Bowls club to go synthetic

Green machine: Keen bowler and a member for 31 years, Charlie Janes, and Diggers treasurer, Ron Graff, watch as contractors roll the bedding sand base for the new synthetic green.

Sharyn O'Neill

THERE  is plenty of action to view at Diggers Memorial Bowls Club, but rather than play on the greens it is the work being done to prepare them that is catching the eye.

Diggers greens are currently out of action as the club makes the transition to synthetic turf.

Progress has been swift with the new turf scheduled to be laid on one of the greens today.

It is a costly exercise but club treasurer Ron Graff said it will pay dividends over the years.

“Work is going really well and in two weeks one of the greens will be finished,” he said.

Club members are looking forward to getting outside and enjoying a roll-up, but Graff said they have been very supportive as they can see the benefits the changes will bring.

“We knew we would lose five weeks’ revenue,” Graff said.

However, the club will no longer be required to pay a greenkeeper or the cost of maintenance for the greens such as chemicals.

Then there are the benefits for bowlers.

“Before, when it rained, you were finished for the day. But now you can be back playing in five minutes,” he explained.

Graff expects the greens to run at about 13-14 seconds, but will quicken slightly after rain.

Another bonus for the club, he says, is that the change has been accepted by members.

“We did not lose any members – we’ve actually gained some,” he said.