The mother of Bermuda's bowling star Damien Matthews has spoken of her elation at her son's bronze medal win at the CAC Games in Puerto Rico.

Auditor General Heather Matthews was overjoyed when her son telephoned her from Mayagüez to share his exciting news after claiming a medal in his first major international competition.

The 24-year-old architectural renderer edged out fellow Bermudian Delmont Tucker who finished fourth in the men's singles event on Monday night.

Mrs. Matthews described her son as a bowling fanatic who 'eats, sleeps and drinks' the sport and said he had assured her before leaving the Island that he would return with a medal.

"He knew he was going to do it this time and he was overwhelmed when I spoke to him last night," she said. "I'm so happy about my son. He eats, sleeps and drinks the sport and has been bowling forever.

"You should have heard the Bermuda contingent, I could hear them down the phone and they're a tightly knit group. The whole family is delighted and Damien's father, Tom, is over the moon. We all are."

Matthews, who holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in computer animation, fell in love with the sport at the tender age of five when his mom first took to Warwick Lanes and had been a regular at the bowling alley ever since.

"Bowling is his passion. He'll bowl all day, every day if you let him," said Mrs. Matthews. "I first took him to Warwick Lanes when he was about five and he was just fascinated by the balls.

"He's been right through all their programmes from pee-wees to juniors. He still bowls there now in their leagues.

"He's a left-handed bowler and that makes him quite exciting to watch on the lanes as he's got that special curve."

In preparation for the CAC Games, Matthews spent a few weeks honing his skills at a professional training camp in Florida, and won the 31st annual Rendezvous Tournament at Warwick Lanes in February.

He joins Antoine Jones and Conrad Lister as Bermudian bowlers who have medalled at a major competition.

Jones, Bermuda bowling team's manager in Puerto Rico, and Lister took home the silver from the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia in 1998.

Mrs. Matthews said Jones had acted as a mentor to Matthews early in his career and remained his bowling inspiration.

"Antoine was and still is one of Damien's role models. He has nurtured and supported him throughout his bowling career, as have Damien's close friends, David Maycock and Lamar Richardson, who are also bowling in Puerto Rico," she said.

"They are both awesome bowlers in their own right."