Jeff Gard/Today’s Northumberland
Becoming a provincial champion was years in the making for Cobourg Lawn Bowling Club member Jacob Hyatt.
The 16-year-old first competed at the Ontario under-18 championship when he was just 12 years old, finishing second. He placed third the following year before missing the podium over the next two seasons. This year, he finally claimed the gold.
Competing against older and more experienced players from a young age helped prepare him for the challenge.
“You’re playing people with more skill level, it helps improve your confidence,” he said.
Hyatt put himself in position to win the championship by opening the tournament with three consecutive victories. Under the tournament format, those wins were enough to secure the title despite a loss in his final game.
Along the way, he controlled many of his matches while also finding ways to come through in tight contests.
“It’s just staying relaxed, just trying to breathe, relax, just playing your game, not worried about (the opponent) and just kind of focus on the game,” he said.
Hyatt said strategy is one of the biggest strengths of his game.
“If I have a couple points then I’m trying to play a bit more defensive.”
Looking back on his championship performance, Hyatt credited his fast start.
“I just came out of the gate hot, from the first game to the end of the first day I was just on my game.”
Hyatt, who turns 17 in August, will compete in the Canadian youth lawn bowling championship in Hanover from Aug. 10 to 14.
It will be Hyatt’s fourth appearance at the national youth championships where he expects to face competitors similar to those he regularly sees in Ontario, with the biggest adjustment often coming from playing on unfamiliar greens. While he has yet to medal at the national level, that is a goal heading into this year’s championship.
“Zone-in, focus, relax and play my game,” he said.
Away from competition, Hyatt remains active at the Cobourg Lawn Bowling Club, where he helps run a youth program that recently returned after several years. Having benefited from the program himself, he enjoys helping introduce younger players to the sport.
“I see where I kind of started as a youth and see the improvements and tips I can give (young bowlers) help them to try and improve and what you can do in the sport. You can go competitively or just play casually.”
Hyatt’s connection to lawn bowling dates back to early childhood. He continues to work with the same coach, Sarah van Steijn, a former babysitter who introduced him to the sport when he was a toddler. He has also watched her daughter, Baylee, achieve tremendous success, including another under-25 provincial championship ahead of another appearance at nationals.
Hyatt said the support he has received has helped make the trips to compete possible.
He credited numerous donors, including the Cobourg Lawn Bowling Club, for helping him compete on the national stage.
“I love the club support that they’ve always gave me. Through all these tournaments the club has gave me money, support to go to these tournaments. Cobourg is a really good supporting club.”
His mom has also helped raised some money through her business, Stacey’s Home Baking (https://www.facebook.com/p/Staceys-Home-Baking-61575237445597).
For Hyatt, success is only part of what keeps him coming back to the greens.
“Just the sport in general, it’s just enjoyable to play,” he said.
