San Francisco Attracts Canadians to US Open

Direct from San Francisco, faster than a speeding bullet, Elaine Stevenson has forwarded Tuesday's results.
Herb Nesbitt and Hugh Branston playing with US bowlers Ivan Hyland and Jim Olson won the Championship Flight in Rinks.
Laila Hassan and Josephine Lee of BC have accomplished the same feat in Women's Pairs.
Rita Wright and Andrea Weigand were 1st in the 2nd Flight.
Arja Nesbitt and Elaine Stevenson finished 1st in the 5th Flight.

Catching up from Saturday/Sunday.
I only know the skip's names but will guess a little to let you know other Ontario competitors.
Rita Wright and Andrea Weigand were two of the Rinks team who finished 2nd in the Championship Flight.
Laila Hassan was 1st in Flight 2
Helen Culley finished 2nd in the 3rd event. I am guessing that Joyce Kruss played on that team.
Noreen Welsh was 2nd in the 4th event with another Londoner, Helen Dewar a team member.
Canadians will win money but will help the struggling US economy by leaving it all there.


Great start by Canadian bowlers who have travelled to the US Open out west.
Steve Bezanson of Halifax beat David Calam from Regina in the Championship Singles finals. John Harding all the way from New Zealand finished 3rd by besting London Ontario's Juergen Fessler in their Championship Flight match. I think that makes a near sweep by Canada in this first event ot the week's three since Harding is the brother of Jeff now living in Toronto. I consider that to be a half Canadian success so 3.5 of the 4 top spots were won by Canadians.
Peter Harding, another brother from New Zealand, will join the clan crew in the next men's event. Jeff had told me he was really looking forward to playing with his two brothers in Fours along with Martin Haalstra from Belmont Ontario. It has been 20 years since John and Jeff were able to team up for a roll-up.
This event is a great warm-up for both Jeff and Martin as they will head north to Vancouver to play in the Canadian PBA Championships in different singles events on Saturday the 20th. The winners will be tripping over to the UK over the next few months to compete in the Professional Bowlers Association Championship tournaments.

The women's Fours results have not been posted but the team skipped by Rita Wright will also be in the top 4 in the Championship Flight based on their success on Saturday. I know Andrea Weigand is a member of that team but not sure who are the other two bowlers. Helen Culley, Laila Hassan and Noreen Welsh are also basking in the California sun while skipping teams.

Jan and Hugh Branston have been starring in a episode of the 'Amazing Race'. Fly to Vancouver and find a championship tournament nearby that has attracted master bowlers from across Canada. Return to Toronto for your next clue. Fly to a US city that has the most famous prison in the country. Escape from that prison by swimming across the Bay. Join with fellow St. Catharines resident Herb Nesbitt in a Fours game.
Love their bowls these folks.