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History of the Governor General’s Lawn Bowling Tournament
In 1928, the then Governor General of Canada, His Excellency the Right Honourable Viscount Willingdon presented a silver trophy to the Eastern Ontario Lawn Bowling Association for annual competition between Men’s ‘fours’ teams from the Eastern Ontario LBA and the Québec Lawn Bowling Federation. The tournament alternated between the two provinces hosted by various Clubs.
In 1993, the ladies joined the event and in 1994, His Excellency, the Right Honourable Raymond John Hnatyshyn provided a new trophy to match the Willingdon Cup which is played for by Ladies ’fours’ teams from Ontario and Quebec. To recognize both the historic and feminine quality of the tournament the trophy was named the Governor General’s Rose Bowl.
The Eastern Ontario Lawn Bowling Association became part of the Ontario Lawn Bowls Association (OLBA) in 1957, thus the ’Ontario’ side of the Tournament Committee is governed by District 16 of OLBA. In 1989, the Ladies and Men’s Associations amalgamated. Despite these changes, the “Governor General’s” as it is affectionately known, has survived as an important and prestigious part of the regional bowling calendar.
The Tournament also includes competition between the Ladies and Men’s Novice Singles winners from District 16 of OLBA and their counterparts of the Quebec LBF.
The Willingdon Cup has been played for in every year since its inception. A Joint Committee representing both provinces is responsible for organizing the event.
Ontario Governor Generals Shirts presentation
Aisling Keenan, the Ottawa District Manager for Senior Discovery Tours presents new team Ontario shirts for the annual Governor General’s tournament between Eastern Ontario and Quebec to District 16.
Senior Discovery Tours is now the major sponsor for the Governor General’s Tournament and in April 2017 will be providing $500 per year towards the event.
The Governor General Tournament Committee and Trustees are very grateful to Senior Discovery Tours for their support.
2019
Women’s Fours Medalists
(A) Michelle Mackay, Dawn Voisey, Karie Chant, Tina Dutta
(B) Pat Rose, Debbie Ferrill, Ann Marie Waddell, Suzanne Erickson
Men’s Fours Medalists
(A) Derek McKie, Zach Steele, Rob Rienzo, Gerry Laporte
(B) Blaine Phillips, Dave Jefferies, Graham Murray, Grant Fletcher
Women’s Novice Medalist
Isabelle Dobbing
Men’s Novice Medalist
Dan Carnrite
2017
Women’s Fours Medalists
(A) Rosalie Parsons Brown, Sandra Jefferies, Flo Silvestro, Karen Oatman
(B) Tessa Mackechnie, Margaret Sutton, Heather Stevens, Michelle Mackay
Men’s Fours Medalists
(A) Blaine Phillips, Gerry Laporte, Ted Dingle, Peter Altous
(B) John Wilson, David Jefferies, Gregory Brown, Rico Silvestro
Women’s Novice Medalist
Dawn Voisey
Men’s Novice Medalist
Stephen Law
2015
Women’s Fours Medalists
(A) Davidson, Anne Marie Waddell, Margaret Harding
(B) Margaret Sutton, Joannie Marks, Heather Stevens, Debbie Ferrill
Men’s Fours Medalists
(A) Rienzo, Blaine Phillips, Gerry Laporte, William Smalluk
(B) Ted Tozer, Bill Aitken, Gary Partington, Robert Allen
Women’s Novice Medalist
Dawn Voisey
Men’s Novice Medalist
Stephen Law
2013
Women’s Fours Medalists
(A) Teresa Derouin, Shirley Burns-Nichol,Holly Dobson, Margaret Harding
(B)Ursula Cooney, Judy Steinke, Joan Hofman,Jennifer Amphlett
Men’s Fours Medalists
(A) Rob Rienzo, Gianni Bertazzo, Zach Steele, William Smalluk
(B)David Jefferies, Rico Silvestro, Grant Fletcher, Gerry Laporte
Women’s Novice Medalist
Cathy Pilon
Men’s Novice Medalist
Everett Zwiers
2018
Women’s Fours Medalists
(A) Michelle Mackay, Dawn Voisey, Karie Chant, Tina Dutta
(B) Sandra Jefferies, Flo Silvestro, Joelle Massey, Karen Oatman
Men’s Fours Medalists
(A) Derek McKie, Zach Steel, Russel Oatman, Graham Murray
(B) David Jefferies, John Wilson, Rico Silvestro, Grant Fletcher
Women’s Novice Medalist
Michelle Mackay
Men’s Novice Medalist
Derek McKie
2016
Women’s Fours Medalists
(A) Sandra Jefferies, Flo Silvestro, Karen Oatman, Patricia Garvin
(B)Evanee Kenward, Sheila Rogers, Hilary Gilbert, Joannie Marks
Men’s Fours Medalists
(A) Grant Fletcher, Bill Sheffield, John Stevenson, John Bennett
(B) Paul Juneau, Gerry Laporte, Bill Aitken, Ted Dingle
Women’s Novice Medalist
Barbara Stephens
Men’s Novice Medalist
John Campbell
2014
Women’s Fours Medalists
(A) Esta Brock, Joannie Marks, Joannie Marks, Pat Wood
(B) Joelle Russell, Alice Keiwan, Dawn Martin, Danielle Carpentier
Men’s Fours Medalists
(A) Paul Juneau, Bruno Spagnol, Don Abbotts, Ken Keiwan
(B) Grant Fletcher, Rico Silvestro, John Stevenson, Malcolm Rose
Women’s Novice Medalist
Liz Grosz
Men’s Novice Medalist
Ted Dingle
