So near, but yet so far in the blink of an eye

Several things happened to me in 1977, significantly, taking up the fine sport of lawn bowls.

I lived in Highland’s North, Johannesburg with my late, to be ex-wife Lisbeth, daughter Alexandra and son Alistair; a Great Dane, a boxer, two cats and a black water spaniel shared our lives.

In truth I was really a golfer. I played off about a two handicap and won and lost the usual quota of events; but hard luck tales occupied most of the conversation.

A year earlier my newspaper The Sunday Times, sent me to write colour stories about World Bowls … what was that?

It took place in Johannesburg at the Zoo Lake club. It is well documented that South Africa won all disciplines – Watson, Moseley, Gatti, Lightfoot, Campbell became instant heroes – and of course the overall Leonard Trophy.

Bowls took of; South Africa had almost 80 000 registered players (today there are about 30 000).

I was hooked by the players’ panache. The protaganists in their dazzling team strips from afar as Australia and the Cook Islands, America, Britain, Israel, Canada and Hong Kong, provided a sporting extravaganza.

I met a local player and we struck up a friendship that was to last until his untimely death a decade later. “Come play at my club; see if you like it.”

So I went down to Dale Lace Park (alas, no longer in existence) and was introduced by Solly Rebeck (alas, also gone) to members.

I rolled my first bowl in February, 1977. Not only did I enjoy it, but like so many novices who enjoyed sport, I discovered I was good at divining the mysteries of bias and weight of shot.

Is it not amazing how co-ordinated sportspeople do better than those who are not? Perhaps it isn’t, after all that is what sport is all about?

Development in bowls is not about concentrating on the young and hoping they will play for another 40 or more years. Alas, they seldom do. Don’t get me wrong, attracting youth who are not keen on the traditional contact sports (particularly rugby in South Africa) might and do find bowls a pleasant substitute; usually unfortunately, only for a while.

So many, after hours of training by dedicated administrators, either attend a university elsewhere, leave home, get married, become pregnant; fall in love or simply cannot balance the fine line between establishing a career and a competitive sport.

They are lost, at least for a long time, if not for ever.

I have always believed, while youngsters should be encouraged, the truest source of recruitment is among those at the end of a more vigorous sport. Those in their late 30s looking for a “second wind” in sporting endeavour, men and women who have played ball games of any type.

My pedigree was impeccable – I had played hockey for English universities, had a trial (unsuccessful) as a soccer goalkeeper with U-17 Southern Schools, captained the school cricket side, played polo, then achieved a 3 goal handicap and became a scratch golfer within about 10 months in Kenya, where I also won my light aircraft pilot’s wings, was a South African international bridge player … now here was bowls.

Since there are really only two major things to remember, how could anything go amiss? Easy stuff I thought … I could not have been more wrong.

I won the club’s novice singles, was selected for league sides and as a lead for something they called the Kalmek Cup. It was an event for fours and was a Johannesburg Municipal Bowling Greens’ Association (JMBGA) competition … we won it.

It was then I realised how time consuming competitive bowls became; practice three times a week, play all weekend; my marriage suffered.

To my amazement I was selected for the club’s national side. We were to play in East London.

Our skip was a provincial player Sonny Rosenberg, later to become JMBGA president.

The weather in East London was horrific. It rained for 12 of the 14 days we were there; the wind howled (up to 65km/hr) without let-up.

It was a baptism of fire for me … I played appallingly.

Nevertheless, my teammates were made of stern stuff and playing the last of 11 qualifying matches, we needed to win to progress.

We played on a sodden mud bath of a green against Harlequins (Pretoria); they too needed to win to go through.

The last end came with Harlequins leading by a shot. Amazingly, the sun peeped out and I drew two slap bang on the jack. When the skips went to the head my bowls remained, but their skip was a veteran. After missing with his first delivery, he hammered the head and the jack shot to the back of the rink with one of my bowls.

Sonny came down and spoke to us all; even to me, who knew nothing. He had about 3m to draw the winning shot; child’s play sure for a man of his stature.

He went back to the mat; we held our breaths. He bowled … a wrong bias!

My recollection was of Sonny standing on his own, head bowed. It began to rain again; he looked like a soldier lost somewhere in no-man’s land in some flooded Flanders field.

We were down and out.

I shall always remember 1977 for the Steve Biko affair, US president Jimmy Carter pardoning Vietnam War daft dodgers, the Soviet Union’s space successes, Elvis’s last concert … and poor Sonny’s boob.

Who won the nationals that year?

Why Harlequins, of course; life’s funny that way.

++++

Even mighty Bowls Australia has felt the worldwide decline in bowls membership and, (just as did South Africa, under astute administrative decisions made by president, Debra Ferguson and her executive) has introduced pro-active measures to improve service delivery to clubs. In Australia’s latest move state and territory associations have recruited 15 community development officers to ensure bowls survives and grows.

Each officer is based within a geographic region, providing support and assistance. Information reaching me indicates the move was made possible from bowls funds plus a $1.6-mil (about R10-mil) grant over four years by the Australian Sports Commission grant in line with a Aussie government’s vision – Pathways to Success.

Significantly, Bowls Queensland elected not to participate.

A Bowls Australia website article says community development officers will:

• Increase participation and membership within bowls;

• provide support in business planning, membership, governance, funding, IT;

• Increase quantity and quality of coaches and technical officials and,

• accurately record local membership and participation data.

The officers, who enjoy wide experience, will be in contact with clubs in their region after a comprehensive induction programme.

Bowls South Africa might follow such a move with a similar scheme – sounds good to me.

The WPBA invites all interested in the laws of the game and all practical aspects to join in a morning of open discussion and problem solving hosted by the WP Technical Officials Standing Committee on December 3 at 9.15 at Helderberg and December 10 at 9,15am at Goodwood. Dress, casual, but bring a hat and, importantly, acquire a copy of the new blue Law Book -available from the WPBA office at Pinelands BC. Skips and thirds should attend to become updated. RSVP to: Helderberg Helen Edwards: 0218555381/edwards974@telkomsa.net or Eric Jason: 0218517926/emjason@telkomsa.net and at Goodwood: Jean Nell: 021712 8979/ jeannell@mweb.co.za or Johan van der Vyver: 0215584551/elzaansnyman@yahoo.com

Results of the Personal Trust/WPBA men’s and women’s Open Fours at Edgemead:

Women: Semi-finals: F de Kock, M Downing, Y. Wilson, L. Maritz (Durbanville) 23, G Rey. I McKay, A Engelbrecht, S McKay-Vlok 12 (Helderberg); D Edwards, L Eglin, A Blacker, A Whicher (Constantia) 23, M Brink, J Elliott, E Pieters, M Scott Gordons Bay) 6; final: De Kock 22, Edwards 16.

Men: Semi-finals: A Lofthouse, P Harvey, G Williams, K Dilkes (Constantia) 29, P Pullen, R Lang, A McGowan, J Kleynhans (Durbanville) 18; B Pearman, D Atkinson, T Wright, A Walls (Plumstead) 20, R Clark, G Perrow, I Saunders, JC Latter (Constantia) 11; final: Pearman 23, Lofthouse 11

Notices:

• Schonenberg Retirement Village/Somerset W Novice Mixed Trips; February 12 & 19;

• 9am; 3 X 14 daily; R180 team (arrival coffee/snacks/lunch); closes Feb 5: Pete Sneller: 0218518819.

• Schonenberg Retirement Village/Stellebosch/Van der Stel Mixed Trips All Day; March 15; 9am; R195/team (tea and lunch); 3 X 14; Marlene Lambrechts 0218865158/0827291730/Lmarlene@telkomsa.net

• Somerset West; 50th Roelcor Meats/Sally Pooke Day; wear some bling; women’s fours; 3 X 14 March 6; 9am; R220 a team: Lyn Thomas: 0825656871;/0218524408 (after 7pm); Joan Marais 0218515189.

• Strand: 11th Réhle Slabber Classic; March 1/2; R20 000 prizes; mixed 4s; R700 a team; (light breakfast,teas, lunches, supper) 3×15; Contact: Koot Strauss: 0218544776/0837601250; Sussie Boonzaier: 0218547720; 0760367286; club: 0218536625.

• Echelon Private Client Glen Midweek Fours; Feb 15, 22, 29; March 7, 14, 21 R80 a team a week; any format; 1st R4 000; + many more; Harold Cohen 0836514742; Philip Marcus 0827722292; office 0214381512

• Helderberg Mixed Sixes; April 13/14; 3 x15 ends daily; teams of s ( 6 x trips, 3 x pairs, 3 x fours, all mixed; first 18 teams accepted; Peter Human: 0218528368/0828712162; Joe Hodge: 0218520436/0833080390

Another pleasant lunch on the V&A Waterfront menu, this time with the doyen of the perennial travellers who bring tours to South Africa. For many years I have dined with Stuart Weaving and his right and left hand wife, Dorothy. Good company and food mix rather well; it was also a chance for me to get up to date with a man, who over the last 35 years has inspanned his the Weaving Friendship Bowls Team and visited 21 different countries, playing bowls at more than 600 clubs – at least 400 of them in South Africa.

Yet another group of bowls tour regulars and debutants arrived this weekend and will be playing in Gauteng and Natal; adding to the more than 40 000 visitors he has brought to South Africa.

Now a sprightly 83 and (in spite of bouts of ill health which he amazingly shakes off with ease) the glint in the eye, the articulate summary and the quick retort remain with the rags to riches millionaire entrepreneur from Jersey, still actively promoting friendship between nations – especially through bowls.

Every time the Weavings and the “flock” arrive, he never forgets to make his friendship speech emphasising the importance of contact to ensure mutual benefit; he has been a bastion of support for this nation, even during the dark days when he prophesied change and advocated it.

His philosophy is simple: “Wherever I am is the best place; whatever I am doing is the best to be doing and whoever I am with the best at that time.”

Feisty Weaving – he was peeved when I sent some water back via a waiter (he loves to keep control) – but rapidly recovered his smiling demeanor when Dorothy gave him a look something between a Margaret Thatcher glance in the Commons and the late Princess of Wales at her best at a visit to an orphanage. Anyway, I got the message and backed off.

I must say, it’s hard to remember the Friends of the Springbok and Friends of the Lion were formed 43 years ago to promote the bonds with England; Friends of the Koala, Friends of the Kiwi and Friends of Canada and the USA appeared shortly after.

During the 1970-90 airlines cartel on fares, by various means, his associations negotiated advantageous tickets for members, but now in the era of a highly competitive airline market discounts have shrunk. Nevertheless, the associations go on, providing assistance to, particularly, Commonwealth communities.

I met the Weavings in the 1970s; we have been itinerant friends since. One of UK’s major industry creators for 55 years; he has divested himself of those interests and has gone farming … typically, of course, his eye on the best stock, milk and set-up; go for it Stuart.

“I have always loved South Africa and bowls; pity my eyesight no longer permits me to skip with freedom,” he lamented.

Never mind Stuart, you will still be in charge … even, eventually, at lead.

 

Received a pleasant e-mail for our own Lornski (Trigwell, now Smith), thanking me for congratulating her for skipping Scotland to a trips victory at the Atlantic Champs in Cyprus. She says she is over the moon and “loved every moment on some wonderful, but tricky greens.” Watch out Proteas, she could be a major obstacle at World Bowls 2012 in Australia.

Teams qualified for the Personal Trust/WPBA Sully Cup play-offs, all at 2.15pm: (Thursday, November 17, prelim) at Edgemead; November 22: Last 16 at Durbanville; Thursday, November 24: quarter-finals at Atlantic Green Point; November 29: semi-final at Constantia; December 1: final at Old Oak: D van der Schyff (Edgemead), P Stallwood (Durbanville), J Meadows (Edgemead), J Hann (Durbanville), G Cronje (Helderberg), S Stroobants (Goodwood), G Rey (Helderberg), B Vlug (Fish Hoek), D Baboo (WPCC), F de Kock (Durbanville), M Burger (Durbanville), H Masters (Meadowridge), C Cox (Edgemead), L Roediger (Strand), D Edwards (Constantia), A van Niekerk (Old Oak), A Painter (Helderberg).

The quarter-finals of the Personal T/WPBA Open Men’s Fours take place at Helderberg at 2pm on Saturday: R Schroeder (Constantia) v A Lofthouse (Constantia); A Fourie (Stellenbosch) Van Der Stel) v P Pullen (Durbanville); B Pearman (Plumstead) v D Loubser (WPCC), R Clark (Constantia) v N Solomon (Goodwood. Semi-finals (9am) and final (2pm) at Edgemead on Sunday.

Hong Kong; World Champion of Champions: Men: Bruce Makkink (Port Natal) won 7, lost 6 of 13; 6th in section; Cheryl Mostert (KwaZulu-Natal Country Districts) won 6, lost 5 of 12; 13th.

The BowlsSA office will be closed between December 15 and January 9. The executive and BowlsSA wish all and families best wishes over the festive period.

Notices:

• De Vere Investments/Somerset West All Day Mixed Trips; December 6; 9am; 3 x 14; R180 team (arrival coffee/snacks/lunch); close: Dec 1; Trig Eia: 0825681459; Lyn Thomas: 0825656871

• Fine Foods & Wine Kwikspar, Lions Square/Somerset West Mixed Trips Christmas Classic; December 16; 9am; 3 X 14 Ends; R180/team; Closes Dec 13; Trig Eia 0825681459/Lyn Thomas 0825656871.

So near, but too far for South Africa’s Protea men and women lawn bowlers as each finished in third place overall behind England and Scotland (first and second in both gender categories respectively) at the Atlantic Championships.

On the final day of this major warm-up for World Bowls in Australia next year, South Africa knocked on the door in every discipline and in the main provided suitable hopes of success in the biggest test of all in Adelaide..

There was glorious gold for SA No 1 and the Commonwealth Games pairs champion Gerry Baker playing with former Commonwealth Games singles champion Bobby Donnelly in the men’s pairs, both of Johannesburg and silver from the women’s fours – Susan Nel (Sables)/Colleen Piketh (Johannesburg BA)/Santjie Steyn (Boland)/Helen Grundlingh (Port Natal – losing to England by one agonising shot (17-16).

Bronze medals went to Donnelly in the men’s singles, Piketh/Tracy-Lee Botha (JBA) in the women’s pairs, Nel/Steyn/Grundlingh in the women’s trips and Gideon Vermeulen (Port Natal)/ Wayne Perry/Clinton Roets (both S Free State) in the men’s trips, who missed a finals spot on an extra end.

Thirteen nations competed in trips, pairs, singles and fours in the two-week event.

There are still five months to go until the interdistricts in March, but Johannesburg greens will be running true for all sections.

WP’s women, who lost their 2009 title in the finals last season (2010/11) will be itching to get back at Gauteng, as will WP’s men; anxious to restore pride after some indifferent performances of late.

With the experienced former world champion Kevin Campbell (Glen) and the youthful, but aggressive Neels Kotze (Constantia) at the helm of WP’s sides, there is some hope the young-looking side will prevail.

Gavern Williams ((Constantia) debuts at lead; four Stellenbosch Van Der Stel players have been selected; the exciting Under-25 players Stefan de Jager and Ettiene Ferreira (WPCC) are in the B side.

Convenor of selectors, Alan Lofthouse, said this week: “Exhaustive trials and scrutiny have resulted in two well-balanced sides that can challenge. But dedication and determination will be required against some fearsome opposition.”

The following men have been selected to represent WP at the Interdistrict tournaments in March 2012:

Open: K Campbell (Glen CC), P Harvey (Constantia), S Sabatti (Durbanville), G Williams (Constantia); C Kotze (Constantia), A D Fourie (Stellenbosch Van Der Stel), J P Malan (Stellenbosch Van der Stel), S Kotze (Old Oak).

WP B: G Greyling (Plumstead), E Ferreira (WPCC), R Cruywagen (Goodwood), I Saunders (Constantia); H Schliesser (Edgemead), S de Jager (Stellenbosch Van der Stel), P Ferns (Stellenbosch Van der Stel), M Soji (Helderberg)

Seniors: A Lofthouse (Constantia), B Pearman (Plumstead), G Bruwer (Durbanville), T Wright (Plumstead); D Loubser (WPCC), R Cron (Constantia), R Maggott (Durbanville), M Van Breda (Helderberg).

Also, WP C will compete in a quadrangular tournament with Boland, Southern Cape and EP on December 10/11 involving all four teams: T van der Poel (MilCos), R Crous (Glen CC), K Dilkes (Constantia), J Claasen (Durbanville); S Koen (Helderberg), B Allen (Durbanville), E Malherbe (Old Oak), J Latter (Constantia). Managers: Open: Jimmy Morgan; B: Lionel Verwey; Senior Maurice Moyles; C: Geoff Perrow

Camps Bay, eeding a need to diversify, is one of the fortunate WP clubs to have enlarged their membership. A significant reason has been successful Thursday evening “Barefoot Bowls” and also to a significant improvement in greens quality. Says Bay president Ken Morton: “It attracts non-bowlers for a fun/competitive sortie followed by snack and drinks and live music. All are welcome on November 17/24 and December 1, from 6pm. Enter a team of three (plus reserves) or contact Clive at 0724561410/ 0214389483 (p/f); Glenn: 0825527194; Matt: 0723818845; campsbaybc@telkomsa.net

Notices:

• A markers’ course will be held at Helderberg on November 21 and 28. Cost is R50; Contact: Helen Edwards, 0218555381/edwards974@telkomsa.net

• Helderberg Mixed Sixes; April 13/14; 3 x15 ends daily; teams of s ( 6 x trips, 3 x pairs, 3 x fours, all mixed; first 18 teams accepted; Peter Human: 0218528368/0828712162; Joe Hodge: 0218520436/0833080390

• Oakdale general knowledge quiz; October 28; 7pm for 7.30; teams of 2-6; R50 a head (includes a meal); Rianna: 0827758939/netekke@iburst.co.za

• R3 000 Schonenberg Retirement Village/Strand; men’s trips; 9am; All-day November 15; Tel: 021-8536625; first 2 x 10, 1 x 18 ends; R180 a team (teas and lunch); closes November 10; Koot Strauss: 0218544776/083 7601250; Piet Colyn: 0218544264/0832911615

• De Vere Investments/Somerset West All Day Mixed Trips; December 6; 9am; 3 x 14; R180 team (arrival coffee/snacks/lunch); close: Dec 1; Trig Eia: 0825681459; Lyn Thomas: 0825656871

• Fine Foods & Wine Kwikspar, Lions Square/Somerset West Mixed Trips Christmas Classic; December 16; 9am; 3 X 14 Ends; R180/team; Closes Dec 13; Trig Eia 0825681459/Lyn Thomas 0825656871.

• Schonenberg Retirement Village/Somerset W Novice Mixed Trips; February 12 & 19; 9am; 3 X 14 daily; R180 team (arrival coffee/snacks/lunch); closes Feb 5: Pete Sneller: 0218518819.

• Schonenberg Retirement Village/Stellebosch/Van der Stel Mixed Trips All Day; March 15; 9am; R195/team (tea and lunch); 3 X 14; Marlene Lambrechts 0218865158/0827291730/Lmarlene@telkomsa.net

• Somerset West; 50th Roelcor Meats/Sally Pooke Day; wear some bling; women’s fours; 3 X 14 March 6; 9am; R220 a team: Lyn Thomas: 0825656871;/0218524408 (after 7pm); Joan Marais 0218515189.

• Strand: 11th Réhle Slabber Classic; March 1/2; R20 000 prizes; mixed 4s; R700 a team; (light breakfast,teas, lunches, supper) 3×15; Contact: Koot Strauss: 0218544776/0837601250; Sussie Boonzaier: 0218547720; 0760367286; club: 0218536625.