55 years of bowling at Bungalows club in Hazyview

On April 24, 1965 there was a public meeting held with Peter and Tina Strong, the owners then of Sabie River Bungalows, who had built the green and expressed their wish for the green to be run by a club for the benefit of the community.

In the meeting it was decided that R60 per month would be required to pay wages, water, fuel and oil. The club started with a membership list of 56, the membership fee being R10 per year. Visitors would pay 25c green fees. The members came from Kiepersol, Hazyview, Bushbuckridge and White River.

John Resbon was elected president. Peter expressed his wishes that the club be named The Sabie Valley Bowling Club. A meeting stated that the name Sabie would be confused with the town Sabie. It was left to the committee to discuss the matter with Peter.

On May 2, 1965 it was the official opening of the club at 09:30. The first weekend of September 1965 saw the first Nornan Ladies Fours Tournament sponsored by Norman and Nan Gaydon who lived at Karino. The Nornan tournament is still played yearly at Bungalows. This September will mark the 56th ladies tournament at Bungalows Bowling Club.

The bowls club still plays the Trout Triangle and has various fun days during the year.

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The first main committee meeting was held on October 22, 1965 and it had been decided to name the club Bungalows Bowling Club. At the AGM on October 29, 1965, Peter and Tina were voted honorary members for life. On December 15, 1965 a constitution was drawn up for the club and it was also affiliated to the Lowveld subdistrict bowling association. In 1967 the club members wanted their own clubhouse as they always had to use the hotel.

It was approved by Sabie River Sun manager that the bowls club could build their own clubhouse.

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Over the past years many presidents have come and gone, but a special mention is Peggy Kuschke who turned 91 in March. She was the secretary from 1994 to 2006 and president from 2006 to 2013.

In 2013, Darryl Cross became president and still is currently. This little club only has 10 members left. Bungalows saw many single, master, trips and pairs winners, and a few provincial players. This club still stands strong considering the few members it has.