Westmount's bowling green is open to all

“People walking by will often stop to watch us play,” said bowler Stanley Baker, responsible for liaison and publicity at the Westmount Lawn Bowling Club. “It looks like fun, so they come try it out. It’s a great way for us to recruit new members.”

Founded in 1902, the Westmount Lawn Bowling Club is one of the oldest in Canada. Its current president is Doris Branscombe.

James Brown, founding father and first president of the club, helped turn what was then sleepy farmland in the suburbs of Montreal into some of the finest greens in the world.

The author of a comprehensive manual on lawn bowling, Brown insisted that the traditional rules and etiquette of the game that he acquired in his native Scotland be adhered to in Westmount.

Most of these rules continue to be respected to this day, with one major change.

“The difference is that 100 years ago women weren’t allowed to be members,” said Baker. Now women outnumber men three to one. It’s possible the club would have closed a long time ago had it not opened the membership up to women.

Club member Evelyn Lodge first bowled in the Town of Mont Royal for over 16 years. “But from the time first time I played, I knew that I wanted to join the Westmount bowling club. It’s just so nice here,” said Lodge, looking towards the greens. “And there are nice people, too.”

The legacy of the beautiful game dates back to antiquity. There is evidence of a similar game being played in ancient Egypt, which made its way to Greece and finally to Rome, where it is believed that Julius Caesar’s centurions then brought the sport across Europe. Lawn bowling, along with games like Italian bocce, French petanque or curling, is believed to have originated from this tradition.

The object of lawn bowling, similar to the above-mentioned sports, is to roll a bowl as close as possible to a smaller white ball (called the jack) located on the opposite side of the turf. Because the bowl is slightly asymmetrical, it curves as it loses momentum and the idea is to have it curve as close as possible to the jack.

A game packed with tactic and strategy, the point is not just about getting your bowl closest to the jack. Players must anticipate their opponent's shots. For example, players may also aim their bowls to block the jack or knock the opponent's bowls out of the way.

But the easiest way to understand the game, however, is to watch a match. “You have to come see lawn bowling first hand to get a feel for how it works,” said Jessica Chan, member and coach at the Westmount Lawn Bowling Club.

An excellent opportunity to watch a game and discover Westmount’s bowling greens is next week when Montreal welcomes some of the most talented bowlers from across Canada. Westmount is one of three clubs to host the 2007 Canadian National Championships from Aug. 19 to 25. The official opening, complete with pomp and bagpipes, will be held in Westmount on Aug. 20.

The Westmount club welcomes all ages to come try the sport. “Bowlers range from their teens to their 90s,” said Baker. “It's a popular misconception that lawn bowling is basically a seniors sport. We’re not a herd of dinosaurs,” he added.

The Westmount bowling club is open every Wednesday evening to those interested in trying the sport. Personal coaches are on-hand to explain the art of bowls and teach proper technique. The only requirement is flat-soled footwear.

Before becoming a member, new players must have a coach approve them based on a minimum level of proficiency. “Though with practice, people’s prowess improves quickly,” said Baker reassuringly.

If the promise of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and meeting new friends hasn’t convinced you to give lawn bowling a try, the tea, cakes, and cucumber sandwiches that emerge at the end of a demanding game of bowls should do the trick. The season starts May 1 and runs until Oct. 15, weather permitting.

The Westmount Lawn Bowling Club is located at 401 Kensington Ave. For information, please call 514-931-8690. To learn more about the 2007 Canadian National Championships please visit www.bowlscanada.com.