This achievement must have seemed unimaginable when a few bowlers got together to turn the first sod at a site not far from the railway station and what later became the Willowmoore Park Cricket Stadium.
The year was 1938 and the first rumbles of World War Two were echoing around the globe, shortly to shatter the lives of many Benoni residents.
The club, however, somehow survived the turmoil to become a major force in Eastern Transvaal (Gauteng) bowls for many decades.
It was (and still is) renowned for its wonderful greens and superb club facilities that have been enjoyed by bowlers and social members alike for years.
Over the decades, the domestic suburbs of Benoni developed away from “Munies” (as the club has always been affectionately known), other clubs opened their doors and television became a major attraction.
The result was that club membership at first stabilised and then shrank, more or less in line with most sporting clubs around South Africa.
Today Munies is fighting above its weight.
It competes strongly in the first division of Ekurhuleni bowls and still boasts some of the best greens available.
Parking is close by, plentiful and secure, and the club facilities are excellent.
Major tournaments are held regularly and the club routinely donates to charities.
In its 75th anniversary year, Munis is renewing itself with a number of initiatives for the new season, which starts this spring.
- Blitzbowls: starting on Sunday, September 8, and every Sunday thereafter. This shortened format of bowls will start at 10am, an hour later than the usual 9am start. There will be no tea break, but the club facilities will be open during the morning. Complete beginners, especially families, are especially welcome, and so are bowlers from all clubs, who need a little more time on a Sunday morning to go to church or to attend to some chores around the house before going to bowls. Beginners will be provided with bowls and coaching will be available. The dress code is casual, but flat soled shoes are compulsory.
- Team building days: bowls is a wonderful sport for corporate team building, as anybody can instinctively roll a bowl. This means that all staff members, regardless of rank, fitness levels and age can play together and against one another for a whole day, away from the pressures of work. Team building days can be arranged on any day of the week, except for Sundays and during league season, which will start in November and be held on Saturdays.
- The 2-4-2 pairs tournament: A 2-4-2 day is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, a very enjoyable form of pairs bowls that is seldom offered in competitive form. It is either hated or loved, perhaps because it requires bowlers to display a whole range of drawing and driving skills, plus considerable bowl control. The day will comprise three matches of 20 ends each, with breaks for tea and lunch, followed by a prizegiving.
For enquiries and costs contact Angus Ramsay on 074 893 8099.
