Kernaghan (61) first represented New Zealand in 1991 on the tour to Great Britain and was expected to make the World Bowls team 20 years ago.
He won a bronze medal in the singles at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 but the World Bowls spot kept eluding him.
A less dedicated sportsman would have given up the goal, but Kernaghan has come back strongly over the past few years to gain selection for what will be the pinnacle of his bowls career.
"I’m about 25 years older than the next-oldest member of the men’s team," he quipped.
"But it’s a great opportunity for me near the end of my competitive career. I’m delighted to be part of it and to be playing pairs with Shannon in the pinnacle event of bowls.
"World Bowls is what everyone aspires to. I just want to represent my country with distinction."
Kernaghan learnt long ago the secret of success.
"I will just focus on the process and then the results will take care of themselves."
Kernaghan is playing in the pairs with Shannon McIlroy and in the fours.
"Shannon and I play bowls in similar way and see the game almost identically. We are good mates.
"At this level it is all about compatibility and trusting each other. Yes, it is exciting for me. Shannon is more aggressive than me but that helps to make us a good combination."
The four still needs a bit more work before World Bowls starts to get team members understanding each other’s game.
"We need to gel properly. That is what needs most attention.’’Kernaghan has been promoted to the job of national strategy adviser for the New Zealand Cancer Society."
It helps take Kernaghan’s mind away from bowls and keeps him mentally fresh for the task ahead at World Bowls.
"It is about compartmentalising my life. When I’m at the Cancer Society it’s work time, and when I’m on the green it’s bowls time.
"Over the years I’ve developed the ability to switch off from bowls when I’m working."
Sports psychologist Ken Hodge has been the most influential person in Kernaghan’s bowls career.
"He told me to stay in the moment. The next bowl you have to play is the most important."
During the winter months Kernaghan relaxed by playing golf.
"I wanted to have a break from bowls and started having a few roll-ups at the Westpac Stadium in late August."
When he started back into bowls, Kernaghan concentrated on getting his technique right.
"My focus has been on World Bowls and all my preparation has been on reaching my peak by the end of November."
The Speight’s Invitation singles was not the premier event for Kernaghan this season. He lost his first two games but won the next eight to win his third Speight’s Invitation singles. He also won in 1999 and 2014.
"I just focused on my draw game for the whole weekend because that is my role at World Bowls."
Kernaghan attended the two Black Jacks weekend training camps at Christchurch over the past couple of months. He was videoed to make sure that his technique was correct .
"If I know that my technique is OK, I just have to worry about weight because I know the bowl will go down the right line."
"I just have to make sure I am standing up straight and am square to the target."
World Bowls starts in Christchurch on November 29 and ends on December 11.
Mike Kernaghan
Black Jack
Age: 61
Occupation: National strategy adviser for Cancer Society
Home town: Dunedin
Events at World Bowls 2016: Pairs and fours
NZ debut: 1991
Record: NZ Open championship gold star (3 singles, pairs and fours). Five time NZ inter-centre Sevens champion. Commonwealth Games singles bronze medal 2002. Silver in singles and bronze in pairs at Asia and Pacific champs 2015. 24 Bowls Dunedin titles. Won Speight’s Invitation singles 1999, 2014, 2016.
