Doing it on your own - Singles

Singles is an event different from the rest.


Almost all tournaments are played in a team format. Be it Fours, Trebles or Pairs you always have your teammates there for support and to pick you up . . . .or . . as I hear too many times . . . to blame if you aren’t doing well!

Singles . . no coming up to the mat already 3 up or down before you throw a bowl . . . no short bowls in the way . . . . no excuses . . its all up to you . . . your 4 bowls to best the opponent with.

Last weekend was the District Singles Playdowns. We held the Dist 10 event at Cosburn this year. Last year it was unofficially held at Cosburn as the original venue (Kew Beach) was flooded out by heavy rains right at the 9:30 start time on Saturday.

Hosting the Singles is more work for the host club who are asked to supply markers for the games. Our club rep did a great job and actually had more volunteer markers on hand than were needed . . . . . even last year . . . when we didn’t know until 10:30 Saturday morning that Singles players were making the trek from Kew Beach to Cosburn for a belated 1 pm start (and playing until 8 pm), he had plenty of people on hand at the appointed hour to mark all the games. Kudos to Mike Mogan & his team.

I love playing Singles . . . was anxious to avenge last years 21-20 loss in the final game which ended a five year streak of wins (OK . . its’ my report . . I can brag a little if I want!) . . but having won Silver in the Pairs (more bragging? . .) this weekend I was not playing but was acting as Umpire for the event.

Day one saw plenty of great action. Although the hot dry weather of the previous week had the greens running very fast . . a heavy rain Friday slowed them down to about 11 seconds. The slower, narrower greens however seemed to be to the players liking as tight heads abounded.

Hi-lights of the day:

- Last year’s winner (Bert Harvey – Balmy Beach) being beaten by club mates Joe Green & Tom Marley 21-20 two games in a row to be eliminated early. What are the odds . . . counting last years final thats 3 games in a row at 21-20 for Bert.

- 2nd year bowler Bill McNally almost upsetting Peter Wong. Up 20-18, Bill let Peter slip away to a 21-20 win. This created a 3 way tie in their Group . . . with Peter eliminating Bill from further play in the 2nd tie breaker game.

Bill was playing great . . . at first everyone was commenting on how great he was playing 'for a new bowler' . . .but by the end of the day the tag 'for a new bowler' was dropped.

Day 2:

The Women were whittled down to an elite field of 4, all prior Provincial medal winners.

Nanci Myers, last year’s winner, was behind early but fought back for a semi final victory over Cathy Haskins. The other semi final game was a doozy . . . every end 4 or 5 bowls within 6 inches of the jack . . . the crowd on the deck getting their money’s worth as Helena Ho bested Laila Hassan. Gracious in defeat, Laila was right back out on the green acting as marker for the final game.

In the final game Nanci’s bowls seemed attracted to the jack like a magnet and she retained her Dist 10 crown . . hoping to better her Bronze in last years Ontario’s.

This won’t be easy as the Gold & Silver winners from last year are back as well.

The Men’s Division came down to a final between Peter Wong & David Ferguson.

David was hot . . . after falling behind 14-1 to Joe Green in the morning match, he went on a tear and won 21-18 . . . then continued his onslaught by defeating Stanley Ho 21-2 in the semi final . . .a run of 41-6!! . . . . you would have thought it was his dad (Al Ferguson) playing.

Peter came with his A game today, winning his morning match then defeating home club favorite Dave Carruthers in his semi-final.

The final was close for a while . . but after a 9-8 start Peter pulled away to a 21-11 win.

That’s Singles . . . 1 shot away from being eliminated on Day 1 by a 2nd year bowler . . . then losing his 1st 11 point playoff game . . . Peter kept plugging away and won out in the end.

On to Bobcaygeon & Campbelford for the Finals . . with tough fields in both Men’s & Ladies events.

Still got to get in my fix of Singles . . so off to WOBA Singles next Tuesday.

B.B. in the GTA

MIXED PAIRS DISTRICT WINNERS 2010

Provincials

Leaside Lawn Bowling Club

 August 7,8

D1 Tom Roth(S), Laurie Roth

D2 Jim Roth(S), Sue Roth

D3 Nev Williams(S), Muriel Laplante

D4 Rick Wood (S), Kay Johns

D5 Phil Thornton(S), Diane Kurucz

D6 Sam Doak(S), Chone Chatterton

D7 Joe Murphy(S), Hazel Reid

D8 Bob Bester(S), Theresa Bester

D9 Frank Dinardo(S), Mary Meldrum

D10 Ken Uyesugi(S), Jan Luke

D11 Gisela Slaughter, Bryan Clare

D12 Arnie Markowitz(S), Hazel Joffe

D13 Ron Geniole(S), Elaine Stevenson

D14 Wayne Wallwork(S), Jan Bauer

D15 Harold Douglas(S), Sarah Barnett

D16 Bill Rogers(S), Sheila Rogers

Canadians

White Rock , British Columbia

September 7 - 14

Let The Jack Rest

Here is an interesting suggestion from Roger Buck. Perhaps it would be better titled , 'Free Range Jacks', or 'Jack, Let It Be.' 
Ron Charles of the Richmond Hill Club is on target with " Jacks Are Wild!! "

Out of the blue yesterday, a bowler told me that a good thing for our game would be NOT  to centre the jack on delivery.

I have felt this was a good idea for many years but never has anyone said it to me before.

This Rule Change would cause a team to add a further tactical approach to the "jack delivery" that already includes selection of length.

PROVINCIAL PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP AT SARNIA

GOLD

D1 Michelle Whitehead(S), Laurie Roth

D3 Moe Cosyn (S), Bob North

 Plaque Donated by Laura Hawryszko 

(left click on photos)

by Ryanne Logan

SILVER

D12 Helen Wright(S), Shirley Ko

D10 Bob Bates(S), Ken Uyesugi

with mascot Cameron North

BRONZE

D15 Pauline Hill(S), Pat Gemmell

D2 Chuck Townsend(S), Doug Hoskin

Chuck is such a good bowler because his right arm is so long.

A personal reaction.

I write about others but now I am lost for words. 

I write in the real world but I am thinking in mystical terms.

Was this a 'meant to be moment'?
Our headline could be Holy Moe ly.

I am a spiritual being.

I live with faith and hope and awareness of others. My reward is feeding on the staples of every day but Someone just provided dessert.

I know my wife Sandy was playing every bowl and wringing her Kleenex into hair balls.

Her wash of tears left me grasping for a manly response and gasping for a breath of air. 

Winning doesn't grow old but the players do.

We are delighted to be able to grab the ring before we can't reach the standard.

It is like having a big ice cream cone on a hot day. We are licking like crazy to realize the full pleasure but can see it melting away.

We are ecstatic about the gold and humbled by your response.

We will take on the country, do our best and accept our lot.

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." Henry Ford

to be continued

Canada Proud - A Cosburn Park Celebration

Celebrating Canada Day at the Greens

 

Canada Day  . . a great time to reconfirm your love for this grand country of ours . . . .  thankful for all the opportunities & enjoyments available to us.

 

In the midst of the busiest period of the season for Championship competition . . . with District Playdowns & Ontario Finals almost every weekend . . . the social bowling club members are hard at it too. Over the last 15 years every one of my Canada Days has been celebrated the best way I know how . . . with friends & family at the lawn bowling club.  Following is a report on the goings on at our club this year on Canada Day.    

 

At Cosburn Park Canada Day is usually the best attended day of the year (sometimes given a run for the money by the Labour Day BBQ). This year the greens were awash with red & white outfits as the 80 members came en mass to celebrate the day with a roll up of bowls and good food.

 

As per the traditional schedule the morning’s 12 end game started at 10 am . . . maybe a little later as the draw master was challenged by the usual late comers running through the gates minutes before game time . . . and with so many on hand . . .  good opportunity to make announcements about  all the upcoming events at the club.  “Mixed Pairs and Singles club championships coming up . . sign up by Friday or you miss out” . . .  . “The East York Trophy match with Leaside is next Friday . . need 2 more Ladies & 3 Men to fill out our teams”  . . .  and so on.  Then the draw was up and the games were on.

 

As quickly as the games began they came to an abrupt halt . . . . . also part of the traditional schedule  . . .  and everyone proudly grabbed their little Canada Day flags & noise makers and headed to the fence to cheer on the East York Canada Day Parade. This procession of marching bands (2), floats from local organizations, ethnic dancers and various community groups comes marching down Cosburn Ave. right past our greens every year at the same time on its way to its final destination at Stan Wadlow Park . . .  East York’s Canada Day party center a half mile down the street.

 

Near the end of the line the politicians (most of whom had attended our opening day) passed by in their open convertibles. We hope they remember the sea of red & white waving their flags and enjoying our facilities the next time they are deciding what kind of support the City should be giving us. (Currently we get a grant of $3,000 each year to put towards maintaining our 2 full sized green). 

 

It was about 20 minutes before the police motor bikes went by signaling the end of the parade. Everyone marched back to their rink and the games continued. I was on kitchen duty so wasn’t bowling today . . but enjoyed watching the games on the east green from the clubhouse deck. Sitting just 4 feet from the greens and raised about 5 or 6 steps above ground level the deck at Cosburn is about the best place I know of to sit and watch a game. When I volunteered for Canada Day kitchen duty I didn’t know that the lunch was being catered (that’s my story anyway) . . .  so I didn’t have much to do in the kitchen. I was able to sit on the deck with a refreshing beverage (thanks Eric) on the rail in front of me, and comment on all the bad shots being made on rink 1.  (I can be annoying at times).

 

Our sponsor for the Day was one of our own members, Real Estate Agent Mary Kapches.  . .  2^nd year Mary has sponsored the Canada Day festivities. A member for 4 years now, Mary was generously supplying all the food for lunch (Greek Buffet) plus a substantial amount of cash ($400) which was being used for prizes. Thanks to Mary not only was the bowling free of charge (usually pay $1 on holidays to cover food & prizes) and the pop & water in the fridge free but the 50/50 draw became a 0/100 draw as the whole amount of ticket sales was being given back to the winners. Free food . . . free bowling . . . good prizes . . . no wonder we had so many members out. (Although as Treasurer . . . I will have to check the coffers to make sure this practice can continue)

 

As the games were coming to a close it was time to put the kettles on and start preparing to serve the lunch. The food arrived and was placed on the tables ready for the early finishers.  As they came through the doors I had to caution . . “Only 1 or 2 meatballs from the first pot on the table per person please . . . . leave some for the late finishers . . but lots of rice & shish kabobs at the end of the table to dig in to.”

 

After the ceremonial cutting of the large Canada Day cake, the schedule of the afternoon’s activities was announced. In lieu of a 2^nd game all members who wanted to would compete in 5 skill testing events. Laila Hassan, Mike Mogan & Nanci Myers were running & judging the competitions:

 - closest to the ditch from a mat at the hog line.

 - closest to the ditch from a mat at the 2 meter mark

 - driving a jack into the ditch from the hog line

 - driving a jack into the ditch from a 2 meter mat

 - trying to draw a bowl onto a mat placed in the middle of the green.

Good prizes  and glory for the winners!

 

First in line to test their skills were the members who had been at Cosburn for 25 or more years, then 20 to 25, and so on down to 1^st year bowlers. Winners of each Group then came back for a playoff.  Watching the various competitions while finishing off dessert was as much fun as playing in them . . . .  the spectators / hecklers urging the bowls to stop before they rolled into the ditch could be heard a block away.

 

At the end of the day there were prizes on the table for all. Everything from a round of golf for 4 down to a bottle opener. As the prize table thinned out the rousing cheer for prize winners fell off to a faint yippie or 2.  . . hard to keep up the enthusiasm for too long  . . . by the time my name was called and I tore away from my dish washing duty I was able to snatch a nice white & red hat I had had my eye on . . . and wondered why even the faint cheers had seemed to turn to boo’s when I headed for the table!

 

Another good thing about having a great turn out for the day . . . lots of hands to help clean up (although like most clubs . . .was probably the same 10 to 12 hands doing most of the work). Oh well . . .what would a great day at the club be without a good whine. 

 

Good weather . . . good friends . . . great food & drink . . . . . thank you CANADA!

 

B.B. in the GTA

In Memory of Gord Gilbert

"I'm writing to inform you that Gord Gilbert passed away after suffering a heart attack on Sunday.

Could you please pass on this news to his bowling buddies."

Thanks,

Elizabeth Smith   

From Dave Burrows:

"Gord will be remembered by Donna and me for his joy of bowling, and his hearty laugh.  Gord won District 7 Novices both in 1997 and 1998.  Condolences to his family and to the Guelph Lawn Bowling Club."

And from all his bowling buddies.

Dear Friends:

At Woodstock LBC we held a moment of silence for Gord today (Wednesday). The bowlers decided to wear whites at his service on Thursday. So, if you are attending Gord's service on Thursday at 10 a.m., please wear whites in solidarity and please pass this on to other friends/bowlers who plan to be there. Here are the details from his obit in the Guelph Mercury newspaper:

GILBERT, Gordon Passed away suddenly, at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Cambridge, on Sunday, July 4, 2010. Gord  Gilbert, in his 77th year, was the beloved husband of Anne Gilbert. He was the dear father of Dave (Rosemarie), Julie and Donna, and is fondly remembered by two grandchildren, Scott and Sarah.

 Gord is survived by two siblings, Shirley (Phil) Conquer and Barbara (Bob) Pfister, and by nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to meet with the family at the Gilbert Maclntyre & Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon Street, Guelph, on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.

  

A Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home chapel Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 10 a.m. Interment, St. John's Dixie Cemetery,Mississauga.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario would be appreciated by the family (Cards are available at the funeral home 519-821-6077 or send condolences at www.gilbertmacintyre andson.com).

Sincerely, Remi (Canuel)

We will always remember Gord and his 'coffee mug' bowls !!!

District Pairs' Rankings

WOMEN
D12 Helen Wright (S), Shirley Ko 2.6
D6 Marg Lepere (S), Chone Chatterton 2.9

D14 Susan Smith (S), Laura Hawryszko 3.5

D15 Pauline Hill (S), Pat Gemmell 4.1

D10 Debbie McCourt (S), Auriel Daniel 7
D1 Michelle Whitehead (S),Laurie Roth 7.2
D13 Jean McCron (S), Elaine Stevenson 7.8

D9 Donna McCallum (S), Mary Meldrum 8.2

D2A Noreen Welsh (S), Karen Robinson 8.4
D3 Shirley Hague (S), Deanna Palmer 9.6

D7 Caroline Cook (S), Ellen Edwards 10.8

D4 Kay Johns (S), Marilyn Lancaster 12.3
D2B Julie Fowler (S), Cathy Townsend 12.3

D5 Margaret Beacroft (S), Dawn Beacroft 12.4
D16 Joan Fedorchuk (S), Teresa Deroulin 13.4

D8 Sandy Weatherall (S), Christine Schuknecht 13.5

MEN
D4 Larry McLellan (S), Jurgen Fessler 2.1

D6 Dave Houtby (S), Hugh Branston 2.4

D3 Moe Cosyn (S), Bob North 3.7

D2 Chuck Townsend (S), Doug Hoskin 5.4

D14 Alan Steffen (S), Rob Steffen 5.5
D8 Mike Bester (S), Ken Bester 6.4

D7 Darryl Fitzgerald (S), Derrick Bruder 6.6

D13 Gord Legacy (S), Dave Llewellyn 7.6

D10 Bob Bates (S), Ken Uyesugi 8.4

D5  Nic Van Weesel (S), Dave Burrows  10.2

D11 Vince Donohoe (S), Greg Steele 11

D12 Arnie Markowitz (S), Raymond Cheung 11

D16 Grant Fletcher (S), Bill Rogers 12.6

D1 Don Thornton (S), Fausto Angelini 12.9

D9 Norm Coulter (S), Mike Comba 13.5

D15 Doug McLeese (S), George Boersma 14