Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
US visitors take on Monklands teams
Americans impressed by lush greens at Airdrie
A group of bowlers from Fl o r i d a t rave l l e d to Monklands to take on some of Airdrie’s best bowlers earlier this month.
The Florida touring party failed to bring some good weather with them to Airdrie Bowling Club, but they still managed to play a few games with club members.
During their five-day stay the party visited Summerlee Heritage Park in Coatbridge before heading north to St Andrew’s.
They came back to Monklands before heading to Edinburgh and to Glasgow for a tour of the Taylor Bowls facility.
The party consisted of ladies and gents from four clubs in the Florida area – Mount Dora, Clearwater, On Top of the World and Sarasota.
In addition, two members have dual membership at Clearwater and their home club of Burlington which is just outside Toronto, Canada.
The Airdrie club were delighted to be included in their itinerary and provided hospitality through a visit to Eleanor’s Catering in Plains.
This was followed by a short quiz and the chance to chat with fellow bowlers from across the pond.
Murray Carr from the Airdrie club said: “The meeting was such a success that seven of the visitors paid a second visit to the club on Sunday when the weather was kinder and allowed for a longer spell of bowling.”
John Williams of the Clearwater club echoed the sentiments of the visitors when he praised the hospitality and facilities at the Airdrie Club and also the excellent condition of the playing surface.
“You won’t find a green like this anywhere in the States,” he said.
Sylvia, the group organiser, presented the club with a Florida Bowling Association plaque which will be proudly displayed in the clubhouse along with a pennant custom made by the hosts in recognition of the historic visit to Scotland.
In response, a few members of the Airdrie Club are making plans to visit Florida in the near future and have been given invitations to visit Mount Dora and Clearwater clubs.