The Northern Cape Bowls (NCB) Open Masters, widely regarded as the most prestigious event on the district’s annual calendar, took centre stage at Beaconsfield Park Bowling Club in Kimberley this past weekend, where the district’s finest singles bowlers battled it out for the coveted Masters titles.

The NCB Open Masters brings together the 12 top men and 12 top women singles players from across the district, with invitations reserved exclusively for those who have consistently performed at the highest level throughout the season. The elite fields were divided into two sections of six players each, with competitors playing a demanding round-robin format before the section winners advanced to the championship finals.

Freezing start

Players were greeted by testing conditions on Saturday morning as a bitterly cold front swept across Kimberley. Temperatures dropped so low that ice had to be played off from the greens during the opening ends. Despite the freezing start, the standard of bowls remained exceptionally high throughout the weekend.

Following Saturday’s three rounds, clear leaders had emerged in each of the four sections, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion on Sunday.

In the Women’s Open Masters, section leaders Annelie Mathewson and Marietjie van der Bergh continued their impressive form, each winning their remaining sectional matches to comfortably secure top spot and book their places in what promised to be a thrilling championship final.

The Men’s Open Masters, however, produced plenty of drama. Both overnight section leaders stumbled in their opening matches on Sunday, allowing the chasing pack back into contention with a series of convincing victories.

CP Mathewson held his nerve when it mattered most, winning his final sectional match to claim top spot in his section. In the other section, Driaan van Niekerk produced a remarkable comeback, climbing from third place overnight to finish top of the standings and set up a highly anticipated final against Mathewson.

Finals and play-offs

When the championship matches got underway, experience once again proved decisive. Mother-and-son combination Annelie and CP Mathewson showcased their class and composure, both producing outstanding performances to outplay their respective opponents and claim the 2026 NCB Open Masters titles.

For CP Mathewson, the victory was particularly significant as he successfully defended his crown for a third consecutive year, further cementing his status as one of the district’s premier singles bowlers.

The men’s third-place play-off produced one of the most thrilling encounters of the weekend, with David Paulse edging Marco Geel by the narrowest possible margin. Paulse eventually secured the bronze medal with a dramatic 21–20 victory.

In the women’s bronze medal play-off, René van Niekerk defeated Adi Koekemoer to finish third overall.

Tribute to volunteers and hosts

The success of the tournament was made possible through the efforts of numerous volunteers. Sincere appreciation is extended to the markers, umpires, competition secretaries and everyone who worked behind the scenes throughout the weekend. Events of this calibre simply would not be possible without their dedication and commitment.

A special word of thanks is also extended to Beaconsfield Park Bowling Club for hosting the championship. Despite the freezing conditions, the greens played fast and true throughout the weekend, while the catering was of an exceptionally high standard, ensuring players and spectators were well looked after.

As another memorable edition of the NCB Open Masters came to a close, players departed Kimberley after a weekend of outstanding bowls, fierce competition and worthy champions. The Northern Cape Bowling district wishes everyone a safe journey home and looks forward to another exciting season ahead.

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