“Story of perseverance”: Passion drives Ron forward
Bowls, as is the same with life, is full of ups and downs. One of the better examples of this is Belmont Golf & Bowls Club’s Ron Cooke.
Ron has had a lifelong passion for sport and keeping active. A talented rugby player in his day, Ron trialled for St George at one point.
An important part of his passion has been bowls, a game both he and wife Shirley share fondly.
“I’ve been playing bowls for a long time. It’s very important for elderly people, and everybody as well I suppose,” he said.
“One of the great things about bowls it’s a great game for everyone.
“My wife has been quite successful with bowls, and I love getting involved and having a go.”
Ron turned 80 in July, with a few health problems doing their best to try and prevent him from staying out on the greens.
But nothing can stop him from playing the game he loves.
About 40 years ago, Ron’s eyesight began to deteriorate. Told he would ‘go blind virtually straight away’, Ron thought different of his diagnosis.
“I didn’t like the idea of that,” he said.
“As a Type 1 Diabetic, I worked on my sugar levels and have held out for about 41 years or so.”
Ron is now legally blind in his right eye, but some ingenuity helped him create a visual assistant, with a mini-telescope connected to glasses helping him see the other end of the rink while on the green.
To further complicate matters, Ron broke his hip about two years ago, severely inhibiting his balance.
“Every time I see a doctor they say I’m lucky to walk and lucky to be alive,” he said.
Once again, rather than throwing in the towel, Ron got to work designing a flat stand to allow him to keep bowling.
“It’s flat so it does no damage to the green, and it helps keep my balance,” he said.
“I suppose I’m running out of gadgets now!”
Belmont men’s bowls president Trevor Gasson is amazed with how Ron continues to bounce back from his challenges.
“It’s a story of perseverance,” he said.
“He has been up against it but has never let that go against him.
“He’s a little unique but that’s what has allowed him to continue bowls.
“He’s a very likeable guy and a very good bowler.”
Ron has been a vocal supporter of bowls, often calling talkback radio to promote the game he loves.
“It started a few years back and it has happened more and more, they can’t shut me up,” he said.
“It’s good publicity, whenever I get the opportunity I speak about it.”
Gasson said the world and the sport of bowls is better off with people like Ron involved.
“He has a passion that we love, and that’s what bowls is about.”
