Lawn Bowls
21 November, 2025
Golf Bowls mourn passing of club veteran
The Golf Bowls Club held a minute's silence before the start of play on Saturday, in remembrance of long-serving member Noel Kearns, who passed away during the week after a short illness.
The two Division One teams contested the long-awaited match-up in round seven. It seemed fitting that the two teams were at home playing each other as a club that Noel loved, and to honour him for the long service he gave.
Noel won three singles Championships, eight pairs titles, six with long-time mate Murray Anderson, various club events in 100 up and 21 up, and was President for a two year term. State events were also a major involvement in either singles or with teammates, and he was close to playing his 500th Pennant game for the club.
Bendigo Country Week held each February around St Patricks Day was a week of bowls he looked forward to when the club was a regular participant, and the Guinness flowed plenty in the Irish Pubs the team used to visit. He will be sadly missed as a team player, and the stories from the past he would often tell over a few beers after play. RIP Noel, we are deeply saddened by your passing.
The game itself was as predicted, with Golf White a little too strong for Golf Blue in the overall position department, having three rinks in front at days end and a 50 shot winning margin overall.
Rink three saw Roger Perris, Brian Gunn, Graeme Clarke and Graham Clayton show their best work for the season with a convincing win over Blue Skipper Jim Gibson, Ken Taylor, Maurie Parsons and Roy Liersch, controlling the game from the start with a 19 shot to nine lead after the 13th end lunch break.
Clayto led well again, with opposing leader Roy Liersch also having close bowls on occasions. Graeme Clarke was a late inclusion for Golf White and showed his versatility at times, having a good duel with Maurie Parsons. Ken Taylor was the best for the Blue’s with constant close bowls, giving Skipper Jim Gibson a light to shine. Booza Gunn was a regular menace to the opposition with his draw bowls.
Roger was constantly into the head with well weighted bowls, as they carried on their form to win the next 10 ends of 12 to play, 19 shots to nine to end the day, 41 shots to 11, 18 ends won and a valuable two points to the scoreboard.
Rink four was a different story, with Blue skipper John Barbetti, Judy Gove, Minnie McFarlane and leader Ian Bibby upstaging early in the game their opposition in Mick Marchment, Bruce Wilson, Terry Sanders and leader James Thomas.
After a big win last week from this White team, they were simply out bowled before the bell tolled on end 12. At 18 shots to 10 up, John and his team were well satisfied with their position as they enjoyed the afternoon tea.
The sangers and savouries once again came to be a blessing as Golf White got back into the game with a little bit of luck and positive bowling to win the next four ends, scoring nine shots to nil, leaving the 17th end with only a three shot deficit.
Twenty one all with six ends remaining, John played a great skippers bowl to drag the kitty to his teams bowls for a three, whilst Golf White also picked up a three on the next end to be all square again. The Blues gained another three shots from close bowls to shoot three ahead again with two ends to play and a win in sight.
White leader James picked up his form from last week to gain the shot on both the remaining two ends, putting Ian under pressure, then Terry Sanders came from the shadows to back up his leader.
The pressure was building, with Golf Blue finding the gaps and Golf White showing poise to win three shots and a level score once again at 27 all with one to play. Holding four on the last end with close bowls from all four White players.
John had a chance on his last bowl to tickle the kitty to his players' bowls and win the game, but unfortunately it missed by a whisker, thus giving the White’s the four shot win, in an entertaining and close contest by the game’s end.
Golf White won 13 ends for the day with Blue on 12 ends, and the final score Golf White 31 shots to Blue 27 shots.
Bruce Wilson, although not his best performance, played his 250th pennant game for Golf Bowls after transferring· from the local Warracknabeal Club years before. Well done Bruce and thanks for your contribution to our club.
Rink five was another pleasing win from Golf White as they continue to play well as a team. Although Graeme White was a consistent leader for the Blue combination with very close bowls all day, they had the backup from all players when shots were needed.
Warren Perris, Russell Miller, Gary Bellis and Barry Holland had the momentum to put heaps of pressure on the opposition. Alison Fischer was a late inclusion for the Blues in her first Division One contest, and bowled very well under the circumstances.
Rocky led well again, whilst Blue third Phil Frosty Gunn showed glimpses of form during the day. Russell Miller was consistent again as a third for Wazza putting Blue Skipper Wayne Gove under heaps of pressure.
Perris drew some very nice savers during the game, to register a convincing win overall in the contest. White were 21 shots to 10 at lunch on end 14, carrying on to the final ends, also picking up a five on end 18, to shoot away with the game at 34 shots to Golf Blue 18 shots. Although Golf Blue won 11 ends, only four of them were after the break.
Golf Bowls member Dennis Bell announced his retirement from the Pennant competition as the lunch speeches were made, and we thank him for his distinguished service to this club over many years. A club history of his career will be noted and shown in a future report. Well done Dennis.
Golf White will host Rupanyup tomorrow at the club greens, with Golf Blue also having a home game against Rainbow, with another full Clubhouse expected on the day.
Three Golf Bowls members were inducted into the Life Members Honour Board at the AGM meeting on Monday night, those being Shirley Liersch and Wayne Gove on the Golf and Bowls side with Leonie Atkin for her Golf.
All three were nominated with impressive work ethic and long standing contributions to the club over many years. Well done and very much deserved.
Midweek Pennant on Tuesday in round seven where Golf travelled to Hopetoun for another tough test and were well rewarded with two winning rinks on the quick greens. Gaylene Clayton, Judy Smith, Brian Gunn and Skip Judy Gove had a five shot rink win over Div One skip Russell Huff and his side 27 shots to 22.
Roy Liersch, Christine Gunn, Phil Gunn and Golf Skip Wayne Gove won also against Hopetoun stalwart Fay Mill and her team, 23 shots to 19, in a battle that produced some nice bowls.
Unfortunately the two wins were not enough to get the Golfers over the line, with Alison Fischer, Shirley Liersch, Joan Clarke and Sal McKenzie playing second fiddle to Hopetoun Skip Greg Cox, finding the opposition a little too strong, losing their rink nine shots to 38 shots. Hopetoun were a little short on players, so subs had to be brought in. Still without a win, the Golfers have second bottom side Rainbow at home next week, hoping to increase their points on the ladder.
Good bowling and good luck.