Barefoot Bowls 2019

BAREFOOT BOWLS - BACK FOR SUMMER

Who’s up for barefoot bowls?

Summer’s on the way so who’s up for hitting the green carefree and shoeless? Barefoot bowls has swept Melbourne by storm and it’s no different on the Mornington Peninsula, where summertime means spending the day with friends outdoors, a drink in one hand and a bowl in the other.

Traditional lawn bowls has been played casually in Australia since colonisation, although the first interstate match took place between NSW and Victoria in 1880. The Australian National Lawn Bowls Association was established in the late 1880s. Fast-forward almost 140 years and the game is still going strong in more forms than one. Barefoot bowls brings the best of this muchloved activity and combines it with sun-filled socialisation in spades. Take a look through our Barefoot Bowls feature to find out where you can take off your shoes and settle into some serious downtime fun while you learn the ropes of a game that has been traced back as far as 3200BC in Egypt. From Frankston to Mornington and Mount Martha, the heat is on. Get ready for barefoot bowls fun, people. Find out where and when right here.

A game or two of lawn bowls is a wonderful way to have fun with friends and family, but have you ever thought about celebrating your Christmas break-up on the green? Frankston Bowling Club holds Friday night barefoot bowls from November until March, and it’s the perfect setting to mark the end of the year — and any other occasion, for that matter. It costs just $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12, with plenty of bowls to choose from and an instructor on hand to help you get started. The club also provides everyone with two complimentary sausages in bread, and you can even book a barbecued meal. You’re invited to bring your own nibbles and food or order in, and there are drinks at bar prices as well as several drinking fountains around the club. Forget those dreams of a white Christmas; make yours a green Christmas this year at Frankston Bowling Club, 12 Yuille St, Frankston. Phone Yvonne on 0418 348 264 to book or email mintonym1@bigpond.com

Widely admired for its stunning views and set in a secluded, tranquil part of Mount Martha, the Mt Martha Bowls & Social Club is known as a “hidden gem”.

Barefoot bowls is for players of any age group, and office workers, sales people, students, teachers, friends, family and people from every walk of life can take part. On Fridays, from December 20, there’s a barbecue from 6pm and the bar is open while you can also enjoy the sunset from the balconies. Phone Wayne on 0447 181 122 or email the club to ask about its Barefoot Bowls program. The combination of bowling greens, bar and food kiosk also makes the club the perfect venue for Christmas parties and corporate and social club functions. Just bring flat-soled shoes or bare feet and the club will provide everything else, including the bowls and people to teach you how to play. Ask now — you’ll be surprised how much fun everyone has!.

MT MARTHA BOWLS & SOCIAL CLUB A: 45 Watson Rd, Mount Martha T: 5974 2894 E: mmbowls@mmbcinc.com.au

BAREFOOT BOWLS - BACK FOR SUMMER

Fill your summer nights with fun Centrally located in Mornington’s sporting hub at Civic Reserve in Dunns Rd, Mornington Civic Bowls and Social Club is the largest bowls club on the Peninsula and plays host to a vibrant barefoot bowls summer season.

Both singles and groups of all sizes and ages are welcome and catered for, with bowls provided and tuition and demonstrations available to get you started. Why not organise your family, friends, club or workmates and book for a great summer night of fun. Visitors are also welcome to join in the club’s Friday night festivities, with drinks at members’ prices and meat tray raffles. The club also holds learn to bowl sessions on Sundays at 10am and welcomes new bowlers to come along and try their hand at bowls for free. Barefoot bowls are held every Friday between December and April from 5.30-8pm, with a fully licensed bar and a barbecue. You can also hire the venue for up to 250 guests, with catering and a commercial kitchen available. Plus it is open seven days and welcomes visitors. To book, phone Max on 0415 100 953. MORNINGTON CIVIC BOWLS & SOCIAL CLUB A: Civic Reserve, Dunns Rd & Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Mornington T: 5975 7434 E: Morncivic@gmail.com

Roll up for some twilight bowls With daylight saving giving us the opportunity to enjoy long and leisurely twilight hours after work, what could be a better way to wrap up the week than a session of barefoot bowls at Yamala Park Frankston Bowling Club.

TEach Friday from January 10 until March 27, you’re invited to come along to the club from 5.30pm until dusk for a barbecue — children get their sausages free — and a competitively-priced drink from the bar as well as a few games of bowls. There’s even free coaching and bowls to suit all ages. The club is next to Yamala Park Tennis Club in Dunstan St, Frankston South, and if you can get a minimum of 12 friends, workmates or family members together you can hire it out at other times — just give Greg Lawrence a call on 9787 1713 or Margaret Edmunds on 0417 368 128.

YAMALA PARK BOWLING CLUB A: Dunstan St, Frankston South W: www.barefootbowls.com. au/club/yamala-park-frankstonbowling-club E: yamalaparkbc@gmail.com