Thursday, November 17 was a very special day for all members of the Alvor Club, a day when friends and family got together for a competitive day of bowls in memory of John Palinski or JP as he was universally and affectionately known.
November 17 was John’s birthday, but he sadly passed away a few months ago, having run the bowls club with Connie for some years.
His ready wit and often unconventional approach to bowls club management will be sadly missed.
A total of 80 bowlers (in 16 teams of five players each) from Clubs all along the Algarve, took part in this new competition which will be played annually and raised a total of €1,160 going to John ‘Sam’ Palinski’s FORGET-ME-NOT Fund with Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research (www.beatbloodcancers.org).
The family had put up a beautiful trophy and competition was fierce and the standard of bowling appropriate to the occasion, despite a very wet start to the day. Play eventually got under way in sunshine and the day then went off successfully to the timetable. Each team had a triple and a pair and played three round robin matches in four groups to decide the four group winners and semi-finalists. The triple and pair each scored two points for a win and there was a further two points for the aggregate victory, so this was a team effort.
Food and drink was available all day, but this did not seem to adversely affect performances as the Ospreys, the Bowling Stones, the Swishes and Sams’ Apprentices each won their group to qualify. The Ospreys and the Bowling Stones then going on to a close – fought and skilful final, eventually won by the Ospreys – Alan Clarke, Judy Drewer, Janice Clarke, John Jones and Jack Pendley – fittingly a team from Alvor.
A wonderful day, full of fond memories for a much loved JP – we look forward to next year’s event.
Alan Clarke
