Linden Bowls Club goes green

Linden Bowling Club plans to save money one bowl at a time.

Club president, Darrel Johnston said that after the country’s water crisis and water restrictions, it was clear that the club had to find an efficient and sustainable way to maintain the greens.

“Our sport needs fresh grass,” said Johnston. He added that they could not use the current irrigation sprinkler system as it would use too much water.

Johnston explained that the club has a borehole and in the 10 years that he had been at the club, it had never been used. Over the years they had performed various tests to see if it was still viable and found that it was, although there was never a sense of urgency to utilise it.

To get started, the club tested the water quality and found that it was potable. The grass on bowling greens is very sensitive. You cannot afford to put polluted water onto the greens as the grass is already shorter than normal and any change in temperature or water purity or chemical imbalance will affect it.

“The club has asked members to help pay for the borehole. We plan to host various fundraisers to complete and sustain the borehole.”

Johnston expressed that the borehole was still a work in progress. The club has just installed a pressure pump but they are still to complete all the piping needed.

They also recently bought solar power to run the borehole. “Although it would be expensive to start off, it would, in the long term, be highly beneficial to the club. It is a mammoth financial task to complete for the club, but it will eventually aid future success. We plan on having fundraisers that will assist us to acquire everything we need to have this all functional and sustainable.”

Please note: Since the article was published, Marc Haley has been elected club president.