Renowned lawn bowler Doug Tranter has overcome a debilitating brain hemorrhage to roll down a few bowls on his 100th birthday on Thursday, May 25.
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Furthermore, it was on his own rink at Club Mudgee, which has also been renamed in his honour.
It was in September 2016 that he fell ill but care by doctors and dedicated staff at Mudgee Hospital, Opal and Kanandah Aged Care, has basically given him full recovery.
However he did say “that’s why there was that rough one”, jokingly about one of his more wayward bowls for his birthday.
Doug, now residing at Kanandah Aged Care, is probably best known throughout NSW for his 56 years of illustrious achievements in lawn bowls.
At age 61 after working in various jobs and owning a general store in Rylstone he turned his hand to green keeping.
At this late age he studied to gain his qualifications (Honours) whilst green keeping at Rylstone and it was here that he began an extraordinary career in lawn bowls.
Doug Tranter’s name is known on most NSW bowling greens.
He has won many championships and tournaments during his 56 years of competing.
His last championship win as recently as 2016 - in his 99th year - was the Mudgee Bowling Club Fours.
Badges are traditionally the awards given out and at last count Doug Tranter had 111.
“There are more than that” he says “as some wins were only recorded and no badges given.”
In recognition of his achievements and his service to lawn bowls he has received two life memberships, one this year from Mudgee Bowling Club and one previously from Rylstone Bowling Club.
Doug’s life has been remarkable as has his recovery.
His swift movement around Kanandah has earned him the name Pharlap and he is already looking forward to his next birthday – after all his father had 102nd birthday.
A big crowd was on hand rinkside to help Doug celebrate the milestone birthday.
“It’s good to have so many people around, it got to me a bit,” he said.
Mudgee Bowling Club president Anthony Rich announced on the day that they would be adding another zero to Rink 10 at Club Mudgee for the man of the hour.
“We’re naming it the ‘Doug Tranter Rink’ and from now on it’ll be known as Rink 100 instead of 10 in honour of Doug,” he said.
Doug said, “I didn’t expect anything like that, it’s gone from the tenth rink to 100”.
“I might have to come back,” he laughed.
“[I’ll keep playing] if I’m able, I only live around the corner.”
