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. 

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.

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‘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 3^rd 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 2^nd 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 2^nd.

 

In the 3^rd shortened game we played our club mates Meno Jose & Jan Luke. Look out for Meno . . . . a new bowler (3^rd 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 1^st 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 3^rd 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 2^nd game. From the 2^nd floor Dining Room you could see it coming down hard over the lush green cricket pitch & croquet court. For sure . . so I thought . .  no 3^rd 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 3^rd 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

 

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

http://wobaweek.com/

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.

Check: http://burlingtonlbc.org/blbc_yearly_schedule.htm

***

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.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

CANADA'S TEAM IN INDIA OCTOBER 2010

Commonwealth Games Team Announced

The BCB High Performance Committee has announced the 2010 Commonwealth Games Team that will compete in Delhi India, October 3-13, 2010. The selection camp was held May 23 - 28 in White Rock BC at the White Rock Lawn Bowling Club.

MEN

Ryan Bester (ON) - Singles

Fred Wallbank (ON) - Lead - Triples

Hirendra Bhartu (BC) - Vice -Triples

Steve McKerihen (ON) - Skip - Triples

Michel Laure (QC) - Skip - Pairs

Keith Roney (SK) - Lead - Pairs

Tim Mason (BC) - Alternate

WOMEN

Josephine Lee (BC) - Singles

Amanda Berg (AB) - Lead - Pairs

Shirley Fitzpatrick-Wong (MB)  - Skip - Pairs

Erin Roth (ON) - Lead - Triples

Rachel Larson (SK) - Vice - Triples

Harriette Pituley (SK) - Skip - Triples

Clarice Fitzpatrick (MB) - Alternate

David Millard (Australia) - Coach

David Mathie (BC) - Manager