“THERE is no doubt, lawn bowls clubs will come out of lockdown with massive mountains to climb, or not come out at all.”
The president of the Wentworth Bowling Club, Cheryl Waterman, had this to say when asked to ponder on the state of the greens.
She said even the opening of the greens for practice purposes will do little to alleviate the financial predicament of most clubs which rely on income from green fees, their bar, sponsored tournaments and social days.
“Clubs have been carrying the cost of maintaining their greens, paying staff to do this, rent, insurance, utility bills and general maintenance and the upkeep of the club and surrounds with zero income other than small fundraising projects.”
“Until the government allows for the on-site consumption of alcohol, allowing clubs around the country to open their clubhouses, the future of lawn bowls will remain in a perilous situation and more club closures can be expected,” she said.
Wentworth Bowling Club, concerned about revenue losses during the original 21-day lockdown, started the sale of an e-book, The Lockdown Cookbook, consisting of recipes submitted by members which helped slightly to lessen the financial impact of the lockdown.
The book sells for R60 and R10 from each purchase goes to the ward 66 feeding fund for vulnerable families.
“The extension of the lockdown brought added difficulties and more fundraising activities were initiated. Members contributed to a raffle and paid an amount of Tabs Out money, in lieu of the green fees they would have contributed had there been no lockdown.”
“Members, and the public, were invited to contribute R200 to secure a brick in the Covid-19 wall. This afforded the contributing public social membership to the club – valid until 30 September 2021 to ensure they enjoy the benefits of their contribution,” she said.
Cheryl added that bowlers around the country were enormously disappointed at SASCOC’s latest decision to withhold these rights until Bowls South Africa (BSA) submits a supplementary risk plan for those over 60-years-old and that many bowling clubs have prepared risk mitigation plans and have submitted certificates of compliance in accordance with stringent guidelines presented by BSA.
“The preparation for compliance brought with it added costs to already floundering clubs and the delay will add to their dilemma. In an announcement last week former Protea bowler, Gerry Baker, revealed that approximately 30 clubs in South Africa have indicated that they will be closing their doors, and not opening after the lockdown ends.”
“This a massive blow to a sporting fraternity which, before lockdown, boasted some 470 affiliated clubs nationally. Should the lockdown continue, the number of clubs facing closure will certainly increase,” she said.
The club continues to market the recipe book and is starting a Winter Warming Pamper Hamper Raffle comprising winter woolies and comfort food and drink that would add to a cozy evening in front of the television on a winter’s evening.
The lockdown cookbook is filled with tried and tested recipes comprising the following categories:
• Soups and starters
• Meals with fish
• Chicken – the most versatile
• Meat on the menu
• Vegetarian meals
• Sauces
• Braais, potjies and salads
• Cakes and other bakes
• Delicious dessert
• Slow cooker comfort food
Make an EFT payment to Standard Bank current account 051769948, Bluff branch code 043326 and e-mail proof of payment to wentworthbowls@gmail.com. Direct any enquiries you have to the same e-mail address.
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