A novice bowler who took up the game late in life is now a district champion.
North Albury's Jim Holland featured in the Hoppers side which won the Albury and District president's reserve pairs final against Oaklands at Culciarn on Sunday.
The 80-year-old, who has played social bowls at the club for three years and has just started his second season in the Hoppers' grade seven pennant side, took some convincing to get on the greens.
"I always said it was an old man's game and my wife said 'you're 78, how old can you be'," Mr Holland laughed.
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He had some success at the start of the season when he teamed up with John Dawson and Troy Campion to win the second annual Allen 'Salty' Ross Memorial triples tournament at North Albury and was head-hunted by clubmate Rob Unsworth for a game in the district fours.
"After we'd won Salty's tournament (in October), 'Unsie' came over and said 'there's a president's fours event coming up, would you consider being our lead?'," Mr Holland said.
"I was thinking 'these guys are grade four and five players and I'm a grade seven player', so I was pretty chuffed about it."
But he admitted some doubt began to creep in.
"I was actually a bit worried I'd let the boys down, but when I saw the way I was playing, I got more confidence," Mr Holland said.
"For 'Unsie' to take his hat off to you, that's something.
"After two ends we were 5-0 down and we came back with a five and a four and it was mostly ones and twos from there."
The side will play at zone level later in the year
Beau Greenway
I like to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I like to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
