The Kensington Club celebrated is centenary with a walk through the club’s history on September 5.
Club president, Mr Paul Vermeulen, said the club was formed by a group of men, which included Mr BJ Penny and Mr Max Langerman, 101 years ago.
“They met and made the decision to establish a bowls and tennis club. The minutes of that meeting are dated 1914. This is around the same time the notorious Foster Gang used the cave adjacent to the club’s property as a hideout, and when finally trapped in the cave by the police, they committed suicide rather than facing the gallows.
“In 1915, the club and sporting facilities were built to provide recreation for the numerous British immigrants arriving in Johannesburg to work in the mines. Of interest is the fact that both men went on to serve as mayors of Johannesburg,” he said.
He said six tennis courts and one and a half bowling greens were originally built.
“Just before the greens were officially opened in 1915, a torrential storm washed the newly laid full green away and deposited it around where Rhodes Park Lake is today.
“The tennis courts were left intact and tennis play commenced in that year. The green was rebuilt, together with a proper storm water drainage system, and bowls began to be played in October 1916. Bowls has been played since then,” said Mr Vermeulen.
He said since its inception, the bowling club has been making its mark in national and international tournaments.
Mr Vermeulen reminded the audience about the first three players to wear the national colours.
“Mr WA Randall was the first player to be selected to represent South Africa in the Empire Games in Canada in 1954 and again in Wales in 1958. He won gold on both occasions.
“Second to earn national colours was Mr Herbie Crawford, a deaf bowler, who represented South Africa in Glasgow in 1995, winning the pairs championship. The most recent Protea is Mrs Winny Bonthuys, who was awarded her colours in 2000,” he said.
Mr Vermeulen said the club has also collected titles for winning national bowls tournaments.
“Beginning from 1923, Mr Tom McMurray won the men’s singles championships. In 1951, the club also won the men’s national four competition. We also won the ladies national fours competition in both 1999 and 2008. Since then, we have won many provincial tournaments,” he said.
The tennis section of the club was joined with the Rhodes Park Tennins Club to form the Kenrho Park Tennis Club.
Mr Vermeulen said the Kensington Club still offers bowls and social membership.
“We are proud of our traditions. We as the members of the club are looking forward to the next 100 years,” he said.
