How would a shooter go at playing lawn bowls? The answer is pretty well, based on the results of an experiment the Wimmera Mail-Times conducted this week.
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I challenged Commonwealth Games shooter and Horsham Rural City councillor Alethea Gulvin to a round at Horsham’s Sunnyside Bowling Club.
“I’m excited. I’m not a good loser though, just so you know,” was how she greeted me.
Rex Bergen, the club’s greens committee member and 26-year veteran of the sport, showed us the ropes.
Having only learned the basics a few minutes earlier, Gulvin was off to a flying start.
Like all good teachers, Rex was supportive of my slow learning.
“I don’t particularly care if you bowl short or long, provided your line is right. You had four bowls, the line was good, but you only had one close one. Get your line right, and the length will come later,” he said.
The score was Gulvin 3, Darling 1 after one round.
Gulvin wasn’t confident going in, but that might come as little surprise.
The Natimuk-based 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist said she still doesn’t feel entirely confident in her sport of choice.
“It’s been over 10 years, but I’m a perfectionist,” she said.
Nonetheless the 24-year-old who won in the women's 50m rifle three position event said she had noticed her ability to develop a sense of inner calm had improved over her career.
“Before I shoot, I’m able to control my emotions really easily. I love finals because if you do badly in the match (and) if it comes to the final, inside I think: ‘That’s it I have to win.’”
“You just learn to bring it all together when it needs to be done.”
She had well and truly hit her stride by round two.
“The younger you are, the quicker you pick it up – especially if you’ve played other ball sports,” noted groundskeeper Nigel Zanker, who has been playing for about 18 months.
“And when you’re wrong, adjust and change. There are some who bowl for a long time and if they get something wrong, they just seem to keep putting their feet down on the same spot on the mat.”
The final score was Gulvin 5, Darling 1 – and Rex trying to recruit a shooter as Sunnyside’s newest playing member.
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
