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KIMBERLEY’S Beaconsfield Park Bowling Club welcomed the Northern Cape’s leading bowls competition over the weekend, with the region’s finest singles players competing for Open Masters titles, and the Mathewson family became the most notable success.

Mother-and-son combination of Annelie and CP Mathewsonwon the women’s and men’s titles, respectively, at the2026 Northern Cape Bowls (NCB) Open Championships, considered the most esteemed event on the local schedule.

The gathering showcased a select group of the top 12 male and top 12 female bowlers from the Northern Cape, with invitations extended only to those who had demonstrated consistent performance throughout the season. Athletes were split into two groups of six and participated in a challenging round-robin format before the group winners moved on to the final championship matches.

The initial matches on Saturday took place in harsh winter weather, with temperatures falling so significantly that ice needed to be removed from the greens before the games could begin. Although the cold start was challenging, the standard of play remained remarkably good.

In the Women’s Open Masters, Annelie Mathewson and Maretjie van der Berghswept their respective categories, securing victories in all their subsequent matches on Sunday to qualify for the championship.

The Men’s Open Masters produced far more drama.

Section leaders faced early losses on Sunday, creating an opportunity for the competitors behind. CP Mathewson stepped up under pressure, winning his last sectional match to claim the top position, whileDriaan van Niekerkrose from third position overnight to claim his category and set up a confrontation with the reigning champion.

As the finals commenced, experience prevailed. Both Annelie and CP showcased calm performances to defeat their rivals and claim the 2026 Open Masters titles.

For CP, the win held additional importance as he managed to retain his title for athird consecutive year, further solidifying his status as one of the top single bowlers in the Northern Cape.

The men’s bronze medal match turned out to be one of the most exciting games of the weekend, featuringDavid Paulse edging Marco Geel 21-20in a thrilling conclusion. In the women’s third-place game,Rene van Niekerk defeated Adi Koekemoer.

Tournament organizers commended the work of numerous volunteers, officials, referees, and match personnel who contributed to the smooth running of the championship. Extra appreciation was also given toBeaconsfield Park Bowling Clubfor organizing the event, with the greens being commended for playing quickly and accurately even under the icy weather.

With another unforgettable edition of the NCB Open Masters coming to a close, athletes left Kimberley following a weekend filled with exceptional bowls, intense rivalry, and deserving winners.