By TANIA PHILLIPS
MOST bowls club’s might have one or two players over 80 in their club but at Tugun it’s almost the norm.
“THERE’s something in the water here I think – not that we drink water,” board member Merv Newman laughed.
They have so many older members that the club has classifications for them and celebrate their milestones. Super Veterans are over 80 while patriarchs are those bowlers 90-plus.
They currently have 12 patriarchs – including Joseph Robinson who was inducted into the exclusive group on his birthday a couple of weeks ago.
“Local Federal member Karen Anderson comes along and we have a special ceremony to mark the occasion,” Merv said.
“It is so great to have so many older guys here bowling with us. I think it’s the mateship that really brings them here every week. Most of them aren’t on sticks or frames – they are amazing for their age. And the great thing is they all have so many great stories to tell.”
Tugun’s oldest bowler is 97 year old Oleg Hackle, who Merv warns has no intentions of slowing down.
“I said let’s go in for a beer after bowls last week but Oleg laughed and said we don’t want a beer we want several,” Merv laughed.
