SOUTHLAND’S BOWLING GREENS IN GOOD CONDITION

Southland Times, Issue 23634, 8 October 1938, Page 14

SOUTHLAND’S BOWLING GREENS IN GOOD CONDITION

By .

JACK HIGH

If the surfaces of the greens which were opened for play last Saturday can be taken as a criterion of the condition of greens all over the province, the 1938-39 season promises to be a successful one. The greens at Tuatapere, Wyndham and Waikiwi were well grassed and although the first-of-sea-son “push” was almost as heavy as in other seasons, there was a reasonably good draw. Some good bowls were played on all three greens. Improvements were noticed on the greens. At Tuatapere the weed has been successfully blended with thp grasses and a smooth surface, almost the equal of some city greens, has been obtained. This club is one of the youngest in Southland but, already has a good membership of men and women. On February 25 Tuatapere will hold a one-day tournament for members of Western District clubs. The Waikiwi green has made a wonderful improvement during the last few years and today it may be compared with the best of the city greens. A patient policy was adopted by the club. It was realized that the building of a first-class surface could not be completed in one season, and today the fruits of three of four seasons’ work are to be seen. Asphalt bases to the ditches have been laid down. This type of ditch bottom , saves the player much trouble in bowl wiping on wet days. It is preferable tc the sand base. City visitors to the Wyndham green freely expressed themselves about the good surface on this area. According to the club members it has never looked better at the start of the season. Hopes are entertained of the green standing up to a full season’s play. CLUB OPENINGS TODAY Advice of the following club openings (today) has been received from the Georgetown, Mataura, Edendale, Riverton and Nightcaps clubs. At the time of writing entries from 15 of the 16 rinks required to give Northend a full green for the Labour

. Day tournament had been received. This club’s green is well turfed this season. Much work has been put into , it and few of the bare patches which scarred the surface last year remain. 1 The 1938-39 fixture books should ■ be available to bowlers next week. New rule books are expected from the New ■ Zealand Bowling Asociation soon. ONE-DAY TOURNAMENTS Dates for one-day tournaments have ’ been. allocated as follows:— October 24 (Labour Day).—NORTHEND. t December 10.—CENTRAL (Winton). December 26.—R.5.A. (Diggers ! tournament). January 14.—NIGHTCAPS. January —. —WAIHOPAI (Trades Picnic Day). February 11.—RIVERTON. February 18.— GEORGETOWN. February . 25.—TUATAPERE (Western District clubs). March S.—HOKONUI. March 11.— TE RANGI. March 11.—WINTON. ; March 25.—SOUTHLAND. April 7 (Good Friday) .—OTAUTAU. ’ April 10 (Easter Monday).— WAI- . KIWI. ; INVITATION TO GREAT BRITAIN From the International Board comes an invitation for a team of players ’ from New Zealand to tour Great Bri- . tain during the summer of 1939, writes '■ “Draw” in The Evening Star, Dunedin. ' The executive of the New Zealand i Council has decided to accept the in- ' vitation, and the secretary was instructed to obtain an estimate of cost from the Sports Travel Company, Ltd., London,' such cost to include return via Canada. It is interesting to note that > the Canadians would welcome a visit ■ from the players who would take part in the British tour on their way back . to this Dominion. This would make a i wonderful trip for those in a position • to finance such a tour.