Friends keeping Australian octogenarian bowlers active for over five decades

SINGAPORE – Even after five decades in the game, Australians Fely Shih and Gary Bernardin are still going strong as they competed at the Syntech Asian Seniors Bowling Championships over the past week at SingaporeBowling @ Rifle Range.

While bowling is not a full-time endeavour for the octogenarians, who are the oldest competitors at the Oct 14-22 tournament, their passion in the sport has kept them going since the 1970s.

Shih, 81, was introduced to the sport around 1973 by her husband, who was also a bowling coach at the time. Two years later, they joined a friendly league, kick-starting her journey in competitive bowling.

Balancing a career as an early childhood teacher, a role she has held for over 50 years and continues to do on a part-time basis, the grandmother of four teaches in the day and bowls at night.

On what keeps her going, she said: “Meeting friends who give me the incentive to practise and improve my bowling. I love to see all my friends, especially at my age, I need friendships.”

The camaraderie with other competitors is also what keeps Bernardin, 83, in the game, with the duo among 320 bowlers participating at the event in Singapore.

The tournament features two main categories – the senior (50+) and grand senior (65+) – across singles, doubles, team, all-events and masters.

In Singapore, Shih finished 63rd out of 64 bowlers in both the women’s grand senior singles and all-events categories, while she teamed up with Jeanette Davis to come in 30th out of 32 pairs in the women’s doubles.

Meanwhile, Bernardin was 62nd out of 81 in the men’s grand senior singles, and 68th in the all-events. He was 36th out of 40 pairs with compatriot Bob Davis in the men’s doubles.

Watching the game on television was what got Bernardin hooked and he began to bowl competitively in 1971.

He was drawn to the concept that it was the player against the pins and the desire to improve drives him to continue the sport over five decades.

Touching on the appeal of bowling, he said: “My love of the game and the challenge to improve. It also gives me the chance to make new friends and catch up with old ones.”

Both Shih and Bernardin’s families have been supportive of their bowling pursuits as they continue to compete.

Shih travels about three times a year to take part in ranking events, while Bernardin, who has nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren, mainly takes part in a few competitions in Australia and events like the Asian seniors every two years.

Both of them have no intention of stopping soon, with Bernardin saying: “It has kept me fit and my mind alert. I have achieved my goals and my goal is to bowl as long as I am able to.”

South Korea topped the overall medal table with nine golds, one silver and seven bronzes. Japan were second with five golds, nine silvers and three bronzes, while Singapore were third (3-3-6).

After claiming the men’s grand senior masters bronze on Oct 22, Singapore’s Philip Tang, 68, who also won two golds and another two bronzes, said: “I’m very happy to be bowling this tournament, plus I’m very happy about our performance. I’m thankful to the team and coach for the support and guidance.”

Compatriot Paiman Dali, 61, who won a gold, two silvers and a bronze in the men’s senior events, added: “I felt that the field was very strong, and the outcome can always be better but we have done our best...

“I’m thankful for the friendships made and experience gained and chances given even at this age.”