Fresno Lawn Bowls Club

Bowls USA is the operating name for the US Lawn Bowls Association. It is managed and supported by a number of divisions across the country, and Fresno is pleased to announce that we are finally members of the Pacific InterMountain Division (PIMD). This division encompasses all of Northern California, Northern Nevada and Hawaii.

All Fresno members are now eligible to play in PIMD sanctioned events, as well as for our club to have a say in the bye laws and calendar of the division. This especially means that club members can even be part of PIMD teams that compete for US National trophies. But in the meantime, we have been happy to send teams to the senior games and the John Brown friendly games. The drive is not that far if we car pool.

Our arch rivals over at Cambria, are in the South West Division, however as they are more closely connected travel wise to Southern California.

Yes… in early June, all the way to Sonoma, to bowl on a different patch of lawn, to compete with some real stars, to drink some wine, to have a good time.  It has been many a long year since Fresno took 3 teams (triples) anywhere other than Cambria. Thanks for putting us on the map.

Thanks to Dennis, Bob, The City of Fresno Parks Dept and all helped, our big new storage shed flew over the giant fence to gracefully land on its proper pads. At last we have a super secure place to store all the gardening tools it takes to keep an old lawn grass bowling green in proper shape.

After some heated debate amongst the management and officials, the Fresno – Cambria match up was declared a valid tournament. And darned if the the Cambria smaller squad didn’t adapt quickly to our quirky grass and come back strong to squeak out a win.

More importantly we all had a good time in the spring sunshine, cooled at times with a pleasant breeze.  And, of course, the picnic lunch was superb. Thanks to all the cooks. Fresno will be seeking revenge in September in Cambria.

Morning coffee at our fine club house

Fine form from a Cambrian

What all the fuss is about. A rather fancy trophy.

Cambria tests the grass as Fresno acts non-chalant

Dennis shows how to fly a bowl above the grass

Pauline shows her usual keen intensity

Ah – the food at last. After two games in the morning it was superb.

It really wasn’t that hot…. except for Fresno’s bowling. Wow… what a team and club effort, even though we also were putting up tables and chairs and great food.  Not often a little amateur club like Fresno that hardly ever plays tournaments can beat anyone 7 games to 1!

So we have the trophy back for now.  Let’s have some more trophy events – it really is a different game when something is on the line.

Put Oct 11 and 12 on your calendars…. when we go to Cambria for them to try and get revenge.

Calling all Fresno bowlers.  Our annual visit from those artificial turf guys at Cambria is scheduled for April 27thand 28th.

Thanks to all who helped at the recent clean up days and cutting routines.  Our green is in good shape and ready for them. But are  you?

Sorry I missed the photo opportunities, but those of us who traveled to Cambria this past weekend were treated to great weather and fine hospitality. Unfortunately we forgot how to bowl on their fast artificial turf and they cleaned our clocks. Of course, they have been playing every week all summer, and their top players practice every morning and compete in many tournaments.

[Ed: We really need to have more tournaments to learn how to play competitive games!]

Bob Large receives trophy on behalf of Fresno Club

In a surprisingly warm weekend where temperatures soared into the 90’s, our own Fresno bowling team turned the table on Cambria, at least compared to last year. We ended up dominating 6 games to 2 and half our wins were not even close.

If you look closely at the bowler on the trophy (which originated this series in 1975) he is wearing a sweater and tie and long pants. We may still prefer to wear whites… but our knees do show!

Style points don't count in lawn bowling.. but these penultimate rolls both look good.

To overuse a common expression, a good time was had by all – and it was all helped along with great food dishes provided by all our good members. In their first tournament ever, Dennis and his wife Linda played very well. In fact, Dennis was an outstanding lead in both of his games – I think we have found a new competitive spirit to do us proud.

Our great rivals and friends from the coast will be visiting Fresno over the April 21 and 22 weekend.  Details to follow but format is expected to be the same as usual:

• Friendly match late Sat afternoon
• Two competitive games Sunday morning followed by lunch.

Sign up now on sheet on clubhouse door.