Last goodbye as club shuts its doors
The last tournament hosted by the RDLI Bowling Club was a fitting farewell.
THERE were some sad goodbyes on Sunday as the historical RDLI Bowling Club hosted its final tournament before it shuts its clubhouse doors and greens forever.
The tournament was well supported as bowlers came together for the last time at the iconic RDLI greens.
The club, which has a long history in Durban, was founded by the men of the Royal Durban Light Infantry Regiment who served their country in the second World War.
After they returned home after World War II, Captain Chiazzari along with other men in his regiment asked commanding officer, Colonel Metcalfe if they could build a bowling green on the Durban Light Infantry Regiment on DLI Avenue.
Permission was granted and A Green was created. However, because there was not enough money to hire someone who had the knowledge and expertise to build a bowling green, the green was extremely bumpy. The RDLI Women’s Auxillary came to the rescue by supplying funds required to rectify the green.
The first team to represent the R.D.L.I Bowling Club competitively in 1947, was a women’s team. The women as they had been playing bowls at other clubs while their men were away at war.
Later, B Green was built in honour of Company Sergeant Major, Wayne Smith’s 90th birthday. A feature at the RDLI Bowling Club is a water fountain that stands between the two greens. The fountain was built in the 1940s in memory of Colonel Wylie.
When South Africa left the British Commonwealth and became a republic, the regiment dropped the R and became DLI, however the club remained the R.D.L.I Bowling Club. While the R.D.L.I Bowling Club is open to the public, its membership today still boasts a few ex-military men.
Last year, excessive rain caused extensive damage to B Green which was under water for a few days. The R.D.L.I Bowling Club committee expected recovery this year, but unfortunately that did not happen. With the loss of B Green and after exhausting options to help keep the club open, the committee realised that it was not viable. “Membership has dropped slightly. The greens generate income and having only one functional green is not enough to keep the club running. Unfortunately membership fees do not cover the running and maintenance of the club,” said Colin Best, media liaison of the RDLI Bowling Club.
Many of the RDLI Bowling Club members will be joining the Durban Bowling Club. “We’ve always supported each other’s tournaments, we will be friends and not the enemy now,” said Robbie Burns, RDLI Bowling Club secretary.
“We are very sad that the club is closing. Many friendships were formed and I would not have met a lot of people if not for the club ” said Best.
One of R.D.L.I Bowling Club’s longest standing members is Chris Klopper, an ex Natal Rugby Player who has been a part of the club for 51 years.
The club has enjoyed great success with many members being District SA champs. Four years ago the men and ladies section won the Olympic Toyota Club Champs. In 2010, Bruce Makkink won the SA Championship Singles. Makkink won this title again in 2011 and was part of the team that won the Four’s title as well. There are also a few women who are Springboks and also part of the RDLI Bowling Club.
