Durban Bowling Club rookies impress
Newcomer, Alex Hadebe won a recent match 21:5 at the Port Natal Novice Singles Championship.
FROM greens-keeper to promising competitive bowler, Durban Bowling Club newcomer Alex Hadebe has qualified for the semi-finals of the Port Natal Novice Singles Championship. He and club car guard Bongani Nene took up the game a few months ago when club members invited them to join in.
There were 144 participants taking part in the first round of the tournament on January 7. The championships follow a knock-out system with games being played each weekend.
Commenting on Saturday’s event, Hadebe said, “Today’s game was not too hard. I really had a good time. I managed to win 21:5. I am very happy and excited that I am through to the semi-finals. I am the last competitor from my club still in the competition.”
Nene, who also took to the greens to compete in the championships, narrowly lost his first match (20:21).
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“I was nervous, but in the end, I enjoyed it,” he said.
The pair have shown great promise on the greens, having taken up the sport just four months ago.
“Focus is very important in this game – you have to calculate and measure your shots – you don’t just throw the bowl,” said Hadebe.
By joining the club, Hadebe feels he has overcome some of the racial divides of his past.
“Back in the day, when I grew up, we used to believe there were certain games that were only for white people. Now things have changed – we all come together and play the same game. The club welcomes you no matter your race,” he said.
Nene echoed these sentiments, saying he worked on a temporary basis, washing cars at the club and working as a car guard before he was invited to take up a permanent post at the club.
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“I used to watch members play and then talked to Charmaine, the ladies’ president of the club. She invited me to play and taught me the game. Once I learnt to play, I loved the game,” he said.
Hadebe added that Durban Bowling Club had sponsored his membership.
“I work here as a greens-keeper. I started watching bowls members playing and fell in love with the game when I was working and watching members play. It’s a relaxing game. It is a less physical game. You have to use your mind,” he concluded.
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