About Us
The History of Terrigal Bowling Club – as at June 2020
Terrigal Bowling Club was founded in 1948, the President was Don Hudson, Secretary John Stinson, and Treasurer Alex McBean with one green.
Nestled away in the bowl at Terrigal behind the Crowne Plaza, the Terrigal Bowling Club is about to celebrate its 72nd anniversary.
The site where Terrigal Bowling Club now stands was once an unwanted swampland.
Local volunteers reclaimed the swampland to form the first green with rental for the land set by Council at one hundred pounds per year.
Wal Bailey and Fred Baker were responsible for the cartage of some 2,000 yards of sand from The Entrance to fill the swamp area on which that first green was to be built.
Fred’s original quote for three hundred and twenty-five pounds ran to over one thousand pounds and one years’ labour by the frowning band of enthusiastic worker members.
The first greens were curated by Mac McLeod, Sid Norton, Ben Lawn and Joe Maher before Charlie Hore was appointed as the first qualified greenkeeper.
In 1950-1951 Men’s Championships were first played with the first singles champion being John Stinson.
1955 saw the construction of the Club’s second green and the formation of the Terrigal Women’s Bowling Club, which has grown from strength to strength in the succeeding years.
Our Club is what it is today because of the hard work and dedication of men like Adam Kelly, Reg Smith, Tom Watt, Dick Crawford, Eric Pengilley and many others, in the earlier years
The third green was opened in 1959 and the renovated clubhouse completed.
During the 60, 70, 80 and 90’s we experienced ups and downs like all other Clubs
In the 1990’s the late great, Jim Lisle, dual Rugby Union & Rugby League international and nature’s gentleman was a member and bowler at the club. Numerous items of Jim’s sporting memorabilia adorn the walls of the Sports Bar which was named in his honour.
In 2002 major renovations took place at a cost of $800,000.
In 2008 new Chairman John (Bongo) MacKintosh with our professional Committee took us into our new era with new caterers, Simon and Rebecca (Bec’s Kitchen) we have moved ahead in leaps and bounds
In 2008-2013 further additions were made to the Clubhouse.
2015 saw lights installed on the main green.
Over the 72 year history of our Club the men and women bowlers have won 19 District Zone Pennant Flags been Zone 15 Players of the Year, Zone 15 Fours, Triples, Pairs and Singles winners in both Senior and open divisions along with Champion of Champions winners.
Alan Bailey
Club Delegate