CLEARWATER, Fla. – David Cooper was riding his bike through Clearwater not long ago when he slammed on the brakes at an unlikely sight.
He stood in front of the historic Clearwater Lawn Bowls Club.
Lawn bowling? In Clearwater? His Scottish grandfather long ago loved the sport, but Cooper always rejected it.
He walked in and was immediately hooked.
“It’s very addictive,” Cooper said. “And everyone can play!”
Lawn bowling was born in ancient Egypt and modernized in Scotland. It is a type of bocce or curling bowling and is played with balls (curved balls that can break left or right) and a jack (a small white ball that you aim at).
In Clearwater, the game is played on a surface similar to clay tennis courts.
It’s not a well-known sport in most parts of the United States, but the Clearwater Lawn Bowls Club is big on it.
“With one bowl roll, everything can change,” said club vice president Dick Judycki. “And that’s exciting.”
The Canadians brought the game to Clearwater 100 years ago – and it stayed there.
Everyone is welcome to come along and give the sport a try.
The club has members in their 70s and players as young as 12. And no matter how old you are, everyone loves the camaraderie of this strange, wild game that brings people together.
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