Turf war: Retirement village rivalry rolls into Somerton Park
More than 100 retirement village residents will be embroiled in a turf war in Adelaide’s western suburbs tomorrow.
Behind the unassuming facade of the Somerton Bowls Club, a fiercely-contested battle will be waged on Friday morning.
More than 100 senior citizens from 11 retirement villages across Adelaide and Victor Harbor are expected to descend on the seaside suburb to contest the Levande South Australian Bowls Tournament.
The event is back for its second year, after it was revived in 2024 following a five-year hiatus.
What started with 16 teams has now balloon to 26 – made up of 103 players aged 70 and over.
And with centuries of honed skills and experience between them, competition is expected to be “fierce” as members take to the green.
Levande resident Mal Rudd, will compete in the tournament for the first time, alongside his wife Wendy.
“I’ve played cricket, soccer, rugby over the years, and my wife played tennis and hockey,” Rudd said.
“There’s always been that competitive streak in us (and) when it’s your village competing, you want to win. Each village wants that trophy.
“There’s real rivalry there, but it’s friendly.”
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Somerton Park senior village manager John Neill said the special event fostered community spirit.
“Bowls is more than a game – it’s about connection, laughter, and a little healthy competition.”
Levande chief executive Kevin McCoy said the tournament was an investment in residents’ social lives.
“It creates meaningful connections across our communities and demonstrates that retirement living can be vibrant, active and social,” he told InDaily.
“When we see people traveling from 11 villages across South Australia to compete, we know we’re delivering on our promise to foster wellbeing and belonging.”
