Update on the Parksville Classic – June 6-8

The inaugural event in 07 was terrific.  Nine previous Canadian Champions played on the same green in little old Parksville.  This year we are looking for more of the same. Here is an update on the tournament.Entries: As of this morning I have a total of 9 paid entries and 4 others for which I am awaiting payment.  I hope that we can get at least 16 teams to match the field size from last year, but will accept up to 24. Confirmed entries are: Hiren Bhartu, with Gord Fall and Glen TaylorBruce Matheson, with George Boxwell and Monty Greer (our defending champions)Christie Graham, with Keith Terlson and Davie MathieGary Robinson, with Mick Banks and Dave ColeRick Quibell, with Tom Williams and Archie Prosperi-PortaVern Greenhill, with Keith McMann and George GibsonJim Muir, with Stu McNaughton and Oliver FabrisDuncan Burke, with Tony Bieganski and Butch MitchellRick Britz, with Dana Atchison and Bill Mills Unconfirmed entries (awaiting payment of entry fees) are:Dave RobinsonGerman SantanaCor PolandJimmy Muller There are still many of you that I have not heard from and hope that you will be attending.  Please contact me asap to confirm your entry.  All cheques ($150 entry fee for team) should be made out to the Parksville Lawn Bowling Club and submitted right away.  Food This year the volunteer members of our club are going to provide food services for the participants, at a reasonable cost.  You can expect food to be available from Friday afternoon through to conclusion of the tournament on Sunday.  Plans include a steak barbeque on Saturday ($12 each).  Be prepared to place your order for the barbeque upon arrival on the Friday so that we can make sure that we have the right amount of food. Sponsors We continue to canvas the community for large and small sponsors.  This year we already have great door prizes and other items from:Tigh Na Mara Resort and SpaFairwinds Golf CourseEaglecrest Golf CourseJoe Cunningham FordHenselite Bowls  Fundraising In 2007 our skills challenge raised $236 for Forward House, a local charity providing support to those with mental illness in our community.This year we intend to support the Oceanside Chapter of the BC Special Olympics.  The Parksville LBC has made space available this year for these athletes to practice bocce on the property.  Our hope is that this can become an enduring relationship and we foresee the possibility of working cooperatively to build permanent bocce courts and give these athletes our support as they persue their own Olympic aspirations. Playing Conditions The Parksville green is already in excellent condition and should provide a first rate playing surface again this year.  As always, we can expect lots of spectators.  The weather is beyond our control but if we can get the sort of conditions we experienced for most of last year’s event it should be another great weekend in Parksville.We are looking forward to another great event in 2008 and I hope to see you here. Gary Robinson247 Chestnut StreetParksville, BC V9P 2S7250 951 2286g.robinson@shaw.ca