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The annual tour by Esselle Sports set off on November 6th with a group of 39 bowlers in good spirits looking for Florida to provide some good weather.

Quickly settling into their hotel in Orlando, they enjoyed the magical sights and sounds of the variety of theme parks, and some visited the Kennedy Space Centre only an hour’s drive away. With a central location on International Drive, the hotel was convenient for shoppers and sightseers alike.

After three nights the party all joined up in Sarasota for a more tranquil lifestyle and at the Sunday Welcome reception in Sun ‘n’ Fun’s Boondocks Restaurant, all the activities on site were outlined by Steve Rigby of Esselle Tours. This was followed by neighbourhood details and the bowling programme given by Roy Armson.

The group quickly ‘acclimatized’ into their salubrious American style bungalows, with the locals being treated to the amazing biking skills of Tommy Bee!

Shopping is always a prime function on our Florida trips and the ladies were well to the fore ably led by experts Pat Sullivan and Dorothy Davies.

The bowling commenced on Monday with everyone being amazed at the continued improvements being made at Sun ‘n’ Fun with the green being absolutely immaculate with hardly a blemish to its beautifully manicured surface, and surrounded by many tables and umbrellas for welcome relief from the sun. The ‘Getting to Know You’ pairs event was first up and after a full day’s bowling semi-finalists were Moore Kelly and Joan Roscoe, Alwyn Jones and Eileen Killey, Eva Coxhead and Peter Bunce, Keith Robinson and Enid Dawson.

Mens’ and Ladies’ Singles was next and following two days bowling in sunshine around 76 degrees, Mens’ Singles qualifiers were Mike Horder, Peter Bunce, John Newman and Keith Robinson, whilst in the Ladies event Enid Dawson, Pat Sullivan, Joan Roscoe and Eileen Killey were the semi-finalists.

It was fair to say that first timer with us from the Isle of Man, Eileen Killey was showing excellent form and flat green experts Mike Horder and Peter Bunce also showed their liking for the Sun ‘n’ Fun greens.

After a three day break from bowling to enable everyone to explore the various sights of, and around, Sarasota, a new innovation was organized on Friday: a day-night event under the floodlights with our friends the Sun ‘n’ Fun lawn bowlers, and a very enjoyable evening was had with an excellent greenside barbeque. Competition bowls resumed the next day and following the conclusion of the Singles we took our annual trip to Sarasota Bowls Club for the Mens’ and Ladies’ pairs. It is very enjoyable down there by the bay, and our hosts came up with a great barbeque lunch to make it a pleasurable day in a different location.

Qualifiers for Finals Day being:-

MENS: Alan and Dave Holden, Keith Robinson and Colin Hogg, Mike Horder and Tommy Bee, John Dawson and Bernard Roscoe.

LADIES: Carol Brock and Doris Armson, Hilda Jones and Suzanne Sunter, Enid Dawson and Joan Roscoe, Dorothy Davies and Pat Sullivan.

The final event on Monday 17th was the Mixed Pairs back at Sun ‘n’ Fun. Qualifiers:-

Dave and Susan Holden, Carol and Colin Brock, John Newman and Doris Armson, Bernard and Phyllis Gelling, Mike Horder and Mary Heyes, Eva Coxhead and Doug McLease, Dave and Molly Waterhouse, Bernard and Joan Roscoe.

Before you knew it, Finals Day had arrived under a bright sunny sky but a little cooler than normal. Some fascinating close games ensued with arguably the most exciting finish being in the Mixed Pairs with Bernard Gelling laying for game at 14 – 14 twice only for David Waterhouse with his last bowl knocking the jack off and then snatching the next end!

RESULTS:-

‘Getting to Know You Pairs’
CHAMPIONS: Alwyn Jones (Coppull) and Eileen Killey (IOM)
RUNNERS-UP: Moore Kelly (IOM) and Joan Roscoe (Chorley)

Mens’ Pairs
CHAMPIONS: Mike Horder (Enfield) and Tommy Bee (Chorley)
RUNNERS-UP: Alan and Dave Holden (Preston)

Ladies’ Pairs
CHAMPIONS: Carol Brock (Daventry) and Doris Armson (Sale)
RUNNERS-UP: Enid Dawson and Joan Roscoe (Chorley)

Mixed Pairs
CHAMPIONS: David and Molly Waterhouse (Accrington)
RUNNERS-UP: Bernard and Phyllis Gelling (IOM)

Ladies’ Singles
CHAMPION: A worthy winner after qualifying in every event but winning in none – Joan Roscoe (Chorley)
RUNNER-UP: Eileen Killey (IOM) a great effort for first time with the group.

Mens’ Singles
CHAMPION: What a great bowler – flat or crown! Mike Horder (Enfield)
RUNNER-UP: Sun ‘n’ Fun’s Peter Bunce (Worthing)

Following a day for final visits and shopping the Presentation Night was held in the Boondocks Restaurant. Prizes were presented by Esselle’s Steve Rigby followed by a great night of music and dancing to the Mike Ashton Duo.

A farewell to a great group of people, full of smiles with happy memories of a fantastic part of the world.