The first National Championship in 1893, was held at Queen's Park and the Championship continued to be played at the club until 1989. In 1896, Queens Park opened a third green which was of great benefit to the growing Championships. As well as using those three greens the Association was grateful to have the early rounds of the Junior Singles and Senior Fours played on the excellent greens of Mount Florida.
In 1989, the local Wellcroft Club also assisted with early rounds of the Championships as the format had changed to allow 32 qualifiers to participate in the final stages. As the final stages had increased considerably the Council decided, with regret to look for a venue which could accommodate all the final rounds in one place. The 1990 Championships were played on the five greens at Ayr.
At the beginning of 1895, Mr James Brown, the first Secretary and founding father of the Association tendered his resignation, having decided for family reasons to make his future in Montreal, Canada. His resignation was accepted with great regret as it was due to his untiring energy and enthusiasm that the S.B.A. was in existence: his work as the first Secretary ensured that the Association was now on a sound footing.
|
|
Secretary and Treasurer SBA 1895 - 1936 |
The vacancy for Secretary was advertised and there were 61 applicants. These were reduced to short leet of three, namely, Mr Thomas Kelly, C.A. (The Willow Bank Club, Glasgow), Mr J. McKee Thomson (The Edinburgh Bowling Club) and, Mr Andrew Haig Hamilton, S.S.C. (Lutton Place Bowling Club, Edinburgh). On 8th May 1895, at the AGM in Glasgow, the result of the voting was as follows, Mr Hamilton = 59; Mr Kelly = 34; Mr Thomson = 13. Mr Hamilton being duly elected to office.
Thus began the great Andrew Hamilton era in Scottish Bowling; There is no doubt that Andrew Hamilton was one of the 'Greats' who made a major contribution to bowling during his long term of office from 1895 to 1936. During his 41 years as Secretary/Treasurer he was involved in changes and amendments to the Laws of the Game and to the Rules of the Scottish Bowling Association. He did much for International Bowling, was the first Secretary of the International Bowling Board and later its President.
When Andrew Hamilton retired in 1936, the Association honoured him by making him President, in 1937 and then in 1938 he was first Honorary President of the Scottish Bowling Association. Mr Andrew Hamilton was further honoured in 1939 when the Association presented the 'Andrew H. Hamilton Trophy' for competition between the County and City Associations. We can do no better than quote part of the tribute to Mr Hamilton contained in the S.B.A. Jubilee brochure of 1942:
| 'Mr Hamilton entered office at a critical stage in the history of the Association. It was still in its infancy and therefore susceptible to those infantile disorders which may impair the whole system for years to come. By his charm of manner, his unfailing courtesy, the ardour with which he applied himself to his duty, the legal acumen that distinguished his counsels to the Association, the tact with which he handled difficult and delicate situations, his extensive knowledge of the game andhis sterling capabilities as a bowler - by these and many other excellences of character, Mr Hamilton has left an indelible impression upon the bowling life of Scotland and upon the many who, not only in these islands but overseas, who have been privileged to enjoy his friendship. Respectfully we claim that Mr Hamilton is now a tradition.' |
As the saying goes 'follow that.' However, since Andrew Hamilton's time the Association has been very fortunate in its choice of Secretaries/Treasurers.
|
|
