Magazine - United Bowling Club damaged in NZ

By Editor in Bowls on 24th Sep 2008 6:00

Vandals have hit the lawn bowls club of world champion Val Smith for two weekends in a row, just as she was ramping up her training for two major competitions.

While the damage at the United Bowling Club caused by an up-ended pot plant on the green at the weekend was minimal, it ran the chance of disrupting her training, Smith said.

This winter she has had the longest period without training in five years, but she now has the New Zealand Open in November followed by an invitational singles and pairs competition in Hong Kong to prepare for.

Smith, who said the break had made her keener than ever to hit the green, appealed for anyone who noticed any suspicious behaviour at the Gardiner Place club to contact the police with information.

Club president Elaine Hemi said vandalism was an ongoing problem for all bowling clubs, and those responsible needed to get the message that it was not acceptable.

"Children just don't realise the damage that they can do. They just see a nice expanse of grass."

She said serious damage and scuffing could be caused to the bowling green by people running on it.

Although the damage done over the last two weeks had not prevented any bowlers playing, it had done so in the past, as the grass could take some time to recover.  Vandalism meant more work for the greenkeeper and was "devastating" for him and the players.

"They get so upset," Mrs Hemi said.

Source & More: www.stuff.co.nz

Read more articles in Bowls, by Editor or from September 2008.