Bowlers celebrated 100 years of the Glen Eden Bowling Club over the Easter Weekend
Glen Eden Bowling Club Inc (GEBC) was established in 1922 using land given to the club by George Frederick Charles Hosking, local Headmaster of Oratia Primary and Glen Eden Schools. A lot of bowling has happened since then, and as part of the year long programme of centenary events to mark the occasion the Club ran a two-day fours tournament on the 16th and 17 of April.
While planning began several years ago members were working right up to the starting bell in the gardens and around the clubhouse to make sure the club was at its very finest – if you stood still too long you were liable to be painted red!
COVID’s impact on sports and hospitality events over the last few years had been giving the centenary committee cause for concern, but happily the team of 5 million got the county to Orange Level on the 13th of April and the 132 players came from across Auckland and beyond to compete for the $10000 prize pool.
Play got off to a great start under beautifully clear skies on Saturday morning with serious bowling skills on display right from the first roll. Players and guests sampled the Glen Eden hospitality with the club ‘s chef provided lunch from our upstairs bistro kitchen, and after a full day on the greens the club hosted a karaoke evening for the musically minded.
Sunday saw a stiff breeze arrive on the greens to keep the players honest during the second day with three games and an outdoor lunch.
When play ended the match officials disappeared behind closed door to tally up all the points. To keep everyone occupied while they waited the club hosted a visit from a Cook Island cultural group who had the volume turned up to max with music and dancers waking up the bowlers who were starting to nod off.
After the excitement, the results were announced, with Kerry Kirwan presenting the prizes on behalf of sponsors Barfoot & Thompson Glen Eden.
Winners for the weekend were Mae Taurua, Jamie Hill, Kolani Maota, & Peni Panapa; a team of players from multiple clubs who were the only ones to win all 7 of their games, collecting 96 points.
2nd Place: Kevin Morris, Keith Earl, Graham Edwards, & Henry Fane (Point Chevalier Bowls Club) – 6 wins, 85 points
3rd Place: Gordon Smith, Doug George, Duncan Whittaker, Bruce Catton (Riverhead Bowling Club) – 5 wins, 85 pints, 2 draws, 112 scored
4th Place: Les McFarland, Robyn Fisher, Des Fisher, & Leigh Singer (Royal Oak Bowls) – 5 wins, 85 points, 2 draws, 103 scored
Saturday’s Best: Adam Wishnoski, Keith Ansell, Bruce Walters, & Sean Hird (New Lynn Bowling Club)
Sunday’s Best: Neville Hill, Glenn Newton, Caroline Dubois & Paris Baker (Composite)
Many thanks to our major sponsors Barfoot & Thompson Glen Eden, members of GEBC below and others who volunteered their time in getting the club ready for this Centennial Tournament
Other Sponsors: Rymans Miriam Corban Rest Home, Toby’s Fish Supply, Don Bostock from Resene, the Aussie Butcher.
Tournament Team: Paul Stier, Sharon Stewart, Wendy Mather
Greens: Graeme Storie, Harry, Brendon
Umpire: Lorraine Beazley
Volunteers: Agnes, Angela, Josie, Rachel, Phil Warin, Fay, Kerry Kirwan
Bar: Don & Sharon Bostock, Sandra, Paula, Natasha, Dan, & Melissa
Kitchen: Mike, Fred & kitchen staff
Working Bee: Andrew Moans Rosco, Sam Kent, Barry, Jeff & Jenny tonight, Graham L., Ephraima, Raj, Rob, Rachel, Rennie, Siosiana, Teresa, Jim, Margarita, Mohe, Tangata, Brian, Yvonne & Peter Lipsham, Don & Sharon Bostock, Carol & Don MacDonald, Steve Tilton, Jennifer & Sean Doran, Phil Aitken, & Karen Bailey.
Executive Committee: President Siosiana, Snr Vice President Teresa, Jnr Vice President Jim, Treasurer Don, Secretary Carol, Bar Chair Judy, Bowls Chair, Jane, Green Super Graeme Storie, Social Chair Margarita, Membership Yvonne & Jenny, Health & Safety Officer Brian, Welfare Officer Fay
Business Development Officer Darren
