The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Driskell Rolle and David Slatter, the two most consistent bowlers over the past decade, have emerged as the winners of the Bahamas Bowling Federation’s Nationals.

Rolle clinched the ladies’ title with a total pinfalls of 4,084 and a 204.2 average over 20 games at the week-long trials that concluded over the weekend at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Center.

Slatter, on the other hand, took the men’s crown with his total of 3,994 pins and an average of 199.70 in his 20 games.

Rolle, a 42-year-old accountant, said she lived up to her expectations.

“I knew that the competition was going to be stiff, but I went out there and I bowled to the best of my ability,” Rolle said. “I was able to get an early lead and I managed to maintain it, but the rest of the field was coming for me.”

Having started bowling from around the age of five when she was introduced to the game by her father Cedric Farquharson at the former Village Road Bowling Lanes, Rolle said once Mario’s Bowling was opened in 2010, she got a chance to bowl a lot more and it paid off.

“I think I have been able to perform at such a high level because I have been consistently competing. I love the competition,” she said. “I think it’s not just about competing here at home, but getting the chance to go overseas and to see exactly where you are with a much higher level of competition.”

In recent times, Rolle has emerged as the champion or runner-up in just about every trials held by the federation. She has also represented the Bahamas on just about every national team that has left the country.

Having secured the top spot at the trials, Rolle said she will continue to improve her game so that she will be in a position to compete on any national team that she is selected to again represent the Bahamas.

Following Rolle on the ladies’ side were Jonice Lockart with her total of 3,622 pins and an average of 181,1, Janice Hoyte with 3,580 pins and an average of 179, Kayla Nixon with 3,454 pins and a 172.7 average and Tara Culmer with 3,427 pins and a 171.35 average.

“This National Championships brought out the best in me, but I still have some work to do,” said Hoyte, a perennial top five competitor. “I haven’t been bowling that regularly, but it showed me that what I have been doing in practice with my brother (Sonith) has paid off.

“Driskell, being the bowler that she is, set the pace, so it was very competitive and I like the focus that I had. It brought out the best in me to see that I still have some work to do.”

Lockhart, a 57-year-old employee at BTC, said the tournament allowed her to understand where her game is at right now.

“When you talk about being the best or second best bowler in the country, this is what it is all about,” she pointed. “It’s either do or die and that is what Driskell has done over everybody else. She has proven consistency. That is where a lot of us have fallen down. We’re not as consistent as she has been, but being No.2 is a good position to be in. Someone has to be number one and someone has to be number two. I’m happy to know that I can wear that cap as number two, although I know that I have the champion in me.”

With the top bowlers competing this year, along with bowlers like Xynea Johnson, who didn’t perform so well in this tournament, Lockhart warned Johnson not to rest on her laurels.

“The top five women right now is going to make it competitive. If you want it, you have to bowl it,” she proclaimed. “Even with Driskell being the number one competitor, she realize that she will have to bowl because there are some people’s footsteps behind her.

“She doesn’t know which one of us is coming for her and we have to watch out because there are some other bowlers who are coming behind us to knock us out of spots. So it’s going to be very competitive this year.”

Slatter, rebounding from a disappointing opening night, managed to put together a solid showing the rest of the way to beat out arch-rival Leonardo Davis, who had 3,949 pins and a 197.45 average.

“After the shaky start that placed me in 16th spot after day one, I changed equipment, used a different bowling ball and approached the lanes in a different angle of attack and had a very good second night to move into first place,” Slatter recalled.

“I had a very solid third night to build upon my lead and I had a so-so final day, but it was good enough for me to hold off Lee Davis, who had a very good last night to come second overall. So overall, I was pleased with my performance.”

The 51-year-old Slatter, who is employed at Royal Fidelity, said it’s good to hold onto early bragging rights.

“It’s always good to build up your resume and to look back and have some fun in the bowling community,” he said. “At least I can enjoy bragging rights for the moment, but there are some other tournaments right around the corner, so you can’t get too biggity, or you can get put in your place.”

Kevin Williams finished third with 3,876 pins and a 193.80 average; Sonith Lockhart with 3,868 pins and a 193.40 average snd Tyrone Knowles, who rounded out the top five with 3,850 pins and a 192.50 average.