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KAHUTIAA record field of 90 bowlers turned out for the annual Bunnings Life Members Optional Triples Tournament last Wednesday.
This event started seven years ago when local bowls stalwart John Bunyan, a life member of the Gisborne Bowling Club, saw the need for a fixture to recognise the contributions life members of all the local bowling clubs had made to the sport.
The first tournament drew an entry of only 22 players but Bunyan was determined to make the tournament an annual event and reach a total of 90 participants in the years to come, and so he was delighted that his target was met last Wednesday.
He has continued to singlehandedly arrange a large number of associate sponsors, which has meant a huge selection of prizes handed out every year.
Three rounds were played, and 10 teams out of the 30 entered received prizes.
The winners were Vern Marshall (skip), Alf Land and Chris Hewson with six points and a +24 differential.
Runners-up were Maurice Taylor (a life member of the Gisborne Bowling Club), who skipped Joy Davis and Richard Mann, also with six points, but with a differential of +22.
In third place was principal sponsor Wayne Morrell (s), Marilyn Knowles and Ginny Sherriff with six points, +19, followed by John Scammell (s), Pat Murton and Lucy Shanks in fourth place, also with six points but with a differential of +12.
Lyn Trueman (s), Bill Scott and Adrienne Smiler scored four points, +18. Harry Green (s), Mike Namana and Linda Mann had four points, +14. Emily Hongara (s), ably assisted by husband Jim, and Eric Craill gained four points, +10.
Murray Murton (s), Dennis Raggett and Frank McLoughlin had four points, +8. Dawne Abraham (s), Wairoa visitor Jim Heron, and Bev Davy had four points, +3.
Charlie Ure (s), Fred Parsons and Kathryn Flaugere took out the 10th prize with four points and a nil differential.
A feature of all seven tournaments has been a fancy dress competition, along with the best-bright-shirt award. Kahutia members Linda Mann and Kathryn Flaugere excelled themselves with their outfits to win the fancy dress prizes, while Larry Kaloucava won the best-shirt award, which reflected his Fijian heritage.
Wayne Morrell, representing the principal sponsor, presented the prizes in front of a packed clubhouse and paid tribute to the sterling efforts of John Bunyan in ensuring the success of the life member tournaments.
The club also thanked the associate sponsors whose support helped to make the tournament a success.