Peter Sheehan cutting a very impressive cake
There’s not many sports in the world where septuagenarians, and even octogenarians, can continue to play competitively.
Brad Thorn gave it a good go in rugby. And Steve Price in rugby league. But they fell well short.
As well all know, that’s the beauty of our game. Even nonagenarians can be playing lawn bowls well into their nineties, and still put up a good show. In fact, many bowling clubs throughout New Zealand have an example or two amongst their playing ranks.
But few, if any, have a centenarian still playing bowls regularly.
Not just roll-ups, but tournament bowls. And on top of that, still getting out on the mower and roller and doing what needs to be done to keep the club’s greens up to the standard a pickety 100 year would expect.
Peter Sheehan at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club at Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsula just turned 100 the other day, and he’s still playing bowls and tending the green line a passionate club member half his age,
“What’s more, he still plays with his old black bowls,” observes Club Secretary, Robyn Anderson. “They probably date back to when he joined the club in 1987 … It’s lovely to see him fearlessly take a neighbouring rink to put the bowl on the head!”
And put it on the head, Peter does.
Ten years ago, when Peter was just a 90 year old whippersnapper, he donated the Peter Sheehan Cup and prize money to the club to run an annual open any-combination fours tournament.
“It’s been a feature tournament of the club every year,” says non-bowling daughter Chrissie. “And my sister Pam and her husband Peter come up every year from Invercargill to see dad and play in the tournament. My brother Pio (Peter) also plays. Their four is known as the ‘three Peters and a Pam’!”
They’re a pretty sharp team. Over the years, they’ve won the Peter Sheehan Cup twice. But Southlanders won’t be surprised at the that … Pam is a Centre representative.
The Peter Sheehan Cup was played a few weeks ago on Saturday 6th May.
“We almost had a full house … 29 teams of fours playing on our two greens,” says Robyn. “It was meant to be a full day of bowls celebrating Peter’s 100th, but the weather didn’t come to the party … we managed to play one round and another shortened round.”
“But it was still a great day. Another ‘Peter’, Peter Sergeant and his team from Thames Coast, took the win despite the efforts of Team Three-Peters-and-a-Pam!”
Winners of the Peter Sheehan Cup (from left to right) : John McCullagh; Kevin Gainsfort; Ross Marshall and Peter Sargent from Thames Coast Bowling Club, with Peter Sheehan
“And in spite of the rain, it was a marvellous day,” says Chrissie. “The club put on a big ham and fresh rolls and the players and spectators at the club were able to help themselves.”
The club also organised a humungous three-tier birthday cake for Peter to cut and share. “It was banana cake,” says Robyn. “But we only got through the top tier … it may have been chocolate as well.”
It was a big day for Peter.
“He was pretty croaky by the end of the day with all the talking. And I had him in bed by seven o’clock!”
But the day at the bowling club was just one of many birthday celebrations.
“Michael Holland from TVNZ ‘Seven Sharp’ came out here the other week, and he appeared on the Friday night on the News.” Peter doesn’t like the limelight, but I think he was pretty chuffed.”
“He’s also got a morning tea at the local RSA. As an 18 year old, dad went away to war and was fighting in Italy. He was wounded, with shrapnel in his back, and was sent home to Burwood Hospital. That’s where he met mum. Daisy.”
“They settled in the Pureora Forest in the King Country where dad continued as a diesel mechanic. They then went to Rotorua and of all places, Papaua & New Guinea. They came to Whitianga in the 1970’s for dad to work in the fishing industry. And after he spent some time playing indoor bowls, he turned to the outdoor game and joined Mercury Bay.”
Although Daisy passed away some years ago, Peter continues to enjoy good health. “I reckon bowls has kept me alive!” he says.
And when you’re still doing everything Peter does at the club, who would disagree.
Congratulations, Peter!
Peter Sheehan keeping the Mercury Bay Bowling Club green
