Around the greens
Cambuslang Bowling Club was the first club to open their greens for the 2016 season on Saturday, April 2.
The new club secretary Ann Phillips invited the 2016 president Richard McInall Junior and his partner Fiona onto the green. He thanked everyone for coming and said a few words about this coming year and was delighted to report that none of the members had passed away over the last 12 months and asked for a minute’s silence for absent friends.
He then invited his board of directors onto the green with representatives from the Glasgow Bowling Association, the Scottish Bowlers fellowship and the vice provost of South Lanarkshire Pam Clearie.
He also introduced the four new members for this year; Trevor Jones, Gary Laidlaw, James Stewart and Stan Clark. President Richard asked his partner Fiona to throw the first jack of the season and declare the green open for 2016.
The vice president presented a bouquet of flowers to the president’s partner Fiona and he also presented flowers to the vice president’s wife and his mother Sharon.
The vice provost was then asked to say a few words and she congratulated Richard and the directors and thanked them for her invite to the opening of the greens for 2016. She remarked on the new secretary being the first female club secretary in Cambuslang BC’s 142 year history and was sure she would do well.
The members and visitors played six ends of bowls and the president’s rink were victorious over the vice president’s rink.
The weather was excellent for the game and everyone enjoyed their first outing of the season.
All the local clubs were represented at the opening with a very large turnout for the day and a free cabaret was held in the club later in the evening, where local artist Andy Stewart and his daughter Margaret entertained the members and visitors.
Cambuslang Bowling Club’s ladies section opened their greens for the 2016 season on Tuesday, April 5 and the weather was excellent for the time of year and everything went to plan.
The new ladies secretary Ann Phillips invited the duty president for April and past president Janet Dawson onto the green. She thanked everyone for coming and said a few words about the coming year and then asked for a minute’s silence in remembrance of absent friends, especially Cathy Caldwell who passed away in February.
Janet then invited the committee onto the green with representatives from the local bowling associations, Theresa Mathews of the Rutherglen District Bowling Association and Joyce Johnston from the West of Scotland Bowling Association. She also introduced two new members for this year; Mary McCormack and Mary Irvine. Janet then threw the first jack of the season and, to a great cheer, declared the green open for 2016.
The members and visitors played three rinks with six ends of bowls with the duty president’s rink loosing narrowly to the secretary’s rink. The weather could not have been better for the game and everyone enjoyed their first outing of the season. All the local clubs were represented at the opening with a very good turnout for the day and a free cabaret was held in the club later in the evening where musician and singer Donny Findlay kept the ladies entertained till late.
Halfway and District opening day took place on Saturday and a healthy crowd turned out to see gents president Robert Bilsland’s wife Angela deliver the first jack of the season.
The ladies opening game takes place this Friday afternoon with a 2pm start and lady president Audrey Stoddart will welcome members and guests alike with the usual Halfway hospitality.
The club are holding a Try Bowls open weekend on April 23 and 24. Both days will start at 1pm and members are invited to bring along family and friends to try bowls. Anyone is welcome to come along even if they are not with a member. The club are offering half price membership for first year members and under 16s get free membership.
The sheets are now on the noticeboard for the first few tournaments of the year.
Mixed pairs will take place on Saturday, May 7 at 10am. A date for Ladies Day has still to be decided and this will be communicated in due course. Fixture diaries are available from behind the bar for anyone who has not yet got theirs.
Saturday saw a large turnout from members for the opening of the green. President David Russell welcomed all present and his daughter Andrea delivered the first two jacks of the new season.
In what was a fun day, the eventual winners were Joyce Kelly, Steven Boyd, Hugh Dougan and Pat Gallagher who finished 11 shots up.
In the evening there was music and a karaoke and everyone had a great night.
Monday night saw the start of the gents aggregate and the winners were John Hurles and Steven Boyd who were 19 shots up.
This Saturday the gents will hold their balloted pairs competition and members are requested to arrive at 10.30am with play commencing at 11.00am.