Centenarian celebrates 101st birthday with a game of bowls
Trish Campbell took up bowls in her 50s and drives herself to the club to play twice a week.
FOR the past five decades, the sport of bowls has been the driving force of Patricia (Trish) Campbell’s life.
The Northlands Bowling Club member, who took up the game in her 50s, drives herself to the club to play twice a week.
None of this would be all that remarkable except that Trish is 101 years old.
In fact, on Saturday, January 7, Trish celebrated her milestone birthday doing what she loves – a game of bowls among family and friends.
In her time, she has represented various Port Natal bowls teams and has won a number of local tournaments.
“Bowls is a wonderful exercise – it’s marvelous for your hips,” explained Trish. “I started bowls just before I retired, and it has given me everything I could have wanted in life. I joined Northlands in 2005, and this has been the place where I’ve met the most charming people. While I have enjoyed success in the sport, the best thing I’ve gained from it is the friendships I’ve made here. It also gives me time to forget my troubles for two or three hours.”
While Trish is the oldest playing member of the club, she remains young at heart.
“It’s one thing that can give you purpose in life once you get older. As a bowler, you regain your independence from being grandma, aunty or mother – I am suddenly Trish again. I’ve seen so many elderly people retire and sit around wondering what to do. I’d encourage them to take up bowls and just take things in your stride,” she said.
Bert Ewing, president of Northlands Bowling Club, also congratulated Trish on her milestone.
Besides playing a round of bowls on the day, the club honoured Trish with a birthday cake and a lunch.
“Trish truly serves as an inspiration to all the other bowlers here. She marches up and down the greens like she is in her 50s,” Ewing quipped. “We are so privileged to have her as a member of our club, and we often refer to our club as the Northlands family. That is why we celebrate this wonderful milestone with her, and we wish her good health throughout the year,” he said.
