Membership has its privileges
Sixteen bowlers signed up for the BLBC Draw Pairs tournament. Two ‘no shows’ put a kink in the schedule. However, all the bowlers were good sports and remained flexible. Thanks to unscheduled bowler Susan Jamart for stepping up and bowling lead in two games. Jerry Ridley (skip) and Millard Long (lead) won two games on the green and won a third game due to one of the ‘no shows’ on the opponents team. They were the only team to score six game points. Well done Jerry and Millard!
The team of Reggie Banares (SCD, skip) and Bob Schwartz (BLBC, lead) continue to amaze. They placed second in the PIMD Mixed Pairs tournament at Sunnyvale.
Congratulations to Reggie Banares (SCD, skip) and BLBC’s Ann Brillhart (BLBC, lead) for winning the Women’s Pairs at SFLBC. Despite two days of freezing cold wins, Reggie and Ann prevailed. They were the only team to win all six games. This was Ann’s first PIMD 1st Place win!
Congratulations to Cathy Dinnean (skip), Ann Brillhart (second) and Sarah Allday (lead) for placing third in the Women’s Triples at Rossmoor. Well done ladies! In addition, BLBC’s Bob Schwartz (lead) and OLBC’s Jerry Knott (skip) placed 1st in the Flight C of the Men’s Pairs. Good going guys!
BLBC Singles Tournament Goes Down To The Wire
Saturday, May 17 was a fine and a pleasant day for bowling and saw 14 members turn out for the highly competitive annual singles tournament. Ably directed by Ann Brillhart in her first venture as Tournament Director, the preliminary round consisted of three 8-end games, randomly drawn. At the end of the morning, only Jim Corr and Ann herself had won all three of their games. They were joined in the semifinals by Cris Benton and Erwin Vista, who topped the 2-game winners on points differential.
Semifinalists Erwin Vista and Jim Corr
Semifinalists Ann Brillhart and Cris Benton
In the Corr-Vista match up, Erwin won a close victory 7-5, while the other semi was an even tighter game. Tied 6-6 after 8 ends, Ann came out on top of a sudden-death 9th end to head into the final. The excellent bowling she had shown all day was evident as she raced into a 5-0 lead after the first four ends. But the unflappable “Mr.” Vista kept his cool and pulled it back to 5-5 going into the last end. Three great bowls on or within a foot of the jack by Erwin were enough to lay claim to a superb come-from-behind victory and the 2014 BLBC Singles title. Congratulations to Erwin and thanks to all participants!
Singles champion Erwin Vista .
A few items have ocurred during the past month which you may be of interest Neil Levy and Phil Grattan represented the BLBC at a meeting with the Berkeley Parks and Recreation Department regarding renewal of our lease with the city, which expires in December of this year. The city has retained an outside contractor to evaluate and recommend needed capital improvements on all of their leased properties as the leases come up for renewal. Also the city, while maintaining they value us as a tenant, wants to reduce the already limited support they provide BLBC. I will keep everyone apprised of the progress of these negotiations.
Ray Francis has requested I include the following regarding poker night:
“They some times say, ‘Unlucky at bowls, lucky at cards.’ Come try the adage out by attending our monthly poker game on May 18 at 5:00. Games include Texas Hold’em, 5 Card Draw (real poker, as some might say), 7 Card Stud, Follow the Queen, No-Peeky,, Concentration. We are a patient group and are happy to teach new-comers. Let Ray Francis know if you are coming by sending him an email at: [email protected].”
I can only assume Ray needs new blood at the table to maintain his lavish lifestyle.
The greens committee is evaluating capital improvements to the green and surrounds which hopefully will be completed this year.
We have committed to the Solano Stroll in September as an opportunity to recruit new members. Don’t be surprised if you are approached to volunteer your time to man a booth.
Because May was a slow month for births we will combine the May and June birthday parties. The combined birthday party will be held the last Sunday of the June. The birthday group is John Spiers, George Steedman, Erwin Vista, Jim Corr and Andy Stapleton. The club will provide coffee and dessert. Bring your own lunch at noon to be followed immediately by bowling.
The 2014 Senior Games (hosted by the Palo Alto Lawn Bowling Club) was, as anticipated with so many great bowlers, full of exciting matches. There were several games that were tied at the last end. This year two BLBC members won medals. Our own Bob Schwartz and his partner, Larry Collaco, won the gold medal in pairs. (Well done, Bob!)
Our other BLBC member, Ann Brillhart, above, won a silver medal in triples with teammates Bud Birkenseer and Sam Hebert. Bud, Sam and Ann won the bronze medal last year. Let’s hope they can win the gold next year!
Which would it be? The first definition of jamboree in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is “a noisy or unrestrained carouse.” This seemed improbable as I watched 42 bowlers from around the Bay Area arrive for the 2014 BLBC Jamboree. To the neighborhood’s relief definition no. 2 – “a large festive gathering” – was more applicable for our fine day of bowling under pleasant skies. 
Holding court in front of a clubhouse festooned with banners and ruffles, Tournament Director Howard Mackey orchestrated event logistics using naught but the notes on two sheets of paper. The format was three rounds of 10-end triples, matches that provided participants with new teammates and a new rink for each game. In testimony to the Greens Committee’s hard work, the rinks bowled well (for the most part) and those challenged by the peripheral lanes met that challenge with good cheer (again, for the most part). 
At the end of day some folks were up in points; others down. But all had enjoyed a fine day of bowling in good company and, of course, ice cream. 
Nikki Schrager came in First in the 4th Flight in Women’s Singles at the Southwest Open. Nikki also came in second in the 4th flight in Women’s Pairs, along with her teammate, Ginger Harris of Palo Alto.
There has been a lot of activity down at the bowling green! First, it was scarified in four directions. Then it was aerated, sanded and seeded. After a brief rest, it was mowed on Tuesday followed by being screened and rolled on Wednesday.
This afternoon, 4/9/14, the green was bowling well – a little slow perhaps, but the sand is under control.
Get out there and have some fun!
