DOLORES van der Linde won the 2016 SA National Senior Singles Bowls Championship.
For a number of years now, Dolores has been the flag-bearer for Turffontein Bowls Club, which is celebrating its centenary year.
She has achieved a few major firsts for the club. These are: provincial colours in 2014, winning a gold medal as skip in 2015, and bronze as a third in 2016, in the Inter-District tournament.
Her prior achievements include: 2012 South of the Line women’s singles champion; 2014 JBA women’s senior singles runner-up; 2014 Gauteng Open women’s pairs, with Venetia Falconer, as quarter-finalists; 2015 JBA women’s senior pairs, with Glynnis Seegers, as runners-up. The Scottburgh Shield was another big win in 2015, together with Venetia Falconer, Selina Beneke and Erika Binneman.
”But, none of these compares to winning the 2016 SA National senior singles championship, which was an absolute dream come true.”
Dolores has been a member at Turffontein Bowls Club for 25 years, and has had many invitations to join other clubs during her career. She had, however, vowed to achieve whatever she could under her club’s flag, and she did it – displaying loyalty and dedication.
She hopes this will inspire more Turffontein club members to go out there and fly the flag high.
She said, “TBC is a small private club with only one green. Our members are dwindling and we need new and younger players to join.
”This is no longer an ‘old man’s game’. Some of our country’s top bowlers are in their 20s; the younger you start, the quicker you get to the top. I’m just sorry I didn’t start sooner.”
Dolores would also like to thank Venetia for all her support and assistance that week, as well as all the family, friends, fellow bowlers, the Nuggets, and most of all Alwyn, her husband, who inspired and encouraged her every step of the way.
“You all helped me reach my goal, I’m forever thankful,” she said.
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