Home   About the Club   Touring   Events   Fees & Membership   Contact Us

COSTA DEL SOL LAWN BOWLS

Sponsored by:

ALAN & KATE TRIUMPH IN CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS COMPETITION!

The Costa del Sol Champion of Champions competition sponsored by Playa Miraflores, Seaview Bar & Eaterie (click on the link to visit their site) was held at Miraflores Bowls Club from 1st - 4th April. This competition pits the Men's & Ladies club champions from the Costa del Sol against each other to determine an overall Men's & Ladies' champion. The event is considered one of the most prestigious in the bowling calender with previous winners ultimately going on to represent Spain in the World Championships. As a result we are used to seeing bowling of a very high standard and this year proved to be no exception with some exceptional bowling seen by the large number of spectators who attended during the 4 days of the event. We were also fortunate with the weather as apart from a few light showers on Sunday the sun mostly shone throughout.

Trophies and prizes.
 
Unfortunately, the men's event saw Benalmadena BC champion (and Spanish international) Joe Stamper withdraw on the eve of the competition with a back injury and halfway through Saturday, Cyril Munson the Los Amigos champion had to withdraw with an eye injury. This did not detract from the competition as we witnessed many high quality and highly competitive games amongst the remaining players. It would be wrong to highlight particular players as all contributed to the quality of the event. Alan Turner (Santa Maria) was in superb form and won all his matches to become a very worthy champion, while Terry Morgan (Lauro Golf) was runner-up losing only to Alan.

Alan Turner in action.
 
In the Ladies competition we had a full turnout and a very exciting conclusion. After 2 days only Wendy Pemberton (Benavista) & Pat Fisher (Superbowl) were undefeated and with them due to play each other on Sunday afternoon it had the potential to be a deciding match. The other competitors hadn't read that script! So sunday morning saw Pat lose to Jenny Parkin from Lauro golf & Wendy lost to Juanita Case of Mijas. This still meant that the afternoon match would leave us with a firm favourite and the game was finely balanced at 16-16 after 21 ends until Pat picked up 5 shots in the following 2 ends to win the match and enter the final round of matches needing a win to guarantee the title. The chasing pack (who had all lost 2 games) consisted of Wendy, Susan Walker (Los Amigos) & Kate Morris (Benalmadena), with Kate drawn to play Pat in the last match. Kate stormed into a 16-0 lead against the 3 times former champion and was 19-3 up after 14 ends, then Pat fought back picking up 7 shots in the next 2 ends. Kate needed to beat Pat by 9 clear shots to overtake her on shot difference, so nerves of steel were needed at this point. Kate always seems to be a relaxed bowler, steadied her nerves and won the match 21-10. On the other rinks Susan Walker had also won, but Wendy went down to Margaret Kain (Santa Maria) in a very close match 20-21. This meant that Kate was Ladies champion by means of superior shot difference over Pat Fisher in second and Susan Walker, third.

Kate Morris in action (she loves this photo!).
 
Following the presentations, Alan Turner thanked the sponsor Playa Miraflores restaurant, the club for the use of the facilities, the competitors for the spirit in which the matches had been played and finally the markers and umpires without whom it would not be possible to complete the matches. 

Derek Shemmings with Jayne & Dave our sponsors during the presentation ceremony.
 

Ladies competitors (From L to R): Wendy Pemberon (Benavista) Margaret Kain (Santa Maria), Jenny Parkin (Lauro), Pat Fisher (Superbowl, runner-up), Jayne (Sponsor, Playa Miraflores restaurant), Kate Morris (Benalmadena, Champion), Dorothy Pilmoor (Miraflores), Juanita Case (Mijas) & Susan Walker (Los Amigos).

Men's competitors (From L to R): Don Smith (Mijas), Terry Morgan (Lauro, runner-up), Jayne (Sponsor, Playa Miraflores restaurant), Alan Turner (Santa Maria, Champion), Derek Carr (Miraflores), Dennis King (Benavista) (not in picture Andy Salmon (Superbowl), Cyril Munson (Los Amigos) & Joe Stamper (Benalmadena) (Cyril & Joe both withdrew through injury).

Champions with sponsor (From L to R): Kate Morris, Jayne & Alan Turner.