CLUB HISTORY

The St.Clair Bowling Club and Lawn Tennis Club was formed in 1892, their premises consisting of a four-rink green and Tennis court in Beach Street St.Clair. It catered for retired or active businessmen for recreational and social mixing. Wives were involved in local club occasions.

After 15 years, as membership grew steadily with the suburb, the need for larger premises and a full-size green led to the move to Albert Street. A group of ladies leased an area at the back of the green where Croquet was played.

The Club remained at this site until 1925 when the low-lying greens had water problems in wet weather and, with growing dissatisfaction among members, the Club moved to its present site in Ings Avenue, occupied formerly by a plant nursery.

A new pavilion was opened in 1927 having been built over ten weeks for £1,250. The croquet club found grounds of its own further down Ings Avenue, where it stayed until it wound up in the 1960s.

By 1929 the ladies bowling section was established, the St.Clair Women’s Club, enabling women to participate in the game and to enjoy centre and interclub events.

The greens were renovated in 1939 with the plugging of Cotulla weed, creating a demand for lights to provide more evening play and also attracting more members.

Various fundraising activities, including a joint carnival on the Esplanade with the surf club, raised monies to purchase land for a second green in 1945. A further land purchase in 1989 enabled this green to be extended so it could be played both ways.

In 1996 Land adjacent to the Club off Bay View road was purchased making provision to establish Car parking facilities for members and visiting Bowlers.