Glen Proctor, who operates the ferry between Omokoroa and Matakana Island, had waited a long 35 years. And on the day he finally won his first centre title, he was the star by producing stunning draw bowls at the Matua club.

Proctor teamed with Sue Hodges (pictured right) to win the Bay champion of champions mixed pairs 16-9 over Mount Maunganui’s Margaret Barlow and Eric Pattillo in the one-sided final.

The ever-consistent Hodges collected her third centre championship of the season but she was the first to admit that she was over-shadowed by her Omokoroa team-mate.

“This was Glen’s show today, not mine – he played magnificently,” Hodges said.

Proctor’s unerring accuracy shut out the opposition as Omokoroa rushed out to a 6-0 lead on the third end and 11-1 on the fifth end after picking up five shots.

The Mount picked up two singles but Omokoroa replied with three singles and a two to lead 16-3 after 11 ends. Barlow and Pattillo still held some hope and finished off with a three, two and a single.

Proctor’s ‘big day’ was exemplified on the 11^th end. Barlow had drawn a toucher and with his last bowl and no room to move, he casually rested on her bowl and the kitty without moving anything for shot.

“It’s the best game I’ve ever played,” Glen said. “I’ve always wanted to win a title and I just let the bowl do the work. I’ve been trying for a while now, and it was easy playing with Sue – you know what she is going to do.”

Proctor began bowls at Katikati in 1990 but after playing for 10 years he spent the next 15 years away from the game while he established his Matakana Ferry business.

Before that, he worked on the Chatham Islands managing a factory and going crayfishing, and then seven years underground working in the Waihi Gold Mine.

Proctor bought a 45-year-old barge and then replaced it with a new roll on roll off ferry transporting milk tankers, truck and trailers (for livestock, metals, kiwifruit and avocado), cars and of course passengers to Matakana Island.

“It’s an awesome job and I love going to work,” said Proctor, who was joined by his son Michael 12 years ago. They employ a relief driver on Sunday, giving them a break and Glen more time for bowls.

He was back playing bowls, this time at Omokoroa. “Once you learn the game, you never forget. You just have to keep improving,” he said.

In the semi-finals, Proctor and Hodges were tested by Kawerau’s Jessie Hauraki and John Dowie though they always held the lead. The Omokoroa pair again jumped out to 6-0 and 8-1 leads after six ends.

Kawerau clawed back to 6-10 after 10 ends but Proctor and Hodges finished off with two singles and two to win 14-6.

In the other semi-final, Barlow and Pattillo beat the Te Puke husband and wife combination of Noel and Marilyn McLeod, last season’s runners-up, 17-12.

The Mount opened with a four and a two and Te Puke returned the compliment to level the score at 7-all after six ends. Barlow and Pattillo stretched their lead to 13-7 and 14-8 before the McLeods picked up a four on the 12^th end to close the gap to 12-14.

But Barlow and Pattillo held their nerve and closed out the last two ends with a two and a single.

Hodges had the last word: “This year we are lucky, it’s in Tauranga.” She was referring to the national champ of champs mixed pairs final which will be played on the indoor green at Tauranga South on August 29-31.

Hodges and Proctor will be joined in the field by a former Tauranga South member Simon Poppleton, now playing out of Takapuna, who won the North Harbour qualifying event with Keiko Kurohara.

Article added: Tuesday 27 May 2025