a final curtain

Sarasota's Lawn Bowling Club, formed back in 1927 from remnants of Sarasota's early Scottish pioneers, years later would become an established and noted international sporting club situated along Sarasota's historic downtown bayfront. Today, still existing and active after 95 years, originally with 3 greens and nearly an acre of club property, the City of Sarasota has asked the club to pack-it-up, and move along. 

Soon, with a massive new undertaking, the city along with a private entity, will be developing an overall existing 53 acres of this same bayfront for a newly named public park, The Bay.

 

On Friday, prior to the Club's soon-to-be dismantling, I bowled my final "ends" in a tied game of "jitney", appropriately ending with a torrential downpour.

 

The national, 'U.S. Open' of lawn bowls was held not so long ago in Sarasota and for two consecutive years, 2016-2017, at Sarasota's historic lawn bowling club. International dignitaries along with players representing 17 different countries oversaw the 5 days of tournament play.

Today, due to the recent pandemic, and concurrently with conflicting bans on travel for our seasonal international members, our overall Club's membership has fallen drastically, from about 260 overall active players to a small group of die-hard locals.

 

 

 

Two club notables I was truly lucky to have played along side of - who also became close friends; 

One in particular, was Geoff Old, a retired professional rugby player of New Zealand's national team, the "All Blacks".  Because of the pandemic, Geoff moved back to New Zealand two years ago, and continues to compete there in 'Bowls' on a national level. 

 

 

 

And of special note - a former national champion, my mentor, instructor and best bud, and many times my 'triples' partner, Miss Geraldine Smith.  Sadly, 'Gerry' passed away this past month at the age of 100.  Soon, she will be up for nomination into the Bowls USA's, National 'Hall of Fame'.

 

 

Gerry Smith at 94, always engaged, elegant, and up until then, still playing competitively.

 

 

Recently, after cleaning out old cabinets and club file drawers, looking back, this group photo was found of local members of Sarasota's Lawn Bowling Club during one of it's great heydays.  A real cast of characters (looks to be early 1960's). 

Now it appears, after 95 years, it is our Club's final call, "last bowls" at this early, Sarasota historic site.

 

(note) As of August 29th, with a newly signed agreement with the City of Sarasota, and from a large donation provided by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Sarasota Lawn Bowling Club will be moving to a new, smaller scaled facility, hopefully to be completed by late 2023. The City of Sarasota has committed to adding the lawn bowling club to it's ongoing revamped property of the city owned, Bobby Jones Golf Course.