BOWLS is a strong tradition in the Cottier family, and on Wednesday at the Portland Bowling Club three generations of the one clan converged to play a very special game of bowls.

The elder statesman of the group, Reg, played alongside sons Peter and Darren, as well as grandson Ben, during the Portland Bowling Club’s annual Seaside Carnival which took place this week.

Given that Darren now resides in Ocean Grove, and Ben is in Moama in New South Wales, the occasion took a bit of organisation.

But according to Peter, it was something the group had always been very keen on doing.

“We had been talking about organising this for quite a while now, it’s something we discussed again over the Christmas period, and now we’ve finally done it,” he said.

“When Ben started to play a few months ago, we’d thought it would be great to get this done, we’re just very glad it all worked out.

“It’s a very special moment for all of us.”

It’s a day that’s been a long time coming for Reg, who has been playing bowls for more than 40 years, with Peter having played for around 20 years himself.

On the other end of the scale, Darren has been playing for five years and as mentioned earlier, Ben for just a few months.

The difference in experience clearly didn’t affect their teamwork on the green, as the quartet won both of their first two matches.

“I think we escaped with that second one, but regardless I thought we played well,” Peter said.

“But clearly the result was secondary to just being out here and enjoying our time with one another.”