Drysdale bowler celebrates 1,000-game milestone

A DRYSDALE Bowling Club stalwart is celebrating a rare and honourable milestone dating back more than five decades.

Geelong District Bowls Association player Kevin Steen, 84 is celebrating more than 1,000 pennant games of lawn bowls at his home club in Drysdale, working out he had reached the four-digit mark after consulting with club officials.

“18 games a year on average roughly, plus finals, for 57 years, it’s been quite a journey to get to the 1,000-game mark, but Drysdale is a great club to be a part of, I’ve certainly enjoyed it after all these years,” Steen said.

“I knew I had played quite a few games, but I’ve met some fantastic people over the years and played against some top bowlers.

“I feel like I’ve got a few good years left in me.”

Steen’s introduction to lawn bowls was via an offer he could not refuse from prominent Drysdale figure and long-time friend Lex Mortimer.

Living just two doors down from Mortimer, Steen accepted a job offer from his friend in 1967 under the condition he also join the local bowls club.

Mortimer passed away on June 30, 2021, but his memory lives on at the club with the Lex Mortimer Green unveiled shortly after his passing.

Steen has eight Club Championships and two Champion of Champions runner-up finishes.

Steen and Mortimer are both tied for second with the most Club Championships, but are each one championship short of the club record of nine, held by Mortimer’s father in-law Ernie Rogers.

A wide range of age groups make up the Drysdale Bowls Club, according to Steen, who said the club’s future was is in good hands.

“It’s great to see the young players playing today; we have about 16 juniors playing, which is great for the game.

“We of course get a lot of people saying they should be playing tennis, cricket and footy, but they want to play bowls, so if that’s what they want to do, best of luck to them.”

For more information about the Drysdale Bowling Club, email [email protected]