BOWLING clubs in the Shoalhaven assisted a world record attempt last week as Victorian lawn bowler Frank Peniguel tore through the town in his colourful Kombi van.
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The 71-year-old has just one thing in mind – to play lawn bowls.
Peniguel is attempting to create the Guinness World Records for the most lawn bowls clubs played at by an individual in 12 months and visited five Shoalhaven clubs over three days last week.
Peniguel started on January 10 at Elsternwick, Victoria, and has made his way to the South Coast.
He played at Currarong on Tuesday, April 22, before visiting Nowra, Bomaderry and Shoalhaven Heads on Wednesday, and Berry on Thursday.
He then continued on to the Illawarra and plans to visit as many clubs as he can on the way to Cooktown, Queensland.
He will finish on January 9, 2015, with his lat game in his current residential town in Daylesford, Victoria.
Peniguel said the journey was his legacy to the game he has become so passionate about.
He is enthusiastic about the longevity of the competitive sport, and wants more senior bowlers to encourage the younger crowd to the bowling clubs.
“I want everyone 70 and over to replace themselves [with another player] by the time they go to the bias in the sky,” he said.
“Because we lose 16 per cent of all bowlers over 70 each year in this country.
“And because I am crazy enough, I thought I would like to do it,” he laughed.
At each club Peniguel plays 10 ends with four bowls, and on average visits three to four clubs six days a week.
To set the record he must have two witnesses from each club fill in a form, as well as various photo evidence and game cards.
“I would like to play at between 600 and 800 clubs. Six-hundred is definitely feasible as long as myself and the Kombi survive and the weather isn’t against me,” he said.
Despite playing so much lawn bowls Peniguel described himself as an average player.
“I always lose because they put me up against their champion,” he laughed.
“At the moment I am winning one in every 5.2 games, but I am improving.”
Nowra Bowling Club president Mike Mitchell was Peniguel’s opponent last Wednesday.
“I think he is crazy,” Mitchell joked.
“But I think it is worthwhile. From our view, at least it gets bowls back into the limelight.
“We wish him all the best. I think it is a great way to see the country and meet new people.”
You can keep up to date with Peniguel’s journey by visiting www.hittheroadjack.net.au
