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Irregularly shaped balls make lawn bowling tricky
Challenge on the grass
Photo by Chuck Kirman
Jacob Ziv of Oxnard releases his bowl at a lawn bowling tournament at the Oxnard club. The uneven contour of the bowl means it won't roll in a straight line. "It tests your skills," Ziv said. "It's a wonderful game and not too taxing."
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Photo by Chuck Kirman
A scoreboard is updated by team members.
Photo by Chuck Kirman
A rake is used to gather the bowls. There are more than 100 lawn bowling clubs in the U.S., attesting to the popularity of the sport, which dates back to the 13th century.
Eighty-three-year-old Bob Ferris stoops down and studies his target. A white ball about the size of a tennis ball sits on a manicured field of grass about 75 feet away. Ferris goes into motion and rolls a ball at the target. He waves his arms and twists his body, apparently hoping to will his ball as close as possible.
Ferris, who lives in Port Hueneme, and about 30 other people dressed in white are competing in a lawn bowling tournament at the Oxnard-Joslyn Lawn Bowls Club.
Edith Dowsing, 92, of Camarillo has been a member since the club opened in 1986. "I wouldn't be without it. I'm here three days a week," Dowsing said. "This is my golf day. I gave up my golf day to be in this tournament."
The object of the game is simple. A marker called the jack sits on the grass from 75 to 100 feet away.
The players each have a collection of "bowls," irregularly shaped balls weighing 3 to 4 pounds each, which the players try to roll as close to the jack as they can. However, the uneven contour of the bowl means it won't roll in a straight line, and therein lies the challenge. "It tests your skills. It's a wonderful game and not too taxing," said Jacob Ziv, 86, of Oxnard. A typical game lasts about two hours.
There are more than 100 clubs in the United States, attesting to the popularity of the sport, which dates back to the 13th century.
"It's a game all people can play," said Bob Smith, vice president of the Oxnard-Joslyn Lawn Bowls Club.
"It's just no pressure, come when we want to, the fresh air, moderate exercise and the wonderful people."
Free lessons and use of equipment are available to beginners. People are asked to call the club at 385-8034 in advance for the lessons.
More information is available at http://oxnardlbc.com.
Posted by GWAR on June 9, 2008 at 5:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Really, irregulary shaped 'balls?' Very interesting.
Posted by star on June 9, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All this time, I thought it was their age that made it tricky for them.
Posted by Ms_California on June 9, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
irregulary shaped "balls" sounds painful.. is there medicine for that?
Posted by cast on June 9, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's actualy a very fun game to play.
Posted by Adam_Monroe on June 9, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Best. Headline. Ever....hands down...
Posted by keem_s on June 9, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This irregular balls problem is a serious concern for male residents of Ventura County and I am shocked at VC Star's lack of sensitivity on this issue.
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