Ladies shine at Umhlanga Classic lawn bowls

Cheryl Waterman

The highly anticipated annual Umhlanga Ladies’ Classic Tournament took place last weekend, once again confirming its status as a premier event on the sponsored lawn bowls calendar.

With an enticing prize pot sponsored by the Sovereign Group and Holborn Investments – R20 000 for first place, R10 000 for second and R6 000 for third – the competition was as fierce as it was festive.

A total of 28 sides battled it out over a demanding five-game format – three 15-end games on Saturday, followed by another 15-end game and a longer 18-end decider on Sunday.

Despite the high stakes, the tournament was filled with laughter, sportsmanship and camaraderie – qualities that define the spirit of lawn bowls.

The greens were awash with colour and flair as teams donned matching shirts, suggesting that fashion is becoming an exciting new feature of sponsored bowling events.

The lively atmosphere and visual spectacle only added to the buzz of the weekend.

Topping the podium was the formidable foursome of Glenda Matthews, Susan Nel, Linda Didlick and Kim Christensen, whose strategic play and consistent performance earned them the R20 000 first prize.

Hot on their heels were Hillary’s Bridget White, Talia Russon, Aileen Ramsden and Linda Meyer taking second place, while the Hillcrest team of Jill Buzzard, Stella Tweedie, Claire Murray and Rowena Wepener rounded out the top three.

District stalwart, Susan Nel, who has now claimed a top prize for three consecutive years, was full of praise for the event.

“This is always a wonderful tournament,” she said. “There’s tough competition, great friendships and it’s a pleasure to be part of something so well-run. Hats off to Umhlanga Bowling Club and their generous sponsors.”

Many participants echoed her sentiments, offering glowing feedback.

Some described the club as stunning, the facilities as top-class and the atmosphere as exceptionally friendly and welcoming.

Compliments poured in for the slick organisation and the sheer fun of the weekend.

With such acclaim, it was no surprise that bookings for the 2026 edition began flooding in before the awards ceremony had ended.

Teams from as far afield as Gauteng have requested their entry for next year be confirmed.

The action continues at Umhlanga BC this coming weekend, with the PNB Masters taking centre stage.

Twelve Open and twelve Veteran women have been drawn into two sections of six, and will compete for top honours, while their male counterparts – eight per section – begin their campaigns with seven sectional games starting on Friday and concluding on Sunday.

Each section’s winner will progress to a final showdown for gold and silver.

Meanwhile, clubs across the district are squeezing in final league practice sessions ahead of the eagerly awaited Men’s and Women’s Inter Club Leagues, which kick off on Saturday, July 5.

The winter bowls calendar is certainly heating up as bowlers now enjoy their time on the green without the discomfort of Durban’s summer humidity.