The bowling community were in shock with the sudden passing of Stephen Jones on 4^th February.  Steve was a valued member of the Geraldine Bowling Club, carrying out various duties and a valued member of working bees.  He was Vice President in 2017 and was senior selector for a number of years.  He was on the match committee and helped with coaching in the club.

Steve started playing bowls at the Geraldine club in 1993 and won his first club title in the 1995 Intermediate Singles. He then went on to win 42 club titles.

Steve won his first South Canterbury title in 2002. He then went on to win another 23 titles and remains third on list behind Robin Milne on 28 and Richie Kerr on 29 titles.

The 24 titles Steve won comprised of 12 South Canterbury Open and 12 South Canterbury Centre titles. Steve won four Singles titles and played with 19 different players to achieve his milestone.

In an interview with Steve, he said the funniest thing he had seen on the bowling green was in 2007 when Steve and Dan Rooney played Dinga Bell and Jimmy Annett, and Annett was so nervous that he put Sun cream on his bowls and Grippo on his face.

His biggest thrill was winning the Interclub National Sevens title in Wellington and getting the team of year award in South Canterbury. They also were runner up in same national event in 2013 in Invercargill.

His other notable fame was when South Canterbury beat the New Zealand Bowls team skipped by Gary Lawson, who then won a World Championship a month later.

In 2016 Steve become the first and only bowler to have won all 9 South Canterbury senior events.

Steve was a South Canterbury bowling representative for over 26 years.

Steve will be missed by a number of bowlers throughout New Zealand. RIP MATE.

History

South Canterbury Open championships:

Singles - 2009, 2013, 2014

Pairs -

2007- Steve Jones, Dan Rooney

2011 - Dan Rooney, Steve Jones

2018 - Steve Jones, David Curtis

Triples -

2008 - Steve Jones, Dan Rooney, Bill Cosgriff

2017 - Steve Jones, Sam Morton, Greg Valentine

Fours -

2005 - Dan Rooney, Steve Jones, Sam Smith, Dick Bray

2010 - Steve Jones, Dan Rooney, Ricky Ross, Dennis Johnston

2012 - Steve Jones, Dan Rooney, Ricky Ross, Dennis Johnston

Champion of Champions:

Singles - 2016

Pairs -

2012 - Steve Jones, Dan Rooney

Triples -

2002 - Steve Jones, Neil Scriggins, Michael Jones

2012 - Steve Jones, Dan Rooney, Ricky Ross

2013 - Steve Jones, Roger Glendinning

2018 - Steve Jones, Dave Curtis, Dennis Johnston

Fours -

2003 - Steve Jones, Michael Jones, Neil Scriggins, Jarod Travathan

2008 - Billy Cosgriff Snr, Steve Jones, Dennis Johnston, Ricky Ross

2013 - Steve Jones, Graham Immes, Ricky Ross, Warner Barber

2014 - Steve Jones, Ricky Ross, Graham Stewart, Dennis Johnston

2015 - Steve Jones, Dennis Johnston, Aaron Thomas, Warner Barber

2018 - Steve Jones, Ricky Ross, Michael Jones, Dave Curtis

Mixed Pairs

2012 - Steve Jones, Marion Patrick

Notable events

2008 - Runner up NZ National triples - Steve Jones, Dan Rooney, Billy Cosgriff Jnr

2011 - NZ National club Fours Champions - Steve Jones, Dan Rooney, Ricky Ross, Dennis Johnston

2011 - South Canterbury team of year - Steve Jones, Dan Rooney, Ricky Ross, Dennis Johnston

2013 - Runner up NZ National Club Fours - Steve Jones, Dan Rooney, Ricky Ross, Dennis Johnston

Red O’Neill pairs

2007 -- Steve Jones, Dan Rooney

2011 - Steve Jones, Dan Rooney

West End Classic

2007 - Steve Jones, Dan Rooney, Leo Leonard, Jim Kane

2011 - Steve Jones, Dan Rooney, Leo Leonard, Jim Kane

Kia Toa Anniversary Triples

1999 - Richie Kerr, Steve Jones, Dave Hanson

2015 - Steve Jones, Dan Rooney, Bruce Genever

2009 - 50^th Player to achieve a Gold Star

2012 - 10 titles

2014 – 15 titles

2016 - 20 titles

2022 - 24 titles

- Richie Kerr

Article added: Tuesday 21 February 2023