FLORIDA BOWLING HOLIDAY

8th- 23rd November, 2007

The Esselle Tours party departed early November for their annual trip to Florida, with some of the party going direct to our base in Sarasota and the main group staying in Orlando for two full days of Theme Park activities.

Following this and on arrival at Sun ‘n’ Fun Resort and after settling into their superb bungalows, a Welcome Reception was held in the Boon Docks Restaurant and for the guidance of our thirteen new guests and a reminder to others, Sean Townsend of Esselle and Roy Armson outlined details of local activities and amenities and also of the bowling programme.

The staff changes and financial investment in the Resort had obviously paid off when it was announced that Sun ‘n’ Fun had recently received the coveted award of Number 1 R.V. Resort in the whole of the U.S.A. out of 4,000. The newly laid bowling green and installation of floodlights were magnificent and at a cost of almost $70,000 good value when you compare the current $ to the £.

Visits to the supermarket followed to enable our new people to become accustomed to their cars and to stock up their American style fridges.

Bowling commenced on Monday with the “Getting To Know You Pairs” with blue skies and temperatures of 80 degrees which were to stay with us for all of the holiday. Semi-Final qualifiers were - Mike Horder and Doris Armson, Alan Holden and Doreen Ashton, Chris Taylor and Susan Holden and Christine Anderton and David Seeley. Next day was the start of the Singles followed by three days when the whole group went travelling to the various beaches, restaurants and shopping outlets where at $2 to £1 some major wallet damage was caused (although it could have been a lot worse!)

On return the major story was circulated by a naturally excited Susan and Dave Holden who had concluded negotiations to buy an American 38 foot R.V. or ‘Winnebago’! Photos of this monster were shown round so look out for this silver and blue phenomenon driving down Ribbleton Way in Preston!

Saturday saw the completion of the Singles once again in 81 degree heat. Semi-Finalists:- Diane Fish, Flo Kelly, Jean Holden and Phyllis Gelling in the Ladies and Dave Holden, Jim Sunter, Chris Taylor and Mike Horder in the Men’s.

Sunday we went down to Sarasota Lawn Bowls Club on the bay for our usual day out with the Men’s and Ladies Pairs followed by a challenge match of Flat Green. Our people do find playing Fours in rinks very difficult and despite us having a Flat Green captain for the day in the excellent Mike Horder we only had one winning rink. In the Pairs the lady qualifiers were:- Jean and Susan Holden, Mabs Owen and Vera Hodgetts, Christine Anderton and Molly Waterhouse and Brenda Chaffer and Tracey Lawrence. Jim Sunter and Alwyn Jones, Chris Taylor and Ray Crossley, Mike Horder and Ray Steptoe and Alan and Dave Holden came through in the Men’s competition.

In the evening, we gathered for Ray Crossley’s quiz with some very difficult trick questions and some low scores but a good night.

Competitions finished with the Mixed Pairs - not a cloud in the sky - up to 82 degrees after five minutes of rain at 6.00 p.m. the night before. Eventual qualifiers – Mike Horder and Vera Hodgetts, Bernard and Phyllis Gelling, Brenda Chaffer and Tracey Lawrence, Dave Waterhouse and Christine Anderton, Alwyn and Hilda Jones, Jim and Suzanne Sunter, Ray Crossley and Diane Fish and Chris Taylor and Marian Pope.

Our Grand Finals Day followed with local Canadian and Americans watching fascinated at the way we played all over the green. An outstanding performance worthy of mention was our Flat Green player, Mike Horder, who qualified for every event despite never having played Crown before. Thoroughly enjoyed it and moreover played with a smile on his face - well done, Mike!

FINALS DAY DETAILS

GTKY Pairs: Mike Horder and Doris Armson 11
Semi-Finals Chris Taylor and Susan Holden 5

Alan Holden and Doreen Ashton 11
Christine Anderton and David Seeley 1

FINAL: Mike Horder and Doris Armson 11
Alan Holden and Doreen Ashton 5

Mixed Pairs: Brenda Chaffer and Tracey Lawrence 11
Semi-Finals Mike Horder and Vera Hodgetts 10

Jim and Suzanne Sunter 11
Ray Crossley and Diane Fish 9

FINAL: Brenda Chaffer and Tracey Lawrence 15
Jim and Suzanne Sunter 8

Ladies Pairs: Jean and Susan Holden 11
Semi-Finals Mabs Owen and Vera Hodgetts 5

Brenda Chaffer and Tracey Lawrence 11
Christine Anderton and Molly Waterhouse 7

FINAL: Brenda Chaffer and Tracey Lawrence 11
Jean and Susan Holden 3
Men’s Pairs: Chris Taylor and Ray Crossley 11
Semi-Finals Jim Sunter and Alwyn Jones 10

Mike Horder and Ray Steptoe 11
Alan and Dave Holden 3

FINAL: Chris Taylor and Ray Crossley 11
Mike Horder and Ray Steptoe 10

Ladies Singles: Diane Fish 15
Semi-Finals Flo Kelly 9

Jean Holden 15
Phyllis Gelling 9

FINAL: Jean Holden 21
Diane Fish 19

Men’s Singles: Dave Holden 15
Semi-Finals Jim Sunter 7

Chris Taylor 15
Mike Horder 13

FINAL: Chris Taylor 15
Dave Holden 9

The next day was reserved for a final day’s shopping and visits to beaches followed by the Presentation Evening with Dinner and excellent music and dancing until midnight. A happy holiday group which enjoyed Florida weather, Sun ‘n’ Fun Resort, good bowling and especially each other’s company.