Neil Booth

NEIL BOOTH

Full Name:Neil Booth

DOB: 19/02/1968

Place of Birth: Antrim

Occupation: Business Services Manager

Nickname within bowls or on bowling green: Nelly

Who gave you the nickname:
Jonathan Ross and Gary MCCloy

Where did you get the nickname:
At 30,000 ft on the way to Australia for a televised test series

Person who introduced you to bowls:
Outdoor probably George Barnes 22nd Old Boys
Indoor the late Davy Hamilton from Ballymena

What format did you start playing: Shortmat

Which was your first club: St Judes Short Mat Club Antrim

Which formats have you played and which do you still play:
Played all 3 and still play all three although only dabble at the short mat

Which format do you prefer to play: Outdoor

What reason: Greatest challenge with diferrent conditions. Also you are out and about and get to meet loads of people

Make, model, size, colour and weight of bowls used for each format:
Short Mat: Whatever is lying at the club
Indoor: Tiger Size 4 HVY
Outdoor: Size 5 Classic Medium

Who has been the biggest influence on your bowling career:
George Barnes initially, then lately Jim Baker and Roy MCCune

Who would you most like to meet:
Phil Taylor

Interests outside bowls:
My son Andrew, love playing golf when I get the time

Childhood Sporting hero:
Probably Baker again - he's a lot older than me!!

Most memorable moment in life:
The birth of my son

Most memorable moment in bowls:
Probably winning the World Fours and Commonwealth Fours

If you could change one policy/rule what would it be:
This will come as a surprise to people but giving the jack away

What do you regard as your best or most satisfying achievement in bowls:
It hasn't happened yet. I'd love to win something with Old Bleach

What goal[s] do you have in bowls:
I'd like to go on and have some involvement after I have finished playing and make a difference to the game that way whether its through management or another role.

At what age did you make your international debut in each format:
20 in Indoor
21 in Outdoor
never played on short mat team. My mate Sammy Hall has mentioned that fact since he made the outdoor team!!

What year or how long ago: 1990 Indoor, 91 Outdoor

What outdoor green is the best you have played on in the world:
Any New Zealand Green
In UK: Worthing but only because of the history
In NI: Old Bleach when it plays well is second to none

Most difficult opponent [any format]: Probably Jeremy Henry

Which opponent [if any] do you regularly play that usually beats you:
In club games lately Nigel Robinson, Ballymena, has been beating me. John Moore, Willowfield, and myself have great tussles everytime we meet. Both extremely under rated players.

What frustrates you most when playing:
The way I'm playing frustrates me more than anything. I never get upset on a bowling green usually lol ......

Would you be in favour of players forming their own think-tank and having a place on the management committee of each outdoor association including the IBA:
I think it probably has its place but the whole set up probably needs streamlined first.

Do you think respected past and current internationals should be invited to have an input with the u25s [outdoor]:
It's something I would do tomorrow if I was asked and think it's essential that it happens

How many caps at international level in each format:
64 Outdoor, 56 Indoor for the British Isles Series

Which clubs have you belonged to for each format: : Baker Stadium
Outdoor: 22nd Old Boys, Forthriver, Cliftonville, Old Bleach,
Short Mat: St Judes, Muckamore Community Centre and Old Bleach

If you have changed clubs why did you move:
Outdoor simply to progress my career and location

Most promising prospect: Outdoor and Indoor Gary Kelly is outstanding and has the chance to go on to big things. Young Stephen Shields from Ballymena is also an outstanding prospect

Points of interest:
I once caddied for Kevin Keegan over 27 holes. His threeball was Alan Ball and Chris Nicholl. An absolute gentleman

How many major and national titles have you won, which format and discipline:

3 Indoor U-25 Singles, 3 National Singles, 3 National Fours, 2 National Triples

Outdoor 7 PG Titles and only 1 National Fours Title

Other titles or near misses:

Commonwealth Games Fours Gold 98

Commonwealth Games Triples Silver 06

Commonwealth Games Fours Bronze 02

World Bowls Fours Gold 04

World Bowls Triples Bronze 04

EBA Centenary Tournament Silver

MAP International Challenge Winner 2007, 2008