Van Der Stel Bowling Club - Jaarlikse opening van die Seisoen / Annual opening of the season
Hierdie is een van die gewildste dae op die klub se jaarlikse kalender en word baie goed deur klublede bygewoon, asook buitespelers van verskeie ander klubs. CluverMarkotter, die grootste en oudste regsfirma in Stellenbosch, borg jare reeds hierdie geleentheid.
Die amptelike opening vind plaas ná die registrasie van die spelers en die ou tradisie is vir almal om aan die “Spinnekop”, deel te neem. ‘n Kunsmatige spinnekop word in die middel van die veld geplaas en die eerste een wat ‘n bal in die rigting van die spinnekop gooi, is ‘n lid van CluverMarkotter, wat dan gevolg word deur al die spelers wat vir die middag se kompetisie ingeskryf het. Die speler wie se bal die naaste aan die spinnekop eindig, is die wenner en ontvang ‘n prys by die prysuitdelingseremonie. Die opbrengs van die spinnekopkompetisie word aan liefdadigheid geskenk.
Ná die spinnekop, gaan die mededingende spanne na hul onderskeie bane en die “Opening van die Seisoen” neem ‘n aanvang. Hoewel dit ‘n taamlike ernstige kompetisie met uitstekende pryse is, geskied dit in ‘n vriendskaplike atmosfeer, met heelwat besprekings en gelag.
Ná die dag se spel, ontmoet al die spelers mekaar in die klubhuis vir drankies en versnaperinge terwyl hulle wag op die amptelike prysoorhandiging. Die pryse word gewoonlik deur ‘n lid van CluverMarkotter oorhandig. Die amptelike “Opening van die Seisoen” is sonder twyfel een van die genotvolste dae op die kalender van die Van der Stel-rolbalklub.
Annual Opening of the Season
TThis one of the most popular days of the annual calendar and very well attended by club members, as well as outside players from various other clubs. CluverMarkotter, the biggest and the oldest law firm in Stellenbosch have sponsored this day for many years.
The official opening takes place after registration of the players and the old tradition is for all to participate in what is called the Spider. An artificial spider is placed in the middle of the bowling green and the first to deliver a bowl towards the spider is a member from CluverMarkotter, who is then followed by all the players who entered for the afternoon’s competition. The player whose bowl ends up closest to the spider is the winner and gets a prize during the prize giving ceremony. Proceedings from the spider competition go to charity.
After the Spider the competing teams go to their drawn rinks and the “Opening of the season” competition then commences. Although this is a fairly serious competition with excellent prizes, it is played in a joyful atmosphere with a lot of discussion and laughter.
After the day’s play, all players meet in the clubhouse to enjoy drinks and snacks while waiting for the official prize giving ceremony. Prizes are usually handed over by a member of CluverMarkotter. The “Official Opening of the Season” is no doubt one of the most enjoyable days in the annual calendar of the Van der Stel Bowling Club.