CONFIRMED ENTRIES

By Chuck Muser

    Here’s a problem: how does a lawn bowling club introduce its new members to the exciting challenge of tournament play without frightening them half to death?  Southwest Division Presidents Mert Isaacman and Maryna Hyland pondered that question and came up with a brilliant solution.  Invite the district’s new members to play with a team of established “veterans” in a three game tourney and, as a kicker, offer them dinner when the competition is finished.

    That’s what happened on Saturday, August 10^th, at Newport Harbor Lawn Bowling Club.  We hosted both veterans and members of the large class of 2008 from five Orange County  As originally planned the competition was to be rinks (with four bowlers) but, unfortunately, too few new members signed up so the event was reorganized into triples matches, with two vets and one newcomer.  The vet team was set and each skip drew the name of a new member from a bucket. In all twenty teams were fielded, and the competition was fierce. clubs for three ten end games of triples.

    The contest was won by the juggernaut of Ian Ho (Laguna Beach), Eva Lee, (Newport Harbor), and new bowler Bob Alessi (Santa Ana).  Second went to the team of Gary Fischer (Laguna Woods), Jerry Grady (NH), and Rya Hackman (SA).  Third went to a team from Laguna Beach, Kim Heiser, Reinie Kramer, and newcomer Mary Freeman.  Forth was taken by the familiar team of Newport bowlers, Jim Altobelli and Shep Shepard, with the addition of new bowler Missy Parker.  Fifth went to the team of Terry Baade, (LB), Murray Brown and Rita Greenberg (NH).  And finally, sixth place was taken by the team of Tony Baer (NH), Rosa Gandara (Hermosa Beach), and new guy Bill Day (NH).  As frosting on the cake, each new bowler on the winning six teams received a nice trophy from the shop of woodworking master Jerry Grady.

    As for the organizers of the day, one has to go to the book looking for enough superlatives to describe the work of the dynamic duo of Len Cormier and Myrna Chan.  Even when the curveball of not enough new bowlers was thrown at them the event went off without a hitch, even though it was a bit late starting due to the necessary reorganization.  They were helped by Newport Harbor President John Groothuis and in the food department by Patty Lucas and her crew of volunteers.