This extract was kindly provided by Renwick Museum. The date of this article: 1970

RENWICK BOWLING CLUB CELEBRATES 21 YEARS

(By "Toucher")

The Renwick Bowling Club celebrated its 21st anniversary with an invitation fours gala followed by an
evening meal for the participants and guests from other sporting organistations in Renwick.

During these 21 years, the Club has never been strong in numbers, but fortunately, due to the activity and keen spirit of its members, the Club has always participated in the yearly Marlborough Centre's programme.

The Clubs Sunday galas have been well supported over the years and are ever popular. Credit must go to the Club for introducing the triples competition. Prior to the Centre's first triples tournament in 1967, the Rrwnick Club introduced a Christmas triples five years ago and this competition has become so popular that there has been a waiting list on entries over the last two seasons.

Principally responsible for the successful 21st celebrations was the president, Bob Bolt, ably supported by the secretary, Les Ruffell. These two club members have been making every endeavour to revitalise the Club over the last two seasons and recently, in an attempt to increase the club membership, held an open day for all those interested in the sport.

Since becoming president, Bob Bolt has shown considerable drive with an attempt to improve the lot of the club and it is in be hoped that with the support of his members his endeavours will bear fruit.

CLUB STARTED

The Club started in 1948 when a meeting was convened with a view to the formation of a bowling club in Renwick. Present at that first meeting were Miss Brydon, Mesdames Flowerm R Newman, F Brydon, E Hammond, J Middlemess, Messrs J Brydon, J Kelly, K Barr, J Williams, J Boyce, F Brydon, A Newman, HF Newman, AB Green, S Williams and P Hammond.

On the proposal of J Williams, then a schoolteacher at Renwick, it was unanimously agreed that a bowling club be formed.

The site of the present bowling green had previously been occupied many years ago by the Wairau Hotel, later known as Sheepskin Tavern. Until two years ago, the water well of the old hotel had caused endless trouble on the green by developing a subsidence each year.

Topdressing yearly proved to no avail, and eventually that area had to be dug up, filled with boulders, bridge decking placed on top and a few inches of topsoil. The problem was fixed but an ever green round patch of cotula still marks the spot.

APPROPRIATE

It is very appropriate that this year the Club has adopted as their blazer monogram a motif of the Sheepskin Tavern. 
The Club's first president was Mr. AB Green, who is now aged 94 years and living in Auckland. Although unable to attend the 21st celebrations, Pop Green, as he is popularly known in the district, has retained his interest in the Renwick Club and has been kept fully advised of the anniversary programme.

The first secretary-treasurer, Phil Hammond, recovering from a spell in hospital, is still an active club member and was able to attend the celebrations. Mr Hammond held the secretaryship for the majority of these 21 years and is a life member of the club.

GREENKEEPER

Another member to be honoured by the present president was Rhoy Kinzett, who until last season has voluntarily accepted the full reponsibility of greenkeeper, and though his health now limits his activities with routine maintenance on the green, he is still an active playing member and was able to skip a team during the recent festivities. Mr Kinzett is also a club life member.

Recently, two of the club's most loyal members, Arnold Newman and Jack Brydon, died. Both had been foundations members and besides being two of the most active playing members over the years, they have also been ever willing with assistance on greeen maintenance.

After the initial meeting in 1948, it was decided the following year that the green be levelled and laid out in sawdust and soil as a playing surface. This is a far cry from today's Cotulla weed green.

Apparently the sawdust-soil combination was not very successful, and it was proposed in 1951 to lay out two rinks with rubber chips - much in the style as used in winter greens throughout the country. The rubber chips were actually purchased and remianed in Phil Hammond's haybarn for several years but were never used on the green.

BROWNTOP

 Over the years the green was developed as a browntop green, but cotula growth has been encouraged over the last four years, with the green being poisoned off, so that it is fast becoming a full cotula weed green.

After being a mixed club for three years, the women formed their own section in 1951 and were affiliated with the Women's Centre.  The first president, Mrs Flower, was also able to attend and assist in the celebrations and, along with Rhoy Kinzett performed the honour of cutting the 21st birthday cake during the evening's proceedings.

Over these 21 years, although few in number, the women members have always given wonderful support, frequently improving the Club's financial position with their efforts and also taking good care of catering.

The Renwick Club is now well founded, and like any other sporting club, will most likely face problems in the future, but its foundation members have set a wonderful example for its younger members to follow, and I feel sure all bowlers will join in wishing the Club progressive development in the future.​​​​​​​