The trophy was carried off to Nanaimo, but Oceanside Hospice Society and the spectators were the big winners in the annual Bluenose Motors Open Men’s Triples Classic lawn bowling tournament, held last weekend at Parksville Lawn Bowling Club.
The prestigious men’s tourney drew 18 teams from across Vancouver Island, and produced a final for the ages. In a tightly played final match that came down to the final bowl, the Nanaimo trio of Hirendra Bhartu, Jason Valchar and Dave Ruckman took the title over Courtenay’s Vern Greenhill, Dean Penny and Henri Saucier.
Third place went to another Nanaimo squad: Vern Hagstrom, John Randle and Larry Williams.
Over the course of the weekend the host Parksville club raised funds for Oceanside Hospice House, and collected more than $500 to be donated to the group.
Sylvia Gibb Memorial
The men’s triples was held in Parksville on the same weekend the Qualicum Beach Lawn Bowling Club hosted its fourth annual Sylvia Gibb Memorial Ladies Doubles tourney.
The 16-team tournament resulted in a sweep of the top three spots by players from Parksville LBC.
Kate Wilson and Jan McNaughton claiming the top prize; Merry Danarti and Delores Adams claiming second place and Sandi Mitchell and Lynn Britz earning third.
Next event
This weekend, the men and women will be back together on one lawn for the Quality Foods Open Men’s and Women’s Triples at the Qualicum Beach Lawn Bowling Club. The tournament is set for Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18.
— Submitted by Carol Bucyk