Rising stars shine at Junior Gauteng Open Bowls Tournament

Young bowlers showcased their talent and determination at the Junior Gauteng Open, with thrilling matches culminating in spectacular victories at Randburg Bowls Club.

Josh Turner poses with his first-place medal.

The Randburg Bowls Club buzzed with excitement over the weekend as it hosted the Junior Gauteng Open Bowls Tournament. Young bowlers from across the region competed fiercely, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship.

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The tournament kicked off on Saturday, June 29, with the U15s taking to the greens. Sunday saw the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals for all categories, including U15s, U18s, and U25s. The atmosphere was electric as families, friends, and bowling enthusiasts gathered to cheer on the young athletes.

Vice-club president Laurie Stafford said, “In this particular weekend, we attracted entrants from as far as Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein, Pretoria, West Rand, and obviously Central Joburg. This weekend is centred around the youth. Some of the bowls seen here is incredible.”

Finalists Josh Turner and Sandile Mkhonza square off.

The event was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the young bowlers, many of whom have bright futures ahead in the sport. Randburg Bowls Club provided an excellent venue, ensuring the smooth running of the tournament and a welcoming atmosphere for all attendees.

As the final bowls were played and the winners crowned, the sense of achievement and camaraderie among the participants was palpable. The Junior Gauteng Open Bowls Tournament not only highlighted the talent of these young athletes, but also reinforced the importance of youth participation in sports.

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Josh Turner, the winner of the U25s tournament, said, “I mean, it was the goal. I put my name down and thought this is the tournament that I want to win the most. I went into it and I wanted to prove a point – I feel like I could be one of the best under 25s in the country, and there is no better place to prove it.”

Runner-up Sandile Mkhonza said that he was proud of his performance and that he knew he had given it the best he could have.

This successful event leaves the Randburg Bowls Club and the broader bowls community eagerly anticipating future tournaments, where these young stars will undoubtedly continue to shine.

Sandile Mkhoza poses with his second-place medal.

Rob Zimmermann, president of the Johannesburg Bowls Association (JBA) said, “As far as the whole tournament is concerned it is the biggest entry we’ve had; we’re looking at, I think, 36 greens that are being used throughout the tournament.”

The results of the tournament were as follows:

U15 Category: