A Stunning Week at Airlie Beach Bowls Club

It was an incredible week in paradise for the Airlie Beach Bowls Club, packed with exciting moments and memorable achievements. The action kicked off on Tuesday afternoon with Social Bowls, where skipper Tony Whitehorn continued his winning streak, leading his team of Lyn Hodder and Cath Rimmuswaal to a dominant victory. All three players were in outstanding form.

However, Wednesday brought a surprising turn of events. In the Social Bowls game, Tony suffered a stunning defeat, with Rick Galea and his team clinching a decisive 48-10 victory. Rick Brunnell, playing at lead, delivered an exceptional performance, while Lu Rogan impressed with her remarkable bowling skills, making a smooth and impressive transition.

Wednesday night’s Corporate Bowls wasn’t just about the game, but also about teamwork and community spirit. In a fantastic show of solidarity, members answered the call from Bob and Yvonne to help clear bushes from the right-hand side of the rink in preparation for the upcoming construction of a hard cover. The group’s efforts were nothing short of extraordinary, ensuring the club is ready for the next stage of the project, set to unfold over the next six or seven weeks.

Friday morning brought a special visit from the Endeavour Foundation. Families joined to witness the remarkable progress their children have made in learning the art of lawn bowls. The club looks forward to seeing their continued success, especially once the roof is installed.

The week culminated in Friday night’s much-anticipated Classic Men’s Fours, proudly sponsored by Airlie Beach Hotel, Cruise Whitsundays, PRD Real Estate, Betta Home Living, Master Butchers, Anaconda, Pioneer Adventures, Autopro Cannonvale, Rock Plumbing and Gas Fitting, and Ben Doolins Builders. Six gruelling games saw tough competition from some of the best teams.
Final results:
   • 4th Place: Manny Isgro’s team, featuring Paul Foot, Les Rodgers, and Robbie Spence.
   • 3rd Place: South Suburban Mackay team, led by skipper "Pistol" Pete Blackburn, with champion lead Davey Peats, Peter Petersen, and Bruce Johnson.
   • 2nd Place: Skipper Gavin Milne’s team, with John Bye, Scott Hamilton, and Steve Ridolf.
   • 1st Place: The undefeated team from the Gold Coast, comprising Australian players Sean Baker and Nathan Rice, alongside NSW representatives Jason Constable and Brett Tynan. Their outstanding team performance dazzled the crowd, showcasing world-class skills that left no doubt about their dominance over the star-studded field.

Congratulations to all the participants for an incredible week of bowls at Airlie Beach Bowls Club.
Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson.

Photos supplied