Back to the greens for local bowlers

AFTER an absence of 17 weeks on the greens, Bowls South Africa announced the go ahead to resume the much loved sport of bowls, under strict conditions. “This permission has been given on condition of our implementation of the health and safety protocols which have been circulated to all districts, provinces and clubs,” said, President of Bowls South Africa, Rob Forbes.

A number of rules and conditions need to be taken into account. No club may resume any activity until their compliance certificate has been completed and submitted to the relevant district or province and posted onto the Bowls SA Database. The health and safety protocols that have been established have been done based on universal best practices with regard to these and in accordance with the requirements as laid down by the Government in legislation that has been issued from time to time.

“The protocols set out are done with the intention of minimising the spread of Covid-19 amongst those persons who are at the club be it as an employee or as a player. While some people may consider them as onerous or excessive, it must be remembered that the primary aim is to protect everyone’s health as best as possible under the health conditions, we, as a country, find ourselves in.

“People who decided to operate outside of these protocols must understand very carefully that their actions could have the effect of jeopardising other people’s health. They should also understand that should any person be infected by the virus and they have been in contact with other people at the club there is every likelihood that the facility will be closed until authorities have cleared it for use again,” said Forbes.

Neither Bowls South Africa nor any of the districts or provinces have the capacity or time to monitor each club. The onus rests squarely with the management of each club to ensure the proper health and safety protocols are put in place and adhered to. Access to the club is limited to those facilities as identified and until such time as permission is given no bars are to be open or any refreshments to be served. Once you have completed your sessions please do not loiter at the club in groups for whatever reason.

“Like many of you I share in your excitement and enthusiasm on being able to get back on the greens albeit under strange conditions. Let these issues not deter us and let’s utilise our time on the greens in the best possible manner,” said Forbes.

Sharing their views on the impact of Covid-19, Woodlands Bowling Club which currently remains closed since the beginning of lockdown, has suffered a financial blow and had to cancel all its functions, inter-club and club games due. “Thankfully we are still able to keep one greens keeper to keep the greens in tip top shape. We are a very small member club but thankfully the Sports Club section is keeping us afloat. We have not been able to do any fundraising and hopefully we will be able to carry on where we left off soon. Some bowling clubs are able to reopen but there is so much protocol and expense involved it is not worth it for us to open at this time,” said Linda Hewer, Woodlands Bowling Club President.

On the other hand, Wentworth Bowling Club was excited to re-open its greens to members on Sunday, 19 July for the first time since March.

“We were very happy bowlers all followed the booking procedure and arrived to play. We missed being able to socialise in the clubhouse afterwards, but hopefully we’ll do that too soon. Bowling clubs around the country have the same overheads and are facing permanent closure because of the financial constraints presented by no income from bar sales, green fees and sponsored tournaments. Added to this is the cost of maintaining their playing surfaces – their bowling greens. In the year ending 2019 the cost of maintaining the greens at Wentworth Bowling Club was in excess of R150 000 (including green staff salaries, equipment maintenance and green requirements). This is why clubs appeal to the community for assistance during this lockdown – they do not want the property to become another abandoned statistic. Until clubs can open and function fully, the road ahead remains perilous. Thank you to those members of the community who have assisted with their contributions to our fundraising activities,” said club president, Cheryl Waterman.

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