Hattieanne Gilbert
BOWLING
Achievements:
Bermuda Women's Bowling Champion: Dominated the local scene by winning five consecutive championships in the mid-1960s.
WIBC and Tournament of Americas Competitor: Represented Bermuda in numerous international tournaments during the 1960s and 1970s.
Team Title Winner (1970): Won the team title at the Tournament of Americas in Miami with teammates Hank Corrado, Leroy Ming, and Rosesheene Samuels.
Mixed Doubles Title (1970): Paired with Hank Corrado to win the mixed doubles title at the Tournament of Americas.
Bowling World Cup Finalist (1975): Finished second in the Bowling World Cup in Manila, Philippines.
Top Performances in World Cup: Finished 13th in Tehran, Iran (1976), seventh in London, England (1977), and second in Bangkok, Thailand (1979).
Tournament of Americas Success (1979): Won the All-Events title, high game, and placed second in ladies' singles while also receiving the Sportsmanship Award.
Biography:
Hattieanne Gilbert is without a doubt one of Bermuda's finest female athletes. A natural-born bowler, she displayed a flair and ability that set her apart from the moment she first picked up a bowling ball at the age of 19. Gilbert's bowling journey began in February 1962 at the Lilly Bowl, and just a few months later, she clinched the Bermuda women’s championship. To those who doubted her initial success, she proved them wrong by winning four more consecutive championships in the mid-1960s.
Despite her dominance, Gilbert faced complaints from other female bowlers, prompting her to take a year off. She approached the game with a personal goal of beating her own scores every time, achieving a highest series of 695 and a highest game of 279 in a non-sanctioned league match.
Gilbert was a regular selection for Bermuda’s teams competing in the WIBC Tournaments and the Tournament of Americas during the mid-1960s and 1970s. Her international success was highlighted in 1970 when she teamed up with Hank Corrado, Leroy Ming, and Rosesheene Samuels to win the team title at the Tournament of Americas in Miami, overcoming 19 other nations from the Western Hemisphere. Additionally, she and Corrado won the mixed doubles title with a pinfall of 2,370.
In 1975, Gilbert earned the right to represent Bermuda at the Bowling World Cup in Manila, Philippines, where she reached the finals but finished second to Canadian Cathy Townsend. She continued to represent Bermuda admirably, finishing 13th in Tehran, Iran (1976), seventh in London, England (1977), and second in Bangkok, Thailand (1979). Despite injuring her knee just before the tournament in Thailand, Gilbert persevered and showcased her resilience and skill.
Gilbert continued her local success by winning the Bermuda women’s championship in 1976 and 1978, and capping off the decade with another title in 1979. At the 1979 Tournament of Americas, she brought home multiple trophies, including the All-Events title, high game, and second place in the ladies’ singles, along with the Sportsmanship Award.
Her impressive performance at the Bowling World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, where she again finished second, further cemented her legacy. The official tournament guide described her as "the life and soul of the World Cup field."
In 1987, Gilbert's arm finally gave out from years of lifting a 16-pound ball, but her achievements and contributions to the sport of bowling remain unparalleled. Hattieanne Gilbert's dedication, skill, and sportsmanship have rightfully earned her a place among Bermuda's greatest athletes, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of bowling.
Legacy:
Hattieanne Gilbert's legacy extends beyond her numerous titles and accolades. She was a trailblazer for women's sports in Bermuda, demonstrating that female athletes could compete at the highest levels both locally and internationally. Her success and sportsmanship inspired many young bowlers, particularly women, to take up the sport and strive for excellence. Gilbert's commitment to improving her own game while supporting her peers set a standard for camaraderie and competition in Bermuda's sporting community.
Her story is a testament to the power of dedication, perseverance, and the pursuit of personal bests, ensuring that her influence will be felt for generations to come.