Country Cup is what it is...
No more, no less. A good excuse for a good time away with mates. ..oh, and there's some bowling too.
There ya go fellas....is this better?
To be honest here Wayne, I think every amateur bowling event (and probably most amateur - and professional - sports at some level) would have a fairly high social aspect. You tend to interact with those that share a common love and/or goal, even on internet forums.
To say bowlers have a beer and a catch up at Country Cup is spot on, but then typically there's no official function such as a President's lunch or the Grand Prix ball to double as social interaction. When I bowled the TAT and High Roller in Vegas I had a beer with guys I'd just met, is that really so different?
So in reality (or my opinion) I feel most sporting events would include the catch up with mates aspect, they're our peers and our friends - wouldn't some component of that apply to all events in life? Work and sport included?
It just comes down to perception of individual priorities.
Perceptions can differ when you watch an event from a distance and see 'beer first, bowl later' vs compete in the event 'bowl your best, catch up with peers and friends later'.
Mildura marathon is a good time away with mates, and a beer, and not much sleep. My team mates interact with me for 60 games, but the guys you bowl with and against do too because they have respect for the fact we're all here at 4 and 5 am with a common objective - throwing a round object at sometimes blurry white posts!
Vic Sports series is the same, great events, great people, a whole lot of camaraderie.
You don't bag those events do you?
When I first went to Country Cup I knew my team and about 2 other people, this year I'm going up there and I'm not even bowling! Its funny how over time your competitors can become your friends when a) you earn each others respect, and b) you find you actually like each other and have something to talk about.
Sorry mate, to say Country Cup is a secondary event is just wrong!
Cheers
David
