One of my more pleasant duties in writing this column is to often speak to Bowls SA’s organisations manger, John Ravenscroft. On Wednesday we chatted and something he said touched a nerve.

He told me how busy things were at HQ with “so many tournaments coming up.”

And in that simple, unassuming phrase could be the problem at the root of bowls’ ongoing struggle to fulfil ongoing obligations – perhaps bowls needs to cut back – rather like a spaniel after a swim, shaking itself free of the water it so loves.

Could it just be there are too many tournaments for too few players?

It appears to me the decline in the bowls population has gone on without anyone realising there might not be enough players left to around for the plethora of tournaments at every level? If a valid argument, the problem obviously keeps re-inventing itself, regardless of interventions.

After all, thanks to corporate and sponsored events everywhere, there is without doubt more activity today than when the bowls population was at its peak in the 1980-90s. Then, South Africa boasted a registered 78 000 plus players, today 32 000 is nearer the mark.

So a simple sum suggests not enough bowlers to satisfy an increased tournament-filled calendar, not to mention international commitments and the squads o top players denied to club, district and national events.

Bowls SA, to its credit, in the past four years sought every avenue to try to re-kindle membership. Development at junior bowls, with Red Card intervention, special fees structures and a modest marginal increase in fees and levies (no 2010 rise at all in WP) … often below the inflation rate.

But, although some areas do report a tiny rise in membership, basically, those players, mostly newies, are not ready for the “big events” now clamouring for support.

Unfortunately entry fees are lifeblood for clubs and districts, who in turn feed the central body. National events, although often handsomely sponsored, lose lustre as entries dwindle.

So what is the answer?

I don’t know exactly, but since so much has been tried, how about reducing events?

Result? More time spent at clubs – good for their coffers; better entries to remaining events and probably a more viable situation.

Who knows?

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By the way (oh dear!), entries for this year’s nationals – women with Gauteng North, men with Port Natal – are described as pitiful. Late entries will be accepted.  Log on to www.bowlssa.co.za to discover how to enter, without delay.

The “usual suspects” like cream rose to the top at the WPBA Scottish Leader Scotch Whisky Masters, with former world champion Trish Steyn (WPCC) and international star Shaun Addinall (Durbanville) winning their respective Open Singles.

They were joined by Seniors Protea Flo George (Constantia) and in-form Danie Loubser (WPCC) while the invitation events went to Lydia Maritz (Durbanville and Paul Ferns (Stellenbosch van der Stel).

Played on Atlantic Green Point’s excellent greens; the event, postponed after the Cape Doctor intervened on December 12, emphasised the high standard of the sport in the province. Excellent administration and coaching have realised a hub of top bowls in this country.

As WPBA secretary, Bob Shackleton points out, Steyn defeated Cheryl Cox (Edgemead) 21-18 in 24 ends, ending the hitherto unbeaten former international’s run. Cox led 7-4 on 7^th, it was 14-14 on the 17^th, and 18-16 on 20^th ; Steyn then went 2,1,1,1.

Unbeaten Addinall was never behind provincial lead Peter Harvey (Constantia), winning 21-11 in 19 ends. Harvey scored on seven ends; Addinall led 7-2 on the 6^th, 15-5 on the 13^th and 19-9 on the16^th.
Addinall, freely touted as a certainty for the Commonwealth Games in India this year, is in great form and probably playing the best bowls of his life.

Results: Women’s Invitation: Lydia Maritz (Durbanville) 21, Gail Aspeling (Goodwood) 19 (26 ends); Women’s Senior: Flo George (Constantia) 21, Pat Stallwood (Durbanville, holder) 20 (29 ends); Women’s Open

Patricia Steyn (WPCC) 21, Cheryl Cox (Edgemead) 18 (24 ends); Men’s Invitation: Paul Ferns (Stellenbosch vd Stel), 21 Des Short (Goodwood) 11 (21 ends); Men’s Senior: Daniel Loubser (WPCC) 21, Alan Meadows (Edgemead) 17 (22 ends); Men’s Open: Shaun Addinall (Durbanville) 21, Peter Harvey (Constantia) 11 (19 ends)