CHISTMAS BREAKUP
7 pm Saturday 21st Dec. $15 per head.
2 Course roast meal (courtesy of Marg and Barney) together with celebratory fun, music and entertainment. All players and immediate family are most welcome. Please enter your name on the board to assist with catering.
Merry Christmas
GREENS REPORT
Our new "Needle Punch" synthetic bowling green has received some rave reports and is settling in well. Due to a number of issues, the Bowls Committee recently changed its thoughts on “B” green. This green will now remain open until 17th March 2014 when it will be re-topped with another “Bent” grass surface in lieu of the “Couch” grass surface previously recommended. Depending on favourable weather conditions this will allow the green to be up and running at the start of next season.
LEOPOLD 1000
With both greens now available we have reinstated the “Leopold 1000”. This two day invitational tournament will be held on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th January 2014. It is our 25th anniversary and some of the state’s top bowlers have been invited to enter with prize money totalling $5260.
COACHING
Robert Cloke conducts free coaching clinics each and every Monday morning at 10:00am. The coaching is aimed at assisting all bowlers (old and new) in delivery techniques and tactical skill. The coaching and associated training is guaranteed to take your game to the next level (or your money back).
Remember - Every Monday Morning – give it a try.
BAREFOOT BOWLS
A number of groups have booked the greens for barefoot bowls leading up to Christmas. They will not impact on our games but may limit training times on the odd occasion. This is a significant revenue raiser for the club and we thank Des Seear for the preparation and supervising of these events.
BOWLS TOURNAMENTS
There are Three (3x) Bowls Tournaments scheduled for January. For these to be successful days we require your participation.
· Sunday 5 January
“Bone of Contention”
The “Bone of Contention” is an inter club match between Clifton Springs and Leopold. The competition has been in recess for a number of years now and the trophy (created by our own Billy Pratt) was last won by Clifton Springs and sits proudly above their bar. For the first time in history this will be a Mixed Pairs event and we require 14 teams (pairs) to recover the “bone”. Please enter your team on the list in the bowlers shed. An added advantage for us is that the match will be at Leopold (not Clifton Springs as indicated in the fixture). 1 pm start, ladies a plate please.
· Sunday 12 January
“Mixed Pairs Medley”
Any Combination ie: 2 ladies, 2 men or mixed. 3 games: 1 each of 2x4x2, 2x2x2x2, and 3 bowl pairs. Please enter by placing names on the list.
· Sunday 26 January
“Australia Day 6 Person Mixed Medley”
3 ladies/ 3 men. Cash and coveted Australia Day Medals to be won. Entry forms are in the Bowlers shed.
CHRISTMAS HAMPER(s)
Thank you to the volunteers who sold raffle tickets at meal times at the club, and thank you to the bowlers who have brought and returned their tickets. If you have yet to do so please ensure tickets (and money) are returned to Merilyn or Bryan Marra by Saturday 14th December. The hampers will be drawn at our Christmas function on the 21st December.
WILL THE REAL KEN BARKER PLEASE STAND UP
How lucky are we to have, not one, but two Ken Barkers in the club. Please make yourself known to the new bloke who hails from the Bendigo region.
LADIES MEETINGS
The next two meetings are scheduled for:
o Wednesday 18th December
o Wednesday 15th January
SPONSORS
Stan Ford and Graeme Crook have done a sterling job in setting up our sponsors for the year, however their resignations from this role have left big shoes to fill. We thank Alan Taylor who has recently filled this void and provided vim and vigor in organising current sponsors and finding new sponsors for our events and advertising boards. The task of maintaining the support of existing sponsors and finding new ones is becoming harder in these difficult times as many companies struggle to make ends meet and find it difficult to continue their support. Please make yourself familiar with our sponsors and when using their services, please let them know (where possible) that you are a Leopold bowler. They appreciate feedback telling them that they are getting value from their advertising dollars. We also ask that you support our sponsored events where you can.
A number of new sponsors have come on board this year including two plumbers:
· A Bugeja Plumbing Services and
· BD Plumbing and Gas Fitting
Both plumbers are keen to quote on any plumbing jobs you may have and Ben from BD plumbing will offer a 10% discount if you produce your Sporties Club Membership Card and mention that you are a member of the bowling section.
Other major sponsors are:
Harvey World Travel at Gateway will donate 1% of the cost of your holiday when booked through them and you tell them you are a Leopold bowler.
With your approval, Barry Plant Leopold will donate $200 to the Bowls Section upon the sale of your house or property.
Blood Toyota will donate $100 to the club for every new or used car sold when you tell them you are a Leopold bowler.
WAYWARD BOWLER RETURNS
Ross Petterwood is welcomed back to the club by President Robert Cloke, after a stint at Eastern Park.
CLUB EVENTS
Both Men’s and Ladies Pairs have been completed, with Alan Taylor and Ernie Robins winning the men’s event; whilst congratulations go to Carlene Lear and Loris Robilliard in winning the Ladies Pairs.
Some other club events are underway whilst entries are still open for:
· Mixed Pairs – Dec 29
· Mens 100 up – Feb 2
· Ladies Presidents H’cap - Feb 14
· Ladies 100 up – Feb 21
· Mens Triples – Feb 23
Event Organisers are concerned about the low numbers registering for events this season and your participation in these remaining events would be appreciated. Please also make a diary entry for our Men’s and Ladies Club Singles Championship Final on Saturday January 4th.
FIXTURE BOOK UPDATES
Please add or amend the following phone numbers in the back of your Fixture Book.
Ross Petterwood 0413 256 371
Hedderick, Ernest & 5250 2822
Sheila
Mann, Allen Fax: 5248 8797
Benson, Neville 0419 542 879
Barker, Kenneth John 0417 390 278
END OF SEASON TRIP
This season’s bus trip will be travelling to Cobram/Barooga and Tocumwal. The trip will depart on Friday 2nd May 2014. Activities and sightseeing will be arranged for non-bowlers. Cost should be around $400 pp. Please register your interest by placing your name on the notice in the Bowlers Shed or contact our Tour Manager – Sue Moroney on 5250 3212 or 0404362382 for further information.
UNIFORMS AND BOWLS ACCESSORIES
Mark Donehue has a supply of Men’s Green trousers and Unisex jackets ($95) for immediate delivery. Mark can also arrange delivery of bowls, bowling uniforms and other bowling accessories via the Ballarat Bowls shop. Mark can be contacted on 52 504827. Lawn Bowls accessories such as Bowls Sprays and Bowls Grips or Polish can be purchased from the Bistro Bar.
PLAYER PROFILE –
JACK MULGREW
Jack was born near Colac. Has been married to Joy for 50 years with 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Jack was a Council Foreman for the Ottway shire for 22 years, he played 330 games of football for Forrest and won their Best & Fairest Trophy twice playing in the center.
Jack has been a member of our bowls club for 10 years and:
- played 120 games of pennant
- is skipper in Div’n 4 Gold
- played in Div’n 5 Premiership side two years ago
- spent many years on Club Events Committee
- is currently our Gardener.
Jack is responsible for the green surrounds and has spent many hours landscaping and planting a variety of flowers including Dahlias during the off season. The plants have been from Jack’s own garden and he is now seeking rock climbing varieties to complete the current project.