I feel am a good bowler who has dedicated himself to becoming a good team bowler. I have very good vision and am a very determined player. If I am 9 shots down on the last end of a game, I will still look for a way to win. I go for an 8 every end. I am probably over critical of myself when I bowl a bad bowl but easily forget my frustration and try and correct with my next. After a game I try and analyse my good and bad points for future reference.
I prefer to play Pairs but will play Two Bowl Triples and Fours if asked or when required to.
I was Loyal to my first Club Broadbeach, My Team mates and My friends, However, a better opportunity arose elsewhere for me at Paradise Point and I was pleased with the bowlers and Facilities there. The move made me a far better bowler. I have since Joined Cabarita Beach (NSW) and McKenzie Park (QLD) Bowls Clubs and play Pennant for Both. Club Championships for Cabarita Beach.
I joined Mermaid Beach Bowls Club July 2009 after the negative attitude of some of the so called "Top Players" at Paradise Point. I constantly heard " We will never win anything here as the players we have are not good enough". I strongly disagreed with that. Paradise Point had some very good players and in my opinion and every effort should have be made by the so called "Superstars" to encourage and bring along the newer and up and coming bowlers and not degrade them. (Actually at Paradise Point we were runner up on 2010 Gold Super Challenge also 3rd Place in Division 1 Pennant 2010 against all odds).
In Pairs, When I Lead, I am in the opinion that the Skip is there to bowl after me and is able to draw me out of trouble every time. This allows me to have confidence in the shots I am asked to play. I will of course play the shots asked by the skip but I tend to play with players who play similar to the way I play. I am not the best lead in the world as I prefer to play shots instead of draw but I try hard.
I hate negative play, I like my Skip to have a sense of adventure and be creative, encourage his team. No negative Arm waving and talking to the opposition skips about how he wanted this and that, letting me know the obvious, "Your too wide, too heavy or too short". If I could not see that, then I would not be playing. No one puts down a bad bowl on purpose.
Playing Lead, I try and draw very well to the Jack and sometimes may have a very subtle niggle at an opposition bowl on the Jack, after all, if I miss it gives me a close back bowl.
Playing Second, gives me the chance to play alternate shots if required to do so, Still having the chance to draw close to the jack and consolidate the head. I also keep an accurate score card although thats the skips job now.
Playing Third, this position I prefer as I can read a head well. It gives me the opportunity to be able to play my whole collection of shots and be more involved in the game.
Playing Skip. I feel I am a very good skip now and can hold my own against anyone, however I will always stand aside for a better player/skip than me and give him or her the total respect he or she deserves. I skipped Division 2 Pennant 2008 (Paradise Point) and went fairly well. I skipped Division 1 Pennant 2009 (Mermaid Beach) It has made me more aware of the value of the players in front of me. I feel I can play as good as anyone and do not get nervous anymore when having to make the vital shots. Mainly, I just want to be a team man and play where I am more valuable.
If you want a bowler who Can and Will do his best at all times, Someone who thinks for themselves and WILL voice his opinion, when asked. Someone who is not afraid to Drive through an almost impossible gap or attempt to drive a bare Jack into the Ditch to win the mat back or attempt an almost impossible dead draw, I am for you. Someone who constantly encourages his team mates, no matter what.
If you want a Boring Draw Bowler only, someone who criticises his skip in front of his and the opposing team members, someone who creates doubt in his team members minds, then steer clear of me. I am 100% Positive in all I do on a bowls green and off it.
I want to become a Top bowler and will do everything I can to do that. If that means changing Clubs on a regular basis, I will do so.