Bowls News & Results

“Oh! Shhh… sherbert, I’m in for it now!” These are the thoughts that go through most bowlers’ minds when they are drawn to play against Eddie Fann in a bowls singles competition.
You might ask why?
Well, it does not matter how well you play in a tournament, Eddie just plays better.
He has recently won the silver medal at the SA National Seniors.
This is one of the most coveted bowls titles in South Africa.
About 170 top bowlers from all over South Africa descended on Durban to compete in this prestigious event.
For the record, Eddie has probably won more singles titles, district level and above, than any bowler in the history of South Africa.

Here’s a list of some his achievements.
SA National Senior: 2011.
SA National Senior Masters: 2008, 2009, 2011, 2016.
All Natal: 2002, 2005.
Port Natal Masters: 2004.
Port Natal Open: 2003, 2005.
KBA Masters: 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2018.

BERNIE SINCLAIR
“The Silver Fox with Blue Bowls”

Port Shepstone Country Club Bowls Section is in mourning at the passing away of the legend – Bernie Sinclair.

Bernie, the epitome of a gentleman was born in 1936 on the 23rd of June. He was a great sportsman at school who played 1st team cricket, 1st team Rugby and in 1955 he captained the Athletics team. He made a name for himself by winning the Northern Districts athletics meeting a 1st in the school’s history. Bernie also won the mile at Estcourt and Northern Districts and came 3rd in Natal School's invitation mile.

In 1956 Bernie attended the Army Gym in Voortrekkerthoogte where he continued his athletic achievements and came 3rd in the SA Union Defence Mile.

In 1957 he worked at the Pasture Research station. However, due to his fluency in Zulu he was utilized out in the field as a farm manager instead of working in the lab.

This initial grounding in farming led to Bernie spending then next 5 years working for his Uncle and Aunt on their farm in the beautiful Bergville area and then Bernie took on the farm manager position for Cyril Stott and family. A position he held for 46 years until his retirement in 2012. The Stott’s built them a lovely home on the farm, where he and his wife Jenny spent their happily married years together until sadly, Jenny passed away in Aug 2009.

Bernie played cricket for Umzinto for 14 years, Southern Districts for 3 years and was a selector for both these teams as well as the Natal Districts teams for many years.

When he retired from hockey, where he was known as “The Silver Fox”, after 28 years, at the respectable age of 58, Bernie began playing bowls. After only 18 months he and Brian Rawlins won the PS Country Club pairs. At that time however, he found bowls too slow and so once again, he began running.
One of his most memorable races was the famous “Sardine Run” - a 21klm race from Port Shepstone to Hibberdene.

Bernie was involved in soil conservation for 28 years and with SA Sugar conservation for 14 years, being the Chairman of that body for 3 years. He was awarded the Port Shepstone Rotary Club’s Merit award in 1993 for Outstanding and Meritorious Service to the Community.

Bernie was also awarded the Natal Parks Board Conservation Award in 1996 for Catchment Conservation and Farm Layout and the Increase of Biodiversity in the Region of the Lower South Coast. He also won the Umzumbe Farmers Association Award in 2013 for Time & Advice & Effort in Conservation in the area.

After marrying Jenny on 7th May 1966, the couple had two children, Cheryl and Richard. Bernie has 3 lovely grandchildren.

Over the years both the Anglican as well as the Catholic churches have always been very important to both Bernie & Jenny. Most especially the St. Vincent de Paul Society of the Catholic Church. Bernie also spent many years as a Zulu interpreter and a volunteer of the Community Based Feeding Scheme, SVDP. This wonderful association assists in many rural areas including Murchison, Nyanda Zulu and Boboyi.

The Silver Fox is going to be sorely missed by all our bowlers at the Club. 

June 2022:

HARBOURVIEW TRIPS RESULTS:
WINNERS: JOHN NADAULD, GEOFFREY HUDSON, BRETT KJONSTAD
RUNNERS UP: BRIAN & JENNY RAWLINS & RICK THOMSON
SPONSOR: THANKS TO My SPAR Harbourview