National champions again!
In the bronze medal match, the recently crowned Women’s Singles champion, Claire Day and partner Jennifer MacDonald faced a tough British Columbia duo of Josephine Lee and Sarina Mak. The local BC natives proved too much for the Albertans, claiming bronze with a final score of 21-15.
Don and Jack win silver at Ontario 55+ Summer Games
Willowdale members Don Rayko and Jack Siboni (centre in the picture above) represented District 16 at the Ontario 55+ Summer Games held in Brantford from August 9 to 11. Don and Jack came away with silver medals in a marathon event.
After winning all four games in the round robin (three games on Thursday and one Friday morning), they played the semi-final game and ended up in the final Friday afternoon, losing to District 15 representatives Lan Tran and Cathy Larkin.
"With six games in two days, we just ran out of gas," admits Don, who also admitted that he hadn't played three games in a day (let alone six over two days) in quite some time.
Julie and Eric Bergman also represented District 16. They went 1-2 in round robin play, losing to the teams that won bronze and gold.
The games were well-organized and a lot of fun. The next games are in 2025. If you're even remotely interested, give it some thought. The event was well worth attending.
‘Willowdale bowlers win RBC Willowdale Gold Cup
A men's triples team two-thirds comprised of Willowdale Lawn Bowling Club members emerged victorious at the annual RBC Willowdale Gold Cup held on Sunday, August 13.
Skip Arnie Markowitz and lead Gerald Lampert, both from Willowdale, were joined by vice John McKenzie from Oshawa in the 10-team tournament.
The trio won all three 14-end games to take home the top prize of $300. In total, five cash prizes were awarded at the tournament.
Thanks to all the volunteers, competitors and sponsors who helped make the event a success.
August 7 jitney "best spread in quite some time"
They were no doubt glad they did. The food was fantastic and there was plenty of it.
Between games, president Gordon Jones thanked everyone for their participation and praised the food, saying that "it was the best spread we've had at the club in quite some time."
(So good, in fact, that we're going to do it again for Labour Day, but we're getting ahead of ourselves.)
Gordon also recognized Chrystal Shephard, who is representing Ontario at the national lawn bowling championships in Victoria, BC, which are being held at the Juan de Fuca Lawn Bowls Club August 18-26.
Gordon presented Chrystal with a small token of appreciation on behalf of the board of directors and members to help her offset a few expenses.
It costs each competitor representing Ontario approximately $2,500 to compete in Victoria. The Ontario Lawn Bowls Association provides winners with $500 per competitor.
"Hopefully, this small token will help with the expenses you incur as you represent our club and our province," Gordon said.
Motion passes
With input from a number of members, but most particularly Don Rayko and Jane Brackley, the following motion was voted upon:
The membership of the Willowdale Lawn Bowling Club expresses its openness to negotiating the following with the City of Toronto:
- Conversion of the centre green from natural grass to an artificial lawn bowling surface;
- Rejuvenation of the existing lawn bowling artificial surface on the south green;
- Conversion of the north green to alternative recreational uses, such as pickleball; and
- Use of the clubhouse as a warming centre during winter months by the City of Toronto.
The motion was carried and the board of directors is already working on developing the next stage of the club.
4 Elms Monday night league final standings
If Joan and William (with Sum Tang substituting for Joan on this night) pulled off a win, they would take first place on the basis of the head-to-head game with David and Lorine, who finished with the same number of points and a bigger plus/minus.
Sum and William prevailed and so first place was awarded to Joan and William.
It was a great league. A lot of fun. Thanks, everyone, for participating.