For more than 38 years there has been one constant at Euroa Bowling Club.
It’s not the clubhouse or the roll of the green, but rather the presence of legend Ken Sutcliffe.
For nearly four decades Sutcliffe has suited up for the club’s top-flight weekend pennant sides, hardly missing a match in what has been one of the most incredible careers the Goulburn Valley Playing Area has seen.
And this Saturday Sutcliffe will tick off another major milestone, suiting up for his 600th game with Euroa in its division two clash against Mooroopna Golf.
Speaking ahead of the big day, the Goulburn Murray Bowls Region Hall-of-Famer said he felt privileged to reach the 600-mark.
“It feels good, it has certainly been a long time and looking back on it 600 seems like a lot of games of bowls,” Sutcliffe said.
“I would have hardly missed a week over that time, two or three times I would have missed due to work, but outside of that I have been committed to playing every week and loved every minute of it.
“I’m just excited to get back out there with my teammates again and hopefully come away with a win.”
The build-up to this 600th match is unlike any other Sutcliffe has had during his 38-year journey, as he has spent the past week recovering from a bout of COVID-19.
But he said with a few days’ rest behind him, he would be cherry-ripe to take his place on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s been a bit of an interesting week that’s for sure,” he said.
“But the last couple of days things have turned around for the better, so I’ll be back out and about again tomorrow (Friday) and I definitely intend on taking my place on Saturday.”
When it comes to describing Sutcliffe’s incredible journey, one common theme stands out.
Commitment.
A man that well and truly lives for the game and Euroa Bowling Club, he outlined what brought him back to the green every Saturday.
“The biggest thing is you’ve got to like the sport and I absolutely love it,” he said.
“I enjoy playing the game now just as much as I did when I was starting out as a teenager 38 years ago, and that love of the game is what keeps me coming back.
“The social aspect is another big factor for me, the people at Euroa, they are lifelong friends of mine, so getting the chance to get together every Saturday and play is very special.”
One of the best talents to come out of the region, the offer to take his talents south to Melbourne have constantly come up across the journey.
But the close-knit nature of the Euroa community and his want to be a one-club man by nature meant he was never tempted to leave the Magpies’ nest.
“I am a stickler for Euroa, I just love the place,” he said.
“You can’t pull the pin on them when things aren’t going well, I have never wanted to move and just stuck with them all these years.
“There have been offers to go to other places, but at the end of the day I am glad I didn’t, as being a one-club player is something I am very proud of.”
In terms of career highlights, there’s a litany of magical moments to choose from, whether it be Champion of Champions titles or weekend pennant premierships.
Sutcliffe did his best to pinpoint a few that stood out.
“We never won a division one premiership, but we won a couple in division two which were very exciting,” he said.
“Club championships are always good, winning a couple of Champion of Champions titles, being inducted into the region’s hall of fame and representing Victoria.
“I have been very lucky for the journey that’s for sure.”
And while he may be closer to the end of his journey than the start, Sutcliffe said the passion for the game still ran deep. He hoped to one day bring division one success to his beloved Euroa Bowling Club.
“I haven’t lost any of the will to play and succeed that’s for sure,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to see the club up in division one, so for me my number one goal is to win the premiership in division two this year and get the club back to where it belongs.
“The biggest thing for me now is to see the club succeed.”