Winter bowls under way without Northland stalwarts Audrey Fry and Ted Mooney

Winter bowls is now well under way.

It is with sadness that I mention the passing of two bowls stalwarts - Audrey Fry, the matriarch of Northland, a life member of the Centre and the Northland Umpires Association and former NZ Women's Bowling Association president amongst many of her credentials, and Ted Mooney of the Maungaturoto Club, a former president and one of the true gentlemen of bowls.

Our condolences to members of both families.

The Centre Awards night and dinner will be held on Saturday June 10 at the Kamo Club with a 6pm meet and greet, followed by dinner and presentation of Centre prizes for the past season, and the Centre Special Awards.

The sponsors for the evening are Yovich & Co and the Lawrence family, who we thank sincerely for their support.

Tickets at $26 a head can be ordered and purchased through the Centre Office. Clubs and their members should get together and form a group to attend this very special occasion when we congratulate all winners.

All clubs should also be holding their AGMs and ensure that they have their club delegate attend the Centre AGM to be held at Bowls Whangarei on Sunday June 18 at 1pm.

Vacancies are available for board personnel and the Centre would appreciate your help in filling these vacancies.

The winter season of bowls is also now in full swing and the season will not finish until the end of August for many of the clubs that have an artificial surface to play on.

Grass greens at most clubs are also now on the way to renovation.

For many clubs this past summer with wet conditions has caused many problems for green keepers trying to hold on to the grasses in their "patch", so our hard-working volunteers are now working towards making greens of the highest standard for next season.

Clubs and their match committees are reminded that any changes for next season's open tournaments are required.

They need to have these applications in to the events manager by June 20 and their full club programme in by July 1. Please email to gwen.northbowls@slingshot.co.nz.