Lawn bowler Keith Brakenridge, 86, is his sport’s answer to Andrea McVicar who has just notched up 700 games in softball.

Mr Brakenridge, who plays for the BHAS Bowling Club, will reach his 765th pennant game on Saturday.

It is definitely a BHAS club milestone, but there is also no record of any bowler in Port Pirie equalling that feat.

Although Mr Brakenridge’s parents Doug and Amy played for the Port Pirie Bowling Club, both life members, with his mother a past Port Pirie champion and a country singles champion, he played for the BHAS club starting in 1965.

During his career the keen bowler won the pennants competition in his first year with Royal, followed by 13 pennant championships playing in div 1 Boucher, three with div 2 O’Shaughnessy and one with Mahood in div 3.

On three occasions he has won the eights badge when his team has scored the whole eight bowls and when he turned 80 he was presented with the super veteran’s badge.

It was a thrill for the bowler when he attended the Australian Championships in Tasmania and played in a tournament representing the BHAS Club and bowled against an ex Australian champion in the singles; and held his own.

Having played for 44 years Mr Brakenridge has saved every program since 1971, which gives him valuable information of his club’s history.

Mr Brakenridge is well known in local sporting circles having played golf for many years, until a knee replacement, his third, which robbed him of the game he loved.

He and his golf-playing wife Jean have made a trip overseas to watch the British Open and while away they played golf in England, Spain, Ireland and Scotland.

At the age of 16 he played baseball while living in Adelaide and when returning to Port Pirie he instigated the start of the winter-day competition, playing for Magpies.

When the summer-night competition started, he was the first captain coach of the Tigers Baseball team and played until he turned 42, then took up umpiring.

“I gave it away when they called me granddad,” Mr Brakenridge said.

The sportsman was also an athlete and ran in the famous Stawell Gift.

The unassuming, quietly spoken gentleman is nicknamed ‘Rowdy’ which he has as his mark on his bowls.

The friendships and camaraderie of his fellow bowlers is what keeps him going to the greens.

“I don’t think I will make 800 games because that would mean playing another two seasons,” he said.

“But I will continue playing while the knees keep working.”

Do you know someone who has played more than 765 games in their chosen sport?

Let the Recorder know on 8632 3666.