Bowls
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IT IS not often a man as accomplished as Les Bonham is rendered speechless, but that is exactly what happened on Sunday afternoon.
Bonham had the honour of the bottom green at the Leeton Soldiers Club being named after him for his contribution to the club and bowls in Leeton.
A short unveiling ceremony was held after the lunch break during the men's president's day last Sunday.
"I'm losing my touch," Bonham said. "I did not have a clue.
"Roy McDowall and his team, not only did they surprise me, they're doing a fantastic job."
With the day's players and guests, including mayor Paul Maytom, club directors and Bonham's family, looking on, Riverina District Bowling Association president Jim Ovens helped Bonham unveil the new timber sign naming the green.
"I didn't know what to think or say," Bonham said.
"I could think of many names that could have fitted into that category over the past 50 years, champion bowlers and great administrators.
"Maybe I'm different because I tried to be both.
"It may be corny, but the way I was brought up, if it was possible and you were capable of giving back, you did that."
Bonham acknowledged how wife Shirley, son Terry and daughters Maree and Catherine aided his contribution to bowls.
"You don't do what I've done without the support of the family and kids," he said.
Earlier this year, Bonham celebrated 50 consecutive years of representative bowls for the Leeton Soldiers Club.
Bonham has played over 450 pennant games for Soldiers for multiple pennant wins, won 40 club titles and had representative honours at club, Riverina, Zone 8, NSW Country, NSW state reserves and NSW level.
He was bowling club president from 1970-77, has served on match and selection committees, was Riverina president from 1977-80 and 2002-05, was club coach for 30 years and publicity officer for 15 years. Bonham is a life member of Leeton Soldiers Club and Riverina District Bowling Association.
"Nowadays, what I was able to do is not possible on a representative scale," he said. "It is a different system all together."
However, having the green named after him will remind others of those 50 years of commitment to the sport and the club.
It will also be humbling for an already low-key man to have his own patch of turf, with the sign to prove it.
"I'll give it a pat every time I look at it," Bonham said.