On Saturday 27th April we welcomed in the 2024 bowling season when we celebrated the official opening of our green. Despite the Artic level temperatures 🥶there was an excellent turn out with 50 members playing and a good few more watching. And it was great to see some new faces.
The afternoon started with our Club President bowling the ceremonial first wood.
A great beginning that bodes well. 👍
We then played a “spider” – 50 bowlers took up positions around the edge of the green and all bowled at the same time, aiming for a jack in the centre.
Yes, it's chaos but a winner emerged...
...and is presented with a bottle of gin by our Club Chairman.
It was then time for something completely different. The coaching team introduced the new groundsheets that will be used when the green is damp and at particular risk of being damaged by divots.
Their use will mean more playing days/fewer green closures which has to be a good thing.
Time for bowling - a short-jack roll-up of 7 ends with a break for refreshments then another 7 ends. The groundsheets are down and conditions are favourable. 😀
They're off.
Some short woods at the start.
Adjustments are quickly made.
The cold weather is forgotten (perhaps).
Even the sun tries to join in.
The matches are over and play ends with handshakes.
Terrific camaraderie was displayed throughout the afternoon. Our thanks go to all those involved in organising this event.
Jeff Jaycock.