10
NEWS
MARCH, 2019// SENIORS
Friendly club hits 70 years Member recalls CBC’s history Alison Houston COOLANGATTA Bowls Club marked its 70th anniversary in style with a masquerade cocktail party which reinforced its claim as “the friendliest little club on the Coast”. Ray Meehan, 89, was among those celebrating. A member for 48 years, and proudly awarded Life Membership 15 years ago, Ray has lived on the Coast for 63 years, so is “almost a local”. Over the years he has held official club roles including president and competed at various levels, including playing with top names like Fred Lewis, Bob Purcell and Neil Crichton. He still tries to get a triples game in every
Thursday with a group including Charlie Mitchell, with whom he has played for about 30 years. “It’s such a wonderful game,” Ray said. “You get out there and you forget your worries and just have a lovely afternoon.” He also organises Thursday games and has run a singles competition every Saturday for 28 years. “I just love it … it’s a wonderful atmosphere here at Coolangatta,” he said. With green fees just $10 including tea and a biscuit, he reckons it’s a pretty cheap afternoon’s entertainment. The club currently has 160 male and 62 female members, including a number over 90 years old.
MASQUERADE: Ladies' president Pam Bews, barman John Forsythe and ladies' games co-ordinator Gail Rottier toast the 70th anniversary with margaritas. “We pride ourselves, being a small club, on looking after each other and we all enjoy the social side of bowls,” said Ladies’ Committee president Pam Bews. The club today boasts three greens, but started with just the one. In fact, its history dates back to a combined Tweed Heads and Coolangatta Bowling Club formed in 1921 on Crown land in Coral St, Tweed Heads. That club dissolved harmoniously to form two separate clubs and Coolangatta Bowls Club
opened its doors on New Year’s Day 1949 with 76 bowlers; the Ladies’ Club opening on April 20, 1950. The first green and clubhouse cost £1000, and comprised an ex-US Army hut delivered in two halves and joined and modified on site, around which today’s clubhouse is built. Pam said the club at one stage had so many national, state and district players that it could be rated as the world’s No. 1 bowling strength club. From 1975-1987
Coolangatta players Ray Lederhose, Fred Lewis, Neil Crichton and Ian Schubach won four state titles, and over the years the club has had 27 state and four Australian representatives, including Kelvin Kerkow starting his career there. But it’s not just the players that have made a name, with the club making history a couple of times, firstly as the first club to have grandstand seating around a green, and more prominently being the first club in history in 1985 to wear
coloured shirts with sponsors’ logos. Pam said Coolangatta always welcomed new members, with free coaching available every Tuesday 3-4pm and bowls provided so prospective players can “just turn up to have a try”. Her only warning: “It’s addictive”. Bring a water bottle and wear a hat and flat shoes (except on barefoot bowls days). Call the club on 07 5536 6677 or Pam on 0411 650 709.
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