Kowie Bowling Club

With some members still basking in the euphoria of a “job well done”, I have spent some time reflecting on how these “club socials” have and the players usually went to a hotel.

Adelaide was the first to serve lunch at the club. Since then, all the clubs have followed suit.

Yet, the most popular tournament held was a Kowie Hamper where 36 teams came and the club had to borrow a green from Port Alfred.

No lunch was served and everyone brought their little packet of lunch. Though it meant more work for the members, serving lunch was an additional source of income. It must also be remembered that in those days these socials were classed as entertainment for our visitors the club members did not play.

Bowls was so popular in those days that you could fill your greens with visitors. Two-day events started in the country because there was a real desire on the part of the city dwellers to spend a weekend enjoying country fare.

When these events started impinging on the district calendar, they had to be rationed.

Gradually, as the number of bowlers declined and the number who could afford to travel declined, financial enticement with sponsorships became the order of the day.

The “luck of the draw” winner was replaced by the Swiss system, which involved more but shorter games providing a genuine winner. As the weekend calendar became fuller with SA and provincial events, the clubs had to allocate some ladies’ events to mid-week.

It was a quiet week at the club. On Tuesday we had the benefit of the bounty from Warf Street Fruit and Veg, won by Jackie Kriel, Andrew Meyer, and Rob Walker.

Thursday was called off by the light rain but Saturday’s megabucks was won by Alan Sheriden,

Lawrie Mey and Mike Ryan.