IT’S going to take some doing, but already the organisers of the Spar Margate Week bowls tournament are planning to make next year’s event even better. If that is possible.
This year, in the tournament’s 50th anniversary, 92 teams of four from across the country took part in an event that spans five days.
Last year there were 78 teams. In addition, prize-money increased from R26 000 to R54 400 this year, shared equally between men and women.
Winning the men’s section were the Twilites from Margate, namely Cedric Glanfield, Ken Tonge, Ron Canning and Alan Dinning.
Skip Cedric Glanfield said the team had combined well during the whole tournament.
“It really was a fabulous event and so well run. We had a bit of luck and things went our way,” he said.
He felt the team had been compatible and that had been the difference.
“Somehow we managed to win all eight of our games which is very difficult to do in a tournament like this,” he said.
“We were thrilled to represent Margate BC and keep the trophy at home. I think it has been quite some time since that has been done,” he added.
Best Buddies won the women’s section, namely Jenny Jones, Wilma Richardson, Barbara Fernihough and Pam Johnston.
Jenny and Pam are from Edenvale and Wilma from Northmead in Benoni.
Barbara, who is Jenny’s cousin, is local, and a member at The Bell.
“It was nice to have the home comforts,” said Jenny, who skipped the team.
“It was our fourth year of trying, with our previous best a fourth place. None of us are ‘big deals’ so it was quite a bonus to win. The weather was unbelievable and we’ll definitely be back,” she said.
Co-organiser Johnny Louch said that, judging by the comments, this was the most successful hosting of the event ever.
He said that the four local clubs which hosted play had contributed to this, and thanked Margate Bowling Club, Margate Country Club, Riverside and Hibiscus Village for their part in it.
Johnny also thanked the sponsors, and local business, for getting behind the tournament.
The main sponsor was Spar, as well as Hibiscus Retirement Villages and Re/Max Properties.
There were some interesting highlights. Ellen Cawker’s (Margate BC) team pulled off two ‘8s’ during the week.
“There are insurance policies against things like this. It’s like getting two holes-in-one in golf in one week. Almost unheard of,” explained Johnny.
On a lighter note, after the serious stuff of the actual competition, the tournament was rounded off in style, with a quick show put on by the Chip ‘n Fails.
“It was a lot of fun. Someone suggested we show off our great physiques – the Chip ‘n Fails. It was a hoot and there was a lot of laughter. The perfect way to end it,” said Johnny.
Looking ahead and hoping to repeat the success of this year’s event, Johnny said: “There’s no reason why we can’t get 100 teams for the 51st tournament.”
Off the rink, there were three stagings of the show ‘Simply the Best’, with proceeds from the final night going to Child Welfare.
The shows proved to be massively popular and congratulations go to all those who made it such a success.
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