With the demands of a growing family, Mike Bester admits he doesn’t get out to practise as much as he used to.
“I rely on my experience pretty heavily, just things I’ve remembered from the past… good and bad,” said the 44-year-old Milton lawn bowler. “So that really helps, especially with shot selection and reading the green.”
With three decades of lessons to draw on, Bester heads into the upcoming Canadian Lawn Bowling Nationals as the Ontario’s men’s elder statesman when it comes to big-game experience.
With seven previous trips to the major nationals under his belt, he looks to add to a Canadian medal haul that includes a gold and two silvers.
Efforts toward that will come in his own backyard, as the Milton Lawn Bowling Club – which turned 111 this year – will serve as the main site for the Aug. 17 to 24 tournament. The Commercial Street grounds will co-host with Kitchener’s Heritage Greens and welcome the country’s top bowlers for the Super Saturday semis and finals.
“It’s cool (hosting nationals). I love it. I’m not a big traveling guy,” said Bester, who’ll serve as skip for pairs and vice in 4s on a five-man team with four Kitchener-area players that range in age from early 20s to 70-something. “I’m really looking forward to it, especially with the finals being here.”
Bester’s love for lawn bowling came earlier than for most.
Growing up in Hanover, he was first introduced to the game at 12 – and the urge to carry on a family tradition immediately took hold.
“My grandfather used to bold, but then a couple of years earlier he had a stroke and was paralyzed. But my uncle bowled and there was a tournament that day so we took my grandpa to watch. So I sat and watched and was pretty intrigued by it.”
The following year his school newsletter included a call out for players to form a new junior program – and Bester was in.
A grasp of the fundamentals quickly matched his interest, and from there he’d become a regular on the regional, provincial and eventually national scene.
Of course the Bester clan would produce another accomplished player, as younger brother Ryan – now living in Australia – is the reigning world champion.
Known for his dependable big-weight shot and calm, positive presence, Bester believes Ontario has a strong chance at victory this summer – particularly with home-green advantage.
That may be especially beneficial with the recently revised format of shorter games giving players less time to make in-game adjustments.
“It goes by super fast,” said Bester. “You’ve got to get on it right away.”
Serving as manager for Team Ontario is David Anderson, a multi-time national champion and world champion participant who last fall was inducted into the Milton Sports Hall of Fame.
The Super Saturday (Aug. 24) semis and finals in each discipline will count toward the overall Cy English (men’s) and Lady Alexander (women’s) team titles.
The week-long nationals is expected to inject nearly $400,000 into the local economy.
The event has also served as an opportunity to fundraise for a much-needed water system upgrade for the local club, which must be completed by next year to meet Halton regional requirements.
The club is selling limited edition Canadian Lawn Bowling Championship polo shirts, designed by Frank McCourt. Proceeds will go towards Para Bowls and orders can be placed here, using the password 2024nationals.
Visit Lawn Bowls Canada for more on the nationals.