Roosevelt Park Bowling Club bowlers placed in top positions at the Towers Novice Tournament held at the Wanders Bowls Club.
Local bowler Peet Wagenaar won gold in the men’s novice division. Melanie Rex took home the bronze in the ladies’ division and Jacqueline Hartslief was knocked out in the quarter finals.
Rex has been playing for 11 months and loved every minute the sport has offered her and enjoyed her time at the tournament. “The experience for me was fantastic. I learnt a lot and it was really quite fun.”
Challenges she faced on the day was learning how to do well under the pressure of wanting to give her best.
Wagenaar has only played the sport for a year and a few months. He explained that the novice title is given to those who have been playing the sport for four years and less. “As new bowlers, this was a great experience. We had some hard games but to have won it was the absolute cherry on the cake,” he said.
He described himself as lazy before he started playing bowls, as his weekends usually included staying in bed for most of the day on Sundays, along braais and alcohol. “This sport completely changed my life; now I am kept busy throughout the weekend.”
Though Wagenaar regrets having started the sport late, he is glad to be taking part in a sport he loves.
Hartslief had always been surrounded by bowls greens growing up. “My grandparents used to play at various clubs, so I always watched it as a little girl and then decided one day to join it.”
Though she was knocked out in the quarter finals by only one point, she still placed in the top eight. She feels one should always keep a level head. “You may get shot down, but it’s important to never give up and just keep trying,” said Hartslief.
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