Page 18 - Mar-Apr 2020

WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO COME BOWLING!
Bill Brennan
Last month in the Kwasind I said not only could you bowl, but bowl well as a beginner. While it is as difficult to become a national or world champion as any other sport, you can come out and play on your very first try. Five minutes after walking on to the green you will be a lawn bowler.
So the question in your mind is “Why should I want to be a Lawn Bowler? I am happy right now sitting at home whether that home be on the mainland or the back of your boat.” Let me make a few suggestions, which hopefully will get you thinking about bowling.
First and foremost Lawn Bowling gets you up, out and active. I agree not as active as golf, tennis, yacht racing or mountain climbing, but if you are no longer participating in these sports you should consider Lawn Bowling. If you are cutting back on your favorite physical past time come and join us when you can. I still play squash, sail, golf and have been seen on the Tennis Court, but have found time to enjoy Lawn Bowling.
I feel that we should all start the next phase of our activities before we need to. If we wait until we can no longer golf, tennis or squash, you will most likely feel either correctly or incorrectly that you cannot take up a new sport. Lawn Bowlers do not need to bowl every day or even every week. With the exception of tournaments, you do not even need to sign up. At the time fixed for bowling you show up wearing white with heelless shoes and play.
I know what some are saying, “ I have taken up walking and I think I like it even if it gets lonely at times.” The next reason for Lawn Bowling is the social aspects of the sport. It gives Members a chance to meet and socialize with other Members two or three times a week in the summer and twice a week in the winter. If you come early you will be able to have lunch with your fellow Members. Many people tell me they have a hard time meeting people these days, well Lawn Bowlers meet for tea and drinks after every event on the Island or in the City.
We are a welcoming group with a goal of making sure all Members have bowling available to them. We do not however limit ourselves to the Island or even Club Members. Four times a summer we invite another Toronto Club to come and bowl on the Island. A few weeks later we join in the fellowship at their club. The
Photo: Courtesy of Bill Brennan.
Nancy Smith our mid summer tournament welcomes teams from all over Southern Ontario to the Island.
Finally once you lawn bowl on the Island or the Sports Hall you are a Lawn Bowler. This opens up the world to you and your new activity. There are about a million bowlers around the world in 50 countries. While there are many warm places to bowl during our winter I would recommend Portugal. The weather is perfect for lawn bowling. Literally 95% of the days last winter were sunny and 65oF. If you were born after 1970 that’s about 18oC. Before Trish and I made the decision to go across the ocean I contacted the secretary of The Pedras Lawn Bowls Club asking if I could join them for February and March. He replied I would be most welcome and they would have woods, what we call bowls, for me. Trish, Kelly and I enjoyed our stay at Pedras Da Rainha located in Cabanas, Portugal and were warmly welcomed by all the international bowlers. As a bowler you will have instant friends around the world.
Currently two of our Members who have bowled in Australia and Japan other years are bowling in Sarasota Florida.
Thank you to all the Members who came out on January 23rd’s An Evening of Bowling. Everyone had a great time and we are sure to repeat the event. I hope I see you on the Island Green or the Sports Hall, if you have any questions or have chosen to bowl somewhere around the world please email me with the details. Your fellow Members would be most interested in hearing about your adventure.
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MARCH/APRIL 2020 • KWASIND
SPORTS