Wanaka Bowling Club
Newsletter December 2025
The men's sevens were very close missing out on making the finals yesterday. Well done both teams.
Mark in your calendar the mixed pairs at our club next Sunday 14th December. Come along for the BBQ whenever you can. Should be a great day. This is our Christmas event.
What a November we have had. There have been two press releases to the Wanaka Sun which they obliged by printing. One sent to the Otago Daily Times for the Central Otago publicity but failed to print.
Articles sent are below.
Mixed Pairs
Kim Tilly and Tom Malcolm took out the prestigious mixed pairs title at the Arvida Queenstown Country Club tournament in the weekend.
With more than 14 hours on the green and meeting up with 7 different pairs combinations they managed to win every game. There were 40 teams in the competition from around the region stretching to the Maniatoto and Roxburgh. Wanaka was well represented with 7 teams entered.
In the final against the pairing of Alister Watson and Shirley Walker from Clyde the scores were close until the final two ends where they managed two ends of four shots to take the win 19 shots to 9.
Tilly and Malcolm will now be the Central Otago representatives in the NZ Champion of Champions in September 2026.
1-10 Pairs
The Wānaka Bowling Club is literally on a roll this season with club members winning Central Otago competitions on a regular basis.
The most recent success came at the Arvida Country Club Pairs competition for players with less than ten years’ experience played at Roxburgh on Sunday, 16 November. The winning women’s pairs team was Bev Mee and Raewyn Hall from Wānaka who beat the highly-regarded Omakau pair of Nikki Milne and Trish Harris in a closely-contested game in front of a large crowd.
Wānaka players who have been selected to play for Central Otago against Southland on Sunday, 30 November are Pip Kiddey, Bev Mee, Barbara Wilson, Kim Tilly, and Jo Stock.
Singles
Tom Malcolm of the Wanaka Bowling Club demonstrated the fine art of using a bowling arm in the weekend by winning the prestigious men’s Flooring Xtra / Rockatipu Stone singles event held in Bannockburn and Clyde.
Proving that age is no barrier Malcolm stood up to the conditions of play which meant (after a full day of play on Saturday) on the Sunday he had to win 5 games to 21 ends. He won the event from Bill Clements the highly titled Alexandra bowler 21-14.
Malcolm also won the highly contested mixed pairs with his partner Kim Tilly held 8&9 November in Queenstown.
Malcolm is much admired by his club mates for his dedication to practising every day. He began playing bowls in Southland as a young man and retired to Wanaka 20 years ago. He is playing better than ever proving you don't need to be a youngster. Health issues meant he had to transfer to using a bowling arm to deliver his bowl a couple of years ago.
At the Women's S & R Hurley Women's singles event two junior players featured in the final at the Alexandra Bowling Club. Maria Wallis of Clyde took out the title over Bev Mee of Wanaka.21-16.
Bowls membership throughout the region is showing a remarkable increase in membership, particularly Clyde, Cromwell and Wanaka. There was an outstanding increase in entries in the men’s section. 46 entries were the highest recorded entries in recent times. The Mixed pairs had been also filled early and capped at 40 entries.
Winner was Maria Wallis of Clyde, Runner Up was Bev Mee of Wanaka.
Central Otago Open Men's Singles - Tom
Nov 22 & 23 2025
Current Stars
Central Otago 1-10 Pairs Raewyn & Bev
Nov 16th 2025
Central Otago Mixed Pairs Champions Tom & Kim
Nov 8&9 2025
Busy for Corporate Bookings November 2025
Well what a busy month we've had, with 12 different End of Year Celebrations, and having 35 Volunteers to help run the events so far, is fantastic. One business (who wishes to remain anonymous), donated $1000 to the "Well-being of the Club!" ... It is certainly worth mentioning to our Visitors, how our Corporate events income go towards the fund-raising for the WBC!
Thank you to the Controllers:- Barbara L, Sally, Fin, Simon, Deb, Greg, Barbara H, Hurleys, Peter H and myself.
Some members having helped a couple of times during this period.
However, we still have 13 Events to follow in December, but we have closed off accepting anymore bookings due to the pressure on the Greens and members required to help out.
But BIG thanks to the Bar Personnel, without them, we couldn't have the great income that the bar sales create.
Thanks to Paul, Ken, Greg, Val, Roger, Bob, Alison H and Stu... Much appreciated for your willingness to offer your time. Thanks again to all that have contributed to successful Corporate Events and our Fund Raising Efforts with the 2025 year coming to a close.
Kathryn Mitchell.
December Corporate Event Report:
Another busy month until we closed it off on the 19th December. Many booking requests being declined due to lateness or dates required.
Thirteen events this month with the End of Year Celebrations has boded well for the WBC... It will be interesting to see what funds were taken over this period, as it is certainly easier than running a cake stall or sausage sizzle to raise money for the club, keeping the Subs down for us all.
Thankyou to all the Controllers - Nicky, Alister, Richard, Jan, Ewan, Gordon, Alison H, Jim C, Trevor, Lyn W and myself with the wonderful Hurleys & Val who I ask to do the biggies.
The helpers totalled 26 members for this month. Some of them offering to do another event, as they enjoyed being involved, or knew the visitors coming.
Thanks again to the Bar Personnel, who are there multiple times over this period. WE couldn't do it without you!!
Have a great Xmas and safe, healthy New Year
Thanks again,
Kathryn Mitchell
Below are some photos taken during November and December from our Corporate Bookings Groups. A wedding hens party and Greenhawk Accountants.
Mens Day Update
Monday 15th -Barbecue lunch at 12.30 $5 entry.
Monday 22nd last day for 2025 (Note this is not in your handbook)
Monday 5th January first day for 2026
Cheers.
Alister Moore
December Old Mug
Winners of the Old Mug for December. Johnathan Walmsley, Frank Ruddiman and Dave Ferguson.
Womens Ferns December
Congratulations Susan Ewing, Deb Hurt, Rhonda Hurley
Women's over 70s
On 12th of November the women held their over 70's tournament. It was a clubhouse draw and there were 12 teams. The winners were Shirley Mercer and Alice Turnbull. Shirley has been warmly welcomed to our club this season having come from a Dunedin club. Runners up Margaret Marshall and Barbara Wilson. Lyn Leary presenting the runner up trophy.
Interclub / Pennant Results Summary
Womens Interclub:
Morning Pairs after 5 rounds: Wanaka 3rd out of 11 clubs
Afternoon Fours after 5 rounds: Wanaka 3rd out of 11 clubs
Pennants:
Wednesday: Wanaka 2 2nd after 5 rounds, Wanaka 1 7th after 4 Rounds out of 11 teams
Saturday:
Premier: Wanaka 1st out of 9 teams after 6 rounds
Div 1: Wanaka 12th out of 14 teams after 7 rounds
Div 2 Section 1: Wanaka 3rd out of 13 teams after 7 rounds
Div 2 Section 2: Wanaka 2nd out of 13 teams after 7 rounds