WOULD GIN & TONIC SAVE LAWN BOWLS?

A while back there was an uncomplimentary article in the Toronto paper, entitle “Would Gin & Tonic Save Lawn Bowls?” It included such suggestions as “including a bar and maybe lunch counter, run by paid help”; then maybe we would enjoy a membership of 250. Well here at the Burlington Club we are enjoying a membership of over 250, and we did it without the expense of hired help. It wasn’t always easy, but we did it, and we know other clubs can too.

We did add a bar a few years back, but it is worked by our volunteer ‘Smart Servers’ and is mainly used for Outside Tournaments or OLBA functions. During a non-tournament week, it is only open following the Pairs League on Thursday. At our Saturday two game jitney, a light snack with tea is served between games, but no bar. The bar has definitely influenced our bottom line in a good way, but is only a very small part of our success.

Like most Lawn Bowling Clubs, our biggest asset is our people. We run on volunteers, not gin. With a membership playing at all levels it isn’t easy getting to know everyone. That is where our long weekend Mondays’ club socials come in. Some are very low key, and some are elaborate theme parties. Attendance at most events reaches well over 100; and they are all run by our members and their bowling buddies.

We took back the care and maintenance of our greens from the City, also a substantial savings which helped in the purchase of our own greens equipment. Again we couldn’t do this without the conscientious greens volunteers. They are out there early every morning, with different members taking on different roles on different days each week. We also have volunteers taking care of our flowers and watching over the club house maintenance and helping in the 101 other ways needed.

The greens are used every day, afternoons and evenings Monday through Friday and afternoons only on Saturday and Sunday. Again we can only do this with a slate of dedicated volunteer drawmasters for each session. We run on this schedule, unless there is a tournament or Club Championship planned, from May to Thanksgiving (October). Then we move the game indoors.

Our winter club enjoys playing (including leagues) morning, afternoon and evenings. Our three short mats run the length of our club house with chairs at either end. It really helps the member who, because of health or other restriction can no longer take the standing and walking in the hot sun in the summer. Here they compete with the best and enjoy the social tea break between games. Members keep the kitchen stocked with cookies, and all take turns setting out the treats and doing the dishes. Very social, and a great place to spend a winter afternoon.

Our newsletter “It’s All About Us” was started four years ago, with the first few issues comprising only about half a page of print. Today it covers an 8 ½” x 14” page, and is emailed to members about twice a week. Two hard copies are posted at the club house for members without e-mail. It tells of our day to day life at the club and how our tournament athletes are doing at Home, Nationally and on the International Stage. Club participation has been tremendous. The internet is the greatest tool we have for communication. We encourage every club to use it to the fullest.

We have entertained Burlington’s city run “Time Out Breakfast” which brings different sports groups together once a month; and this year the Cystic Fibrosis group held a lawn bowling event here to raise funds for their cause. It was a win-win proposition as they ran the event and we enjoyed exposure in their advertising and had a chance to introduce the sport to younger prospects.

2009 was the year we got serious about spreading the “Lawn Bowls” word. Major articles were written by members and published in the Bay Observer, SportsXpress and Silver & Gold. We contacted Cogeco and had them interview our Coach in an FYI session. Another year we invited them to film a major competition at the club which was also used as a televised segment. We purchased a banner for our fence, and a member made the club a DVD of pictures from our photo albums. Go to our web page www.burlingtonlbc.org to view this DVD. It was also used in our display at the local Health & Wellness Show. The usual flyers were made and an ad was placed in the local live theatre playbill. We took advantage of the Library’s offer of a ‘free’ table in their lobby to advertise our week long Open House in May. Every one got behind our efforts, and our photographer was busy snapping pictures all year long. This year we concentrated on e-mailing our Open House flyer for members to post and a paid ad was placed in the City’s “Live & Play” Spring magazine. Our President brought back from the OLBA meeting, a container for our fence to hold our flyer re: “FREE INTRODUCTION FOR NEW BOWLERS EVERY WEDNESDAY EVENING:” which seems to be working well, as new prospects are still showing up at our gate.

Once they are here our coaching staff take over, showing them the ropes then letting them play in a game with other new and Novice members. Score cards are kept and prizes are awarded. At the end of the evening, they compete in a “wrinkle”, which is a skills exercise similar to the ones used by Mr. Tighe in his training. We also use some of our own home grown experts in a yearly “Skips & Vices Strategy Clinic”.

When they become full members we encourage them to take part in our open bowling days and 4321 evenings. 4321 is where they hone their draw, competing with members of various bowling experience. We pay $1 each night we play, and at the end of the month hold a social where the month’s collection is returned to the bowlers according to how they did or didn’t do that month Even with 16 rinks, this evening is extremely popular so to play you must be there on time for the draw.

Burlington has always had its share of champion players, but this season we seem to have a bumper crop as 40 club members signed up for our Singles Club Championship. However, we mustn’t forget that the majority of members are here for the friendly competition and social atmosphere. That is the balance every bowling club should keep in mind, ‘it has to be good for everyone’. Not easy, but worth the effort if you want to keep them coming back.

The Face of Bowls is that of the Young

With the sport of lawn bowling being introduced to our young through high school phys ed programmes among other places; the stigma of an 'old man's game' is finally going by the wayside and the word is getting around that this is indeed a sport worth considering....especially with the token cost ($30. for anyone under 20 at the Burlington Club).  Like our winter cousins, curling, the strategy and excitment of executing the perfect win is exhilirating and not so easy to come by.   But let's let one Canadian 'young'un' tell you what it was like in 'his day'....

To stun or not to stun…that is the question.

15 years ago bowls was a sport mocked by the young. In grade school I kept it a secret from my friends that I bowled for 2 years because it was not a ‘socially accepted’ sport to play. At the time, perhaps it was true. Those involved wore plain white clothes, and rocked some plain white hair. The young were across the street doing basketball, baseball and laughing at how much fun they were having.  Bowls? I heard crickets and light clapping. Enticing it was not. But I tried it anyway, more so out of respect to my Granddad who had been rolling since the 1970s. The funny thing was that I couldn’t stop thinking about it after each time I went out and rolled a few.  I caught on to the basics and my competitive edge made me want to exceed expectations. At age 11, I played my first Provincial Junior event and somehow found myself beating some 15 year old 21-19 in the final. I also was trying to comprehend Nationals in PEI at age 11. It was bizarre and overwhelming, and quite hilarious. This so called ‘old person’ game is now sending a high-voiced skinny kid to a National event. I finished 5th and was the youngest in the event. I had the time of my life and ended up meeting some ‘cool’ 16 year old kids who wanted to hang out and ‘look after’ me. Needless to say, I became a full fledged member for the years to follow and eventually told my friends back home what I do during the summer. They laughed but I didn’t care because this whole new world of travel and competition opened up before my eyes! From then on Bowls was the sport, and everything else was second nature. From 1997-2001, I competed in the Junior Nationals and managed a few medals in the process. From 2003-2010, I played in the Under 25 National Qualifier and came home with a few more shiny things. In 2008, I had achieved what I had always dreamt of, and that was representing Canada internationally. What a wild experience!! After all these years on the Junior circuit I began to think, “is this really an old person’s game anymore?” Young faces were popping up everywhere, nationally and internationally. The Under 25 bowlers were wearing casual shorts and flashy bowls shirts instead of the usual whites. The ‘kids’ were starting to fist pump and yell at their bowls! Instead of light claps the young were cheering on the sidelines, hyping up the bowlers. The shift is happening! Bowls is becoming a sport…finally. The 2011 Canadian Nationals had the youngest playing field across the country in the tournaments history. Both Men and Women’s Fours teams won the gold medal, and the average age between the two teams was under 30. Three of the Women’s Singles players were under 30, one of them winning Bronze. The Men’s Singles final consisted of a 30 year old versus a 25 year old. The entire Saskatchewan Men’s team had an average age of 28! Hell, after winning the team award the SK men leap-frogged one another up to the podium, not just for show, but to firmly plant some excitement and desire into this ‘quiet’ game! Approximately two-thirds of Canada’s 2011 National Team is within the age range of 25-35 years old. Now that is scary. The funny thing is it’s not just happening in Canada, but all over the world. A young 20-something woman from England won the Women’s Singles Gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Another 20-something woman from South Africa also won a Gold Medal in the triples at the same event. Young men from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia are currently some of the World’s most promising bowlers. And every one of these bowlers are licking their chops and preparing to feast on what’s to come. Many of my fondest memories are from Bowls, whether it’s on the green or off. I end up meeting young people who really just want to have a few cold ones, roll some good bowls, and create some good times. The face of Bowls is that of the young. It is not a revolution, it is a reality. Every “young stunna” should try it, and once you do I will guarantee you’ll be ‘having a time’ on a daily basis.

Alex Scott, Age 25, Current National Team Member

2012 OPEN HOUSE

ALL WEEK, FROM MONDAY MAY 7TH TO FRIDAY MAY 11, 2012 AT 1:30 AND 7:30 P.M..  EVERYONE WELCOME...WEAR WHATEVER YOU LIKE, WITH FLAT SHOES.

SPECIAL BEGINNERS TRAINING EVERY WEDNESDAY EVENING AT 7:30 ALL SUMMER LONG.    YOU BETTER COME AND TRY THE SPORT FOR EVERYONE.

2011 Open House - May 2 to May 6, 1:30 & 7:15 p.m.

Join others and learn to lawn bowl any day Monday through Friday, May 2nd to May 6th, 1:30 and 7:15 p.m.    It's fun; It's great exercise; It's social; It's the place to be.   Let Us Show You How.

Not available that week, not a problem....we provide free beginner lessons any Wednesday evening at 7:15, May through October.  Just show up,wearing flat soled shoes.

BURLINGTON LAWN BOWLERS IN THE ORIENT

All the excitement of bowls doesn't take place in Burlington, but we usually have a member or two of world class caliber  to add to the roster on the world stage.   The following is just one "stage" on which  to compete..  

14th Tiger Bowls World Invitation 2011
“Hong Kong Tour” & “China Tour”

2011 will see the advent of the Tiger Bowls-World Invitation in Hong Kong Tour and China Tour in Shenzhen, China. In the past few years Burlington has been represented at these games by not one, but three of our competitive athletes.   These prestigious tournaments are endorsed by World Bowls Limited and are poised to become one of the signature events on the international bowls calendar. Our aims are to promote the sport of lawn bowls internationally whilst also increasing the players’ skills through competition against world-class teams. At the same time, we hope to build friendship amongst associations across the globe.

With this in mind, we want to cordially invite your association to send your national team to participate in these truly world class bowls events.   I understand from at least one of our members that hopefully Burlington will be wearing the Canada colours there again this coming year.

We look forward to welcoming many top international competitors from overseas countries including: Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, China, Cook Islands, Cyprus, Dubai, England, France, Fiji, Guernsey, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Japan, Jersey, Kenya, Korea, Macao, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Portugal, Samoa, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Swaziland, Thailand, Wales, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The competition will run from 12th to 17th March, 2011. However, we expect that players will arrive at Hong Kong on or before 11th March, 2011 and depart on 18th　March 2010. The organizers will arrange transport from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, China.  Prize presentation dinners will be hosted on Sunday 13th March and on Thursday 17th March 2011.


Let us enjoy the bowling experience and atmosphere together in the Tiger Bowls World Invitation. We very much look forward to welcoming your team.

Yours in Bowls,

Jacky Wong
President, Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Training Centre
Chairman of Organizing Committee, Chinese Multi-Bowls Association

Burlington Lawn Bowlers know how to Party

One of the things members of the Burlington Lawn Bowling Club enjoy is our monthly socials held on the holiday Mondays.  Our Profile picture was taken at the Canada Day Champagne Breakfast and Jitney.  This article is all about our Labour Day Monday Western Corn Roast and BBQ Social.  

That’s our hard working committee, Diane, in charge of the “Diane’s Chuck Wagon”, and Leanne and Murray, in charge of “everything else”.  The “Howdy Partner” greeting was repeated and repeated throughout the day by the more than 100 members and friends in attendance. So “Howdy Partner”, let's recap.

Now no spread can run smoothly without some handy ranch hands helping out. And we have some of the best at the BLBC Ranch, including all three of our Presidents: Present, Lenore, with her side-kick Sheriff Peter  in the “Jailhouse” (office); Past Pres, Tony manning the bar in our “O.K. Saloon”, and Vice Pres, Diane  and her trusty crew in the "DIANE'S CHUCKWAGON"  HOW’S THAT FOR PUTTING THE BRASS TO WORK!

With so much to see (Leanne & Murray) went all out with the signage, the table decorations, the ‘hanging tree’, the celebrity pics and cowboy movies, the donated door prize display in the “General Store”, and the sing-along music, it took some time to settle the folks down, but once they did and Murray shot his gun in the air for the start of our very first “WAGON WHEEL” spider, it was non-stop fun. By the way, we raised $179. in the wagon wheel for ‘our’ soon to be Defibrillator.

80 of our members took over 14 rinks  for the two game jitney and the good times and competition continued in earnest. Two game winners were: TRIPLES, 1ST Sheena Holmes with Kathleen Mein and Jim Young with 32 for and 12 against, 2nd, Donna McFadden with Mary Wootton & Muriel Watson with 32 for and 14 against, and 3rd, June Pinkney, Micky Dean & Fred Alcock with 31+ 1 for and 17 against WOW, NOW THAT’S CLOSE. TOP PAIRS: Betty Pearson & Charlie McKague 30 for and 8 against.  With the help of our wonderful sponsor, JO-ANNE MONTEIRO, OPTOMITRIST all day was “over the top”

There were plenty of prizes and give-aways to go around. Prize for best “Western Costumes” went to Al and Sylvia Heywood, with June Pinkney coming 2nd. The door prize table held everything from a MP3 Player, gift bags, delicious preserves and more. Everyone received a Jo-Anne Monteiro “gift bag”, and even the delightful centerpieces (made by Leanne, with the help of the tin of beans) were part of the day’s give-aways. Told you our committee went above and beyond to give us the “best day ever”, and I haven’t even mentioned the $6. dinner menu of Corn on the Cob, hamburgers/sausages, beans, salads, desserts and ice cream. If you were there: “wasn’t it great?” If you couldn’t make it, you missed a fantastic day. Don’t make that mistake next month. Yippee Ky-Oh-Ky-Ay

CANADA WINS ALL 7 TROPHIES AT THE NORTH AMERICAN CHALLENGE,

The Lawn Bowls, North American Challenge was held this year in Milwaukee WI in September.
30year old Mike Bester, a 16 year veteran of the sport is usually found on a Thursday evening playing at the local Burlington Lawn Bowling Club. However in September he played a major part in the Canadian upset as the Jarvis group Skip for the 3’s and Vice for the 4’s in the North American Challenge between the US and Canada in Milwaukee WI. The Jarvis men’s final was considered the most exciting finish of the tournament. Going into the last round, the Canadians were 2 wins and 51 shots behind the American Jarvis team. Both Bester’s team and our Jarvis single, Jurgen Fessler from London Ontario, had to win, and combined they had to win by 26 shots to bring home the men’s Jarvis trophy. Fessler won his game 21-14, which meant Mike’s team had to win by 19. We were ahead by about 10 halfway through the game when Fessler finished so we kept the pressure on and scored the 2 shots we needed on the last end to win by “exactly” the needed 19, and the men’s Jarvis by 1 point on shot differential. Bester said “It made a forgettable 2-4 record feel memorable”.



To read more about the great Canadian Lawn Bowling win go to the NAC web site. http://nac2010.wordpress.com/