BOWLS WA REPORTS - GREENS & INFRASTRUCTURE Firstly, I would like to thank all the volunteers on the Bowls WA Greens and Infrastructure Committee and all the club personnel that we have been in contact with during the season for helping build a strong relationship between BWA staff, Jim Powell Clubs and inspection teams so that the greens are in the best condition for all their members and visitors. Volunteering, whether at Club or Association level is so important to the future of our sport, it must be celebrated along with succession plans put in to share the workload now and in the future.
Infrastructure Committee encourages all clubs who have had the experience of choosing surfaces and contractors to share their journey if contacted by other clubs. While Bowls WA can point clubs in a general direction and give general advice, it is only the clubs that have been on the journey of choosing surfaces and contractors, that can share firsthand the pitfalls along the way.
On top of this, synthetic greens that were installed over six/seven years ago are coming towards the end of their projected life expectancy. Many clubs will be starting to make decisions on when their surfaces will need to be replaced and what they should replace them with. The quality and number of different surfaces available has increased over the last ten years, so those clubs looking to replace greens also need to make sure they investigate For many metropolitan clubs, the 2020-2021 properly the surface best for them before final season started earlier with the requirement decisions are made. to complete the 2019-2020 Men’s Saturday Promotion Finals in September due to the While a couple of clubs had some difficulty early cancellation of the season due to Covid. with their grass and synthetic greens during For some grass clubs this meant having greens the season, only a couple of protests were available earlier than what they normally would received. Meetings were set up with these clubs and required careful planning by greenkeepers and remedial action was undertaken with only one club losing points due to an unsuitable to ensure they lasted the 2020-21 season. surface. Clubs are reminded that players For the most part, greens inspected during verbally complaining is not going to help the the annual pre pennant inspections were of a situation and any issues need to be brought to good standard and not many re-inspections the attention of the Greens and Infrastructure were required before Pennant started. The Committee by filling in the appropriate forms number of rebounding issues were at a low and sending appropriate emails to Bowls WA level; however, all clubs must continue to be which highlights the issues. vigilant as rebounding bowls can flair up for no Overall, I am happy to report Metropolitan apparent reasons season to season. Clubs Greens stood up very well across an The number of new synthetic greens either extra-long season that started in September sand filled, or carpet continue to increase slowly and I look forward to catching up with all our across the metropolitan and country areas. great clubs and volunteers in the lead up to the With a variety of choices of surfaces and laying 2021-22 season. contractors available, it is incumbent on clubs to do their due diligence before making any final decisions. The club is making a decision on an asset that is extremely important to the immediate future of the club and the enjoyment GREENS & INFRASTRUCTURE for their members. The Bowls WA Greens and
Jim Powell
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