Genevieve Cichy

 

 

    27 years ago after moving to Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, California from New Jersey, Genevieve Cichy took up the sport of lawn bowling.  Rossmoor has three side-by-side greens and numerous members, and Genevieve was destined to become one of the most famous.

 

    Rossmoor, like Del Mesa Carmel, is part of the Pacific Inter Mountain Division of the United States Lawn Bowling Association. Genevieve joined in 1982 and has been bowling ever since.

“I have never missed Opening Day Tournaments”, says Ms. Cichy, and apparently for good reason. While a member at Rossmoor she won U.S. Pairs Play down four times, 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1994.  She was runner-up in U.S. Pairs in 1990 and 1991.  She won the U.S. Open Pairs two years in a row those same years.

 

    Her accomplishments at Rossmoor are legendary.  She won club Singles three years in a row.  She became a U.S. certified umpire, served as club Treasurer, and bowled in 6 out of the 7 bowling divisions in the U.S.  She also bowled in both Vancouver and Victoria, Canada.

 

    Lucky for us, Genevieve brought her talent and expertise to Del Mesa in 2005.  She has served as Vice-President for the two terms allowed, all the while inspiring others in the sport.  She continues to compete, and will be bowling on Opening Day this year in Oakland.  Accomplished?  You bet.

 

    Oh, by the way, Genevieve may be the oldest woman still competing in lawn bowling.  This October she will turn 95 years young.

 

 

 

 

Bob Wilhelm

 

MEMBER PROFILE

 

        Talk about a man of many hats, with a background in both civil engineering and the practice of law, Robert O. Wilhelm, (call me “Bob”) truly fits the bill (pun intended).  A bowler for a number of years now, he brings to the game a penchant for engineering his shots while keeping the jury of his peers confused.  While this column usually deals with the bowling exploits of a member, Bob by his nature demands a different summation.  Author, columnist, world traveler, civil engineer and attorney, he is also extremely modest when it comes to his accomplishments.  In addition to the aforementioned engineering firm and legal practice, he also formed Pneumatic Concrete Engineering and Construction Co., a gunite operation, built subdivisions and commercial buildings as Woodside Homes, and served as president and board member of too many professional organizations to list here.  As if all the above wasn’t enough, he was also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

As for his practice on the green, Bob still fires off his low-bias bowls with frequent accuracy.  During tournaments or special occasions, he will arrive wearing one of his numerous hats, collected throughout the world, which will invariably elicit laughs from the other participants.  But don’t be fooled by his great sense of humor.  He is a serious bowler who can still roll them with a measured eye.

 

And when it comes to measuring Bob’s character, the jury is definitely not out.  They’ve filed briefs, amicus curiae, and all agree as friends of the court, or green, anyone who is lucky enough to know him is fortunate indeed.