REIGNING Central North District Bowling Association Bowler Of The Year, Chris Herden, was the big mover in this year’s Bowler Of The Year Award (BOTYA) despite missing out on a third successive Tamworth City Easter Singles title.
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Herden, who had won the last two Easter titles at Tamworth City, where the greenkeeping South Tamworth bowler prepares the two greens, was knocked out of contention by clubmate Ben Golledge in Monday morning’s semi-final, 21-12.
Golledge then played his first Easter Singles final but lost to Wagga Wagga’s David Ferguson 31-17.
Ferguson had won the Easter Singles in 2011 but lost the last two finals to Herden.
Golledge’s success earned him 50 points and took him to 70 on the table updated by BOTYA co-organiser Gordon Cheney while Herden snared 30 points to move up to a share of second with Kootingal’s Kim Greentree.
Greentree and Herden have 200 points apiece to sit 50 behind BOTYA leader Nathan Wise (250).
South Tamworth’s Nick Golledge and Kootingal’s Graeme Harriott are equal fourth on 190 with a large gap of 50 points to the next highest, South Tamworth dynamo Scott Thorning.
Phil Johnson, the other BOTYA organiser, said the competition was creating great interest once again.
“Chris is the big mover after the weekend despite missing out on the final,” Johnson said. “He shows it’s all about participation.
“That’s how he won it last year – played in every event he could – and he’s doing the same again this year. Consistency and persistency.
“He tried to play all the tournaments last year and is on his way to doing it all again this year.”
Herden has to make up 50 points on early leader Nathan Wise though.
“Nathan and Terry Cummings were equal second last year,” Johnson noted.
“They are all playing well and now have the West Tamworth Winter Triples coming up.
“That’s on the June long weekend. Always a good event and always well run.”
While the next BOTYA event is the West Tamworth Winter Triples (June 7/8) South Tamworth, Werris Creek, North Tamworth, Manilla and Kootingal then follow.
The South Tamworth Major-Minor Pairs is June 28-29 and followed by the Werris Creek’s Triples (July 6), North Tamworth Pairs (August 16), Manilla Triples (August 30-31) and the Kootingal Triples complete the Bowler Of The Year Award season on September 17-18.