The Hāwea Bowling Club has tapped into a new market with a very successful Friday night “barefoot bowls” competition. 

Sixteen teams of three players each have competed in the new competition which has been organised by the club to promote lawn bowls as a sport and to build community spirit in Hāwea .

Hāwea Bowling Club president Gary Vogel is delighted with the success of the new competition.

“It’s been wonderful to see so many people enjoying bowls for the first time, and having a lot of fun at the same time,” Gary said. 

The club has provided experienced bowlers to assist those players who are new to the game, and there has been a great social atmosphere each night of the competition, he said.

At a final night presentation just before Christmas, Gary and his wife Susan presented the new Vogel Trophy to the winning team of Meg Bryant, Lisa Summers, and Dugald Henderson. 

All teams were awarded prizes that had been supplied by Bowls New Zealand.

A second competition will start in the New Year, with another 16 teams already entered. 

“It’s actually been successful beyond our best hopes,” Gary said. 

Already the club has gathered some new members who intend to play the game more seriously, and some additional social members as well.

PHOTO: Supplied