Author: Carol Bucyk
Parksville Singles Tournament a Success
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
Parksville Teams Come Home Winners in Powell River
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
Hot Results for Parksville in Port Alberni
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
Spring and Summer League Winner Round-Up
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
Courtenay Hosts 2-4-2 Tournament
August 3rd and 4th were hot and busy days as the Courtenay Club hosted its well attended 2-4-2 Tournament. The hometown team of Vern Greenhill and Leone King were the overall winners of the tournament, beating out our own Chris and Martin Fereday who ended up taking second in “A” Event. Other winners included Mike Ward and Helen Roberts of Qualicum, Linda Mears and Brian Scheer of Courtenay and our own Bob Allaby and Sue Tompkins .
The 2-4-2 game is a nice change from the regular pairs event in that the lead throws 2 bowls, then the skip rolls his/her 4 bowls, and then the lead comes back and rolls their 2 bowls, all in alternate rotation with the other team. In the next end, the person who was skip becomes the lead and rolls his or her bowls in the above 2-4-2 format. It is a lot of fun and gives players a chance to be both a skip and a lead in the same game.
Carol Bucyk
Novice and Intermediate Bowlers Shine in Club Tournament
It was pretty hot in Parksville on the weekend, but even hotter on the green as the novice and intermediate lawn bowlers took to the green to showcase their skills. The Club Singles Novice and Intermediate Championship started on Saturday morning and wound up on Sunday afternoon with the final winners declared in both the men’s and women’s event. On the men’s side, the novice winner was James Sloan. Intermediate winner was Bob Merrell who was also the overall winner of both Group A & B. On the women’s novice side, Debbie Taylor came through to capture her event, while the Women’s Intermediate Championship went to Karen Perrin.
A very big thank you goes out to the following : the set-up and take down crew, greens people, markers, Lynn in the kitchen, bartenders, Chuck Benson (photos), Sandi Mitchell (ump. etc.), spectators, games committee and to the players who made this all possible.
On August 10th and 11th, the above winners will represent our club in the District Championships to be held in Port Alberni. Our winner from last year, Bob Ashton, has also been invited back to Port Alberni to defend his title. If you can, please come out and support your fellow club members in this event. Carol Bucyk
Here they are, the winners of this past weekend’s event. From left to right, Debbie Taylor (Novice) and Karen Perrin (Intermediate). James Sloan (Novice) and Bob Merrell (Intermediate), who also won the overall tournament from Group A & B.
Mark Your Calendars & Get Ready for Some Fun
Ever thought about proving your lawn bowling skills? Here’s your chance to have some fun in the process, too. It’s the last chance to sign up for the Men’s and Women’s Club Singles Championship. Registration closes on August 5th, and the singles play is set for August 13, 14, & 15th.
Also on the horizon is the Jack and Jill Mixed Pairs Event coming up on August 28th and 29th. Registration starts online on August 7th. A few simple rules for this event: No spouses together, no two skips on a team and you can’t have played with the same Jack or Jill before. This tournament is a lot of fun, so ladies get out there and ask away. There are men just waiting for your call or email.
Finally, The Cowichan Parksville Challenge will be held on Tuesday, September 10th with the Cowichan Club hosting. Here’s your chance to experience lawn bowling at the Cowichan club and experience their great hospitality. If interested, there is a sign up sheet in the sun room.
Carol Bucyk