John Wills – Bowls Orewa

A special tournament with a difference will be held by the Orewa club on Monday, September 25.

The tournament will be in honour of one of the great personalities of North Harbour bowls, John Wills, well known not only at Orewa but also at Kaukapakapa and Helensville, who is about to turn 100.

Wills plays little bowls himself these days, but remains remarkably alert and still holds a driver’s license.

An impeccable draw bowler even up until recent times, John has won four centre titles. In the 1988-89 season, when in his early 60s, he was in a Kaukapakapa four which won the centre champion of champions title and he won the same title, also with Kaukapakapa in 1990-91.

He then was in the winning Kaukapakapa team which won the Dick Bree triples in 1992-93, then in the 2002-03, aged 85, he was the lead in a Helensville four skipped by the renowned Ivan Kostanich, which won the centre title.

To mark his milestone Orewa has organised a major triples tournament which has won wide support from other North Harbours meaning a bumper field of 34 teams. And thanks to an excellent sponsorship from Cruiseabout Orewa there will be total prize money of $1000.