Marx continues to coach on the sidelines
After 44 years on the greens, Marx has outlived some of the bowling clubs he has played at.
TOM Marx is one of the Berea Bowling Club’s oldest members.
After 44 years on the greens, he has outlived some of the bowling clubs he has played at over the years.
“I started playing bowls in 1978. Since then, I’ve played at six clubs. Three of them have closed. I played at Silverton Bowling Club for 12 years (1993 to 2005) until they closed. I was president, competition secretary, a member of the greens committee, coach – you name it. After two years of playing bowls, I got my umpire certification and, in 1986, I got my first coaching certificate. In 1999 I got my advanced certificate in coaching. I have coached many people over the years,” he said.
Also read: Durban Bowling Club member bowls through the decades
The bowler has taken to the greens at bowling clubs in Pinetown, Durban’s Hoy Park, Northdene as well as Australia and England. He started bowling at the Berea Bowling Club in 2006. Marx was an active bowler until about four years ago. While Marx no longer plays bowls, he enjoys being a member and helping other members improve their game. Marx said success on the green is down to the three Ls: line, length and luck.
“Line is the direction in which you bowl, to fade into the jack. Length refers to the speed of your delivery. Luck is very important. I’ve had tremendous luck against me! I played in a game once where a man hit my bowl and took the championship away from me,” he chuckled.
Also read: Berea Bowling Club – 100 years and counting
Marx has won several competitions during his bowling career, including the Silverton Bowling Club’s senior handicap and singles.
“I won the club pairs one year, playing with the Springbok player, Stuart Milligan. I always said I wanted to win one district tournament and we won the district fours. Our team was skipped by Stuart and his father, John played third. I played second and Pat Trimborn played lead. He was a Springbok cricketer,” said Marx.
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