Leonie Koedyk and Greg Scott Umhlanga’s Leonie Koedyk and Greg Scott are the 2025 Port Natal Bowls Mixed Pairs champions. Photo: ALEC NEL
Image: ALEC NEL
Cheryl Waterman
Amanzimtoti Bowling Club was the heartbeat of local bowls action last weekend, as the club hosted the knockout rounds of the 2025 PNB Mixed Pairs competition on Saturday and Sunday.
With four rounds of fiercely contested play before the semi-finals, the tournament showcased top-tier talent on greens that earned high praise from players and officials.
Prepared to perfection by Terry Morgan and his dedicated team, brothers Innocent and William Sithole, Amanzimtoti’s greens – already rated the district’s best by the PNB Greens Standing Committee – proved their worth.
Visiting players lauded the conditions as outstanding.
Sunday saw tight competition as teams battled through the final knockout rounds. After intense play, the four teams semi-finalists emerged.
The 2024 champions, Amanzimtoti’s Greg McLeod and Hilary Lindsay, squared off against Umhlanga’s Greg Scott and Leonie Koedyk, while Parkhill’s Louis and Linda Tolmay faced Hillcrest’s Greg Worst and Michelle Gerber.
Tolmay and Tolmay powered through their semi-final in commanding fashion, defeating Hillcrest 27-8.
The match between Amanzimtoti and Umhlanga, however, was the stand-out of the day.
A nail-biting contest saw neither side able to dominate until the 15th end, when Umhlanga picked up a decisive four shots to go three ahead.
They held on to claim a spot in the final with a 14-11 win after 18 ends.
The final brought further drama. Despite conceding six shots in the first end, the Tolmays clawed back to level at 9-9 by the seventh.
From there, the Umhlanga duo surged ahead, eventually sealing a 24-19 victory to be crowned PNB Mixed Pairs champions.
Louis and Linda Tolmay Parkhill’s Louis and Linda Tolmay, runners up in the 2025 PNB Mixed Pairs Championship. Photo: ALEC NEL
Image: ALEC NEL
In the bronze medal playoff, Hillcrest’s Greg Worst and Michelle Gerber edged out the home side to claim third place.
A delighted new champion, Greg Scott, credited his partner: “I’m proud to have partnered Leonie.
“She is an amazing lead who was calm, consistent and composed in tight moments, especially against strong opposition in both sectional play and the knockout rounds.”
He also thanked Amanzimtoti for “incredible greens and unsurpassed hospitality”.
Innocent Sithole, Terry Morgan and William Sithole Innocent Sithole, Terry Morgan and William Sithole, custodians of the Amanzimtoti Greens. Photo: SUPPLIED
Image: SUPPLIED
The weekend was a triumph for bowls and a shining moment for Amanzimtoti Bowling Club.
Meanwhile, bowlers are preparing for the most anticipated local club event of the year – the Parkhill Easter Tournament, proudly sponsored by Hollywoodbets and CMH Nissan Umhlanga.
This year’s edition is extra special, celebrating 100 years of Parkhill bringing sport and the community together.
With a massive R100 000 in prize money up for grabs, it’s no surprise the 36 available spots were filled up quickly!
The action kicks off on Saturday with three games of sectional play, leading into Sunday’s thrilling ladder-style Cup competition with R62 000 winnings at stake for the top 12 teams.
The excitement continues with Plate and Bowl competitions offering R17 000 and R7 000 respectively, plus R3 000 in entry refunds for five lucky session winners.
Club president Graham Schouten explained that bowlers from Gauteng, Richards Bay and Cape Town are flocking in, and supporters are encouraged to join the fun, the team auction and the legendary Parkhill hospitality while they witness bowls at its best!
