BOB BATES' GREEN GAZE

BB'S PROVINCIAL SINGLES SHEET

Singles is always my favorite event. We had a great competition in our District 10 playdowns with Peter Wong winning the final 21-18 & Jan Ferguson taking the Ladies final 21-19.

In the 5 games I played before being eliminated the scores were 21-18, 20-21, 21-20, 21-19, 19-21. All great games on good greens.

Now . . . we have to handicap the Provincials before wagering what's left of our Bob$$ (if any). Here's a little preliminary summary that may help you decide who to bet on.

It should be interesting to see how the odds fall in the Mens Finals in Kingston. A case can be made for almost every entrant to win a few games. Sometimes it's obvious . . . but this year I don't know who will be the favorite.

Fessler, McCartney, Covell, Genoile should all be close to being favorite. Everyone knows their credentials.

Mike Bester, Rob Steffen, Peter Wong & Martin Henley have been in the singles a few times lately and always win some games . . maybe this year a couple more.

Young guns Kody O, Greg Wilson and Steven Miller are wild cards due to break out. Would like to see Greg do well as he tunes up for this years competition in Australia. Kody won 5 games in the Burlington Singles this year.

Wallbank & Bush have been winners in team events a few times and should do well now on their own too.

Mike Wagner got the bronze last year and with that under his belt should be ready to compete hard again.

Bob Woods from Milton has won his district a few times in different events and if taken lightly can come up and bite you . . . and will be at high odds.

With a field like this I would love to be playing . . .

Note: As I write this don't know who won Dist 12. (Ed. Sum Tang )

Don't know the Ladies field as well as the men but don't need to know all the names (2 fill ins to come . . no posted winner in Dist 7 yet)( Ed. Jean Brighton )  to see that the favorites role could be a toss up between 2 consistant winners Shirley Ko & Jo Anne Bugler with Elaine Stevenson not far behind.

Last years Pairs & Fours Gold medal winning skips Michelle Whitehead & Joelle Russel couldn't enter the Singles last year but are here now to show their prowess in Singles play.

Pauline Hill & Fran Todd have represented Ontario before in the Singles. Laura Hudson won the Bronze last year and will be looking for a change of colour.

Katherine Smith is looking to fill the shoes of last years winner from Dist 6 (Marg Lepere) and won't be taken lightly.

The Ladies have their young guns too looking to break out in the majors as Christine Schuknecht is back again this year.

Marge Potter has been to the Cdns in Fours . . . . Joan Way gave some of the men a lot to handle in this years Burlington Singles.

Did I leave anyone out? Oh . . yes . . .my personal favorite . . my District Mixed Pairs partner Jan Ferguson. Going undefeated (4-0) in the Districts and beating 3 recent Ontario medalists along the way. Should be a good long shot bet.

(Note . . if you have run out of Bob$$ I'm sure Bob would gladly replenish your wagering capital if you donate a few more real dollars to the cause).

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