The 2023 season of bowling for the Bowls Vancouver Island North and Powell River District ( BVIPR) is once again in full swing.
The Courtenay Lawn Bowling greens in Bill Moore Park were abuzz with activity on the June 3-4 weekend. Twenty teams from Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum and Courtenay competed in the popular annual Scotch Pairs tournament. This is the only tournament where team members switch between being lead and skip on alternate ends. Winners of this year’s tournament were a Nanaimo team, Vern Hagstram and Linda Cooper. Judging from the frequency of laughter and convivial camaraderie, the tournament was a huge success
“It takes an army of volunteers to keep things running smoothly in this type of tournament,” said Sandy Tonnellier, fundraising co-ordinator for the Courtenay Lawn Bowling Club. “Our club would like to thank in particular, Brian Scherr and his wife Karen for setting up the draw and tabulating points, ends won and differentials in order to determine the tournament winners. Without the considerable efforts of John Kendal, Brian Scherr, and Vern Greenhill, the greens wouldn’t be in such great condition for competitive play. The umpires Ben Malcom, Cath Wiseman and John Kendal were on duty to make measurements and arbitrate rules of play as needed.
“April Gilchrist with her volunteer staff in the kitchen kept snack and refreshments replenished and chefs Gary Carson and Ron Boney manned the barbecues on Sunday to serve competitors a delicious hot lunch. Phil Thomas looked after the 50/50 draw on both days. Countless others helped with the set up and take down of all the equipment needed on and off the greens. Lastly, we would like to thank Anderson Nursery in Comox and Garden Works in Coutenay for their generous donation of hanging flower pots and gift baskets to help our club raise money through a silent auction.”
Lots of action in May
The month of May was also a busy one for the Courtenay Lawn Bowling Club.
Four open tournaments were held in May and teams from the Courtenay Lawn Bowling Club distinguished themselves at all of them.
Team Archie Harris, Henri Saucier and Sandy Tonnellier placed second at the Connect Hearing Mixed Triples in Nanaimo on May 6-7.
- Team Dean Penny, Pat McKenzie and Shelley McCollum won gold at the Lucie and Ed Mixed Triples in Courtenay on May 20-21.
- Team Dean Penny, Vern Greenhill and April Gilchrist finished in first place at the Ramsay Lampman Rhodes Triples in Nanaimo on May 27-28 in Nanaimo.
This weekend, Sunday June 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., our club is hosting another open house at the greens in Bill Moore Park, 2361 Kilpatrick Ave.
“We want to increase our membership and encourage people of all ages to come and try out the game,” said Tonnellier. “We will lend you the bowls, and show you the basics of the game.”
CLBC membership consists of social bowlers, club-level bowls, and competitive bowlers. Worldwide known as the “game for life,” lawn bowls is accessible to ages - from young children to older adults - and is one of few sports where men and women can compete as equals. It does not require special strength or athletic ability. You can be any size or shape and most persons with disability can play bowls with able-bodied athletes. CLBC does not discriminate based on age, gender, race, ability, or disability, and aspires to serve a vast cross-section of bowlers who fully subscribe to the game’s unwritten code of strong camaraderie off the green and good sportsmanship on the greens. For more information, please visit our website at www.courtenaylbc.com