Bowling Holidays
Tenerife - Inaugural Tournament
New tenerife bowls club opens inbowls and leisure inaugural tournament a huge success
Bowling Green at Winter Gardens
A party of 64 bowlers from all parts of the UK formed the inaugural Inbowls and Leisure mixed bowls tournament at the magnificent new Tenerife International Bowls Club at the Winter Gardens complex on the Golf del Sur in Tenerife.
This was the superb venue for the Inaugural Inbowls and Leisure tour, which doubled up as the grand Official Opening of the club with the World Bowls executive officer Gary Smith and his former pairs partner Andy Thomson carrying out the official duties
The week was acclaimed to be a huge success by everyone who took part and the complex was described by Gary as "Undoubtedly the finest bowling venue in Europe and probably the best purpose-built facilities in the world".
World Champions Andy Thomson and Gary Smith presenting prizes
The week was packed with fun, fine competition, friendliness and included an exhibition match between Gary and Andy, marked by Bill Hobart, a director of Inbowls and Leisure, who was also keeping a watchful eye on form with his other hat on as team manager of the English Indoor team.
Bill and Val with Andy and Gary
Under the beautiful Canarian sunshine the tournament started with an alfresco champagne reception followed by 3 days of bowling to reduce the 16 teams down to the semi-final stage. In between each session (despite having to partake of regular fluid to fight off the heat) Gary and Andy again took to the bowls stage to offer invaluable coaching tips to those aspiring champions on tour.
Keen play at an Inbowls and Leisure Tournament
Wednesday was a free day for the bowlers and many took the opportunity to have a rest and enjoy the other amenities of the complex. Some relaxed by the attractive heated pool, others used the Grecian style Jacuzzi and the Swedish sauna, and some more energetic tourists even used the fully equipped gymnasium. Those who preferred some sight seeing on the beautiful island went on excursions to the magnificent Mount Teide and a sea trip to view the dolphins.
Fully rested, the bowlers were raring to go on Thursday, which saw the final stages of the Inbowls and Leisure tournament, with prizes of more than £2,500 and some fine trophies for the finalists.
The rink for the Final was decorated with plants and flowers around the perimeter and resembled a television rink with the trophies on display. In a well-contested game, more than 100 spectators witnessed a fine exhibition of friendly competitive bowling on what turned out to be one of the hottest afternoons of the year. The result was in the balance all the way with Brian Lawton's rink from Mid-Surrey deservedly winning against the entertaining Brian Robson's rink from Durham.
Looks like a TV Rink!
The prizes and trophies were then presented on the green jointly by the Directors of Inbowls and Leisure, Bill Hobart and Valerie Thompson, and the Managing Director of Winter Gardens, Mr Paul Hunt.
Prize Winners at the 'Inbowls and Leisure' Tornament
There was a Gala Presentation Dinner on the last night and as every evening on the tour, concluded with superb entertainment on the open-air Terrace restaurant. Together with all the other trophies being presented there was also a raffle prize of a free holiday for two donated by Inbowls and Leisure.
Entertainment by the ‘Inbowls and Leisure’Team
Many of the bowlers immediately booked for next year, and past world champions Gary and Andy, praised the sponsors of the tournament, Inbowls and Leisure for the superb organisation, the competitors for their friendliness and camaraderie, and Winter Gardens for the magnificent new bowling complex and amenities.
Bowling under blue skies
Several bowlers commented that Winter Gardens was an ideal location for a bowling holiday, with all amenities required within the complex and an abundance of entertainment in the area, without the irritation of coach trips to take bowlers to and from the bowling green and the hustle and bustle of time share touts, loud bars and inflated drink prices when staying in the busier resorts of Los Christianos and Playa de Las Americas.
However, should anyone wish to sample a day or an evening taking in the many bars, shows and night life these resorts have to offer they are only a 10 - 15 minutes taxi journey away. Staying on the bowling green and visiting other attractions was in the opinion of these bowlers the perfect scenario for their bowling holiday.
Bowls holidays and tours in the glorious Tenerife sunshine can be booked throughout the whole year and can be tailor-made to suit your own individual requirements.
For further information on bowls holidays throughout the year, or should your club or tour group require a PRESENTATION EVENING, please contact Bill Hobart.