Hawthorne and Van Wyk tops bowling tourney

Staff Reporter

WINDHOEK – The City of Windhoek once again saw the Windhoek Bowling Club successfully hosts its annual Junior Pairs tournament. 

The gathering attracted bowlers affiliated to the Namibia Bowling Association and who have played the sport for less than five years where age was not a factor, thus allowing athletes in their sixties to be classified as Juniors. 
There were seven teams this year in a complete round robin format with teams playing six matches in total. Sadly, there were only two bowlers from the coast joined by twelve participants from the four Windhoek based clubs. 
The oldest player in the tourney was 74 years old with the youngest at 11, a clear demonstration that bowls is for athletes of all ages. 

Four cash prizes were on offer, totalling N$5,000. Sponsorship for the competition was obtained from Kleber and Associates, whilst cash donations from members of Windhoek Bowling Club came in handy. 

Though there were many hard-fought clashes, the competition proved too strong for some teams. Eventual winners were John Hawthorne of Eros Bowling Club (EBC) and Huipie van Wyk of Omeya Bowling Club (OBC). Runner-up were Freddie Fouche (EBC) and Claude Thorburn (OBC). 

In third place were the mother and daughter combination of Annalize Wolfaardt and Elzaan de Vries from Namib Park Bowling Club in Walvis Bay. Christo de Beer (EBC) and Ruan Calitz from Transnamib Bowling Club were adrift in 4th spot. Ruan is only 11 years old.

The event was well supported, with a large number of spectators enjoying the great weather and some excellent bowls. 
Windhoek Bowling Club expressed the hope of hosting this tourney for many years to come as its main aim is to allow novice bowlers to compete against opponents of more or less equal strength in an effort to develop this particular sporting discipline.