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MIRAFLORES OPEN BOWLS COMPETITION - 2007

Sponsored by: FUTURA HEARING CENTRES

RECORD BREAKING EVENT SEES 20% INCREASE IN ENTRIES ON LAST YEARS RECORD! 

The Miraflores Open this year ran from Wednesday 14th November to Wednesday 21st November and attracted a record breaking number of entries in the 4 categories that were included (Ladies Singles, Gents Singles, Mixed Pairs & Mixed Triples). Competitors came from the whole Costa del Sol and from the U.K. (including Jersey). In fact 221 games were played throughout the eight days. The number of competitors in action meant that for the first 5 days of the competition all 16 rinks and both greens were in use with play switching to the West green from the quarter final stages onward. We were also delighted to welcome a large number of spectators on finals day despite the overnight rain and grey conditions.

This year the club was delighted that the competition was sponsored by FUTURA HEARING CENTRES who provided the cash for the finalists together with flowers for the Ladies and wine for the Men. A substantial cash prize was also on offer for the Score Card Draw which is a feature in the Miraflores Open giving everyone who takes part a chance of winning something, but the rules state that the couple have to be in attendance on Finals day if their name is drawn from the hat and there were a number of people who missed out because they were not there. 

The quality of the competition was exceptional with several of the singles games going to 20-20 scores. The pairs competition where matches were played in 2 sets with a play-off of three ends in the event of a tie resulted in a very large number of matches being decided by play-offs.

The schedules went well in view of the record-breaking entry and with the triples final played on the Tuesday afternoon owing to a clash of names in the Pairs we managed to complete the event in good time and good weather which is always very satisfying.

We also were able to see some new names on the winner’s podium. The triples was  won  by Paul and Sally Griffiths skipped by Richard Burroughs, from Benavista Bowls Club with runners up Barbara Land and Pauline Ball skipped by Frank Ball, all from the Benalmadena Bowls Club, a very entertaining match.

Carla from Futura with triples winners: Richard Burroughs, Paul & Sally Griffiths.

 Carla from Futura with triples runner’s-up: Frank & Pauline Ball and Barbara Land.

The Pairs again featured Pauline and Frank Ball, and they were beaten in two straight sets by Maureen and Alan Elkin from Benavista.

Pairs finalists and sponsor (L to R): Alan & Maureen Elkin, Carla, Frank & Pauline Ball.

 Considering that some of the singles matches during the week had been very tight, the Finals scores did not really represent the play as there were many tight heads during the game, but as often happens things did not always go according to plan for the players.
 
In the Men's Final Tony Frowd from Superbowl started well, but his opponent Alan Turner from Benalmadena BC switched up a gear, and finished up as the winner.

  Men’s singles finalists (L to R): Alan Turner, Carla (Futura) & Tony Frowd.

In the Ladies' final, both contestants were from Santa Maria BC, Mary Potter had played some superb games during the week, but did not manage to find her form on the day losing out to Erica Hooper in an excellent game.

Ladies’ singles finalists (L to R): Erica Hooper, Carla (Futura) & Mary Potter.

Thanks are also due to our other supporters who provided prizes, from Los Porches Restaurant and Miraflores Restaurant with dinners, Aztec Hair studio with hair and beauty products and McKenna’s the butcher with meat products. We thank them all for their generosity.

In addition McKenna’s provided a three kilo Ham which was raffled on the final day (Graham Rowley was the lucky winner) raised a massive €377 towards starting our charity day efforts, which will be held on 11th March 2008. The "guess the contents of the shrapnel jar" added nearly another €50 to the €66.10 that was in the jar with the nearest guess of €63 winning a bottle of wine for Lynda Hall donated by Carol & Grant.

Futura Hearing Centres were pleased with the number of enquiries they had received during the week and indicated they intend to continue their support. During the week many bowlers said they wished Miraflores had more competitions but due to the already congested programme we pointed out that it would be very difficult.

In his closing remarks Derek Shemmings (President) highlighted that we had nearly 400 entries which was a new record for the Miraflores Open (a 20% increase on last year) he then thanked all the participants for their contribution and made special mention of the commitment of three Miraflores members: Dennis Wood (Umpiring), Michael Bone (organising markers) & Alan Abel (for helping set-up and pack away the greens every day) There was also a special thank you to all the markers who had "volunteered" without whom the singles matches would not be possible and an "apology" for those who had been disappointed, by not being called upon!
 
However, the next Open event at Miraflores will be on the 29th February, Leap Year Day. It will be an Open pair’s competition with the Ladies choosing a "man" for the day!!  
 
Last but not least, thanks were given to  Carol and Grant for keeping us all so well fed and watered during the week. The smell of "Bacon Butties" across the green kept everyone on their toes and the delight of the munching crowds was a joy to behold.
 
With good food, good wine and excellent Bowling together with the sunshine, what more entertainment could the large group of spectators want and they thoroughly enjoyed all of it.

To see what happened in 2006 click here

Information on the 2008 event will appear here as soon as it becomes available