuckle from her as a now soaked group headed back inside to hear the results of the day. Poor Richard . . the Drawmaster can never please all . . endured the wrath of a couple home team players who weren’t happy that they were sent out in the elements for game 3.
 
The usual culprits took the big prizes:
 Frank Dinardo was #1aided by Sheila Lumley & his lead . . .  88 year old Alex Graham  . . . . still piling them straight in on the jack.  Warning . . . although his bowls are still running true . . stay out of Alex’s way in the parking lot. After patiently waiting a couple of minutes for him to try to get out of his parking spot I just had to veer around him and head for the exit. (For all I know, he’s still there trying to get out!)
 
Following Frank as 2 game winners were the teams of Unky Zangwill, Gord Anglin & Jack Siboni.
 
Bob B in the GTA
 

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Burlington Singles Pretenders and WOBAMax - BELIEVE IT

Can you believe this!
Laila Hassan is coming to the June 25th Open Singles and she has emailed to tell me she will show no mercy when I play her. Good golly the youth of to-day.
Listen, I know she is one of the best bowlers in the country,but really, she is a women and against , how do I say this and be modest, the king of singles. In fact, a few ends of comeuppance will do her well this summer season.

VSM Abrasives Canada
122nd O.B.A. Open Singles
Burlington L.B.C.
Double Draw
$500 First ( You will like 2nd Prize ).


Speaking of Prize Money
Can you believe this!
W.O.B.A. has ADDED $4,000 , that is big extra money, to the total prize package due to this being the 115th  Tournament in its long and dynamic history.
Six days of high level bowls including Open Fours, Open Singles, Women's Pairs, Men's Pairs and Mixed Pairs. Since it is Flight Play and you are guaranteed 4 games, you settle into your level of competition and have a good chance to reach into that money bucket.
115th W.O.B.A.
July 18-23
London Fairmont & Woodstock L.B.Clubs
Entries to Noreen Welsh

Friday, June 4, 2010

Ranking Rules For Fours

Here we go again. Time to test your expertise in the field of Ontario Bowls.
The first event of the Big Three. Fours, Pairs, Singles
You are invited to rank the Provincial Fours qualifying teams as you predict they will finish.
The individual rankings are averaged to establish the Cumulative Provincial Rankings.
Numerically list your selections with #1 being your top choice
You must list a minimum of 10 teams but do list all 16 teams if you choose.
You can select men only, women only or both groups.
Don't be wishy washy. No ties.
If you are a participant in the Provincial Fours 2010 , you cannot select your own team.
Your selections are kept confidential. I cannot prevent individual bragging of personal wisdom.

Deadline Thursday June 10, 2010

What does this all mean - nothing.
If you looked at past rankings/results stats you would see falls down the ladder and wonderful shimmies up the pole. The podium conclusion hasn't been altered. You win on the field, not on paper.
Just a fun task that generates interest for the event and awareness of the participants.
In fact many of us do this exercise mentally for the major competitions. This time you can compare your long distance thoughts with others.


So take a look at the entries, do your analysis and send to bgnorth@sympatico.ca

ONTARIO DISTRICT FOURS WINNERS 10



The ONTARIO DISTRICTS 
Qualified For PROVINCIAL FOURS BURLINGTON
Unofficial
WOMEN
D1 Lynne Newton(S), Anja McKenzie, Jan Brown, Barb Bellmore
D2 Sue Roth(S), Debbie Archer, Julie Foley & Jeniffer Fisher
D3 Tilley Mannen(S), Jan McLean, Eleanor McDonell, Elaine Clayton
D4 Jo Anne Bugler(S), Maureen Thompson, Sharon Farrish, Carol Carter
D5 Julia Farrell(S), Wendy Buick, Lenore Roach, Karen Peart
D6 Marg Lepere(S), Chone Chatterton, Wendy Devonshire, Sherry Ridduck
D7 Jean Brighton(S), Beverly Houston, Carolyn Cook, Ellen Edwards
D8 Helen Kelley(S), Velda Francis, Ann Darroch, Marilyn Rogers
D9 Sheila Lumley (S), Mary Meldrum, Donna McCallum, Christine Wild
D10 Jeri Lynn Lamb (S), Faye Henderson, Lillian Krajcik,  Joanne Smith
D11 Barbara Marks(S), Barbara Mann, Helen Gillis, Helen Corkell
D12 Doreen Semple(S), Gloria Cheung, Brooke Reid, Sandy McKenzie
D13 Jean McCron(S), Elaine Stevenson, Brenda Farthing, Deb Hare
D14 Anna Panton(S), Maureen Simmons, Maureen Guppy, Mary Mininch
D15 Pauline Hill(S), Pat Gemmell, Sylvia Poulain, Donna Mcleese
D16 Joelle Russell ( S ), Sandra Jefferies, Pat Lamoureux, Edith Pedden

MEN
D1 Tom Roth(S), Don Thornton, Frank Duransky, Fausto Angelini
D2 Brian Fowler (skip), Dylan Jacobs, Doug Hoskin, Chuck Townsend
D3 Wayne Wright (S), Don Caswell, Ryan Stadnyk, Bob North
D4 Brad Fleming(S), Rick Woods,Dave Ducklow, Neil Beuerman
D5 Malcolm Whyte(S), Trevor Whyte, Dave Ball, Greg Wilson
D6 Dave Houtby, Herb Nesbitt, Hugh Branston, Craig Thompson
D7 Darryl Fitzgerald(S), Andrew Wagner, Kevin Schinbein, Derrick Bruder
D8 Ian Jones (S), Mike Bester, Bob Bester, Chris Bester
D9 Stuart Goodby (S), Bob Woods, Jim Curley, John Chow
D10 Eric Brands (S), Dave Carruthers, Ken Uyesugi, Bob Bates 
D11 Steve McKerihen (S), David Anderson, John Devonshire, Fred Wallbank
D12 Dave Johnson(S), Rick Matthews, Anthony Ko, Angus McKenzie
D13 Gord Legacy(S), Ron Geniole,  Martin Foxhall, Dave Llewellyn
D14 Alan Steffen(S), Bob Guppy, Rob Steffen, Bob Matthews
D15 Jack Gemmell(S), Doug Mcleese, John Sager, Jim McLaughlin
D16 Brian McCartney( S ), Ron Wood, David Jefferies, Gerry LaPorte





SPRING CLEANING

Outstanding tournament at Burlington Friday June 25th. Big Bucks in Ontario terms for the winner and I intend to fill my satchel and drag those $500 dollar bills right back to Dresden.
It is the
 VSM Abrasives Canada
122nd O.B.A. Open Singles
Burlington L.B.C.
Double Draw
My nemesis Dave Burrows will suffer the indignity of losing on his home green this year to me. We always play even with the approximate 64 players and an equitable opening game draw. He just gently smiles, tells me good shot even when it isn't and helps me put my bowls in my bag after another defeat.
Not this time, no, not him nor even Ryan Bester. This Bester heard of the big payoff and flew back from Australia thinking I was tied up at another event and wouldn't be on site to 'make my day.'
Well I hope you brought your straight bowls Ryan because you are going to be playing on real greens for a change. I trust you are practicing daily, adhering to your 10 PM curfew and reading the Ontario players scouting reports hoping for a favourable draw. 
Enough of this banter. I'll do my talking with my royal purple bowls fit for a king for the day.

If you love the game of one on one, the make no excuses and take no guff event ,this is where you should locate near the end of June.
An amazing history, well organized, a good pace of play, great open competition and on a surface that plays with the best in the country.
Contact Julia Farrell to register  She'll take your name now and beat you later.

***
Made the Huron/Perth Tour stop on Wednesday in Exeter. Nine greens, 18 men's teams and no result.
Had to get to the announced 1 game and  at least 7 ends of game two to constitute a tournament. We made it to 1 game and 17 teams completing 7 ends before the predicted thunderstorm made its entrance. True to his word , draw master Peter McFalls had to refund all the bowls entry fee minus a small payment for a big lunch.
I will again recommend the 'Wright ( Wayne ) Way' of handling partial tournament days.
Usually, if the tournament gets underway , one game will be completed. Take the allotted total prize money and divide it equally ( the sample is too small to rank the teams ) and give to all the winners of the first game. 
The host club does receive their tournament share after planning and preparing for the event.  Otherwise, in most cases, it is lost revenue for the club since the the tournament can't be rescheduled.
There is some return for the effort of players to attend.
It reminds us to get off to a good start.

***
It is always a tough call for tournament directors or umpires to decide when to call teams off the green during threatening weather. You want to try and complete the event but you certainly don't want to put anyone in harms way.
Bowls Canada have "An Action Advisory" on "Electrical Storms - When Should we Clear The Green?" . It is found in the Conditions of Play for the Canadian National Championships (Majors), Appendix 'C'.
Some excerpts:

With the storm at the limit of audible range it will take approximately 28 seconds for the sound of thunder to follow the flash of lightning.






  • Count the number of seconds between seeing the second flash of lightning and hearing the associated thunder. If the interval is less than that for the first incident then the storm is headed your way.



  • When the time interval between “sight” and “sound” is 12 seconds the storm will be about 5 km (3 miles) away. All play should be terminated immediately and the players instructed to leave the green.



When multiple lightning flashes are detected, the situation should be treated as one requiring the exercise of extreme caution. These are storms showing signs of being dangerous and they should be given greater consideration, even if still distant.







  1. On leaving the green, the players should move inside a safe structure. A safe structure is one consisting of four walls and a roof and which is electrically grounded. Do not seek shelter in a work shed - such structures do not usually meet these criteria. An enclosed vehicle such as a car, van or bus with the windows rolled up is an excellent alternative.




    NOTE: One important qualification to the foregoing - Any player who feels uncomfortable being outside with lightning present should feel free to leave the green without fear of penalty or repercussions.




    Vigilance is required even as the storm leaves the area. Environment Canada’s standard for the end of a thunderstorm is 15 minutes after the last roll of thunder.

    I recommend you read the entire advisory.