The Wairarapa outdoor bowls fraternity lost one of their best-known identities when Ross Bishop died in Masterton last week.
A finalist in the national men's singles in the 1984-85 season he won no fewer than five Wairarapa chamipon of champion titles in his illustrious career as well as eight Wairarapa open
centre titles.
He was a dominant figure in the Masterton Bowling Club, of which he was the second longest serving member at the time of his death.
Ross picked up his first Masterton title in 1967 when he beat Alan Billington in the final of the junior singles and after winning his first senior championship in the 1970-71 season he went on to win the singles title on three occasions, the pairs six times, the triples three times and the fours on no fewer than 12 occasions.
While he preferred the team games, especially fours, his effort to make the final of the national singles will always be remembered as Ross's prime achievement.
He is, in fact, only one of three players who have attained that distinction in an individual event at national level,, the others being Frank Sigvertson and Maurice Penfold.
It was one of the country's most successful bowlers in the last 20 years in Sid Giddy who beat Ross in his national final but he didn't have things all his own way. Giddy led 16-1 at one stage but Ross fought back to level things up at 16-16. However, it was Giddy who finished the stronger, winning 31-16.
Ross also made his mark in bowls administration. He served the Masterton club in many roles ,being made a life member in 2002, and was president of the Wairarapa centre from 1983 to 1985.
