Ayala Tournament 2012

Two days of cutthroat competition and camaraderie kicked off on all three club greens on Thursday 19th January. Some of the 36 teams were somewhat slow in getting up to speed, but many of the visitors were quick to get out of the starting blocks........!

The greens were running at a perfect 12 (even better than a perfect 10 when it comes to bowls!), and visiting players had no difficulty in adjusting their games to local conditions. However, the temperature was set to climb into the 30's, and the water bottles were soon in great demand.

The few spectators who braved the heat were treated to some excellent bowling. The four teams from Hermanus used their local knowledge to good effect and were all well placed as the tournament progressed, but everyone knew that the real test would come on the second day when the leading teams would have to pull every shot out of the bag to make it to the top. 

A feature of this year's Ayala was the growing trend to the use of coloured bowls. The days of pure white clothing and shiny black bowls are seemingly numbered as more and more bowlers upgrade to the new coloured equipment. Watching bowls is becoming something of a feast for the eyes, even at a men only tournament !

On the second day the weather cooled down a bit, with some early morning rain, but the sun soon came steaming back. There was little chatting as the serious business of making it to the top was conducted. When the final bowl was sent on it's way it was time for the camaraderie element to come to the fore once again....... beer time, at last !

To much applause and banter the winners of the 2012 Ayala Tournament were announced: the team from BREDASDORP :

L to R:  Mark Gibbs (sponsor); Stephan de Jager (skip); MP Olivier (lead); Wilhelm Uys (third); Henry Fourie (second).

 

Coming in second was one of the HERMANUS teams:

L to R :   Keith Kruth (skip), Mark Gibbs, Dave Buckley (third); Bruwer Scannell (second), Jan de Wet (lead).

 

Third place went to a hybrid team originating from four different clubs: Stoffel Lambrechts (skip); Keith Wakelin (third); Attie Nel (second); Bryan Chambers (lead).

 

Winners final round on B green:  Alan Meadows; Ron Phipps, Graeme Kemp; Dave Aherne.

 

Winners final round on C green:  Roley Maggott; Gert Bruwer; Gert Burger; Walter Oosthuizen.

  

And so another highly successful Ayala comes to an end. Grateful thanks go to our generous sponsors, Personal Trust, to all players and officials, and to the hardworking committee and greenkeepers !