Last year’s Joy Johnson Memorial Classic winning team of the ‘Smithys’ Laureen Smith, daughter Rhoanna from Wangaratta and Leongatha’s Angela Hackett bowled well, finishing fifth out of 28 teams, with five wins on the weekend.
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Les_Garbutt
Despite rain-soaked practice and a blustery, chilly weekend, the spirit and skill of 84 lawn bowlers shone through at the 2025 Joy Johnson Memorial Classic, competing for a substantial $10,000 prize pool.
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The seventh annual event showcased elite talent on Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort's two pristine greens, drawing star bowlers with state and national credentials from Melbourne and across Victoria.
The Ladies Two Bowls Triples Tournament saw fierce competition among 28 teams. Clayton's Paula Wood and Sommerville's Anita Jenkin and Sharon Jarvis clinched the $4,500 first prize with an impressive six wins and 59 shots up, leading a tight field that included three six-game winners.
“I thank all the sponsors and everyone we played with. We had so much fun,” spokesperson Sharon said. There was plenty of fun and jubilation in the golf club’s Willow Room when bowlers jumped up as raffle winners.
Joy’s daughter Sharon Stevenson was the guest speaker at Saturday night’s dinner for the bowlers. Event organiser Anne Miles described Sharon’s 15-minute talk as “touching and insightful about herself and Joy with their health issues, particularly Joy’s”.
At Sunday’s presentations, Sharon thanked Anne and “her amazing team”. “You do it year after year and you do have a great team,” Sharon said.
Despite challenging weather, Anne declared this year's tournament the most successful to date.
“The YMGCR club have been amazing this year, led by their events manager Michelle Bye and the standard of bowling was excellent,” she said.
“We very much thank our major sponsor, Lekeal. We couldn’t run the event without them.
“Thank you all for coming to all the helpers, and we hope to see you all back here again next year.”
The winners of the 2025 Joy Johnson Memorial Classic were Anita Jenkin (Sommerville), Paula Wood (Clayton) and Sharon Jarvis (Sommerville) with 6 wins 59 shots up.
Runners-up were the Bendigo team comprising Olivia Cartwright, Susan Howe and Taylah Morrow with 6 wins 30 shots up.
Joy Johnson Classic organiser Anne Miles (centre) with Joy’s daughter Sharon Stevenson and grandson Jake Stevenson.
