Elsworthy’s straight flush could be a winning hand

by admin on February 13, 2014

Elsworthy is poised for a jam-packed week at the Australian Open after picking up five disciplines Tasmanian bowler Gaylene Elsworthy is poised for a busy week as she tackles a full program of events at Australia’s most lucrative bowls tournament.

The only bowler to have such a jam-packed schedule at next week’s Australian Open, Elsworthy came through Tasmanian qualifying to gain berths in five disciplines – the women’s singles, pairs and fours in the main draw, the mixed pairs and the over-60s women’s pairs.

While somewhat surprised to have qualified for a full suit of disciplines, Eslworthy can see positives in her heavy workload.

“I’ve qualified for two (disciplines) before, but I certainly didn’t expect to qualify in all of them,” Elsworthy said prior to commencing her campaign.

“The more you can qualify for the better, being on the green every day can only be an advantage.”

With such a busy schedule, Elsworthy says approach will be to warm her way into the tournament through her opening few matches, but isn’t looking too much further into the draw, well aware of the notoriously difficult nature of the Darebin greens.

“For me to win a game, I would be rapt, and although I would love to make the finals I’m remaining realistic.

“They aren’t kind greens (at Darebin), but you have to play on what is there, and I’ve done my preparation for it this year,” she said.

Having progressed all the way to the semi-final of the singles at last year’s Australian Open, after defeating defending champion Lynsey Clarke in the quarter-final – her best result in the blue ribbon event, Elsworthy is intent on going a few steps further this time.

“I bowled terribly in the semi-final and I wish I could repeat that performance and bowl better – maybe this year.”

She will begin her push to better that result on Sunday against Christine Baxter from Queensland in her opening round encounter.

For the first time since 2007, when Elsworthy won the event with her brother Wayne Manson, she will be competing in the mixed pairs.

She credits that win as one of the best of her career and is particularly happy to be revisiting the event with youngster Rhys McDougall.

“I was asked by a young guy (McDougall) to play mixed pairs with him, so we joined the qualifying, never actually thinking we would win it.

“In Tasmania we don’t have the same number of places as in the other states, so it can be quite tough to qualify.

“We had to play four games in one day to qualify for the mixed pairs to win the one spot.

“He’s never been over before, so it’s pretty nice for him.”

Her partner in the over-60 women’s pairs is Scottish Sporting Hall of Fame member, Joyce Lindores.

A medallist at two Commonwealth Games, Lindores is a previous Australian Open women’s singles champion.

While the pair has a bye in the first round, Elsworthy is already looking forward to their first match.

“We played together last year and I played shocking, I really didn’t expect her to ask me to play again,” Elsworthy quipped.

“She’s an awesome bowler and I want to bowl better for her this year.”

Elsworthy will again tackle this year’s Australian Open women’s pairs with fellow Tasmanian Kim Saunders.

The pair is hopeful of success after having some close results in years gone by.

“I’d love to get through in the pairs as I’ve played with Karen each year but we seem to just miss out by a couple of shots.”

Saunders and Elsworthy will be joined by Vicki Winley and Debbie Lee in the women’s fours, beginning Tuesday, February 18.

As a long standing member of the Tasmanian state team, Elsworthy is particularly happy to see some young local bowlers making the trip to the Australian Open, and plans to join them in the event for many years to come.

“There is a young girl who qualified in the fours with us, who is a new bowler – I’m pretty excited that she is coming over.,” she said.

“There aren’t a lot of girls that come over from Tasmania, and it’s nice for them to be able to see players like Karen (Murphy) and maybe play against them.

“You want to play in it, because it’s the biggest tournament in Australia.

“While my body will let me do it, I’m there.”

Article provided to bowlsaustralia.com.au by Skye McTavish.