Margie Palmer, a disabled bowler from Helderberg Bowling Club, recently brought home the bronze medal in the Ladies’ Singles for the combined B5 to B8 section from the Physically Disabled National Bowling Championships.
The competition was held at Groenkloof and Lynnwood bowling clubs in Pretoria from Sunday 21 to 28 May.
The fact that she has been playing bowls for only four years makes her achievement nothing short of remarkable, both for herself and the basin. Palmer first started playing bowls during the annual Business League arranged by Helderberg Bowls Club as well as the nationals. Having changed into shorts, Graeme Ward, president of the Blind Bowlers Association for South-Africa, saw she was a below-knee amputee and immediately hooked her into the world of physically disabled bowls.
Palmer was an active tennis player for 38 years and a keen golfer before taking up bowls at age 65. “The competition at this year’s nationals was fierce and I was involved in some extremely tight and exciting games before taking the bronze medal in the ladies singles,” she said.
Palmer said watching the incredible courage and true sportsmanship of her fellow disabled bowlers at this year’s nationals left her with a fresh look at humanity in her own personal world.
She is a member of Helderberg Bowling Club and she is grateful to her bowling “family” at the club for a lot of encouragement and support over the past four years.
“They are such a vibrant bunch of people and their support, coaching and camaraderie have given me the dedication and determination to strive to be the best I can be. In the Helderberg we have a number of Lawn Bowling Clubs full of wonderful people from all walks of life who are only too eager to welcome newbies to their club and the game of bowls. Do yourself a favour and reach out to one of the clubs. You will find yourself a whole new family waiting to welcome you into their fold.”
The basin has some of the best bowling clubs in the Western Province with no less than four active clubs. Most of these clubs have qualified coaches that can introduce you to the game. The clubs also have lawn bowls available that people can use when trying their hand at the game. All the clubs offer social as well as competitive bowling, and there is great focus on social togetherness at all the clubs.
The bowling association in the basin also has an active programme running for youth development to encourage children and young people to take up the game.
The Helderberg Bowls Club is situated at Southey’s Vines opposite the police station in Somerset West. The Somerset West Bowls Club is at the Somerset West Country Club. The Gordon’s Bay club is situated just off the main road, between Strand and Gordon’s Bay, just before the Pick n Pay Centre. The Strand club is situated in Altena Road, just past the police station.
All these clubs have active social media profiles, so contact them or find out more, or for a specific club contact André (Kulu) Cruywagen on 083 657 6177 or at [email protected].
