The game of bowls, once considered an ‘old man’s game’, is no longer dominated by a more mature age bracket with young bowlers regularly taking out State Championship titles these days.

However, older bowlers remain an important element of the sport, and Veteran’s Days, like that held at the Country Club last Thursday, provide an opportunity for recognition.

That recognition on such days comes by awarding badges to those still playing the game.

Any bowler aged 70-years or more is considered a veteran, while those aged 75-years or more are super veterans. 

Arthur Ward, a few months off his 90th birthday, was not only a competitor on the day but was the chief organiser for the day.

Ward presented 54 bowlers (18 teams of three) for the event this year with the format of the day taking two games of 11 ends.

Three prizes were up for grabs on the day, sponsored by Manildra Meat Company, for the teams finishing first and second and the team with the greatest combined age. 

“Manildra Meat Company has been very happy to continue their valued sponsorship (from former abattoir owners GM Scott), a big factor in the success of the event,” Ward said. 

Outright winners on the day, with 25 and a half points were S Taylor, J Bargwanna and H Anderson of Young.

Hot on their heels, with 24 points was the Cootamundra Country Club combination of G Bushell, P Rasmussen and G Davidson, a score enough to secure them the second place prizemoney. 

Receiving the Total Age prize with a total of 215 years between them were D O’Neill, K Hampton and R Bennett.

District delegate, David Cassidy, was called on to draw the raffle prize of $100 worth of meat courtesy of ‘Bellevue’ (Ron, Linda and Harry Ward) and supplied by local butchers (Wattle Butchery and Cootamundra Butchery), which concluded a very successful Veteran’s Day for district bowlers who still enjoy the game as they age graciously.