Lawn Bowlers Roll Into a New Yearby Sandi Fahy
Photo by SANDI FAHY CLEARWATER - For those not familiar with lawn bowling, it is a game one plays on a bowling green by rolling a ball toward a stationary ball. The balls are called "bowls." Object of the game is for a player to throw weighted bowls down the rink, placing as many as he or she can closer to a smaller white bowl than his or her opponent. On a recent cool morning, Jim and Pat Wilson, Bob and Rusty Barclay, Hugh Derby and Jim Calhoun were among those enjoying some spirited competition at the Clearwater Lawn Bowling Club. Calhoun is a life member of the club. He joined in 1982. There are over 100 members who come from Clearwater, Dunedin, Largo, Safety Harbor, Seminole, North Redington Beach, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park, Holiday and Hudson to play on the courts located at 1040 Calumet St. The annual club championships are currently under way. Singles and pairs competition was held in January. The women's triples event is coming up on February 14. Men's triples will take place on February 14 and 21. Marion Wall was winner of last year's 4-3-2-1 ladies' singles. Top scorer in ladies' regular singles was Brooke Reid. Ralph Ross took first place in the men's 4-3-2-1 singles and men's regular singles. Ladies' pairs winners were Cathie Stephan and Brooke Reid. Men's pairs winners were Ken Roberts and John Orr. Trebles winners were (ladies) Barbara Roller, Joyce Lannan and Joy Sinclair, (men's) Duncan Farrell, Rick Wall and the late Doug Shearer. Among the many special events on this year's schedule are the Valentine's Tournament on February 12 and the Mayor's Charity Tournament on February 28. Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard and Clearwater Parks & Recreation director Kevin Dunbar are honorary members of the club. The Clearwater group will host the United States Lawn Bowls Association Southeast Division Men's Open Tournament at the facility March 1-7. The St. Pat's Cookout tourney is set for March 11. Spectators are welcome at all events. Persons interested in lawn bowling are welcome to join the club. A number of social activities are planned for members throughout the year. Current officers are Cecilia Noble, president; Lou Ann Mulvaney, vice president; Cathie Stephan, secretary; and Jill Orchard, treasurer. Directors are Bill Farrell, Pauline Keenan, Joyce Lannan, Lenore Roach, Bruce Miller, Betty Kelly and Barbara Roller. For more information on membership or upcoming tourneys, call (727) 442-5329.
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