Florida North Bowling Club hosts masters section of prestigious Gauteng District Challenge
Clubs across the Sables District were given the opportunity to put their best foot forward.
Prestige and pizzazz are the hallmarks of any headline event.
Sponsored by motor, home and business insurance consultants, Perfect Delivery, the annual Gauteng District Challenge was played on January 15 and 16. The Sables District was awarded the esteemed honour of hosting the rotational bowls festival, with four venues rolling out the red carpet for the two-day event. The showpiece invitational featured six Districts, five from across Gauteng as well as long-haul visitors from the Limpopo Bowling Association.
Florida North Bowling Club was given the opportunity to host the over 60s masters category, while the clubs of Discovery, Leases and Krugersdorp would host the Open, B team and junior categories respectively. Each District would have two teams, with combined scores from matches of three skins of five sets counting toward the overall tally. At the end of the weekend at Florida North, Johannesburg Bowling Association would be crowned men’s winners, while Bowls Gauteng North won pick up the ladies trophy.
Players selected for the District team are the cream of the crop and to qualify for the Sables District team, lawn bowlers would need to impress the eagle-eyed selectors. Earning himself a slot on the side for the first time was Witpoortjie’s Tommy Smith. “It has been a goal of mine to be selected for this team for a long time. I have been working hard on my game so this is a very proud moment for me personally,” said Tommy.
Being granted the chance to host an event of this scale is a major feather in the cap for Sables’ clubs, with Florida North priding themselves on their immaculate greens. Forget Munyai and Calvin Maloka are the men responsible for ensuring the greens are fit for royalty, spending roughly four hours a week using three different machines to achieve the final result. In between, the duo have plenty time to practise, which is why Forget is the club singles champion and Calvin is part of the reigning championship pair.
The hospitality required was not only preparing the playing surface but providing their guests with ample food and drink to keep the teams socially lubricated. A proud club president, Johann Lourens said, “Everyone at Florida North Bowling Club is very proud to host this event and we thank all the bowls players who have participated. We welcome the community to come by the club and get involved in the sport.”
