By 7:30 AM the big roller was out of the shed and Brian was preparing the greens for a busy day. Before long the tournament team started to arrive and immediately registration desks were manned, coupon sellers prepared their envelopes, mats and jacks were flying out to the rinks, scoreboards were sunk into the ground and the croquet wagon was pulled over to the west green. In Carnarvon House trays of goodies were set up and planning was underway for the lemonade, ice water and fruit snacks to coincide with break times before and after games. Balloons and flags were flying and everywhere you looked the day’s event was in motion.
Happy, expectant bowlers and croquet players piled in, sorted their shoes, hats, lunch bags and cash and prepared for a day of fun and fundraising at the club.
Every year we hold a tournament at our club for the benefit of the War Amps CHAMP program (aka the CHAMPS Tournament). This Canada Day tournament is one of the most popular held at our club. New members are guaranteed a ‘do over’ or two should they wish to correct a missed shot, with the purchase of one of our popular coupons. The format for the day is ‘sides’ with all play contributing to the scores of either the Red or the Blue, in pursuit of bragging rights and the year-long display of the winning side’s pennant on the Bulldog Banner! Games are short and (sometimes) sweet and with plenty of breaks for iced tea, and sustenance.
The glam arrived with Olivia Hahn, a young Victorian author and singer-songwriter who came decked out in red sequins to celebrate with us. Olivia generously volunteered to lead the assemblage in singing the national anthem while the flag was raised. The mood was beautiful, reflective and celebratory.
With the bell, the games began! In the first round, the Blue side took the lead with 7 games and one tie game between teams Harmer and Anderson. It wasn’t long before coupons were being cashed in and rounds 2 and 3 flew by. Croquet players were in a dead heat early on with Red scores pulling ahead in the early afternoon.
By the time 2:30 PM rolled around folks were more than willing to come in from the sun and rehash the glorious victories over a libation to the bowling gods. The scores were calculated and the successful side was announced – it was RED by a single point! Team Captain Lorne Cowley graciously accepted the Bulldog Banner on behalf of his side. Congratulations to all red players! We held a short prize-giving to award Best Dressed to this year’s deserving recipient John Rumble and the Best Bowl award, voted by overwhelming majority to Charlotte Lauzon. David Anderson accepted the swag bag from Vessel Liquor as winner of this year’s Spider and 10 further door prizes donated by our generous sponsors were awarded at random from the receipts of unused wrong bias and jack back coupons!
This year was special in so many ways. It is the 50th Year of the CHAMP program and it was the first year we’ve had CHAMPs in attendance at the tournament. We were delighted to host Evan and Sophie this year, two CHAMPs with their families who accepted our donation cheque at the awards. With the tournament registration fee, the crazy coupons and our generous personal donations, this year we have sent CHAMP a cheque in the amount of $7,360. A long time supporter of the Tournament and Club, Tony Tucker from Oak Bay Pharmasave, once again made a generous donation. We sure did break our record again this year. We have been raising money for CHAMPS for more than 25 years and donate more to CHAMPs than any other bowling club in Canada.
We have so much to be proud of! Every wonderful thing that happens at our club is as a result of the work of our volunteers, many who just never stop doing things that benefit our members. Please acknowledge and thank these folks when you see them: Angela Adamek, Bob Austin, Brent Merchant, Brian Sandercock, David Anderson, David Smyth, Donna Stewart, Doug Francis, Garry Anderson, Gloria Brown, Jan Price, Joan Firkins, Judy Black, Karin Buss, Kory Swain, Lauren Charlton, Lorne Cowley, Marcia Thorneycroft, Mary Magill, Michael Perry, Ron Harmer.
Our tournament would not be as successful as it is without the generous support of our sponsors. Please show your thanks next time you visit Absolute Therapy, Christie’s Pub, Fairway Market, Garden Works, Harbour Cats, Oak Bay Pharmasave, Oak Bay Rec Centre, Penny Farthing Pub, Vessel Liquor.
Article by Layla Godfrey
Photos by Gloria Brown
