Taupiri buddies bowled over
Dennis Gill and Neville Parker have been awarded life memberships at the Taupiri Bowling Club.
Recognition was far from their minds, so it was a shock when Neville Parker and Dennis Gill were made life members, reports the Waikato Times.
To be a life member, you have to be nominated by a club member and have it approved by the committee. Only five life members are allowed within the club at one time, the paper said.
“I was shocked, I didn’t expect it…when my wife turned up I thought someone had told her to come and have a couple of drinks for our [50th] anniversary,” Gill said.
The 75-year-old said he didn’t realise he had helped the club so much.
Gill started at the club as an assistant to greenkeeper Jim Slater 18 years ago and eventually worked his way up to head greenkeeper in 2009.
The role involved countless hours mowing, patching, plugging, spraying, carting dirt and collecting seed then sieving it.
Volunteering their time wasn’t a chore for the two bowls enthusiasts who enjoy the friendship they receive in return.
Parker joined as an “ordinary member” more than two decades ago and quickly moved on to junior vice president before working his way up to president.
At one time, the 80-year-old took on both the treasurer’s and president’s roles.
The 89-year-old club has 56 members.
Click here for the full story in the Waikato Times.
