Bowls: Spence Stacey is loving blind bowls

Spence Stacey bowls at the nationals with his marker, Mary Thompson. Photo / Andrew Warner

When Spence Stacey could no longer see the golf ball well enough to keep playing he decided to give bowls a go.

That decision two years ago has proved a huge success. With the help of a marker the Bowls Mount Maunganui member can now compete at the game he has quickly become passionate about.

Stacey, now 75, was part of the large contingent of bowlers across the four categories from blind to partially sighted who competed this week at the four-day New Zealand Blind Bowls National Championship held at the Mount Maunganui club.

He won his B4 division for partially sighted bowlers with the help of his marker or director, Mary Thompson.

"Mary was telling me where the bowls were and which way to put the bias on the bowl. They are very important people. The completely blind people need directors to tell them exactly which way to go."

Last year Stacey made his tournament debut played in the nationals in New Plymouth which he says was less enjoyable than this week at Mount Maunganui because of near-constant rain.

Overall the championships held this week got a thumbs-up from bowlers, markers and all the volunteers who gave up their time.

"It was marvellous. Our president wants to put on another tournament to raise funds for the national blind team's visit to Australia in 2021. They are sending about 16 players to Australia and we are going to put a fundraiser on at the Mount club," Stacey said.

"That is something definitely I would like to be part of. I love the friendliness among the blind bowlers. They help each other so much it is incredible."