Bowls: Bowlers young but not green

By BOB PEARCE

Sixteen-year-old Travis McIlroy was a promising basketball player; his 14-year-old brother, Shannon, is a rugby fullback.

But their passion is bowls and the Gisborne teenagers have joined 1250 players from throughout the country in Auckland for the national championships.

Yesterday was qualifying day for the pairs and the brothers were on the green at the historic Remuera Club, one of 29 from Orewa to Papakura being used for the championships.

The youngsters stood out among the players, most of them 30 or 40 years their senior. But they are hardly newcomers to the sport, having been playing for the past six years.

Why bowls, traditionally portrayed as a sport taken up by those who are past competing in anything more athletic?

"Dad plays and we all got involved," says Travis. "I played basketball for Gisborne Boys' High but bowls won out. I really like the chance to meet different people.

"Dad is pretty good and we've got two 15-year-old brothers, Adam and Brendon, who are good enough to be here as well, but they had to work."

Travis and Shannon have won several titles at the Poverty Bay club and Travis won a centre fours title.

This is their first attempt at the national championships, though all four McIlroy brothers have competed in the national under-19 event.

The boys have come to Auckland on their own, though national representative David File is keeping an eye on them.

They won only one game in the pairs and failed to qualify, but Travis is philosophical.

"It's great experience and we didn't expect to win first time. The pairs are really practice for us before the singles.

"I'm confident about doing better in them."