Jonathan Cochrane has officially set a new Guinness World Record title for the most lawn bowls clubs played in 24 hours.
In October last year, Mr Cochrane, 47, of Table View, bowled over the 10-year-old record, which was held by a UK player for playing at eight clubs.
He successfully rolled in at ten clubs across Cape Town, starting at the Fish Hoek Bowling Club at 4am on the day – all while walking and making use of public transport only (“Bowler aims for Guinness record,” Echo, October 18, 2024).
He said he was ecstatic when he received an email from Guinness World Records on Tuesday January 28 to say he had qualified for the new record.
“It still feels so unreal but it is a very special feeling,” he said.
To qualify, he had to play five ends (five rounds up and down the green) at each club.
The clubs he visited were Fish Hoek, Bergvliet, Meadowridge, Plumstead, Western Province Cricket Club, The Glen, Fresnaye, Milnerton, Sunningdale, and Edgemead Bowls Club, his home club where he was greeted by his family.
He said he was grateful to everyone who supported him along the way.
On the day, he walked a total of 29.85km including 3.3km from Summer Greens near Century City to Edgemead Drive – the last club for the day.
He said the day had been challenging as he had gotten off to a late start in Fish Hoek as the train was late which had delayed his entire trip.
At Plumstead station, he had missed the train by seconds as it pulled off as he reached the platform and had to wait 45 minutes for the next train.
In town, instead of getting onto the Sea Point bus, he had gotten onto the Camps Bay bus which had made its way over Kloof Nek Road which only had one lane open due to the Cape Town marathon.
“It was very frustrating,” he said.
He made it to the Edgemead Bowls Club at 8.30pm and walked the last 3.3km with blisters on his feet as he had forgotten to change into his walking shoes and made the journey with his bowling shoes.
“They are okay for walking on grass but not tar. I’m glad I didn’t realise how far I would have to walk otherwise I would never have done it, but I’m glad I did and I made it,” he said.
According to the Guinness World Records website, Mr Cochran’s final game was played against the president of Edgemead Bowls Club, marked by the youngest member of Edgemead Bowls Club, and umpired by Anina Black, of Western Province Technical Officials.
“This record had previously gone unbroken for over ten years. Jonathan is proud to bring this title to South Africa,” the website stated.
