The greens were ready for the annual Meaford Lawn Bowling Club Members Only Tournament held on Sunday, September 13.
In the spring the green was severely damaged by the river ice that broke down the fence and invaded the club. As a result, lawn bowling started a little later than usual and only four of the ‘rinks’ (lanes) were used most of the season.
“What a surprise for the new bowlers when seven of the eight greens were open for play for the first time since they joined. Congratulations and thanks to our volunteer greenskeeper Brad Tichbourne and his small crew for transforming the greens. They not only looked beautiful, but they were fast. Fast greens means it doesn’t take massive strength to roll the bowl the length of the green and prepares bowlers for competitions where fast greens are the standard,” said the club.
Twenty-eight members were divided into 14 pairs. Fourteen skips chose novice partners from a hat and everyone played three 8-end games – with a twist. For the third and sixth ends, the skips and their teammates reversed roles. This was part of the theme of the tournament which was education. Draw Master and Coach Jill Calvert-Goetz went over the rules of play and some strategies that are common in competitions but not as important in regular recreational club play. She introduced them before the game and between games and insisted that everyone try the strategies for an added challenge. She also added an extra competition whereby everyone tried to be the closest to the jack (target) that was placed in the farthest corner of the green. The prize was a car detailing from Reg Noble’s and it was won by Wim De Groot.
A delicious dinner was then provided by Leanne Cook and her many volunteers. The tournament winners were announced and prizes distributed. The winning team at the end of the day was Lynne Lundberg, skip, with Richard Betz, vice. In second place were Jim Hamill, skip and Gordon Collier, vice. Bill Santin, skip and Ellen Smith, vice came in third.
The season is not yet over. Regular bowling continues until the end of September on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30 a.m., as well as Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Meaford Lawn Bowling Club provides a fun outdoor physical activity for a variety of age groups. It is operated by volunteers and is generously supported by the community. Valued sponsors and supporters of the club and of team member Jill Calvert-Goetz, who competed in Nationals this year, include Apple Harvest Craft Show, Rotary Club of Meaford, Carquest, The Bay Family Dental, Laurie and Rick Baird, Royal LePage Locations North, Bluebell Lane Garden Care, Cliff Richardson Boats Ltd, RBA Insurance Services, Renken & Leitch Professional Corporation, Godard’s Independent Grocer, Zehrs, The Meaford Independent, Orchard Dental, Ginger Rogers, CMR Insurance Brokers, Reg Noble’s, and McGinty’s, as well as club members.
“Many thanks to all supporters and volunteers,” said the club.
For more information: www.meafordlawnbowling.ca, meafordlawnbowling@gmail.com, https://www.facebook.com/meafordlawnbowlingclub/
