WITHOUT sounding too biased, the members at Swan Hill Racecourse Bowls Club reckon they’re well on their way to having one of the premier clubs the length and breadth of the Murray.
Friday’s official launch of the club’s new Tiger Turf green by Peter Walsh, The Nationals leader and Member for Murray Plains, certainly put the rubber stamp on what has been an astonishing story of self-help, determination and outstanding over-achievement.
And it came hot on the heels of the club’s step up to the newly founded Northern Valley pennant competition – a regional premier league – and a clear signal Team Racecourse is well and truly playing in the big league.
Mr Walsh paid tribute to the club’s mega-fundraising campaign which saw its members and sponsors pull together more than $400,000 to pay for the upgrade.
And he said the committee already has its sights set on more big projects because the new green is just the beginning.
“As exciting as today is for the club, and all those from other clubs who have joined the Racecourse crew for today’s event, I understand there are big plans in the future, including converting the next green to synthetic, and the dream of a permanent cover over the lot,” he added.
“That will take their fundraising to a whole new level and that will be impressive because this club is already such a spectacular community asset.”
After the ribbon was cut, 94-year-old Roy Jones – the club’s oldest member – rolled the first kitty down and life member and former greenkeeper Bob Mason sent down the first bowl. Which came to a rest within centimetres of Roy’s kitty, much to the loud approval of the large crowd.
Club president Norm Smith told bowlers and supporters “we are pleased to have such a wonderful new bowling green but this doesn’t just happen”.
Mr Smith said there was a lot of work behind the scenes to reach the day’s opening.
“The club sincerely thanks the members who have contributed financially and in every other way to get this project up and running,” he added.
“And we also genuinely thank all the local businesses who have helped out and are also sponsors, particularly our major sponsor Whitfield Excavations, for its excellent work in preparing the foundations for our carpet, and also preparing the surrounds to our green.
“Tiger Turf has also done a great job with our carpet and surrounds – you have to admit it looks very impressive.”
Mr Smith said the club was “incredibly lucky” to have so many volunteers who also helped prepare the green.
He described it as a “big job” getting everything ready – from marking the green and setting out the rinks to putting up the shades.
“In fact, our greenkeepers Neville Smith and D.J. Weaver have not yet had a chance to appreciate the surface because they have been too busy keeping the green pristine for everyone else,” he laughed.
“We have had so many people putting in so many hours for us to get to this stage and we really thank them all.
“Our guest of honour, Peter Walsh, has been a strong supporter of our club for many years. He was here for us when we closed the golf course, helped us access funding for new lights and watering system, and lobbied for our new clubhouse and we thank him for being here today.”
Congratulations also go to Glenn McIntosh, Fay Deveraux and Elizabeth Renney on winning the opening game, and to Peter Loughran, Noel Hender and Arthur Threadgold who were runners-up.
