Bowls: Marlene Castle calls it quits

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Sixteen years after she stepped on to the international bowls stage, Marlene Castle has called it quits.

While she is still available for Auckland and maybe for her Onehunga club in centre events, her international days are behind her.

In a career stretching back to the 1989 Asia Pacific championships in Fiji where she won the fours in her first outing as a national representative, Castle has walked away without the big one - a world championship or Commonwealth Games gold medal.

She got close - two silver and two bronze medals from four world championships and the same return at four Commonwealth Games.

Her only world title came four years ago when she won the indoor singles in Ireland.

"I certainly have no regrets," said Castle, who first picked up a bowl at the Buckland Beach Bowling Club as a 39-year-old. She later played at Carlton, Orewa and now Onehunga.

"It's time to do something else. I haven't had a proper holiday in 16 years."


Asked what she considered the highlight of such a long career, Castle did not hesitate.

"Every time your name is called out. That's happened lots of times. For me, winning was a bonus."

The biggest disappointment?

"Losing the fours final to Australia at the 1990 Commonwealth Games on an extra end was hard to take."

Castle has won four national championships - two champion-of-champion singles, a pairs (in 2000 with Paulette Mytton) and a four (1999 with Mytton, Mary Gulbrandsen and Carole Fredrick).

She will continue her quest to become the 16th woman to win a gold star (five titles) at this summer's nationals in Auckland when she contests the singles and pairs (with fellow international Wendy Jensen).

In her international career Castle played alongside many top-rated players - Millie Khan and Adrienne Lambert up there with the best - but remains disappointed she never had the opportunity to play with rising star Jo Edwards.

"She is obviously world class."

Money was never a factor in Castle's career, in fact she admits it cost her a lot of money.

"Without the support from my family I would never have been able to do it.

"Now it is time to move on. My first grandchild is due in January so I want to have more time."