Central Cambridge Bowling Club’s new artificial green got its first work out from a hardy group of bowlers last week.
And clearly the Ron Greenwood-skipped threesome – which included Dale Small and Mary Wishart – benefitted from the first roll up opportunity as they took out the opening tournament on Saturday from a competitive field.
Dale Small, Ron Greenwood, and Mary Wishart
Work on the $220,000 Tiger Turf got underway in May when the old carpet green was ripped up and groundwork began.
The club’s other green is grass, and it too has been getting a refresh during the autumn and winter months.
Money came from fundraising and support from sponsors and service groups.
The club is in good heart with about 170 members – including New Zealand representative Jesse Russell, national development player Taylor Horn and New Zealand Deaf team representative Bruce Sayers.
Craig Pilkington, left, and Hans Kerkhof watch as the new Tiger Turf gets its first use. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
It celebrated its 75th jubilee in December 2021 – delayed several weeks by Covid.
A picture hangs in the clubrooms showing the club’s foundation members in December 1945 while presidents’ photos adorn the walls.
Central Cambridge Bowling Club foundation members, from left, back row: W. Milicich, L. Kerry, L. Webber, H.W. Campin, K.N. Glenie; front row: E.A. Morrice, M.K. Trott, A. Paton, F.A. Grives, T. Appleby, W.C. Arnold, E.T. Stacey; inset: the late D.C.W. Walker.
Absent: W. Bobbett, L.C. Hooker, D. McCathie, A. Sturgeon, R. Frost, R. Kerry, W. Meanie. W.P. Cummings.
Central Cambridge Bowling club, past presidents
Central Bowling Club inside the club rooms
Recently the club made an $800 donation to St John Ambulance.
It still holds three Guinness World Records.
Six members secured the first in March 2016 when they played for 172 hours and 7 minutes to land the longest marathon playing outdoor bowls record. On that occasion they raised $2440 for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society.
Long way from jack, from left skips Diane Deed and Frank Broekmans check out how much work they’ve got to do at a roll up on the new Tiger Turf. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
The attempt was made up of three teams of two: the grey team consisted of Paul Crawley and Alan Buchanan, the green team was Ryan McGowan and Neil Nicol and the blue team was Sue LeCompte and Alistair Carter.
The second was reached in October 2016 when six club members played for 52 hours, securing the longest marathon playing indoor bowls record, and raised $5350 for Cambridge Riding for the Disabled. The teams were Bob Perrin and Hans Kerkhof, Bryan Allen (aka Chipper) and Carter again while the other team was Glenys Carter and Kaye Bunn.
Carter and Ryan McGowan claimed the club’s third in 2018 when they played for 27 hours and 59 minutes to break the record for the longest singles endurance lawn bowls marathon, raising $1156 for Autism New Zealand.
John Wright and Chris Denton.
Hans Kerkhof checks his bias while Craig Pilkington delivers his bowl at the weekly roll up. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Central Cambridge Bowling Club new and old greens.
Dale Small at Central Cambridge Bowling Club
Looking good, from left Maureen Field, Dale Small, Anne Lyes and Ron Greenwood pause during the roll up on the new Tiger Turf. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Central Cambridge Bowling Club
