Club History

How the Calgary Lawn Bowling Club Started

A group of ten men gathered in the boardroom of The Trust and Guarantee Company on May 16, 1923 to discuss the forming of an affiliated Lawn Bowling Club. Judge Winter was elected President and he offered the east side of his lawn as a green, the location of which was near the old Holy Cross Hospital, and this location was used for nearly six years. A tent served as the clubhouse.

Initially “men only” played, but later ladies were invited to participate and a ladies section was formed. The men paid an annual fee of $10 and the ladies paid $5. The men bowled three or four evenings a week and the ladies were first encouraged to play one evening a week and in the afternoons.

In 1927 negotiations were made with the City for a new location, and a site on 16 Avenue S.W. was allocated to the club. Although the City assisted with the land, the club members funded the new green and clubhouse with subscription fees from all members, and a loan from one member (R.H. Williams). Another member (W.H.R. Gardiner) acquired, and moved to the green, the building which became the clubhouse. The new facility was officially opened on Labour Day, September 2, 1929.

At the new venue the club thrived and by 1932 there were 125 members. Around this time, and for many years later, R.H. Williams, M Cunningham, and Prime Minister R.B. Bennett sponsored club trophies. During the 1932 year, the club had grown sufficiently to warrant building a second green, and a short time later added floodlights and improved ditches. Around 1936 a new green cost around $400.

The Provincial Association was formed in 1929 and the first Provincial Tournament was held in Edmonton in 1931. Also during the 1930’s interclub competitions were held and the Calgary District Association was organized in 1936. By 1937 the fees were $15 annual dues, and $5 to join, and at that time it was noted that more attention needed to be paid to encouraging more people to play the game, assuming they passed the entrance interview process! Calgary hosted its first City Tournament on August 5 through 10, 1939, and its first Provincial Tournament in 1941.

The Men’s and Ladies’ sections of the club have occupied the same premises since 1949. In 1969 it was recommended that the two sections be amalgamated, but the idea was rejected, as not being consistent with the club’s original constitution. However, subsequently that was amended and the two clubs were formally amalgamated. In 1982 the clubhouse was remodeled, as many members contributed funds and spent numerous hours of hard work, which was greatly appreciated by all.

Over the years, we have had many members play in the Canadian Championships and our club has been honoured by its members winning medals. We have also had a history of holding annual Canada Day tournaments at which a piper used to lead the bowlers around the green before play commenced. This was usually a fun morning of skill games followed by lunch, the singing of “O Canada”, and the Canada Day Trophy competition in the afternoon. In addition, we have hosted many visiting teams from the U.K. and these were always very special “friendly” events.