Lawn Bowls

The Club Lawn Bowls Section celebrated its 70th Birthday in 2006. There are two lawn bowls surfaces at HKCC - one which is situated in a corner of the cricket outfield. This is in use after the cricket season, during the summer, when the banks are raised and lighting installed. It has six rinks with an excellent playing surface. There is also an artificial rooftop all-season green.

HKCC is represented by two Men’s teams and one Ladies', the main Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association Premier League season being in the summer months. There is also a Winter League.

During the year, various competitions are featured, including Club Championships, the famous John Younghusband Trophy and 1st July Handover Competition. There is also a popular programme for newcomers to the sport, “"Lawn Bowls for Beginners" and other Social Matches such as "Bare Foot" Lawn Bowls”.

Summer Roundup

League Positions:

The Premier League commenced on 24th April with the first half of the season finishing on 26th June. The second half starts on 28th August. We continue to field two teams in the Men's Divisions - the 'A' Team in the 4th Division and the 'B' Team in the 7th Division.

We also field a Ladies Team, who is currently in the 4th Division.

Due to the re-location of the Lawn Bowls Green to the far side of the Ground, the Lawn Bowls Association has agreed for both our Men's teams to play all their games in the first half of the season at home on the grass green in front of the Sportsman's Bar and for the Ladies to play their games on the artificial green above the car park. All our second half games will be played away from home.

At the time of writing this article the 'A' team is in 4th place with 32 points; the 'B' team in 1st place with 36 points and the Ladies are in 6th place with 22 points.

Forthcoming Events

Handover Trophy

This Competition was introduced by the Convenor of the time, John Wright, to commemorate the return of Hong Kong to the Mainland. It is played on the 1st July each year (if weather on that day prevents the competition taking place, then it is not played). The then Chairman, Rodney Miles, presented a Cup known as the "Chairman's Cup" for the Winner and John Wright presented a Plate known as the "Convenor's Plate" for the Runner-Up. Photographs/results of this Competition will be in the next issue of the Pinkun.

" Closure of the Old Green"

Competition As previously explained, the current Lawn Bowls Green will be moved to the far side of the Ground where the tennis court is now. The Green has been in its current position since the Club moved from Chater Road in 1975. To celebrate/commiserate this occasion, a Competition will be held on Sunday 15th August involving a number of our own teams as well as invited teams from other Clubs. Photographs/results of this Competition will be in the next issue of the Pinkun.

John Younghusband Trophy

John Younghusband was a member of the Club in the 1960s and was a regular player in the senior bowls team which alternated, season by season, between the first and second division. He left Hong Kong for his native Australia in 1968. This competition is a Social Competition and is open to all Members of the Club. It is played in a Singles format - both male and female - on equal terms. Each bowler is guaranteed at least 2 games - bowlers who lose in their first game (not necessarily the first round, as a bowler may get a bye in the first round) then go into the Robin Bridge Plate Competition. This competition was introduced in 1980 - for those players who were knocked out in the first round of the John Younghusband. The following year, a former long term lawn bowler, Robin Bridge, presented the Plate after he had won this additional tournament. The winner of the main Competition is traditionally handed a green T-Shirt and all previous winners are expected to wear this on the day of the Competition. Lunch is held in one of the Function Rooms and, again traditionally, is a western set meal with wine - all participants are expected to attend. Previous winners are expected to pay for a bottles of wine to be consumed with the lunch. This year the Competition will be held on Sunday 29th August. Full details will be circulated in the Pinkun.

Barefoot Bowling

The Ladies organized a very successful Barefoot Bowling Event in April and, as a result of this, another such event will be held on 25th June. The theme for this Ladies Event was the colour "Pink" - not sure whether there will be a theme this time around but, hopefully, we will be able to encourage as many Members as possible to take part in what will be a very enjoyable night.

Beginners' Courses

Several Beginners' Courses have been held over the last few months and the next course will be held on the 11th, 18th, 25th July. Refer to flyer for details. However, the Convenor is happy to arrange individual or group Lawn Bowls instruction at any time.

John Wright

May Day Wapinschaw

A Special Visit

Mr.K.S.Tang, Hong Kong's Commissioner of Police, accepted the Invitation to come up to the Club on the evening of 3rd June and help conduct the Lawn Bowlers' "2010 World Cup Soccer Draw".

All present were most appreciative of Mr.Tang taking the time to help out on the night and made him most welcome. Mr.Tang is a keen football fan and still plays regularly!

Please refer to Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association - www.hklba.org