Memorial draws top bowlers

The Rusty Mac Memorial Pairs Event begins immediately on the Awamoa Bowling Membership.

The annual occasion honours the late Russell “Rusty” McDonald and his son, Craig, who died in 2019 and 2022, respectively.

Craig first began the event together with his mom, Annie McDonald, in 2020.

Now in its sixth 12 months, the annual event had turn out to be the unofficial opening of the bowls season in North Otago, Annie McDonald mentioned.

“It’s unimaginable to suppose it’s been going this lengthy and nonetheless very talked-about.”

Bowlers are coming from as far north as Tauranga and as far south as Riverton to compete.

There have been some “blimming good” pairs taking to the greens this 12 months, she mentioned.

Final 12 months’s champions, Bernie Blackmun and Paul Avis, of Christchurch, are again to defend their crown, as are 2024 Craig McDonald Plate winners Shane Elliott, of Timaru, and Dion Murphy, of Oamaru.

New Zealand under-26 consultant Hamish Kelliher can also be taking part in as soon as once more.

“It’s a star-studded area once more. It’s value coming to see.”

Awamoa Bowling Membership president Bob Kingan mentioned many of the bowlers competed yearly.

“They’re all the time eager to maintain their slots.”

The membership’s greens had been all the time successful among the many opponents.

“Final 12 months, a number of the Christchurch ones needed to take our greens away with them and take them up there however we mentioned ‘no, they’re staying right here’,” Kingan mentioned.

“The Southlanders can’t consider we’re even taking part in at the moment of 12 months,” membership secretary Terry Lake mentioned.

Kingan mentioned he was very grateful for all of the work that went on behind the scenes.

“The McDonald household have put quite a lot of work into this and we do respect the hassle to make this occasion occur.”

The event begins immediately and can end on Sunday.