A local lawn bowling duo are regional champions after participating in an annual two-day tournament in Kamloops last month.
Competing against pairs from Vernon, Salmon Arm, Osoyoos and Kamloops, Robert Gabert and Brad Edwards captured the Interior Lawn Bowling Association’s first-place trophy on June 26.
The tournament had not been played since 2019, amid the pandemic.
“It’s so nice to have people competing again and seeing (Gabert and Edwards) come back home with the trophy was just amazing,” said Bernadette Barry from the Penticton Lawn Bowling Club.
Members from the club have previously competed as individuals at tournaments across B.C. and even at the annual U.S. Open in Arizona.
“That’s fun of the sport, people get to travel and represent where they come from,” Barry said.
The Penticton-based group currently has 60 members, ranging from the ages of 15 to 92.
“We don’t have a lot of youngsters, but we’d love to have more,” she added. “It’s all about growing the sport locally.”
As part of its return back to normal, the club hosted a Canada Day gathering. A total of 26 bowlers participated, with spectators sporting red and white attire in recognition of the country’s 155th birthday.
As for the recently-crowned champions, Barry is just hoping the two men could repeat their performance next year.
“They have the task of defending the title, on behalf of Penticton,” she said with a laugh.
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