History of Big 5 Annual Tournament

By Robin Waller

 

I wish that I could claim the format for which the Big 5’s Tournament is renowned. But alas, that credit must go to WORLD BOWLS.

 

However, it was first played as a Tournament in Johannesburg many years ago and if anybody has knowledge of this Tournament, please let me know.

 

I thought of putting such a Tournament together back in 1996 in Zimbabwe and mentioned this to my friend Steve Wilsenach. Steve told me of his efforts to put such a tournament together in 1995 but could not get it off the ground.

 

Steve and I combined his knowledge, and my enthusiasm, and after a year of fund raising staged the first Zimbabwe 5’s in late 1997.

 

The Tournament was played with only 11 teams, justice was ironically dealt as Steve and his team won the first prize of Z$ 10 000, 00, the following year they once more claimed the honours.

 

Zimbabwe 5’s Tournament is now very popular with enormous prize money and has attracted good sponsorship. The Tournament is run by Lorraine Shell of City Bowling Club in Harare and may be contacted on cell number +0926391255629

 

No Tournament can be a success without a good computer wizard, and who better than Bob Steele-Smith and his wife Julie. Bob put together the very first 5’s computer programme, and drove through the night to be at our inauguration. Bob and Julie have been at the helm ever since.

 

This is the 4^th  year that Harlequin Berea Park Bowling Club is hosting the 5’s Tournament and it’s continued success can only be attributed to the enthusiasm of the bowlers in Gauteng North, the hard work and support of the committee members and last and most important the contribution from all the sponsors.  

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