MICHELLE Gundy reports that she’s bowling along quite nicely thanks.
In fact, so well that the 46-year-old Mount Cotton woman is celebrating a win at the Australian Tenpin Bowling Seniors Association national titles in Adelaide.
Representing Queensland in the Restricted Masters category for bowlers aged over 45, Michelle far exceeded expectations in her first national competition to beat Western Australia’s Chris Frost in the final.
On the way to the title, she rolled a personal best 193 – well above her average of 135 going into the competition.
Having only begun bowling 18 months ago, Michelle is justifiably proud of her performance.
“Bowling my new PB of 193 was an achievement in itself,” she said.
“It is still sinking in that I’ve won this national competition.”
Queensland Women’s Team Manager Ann Boxsell said winning the national Masters was a big feather in Michelle’s cap.
Ann said many of Michelle’s opponents had been bowling for 20 years, so to perform so well after such a short time in the sport was remarkable.
Michelle said her win had given her the self-belief that she could do anything she set her mind to.
“It gives me the confidence to know you can achieve anything at any age as long as you have the support of family and friends.”
Michelle said the support from husband Nathan and son Riley, both keen bowlers, along with encouragement from her Queensland teammates and fellow bowlers at Logan City Tenpin was invaluable.
Before the nationals, she also started receiving coaching from her friend Brad Ballis, which has helped with her steady progression.
She had also changed to two new balls provided by Meltdown’s Pro Shop, which she attributed to getting more strikes on the way to her victory.
