Author: Carol Bucyk

One of the club’s  most popular tournaments was held Aug. 28th and 29th and it did not disappoint.  The weather, greens and attendance were great.    An almost full slate with two flights were a sign of this tournament’s popularity.  A unique feature of this event is that the men (Jacks) skip two games and the women (Jills) skip two games.

The overall winners of the event were Robbie Thomas and Wayne Larocque who came  from the Early Draw.  Second in that draw was the team of Debbie Taylor and Barry Conn who were in a make up team with Carol Bucyk and Andy Burton.  Third in the early draw was Luise Norman and Martin Perrin.  In the late draw, first went to the team of Kathleen Motley and Barry Knowles, while second went to Sandi Mitchell and David Stamp.  Anne Holland and David Perry took third.

There were two mystery draws as well.  Early draw winners were Maggie Webb and Ken Bucyk, while late  draw winners were Donna Dunn and Ken Olenick.

There are many moving parts to making an event like this happen and happen smoothly. With that in mind, our thanks go out to the following:  the games committee, kitchen crew, bartenders, groundskeepers, set-up and take down folks, photographer, novice, intermediate and seasoned players and spectators.  Everyone had a hand in making the Jack and Jill Tournament  the success that it was.

Next up is the George Gibson slated for early September.  This tournament will be bringing in players from around the district and promises to be a good one.

The Nanaimo Mixed Pairs Open Tournament was held Aug. 24 & 25 under almost perfect conditions.  The green was in superb shape and the weather was pretty much perfect.      What else that was pretty much perfect is the fact that four out of the five teams that placed came from our club.  The number one team was that of Nanaimo’s Rick Quibell and Mary Mulligan.  Second through fifth went to our club with Rick Dolley and Merry Danarti taking second,  Chris and Martin Fereday  earning third, Diane Cruickshank and Bill Burgess scoring fourth and Joey and Bob Merrell placing fifth.  Four out of the top five places is quite an accomplishment and congratulations to our club members who played in the tournament, and to those who earned recognition for their efforts.

A very big thank you goes out to everyone at the Nanaimo club who were great hosts and players.  Thanks  to the kitchen and greens crew, the umpires, the players , Chuck Benson who took pictures, and Martin Velsen, the very generous sponsor of this tournament.

Carol Bucyk

Pictures to come.

The  Parksville Lawn Bowling Club’s  Men’s and Women’s Singles  2024 edition wrapped up Thursday, August  15.     The three day event was full of great shot making, close games and perfect weather.    In the end, it came down to the final four with Chris Fereday  winning a very tight  and exciting game over Luise Norman.    Rick Dolley  battled it out with Peter Scott, with Dolley taking the title in  the men’s division.   Scott and Dolley have battled this event out six times over the past few years, with each of them winning the title three times.

This tournament was a great success and it is all due in part to the many people who volunteer at our club to make events like this happen.  Thanks to the kitchen, bar and grounds crew for their hard work.  Also, we are grateful for the work put in from the Games Committee, as well as Chuck Benson,  our chief photographer.    Thanks to all of the markers and to Sandi Mitchell who was our “umpire”  when  needed.   Our thanks finally  go out to the club members who came out and watched and to those who played their hearts out on the green.  This year, the field included both seasoned players and a number of intermediate players who had a great playoff experience.  Well done, everyone!

Carol Bucyk

If you’ve ever been to Powell River, you  will know that it has an absolutely beautiful setting for its lawn bowling club.  On August 8th, the Powell River Lawn Bowling Club hosted its  annual one day Mixed Triples Tournament  and  our Parksville club sent three teams across the water to participate.    Overall winners of the tournament were Dean Penny, Linda Meers and Vern Greenhill of the Courtenay club.   In second place was the team of Bob Allaby, Joey Merrell and Bob Merrell.  Third went to   our own Luise Norman, Karen Perrin  and Martin Perrin.

Hospitality is always great at this historic club which has only 32 members.  They all pitch in to provide snacks, drinks and even rides to and from the ferry.   If you ever get the opportunity to go over to the Powell River Lawn Bowling Club, do it.  The tournament and the experience are definitely worth it.

Many  thanks  to Bob Allaby who provided the details of  this tournament for this article.

Carol Bucyk

August 10th & 11th   saw some pretty hot  temperatures on our greens here  in Parksville, but it was even more of a scorcher  in Port Alberni.  The small but mighty Port Alberni Lawn Bowling Club hosted the District Men’s and Women’s Novice and Intermediate Singles Championships  this past weekend The greens were fast, the hosts were great,  and the weather was some of the hottest  of the summer.  In the end, it was our Parksville representatives that were even hotter winning three of the top four events.

The Women’s Novice  Single Championship  was won by  our own Debbie Taylor and the Women’s Intermediate event was won by Karen Perrin, also of our club.

On the men’s side, it was Gord Moffatt of Nanaimo winning the Men’s Novice Singles Event.  Parksville was not to be denied, with our own Bob Ashton winning the Men’s Intermediate Singles Tournament.

It was a great tournament and we want to thank all those from the Port Alberni club who made it work so well: kitchen and grounds crew, umpires,  photographer Chuck Benson, the games committee, club members who participated and those who came out to watch.  Thanks to everyone who gave of their time to make this event a success.    More photos to come.  Carol Bucyk

It’s a sure sign that autumn  is around the corner  when the crickets start to chirp and it gets dark before 9 P.M.  It also reminds us that the spring and summer leagues for both Cut Throat and  Mixed Pairs are now in the books.  Here’s what happened earlier this Spring.  Diane Cruickshank earned the honours for her win in Cut Throat and, in Mixed Pairs League, it was the team of Robbie Thomas and Don Urquhart.

The summer league for Mixed Pairs which wrapped up on August 6th,  went to  Ken and Carol Bucyk .  The Cut Throat league finished up on August 7th, with Carol Bucyk earning top spot.

Here’s something that novice and tenderfoot members might want to consider.  Cut Throat is a great way to develop skills as a lead, and it is the position that newer members play until they become either Third  or Skip.  Also, if you haven’t tried it, lawn bowling in the  morning or evening  leagues on our green is an absolute treat.  We have one of the very best greens anywhere, in a lovely locale with truly friendly members.  See you on the green!!

Carol Bucyk