Madam, – Unlike another one of your readers, I was delighted to see the long article about lawn bowling (Sports, April 24th). I agree with Mildred Sargent (April 28th) that the introduction to the article is less than favourable, but I think the author of the article was just trying to be amusing and catch our attention. As Ms Sargent pointed out, it’s a game for all ages.
Alas, here in the Republic the game seems to have an older age profile. Not so in the Northern part of this island and across the water – and in other parts of the world. But the fact one can keep on playing the game well into old age is a big plus in its favour. Start young and play lawn bowls all your life. When you play bowls, age does not matter. As to the physical demands of the sport - just try playing in a big competition in bad weather and see how you fare, whatever age you are. Skill is the name of the game, not physical prowess.
However, the article put too much focus on the Blackrock Club, impressive as its record is. There is a big selection of fine clubs in Dublin and their members have pursued the sport for many, many years. I started bowling when I was in my 50s. I first played bowls in Kenya and upon my return to Dublin I joined Leinster Bowling Club and subsequently Kenilworth Bowling Club, both clubs with long illustrious histories. Many are the friends I have made, both male and female, in the bowling community. And I have had the pleasure and honour of bowling in international competitions in Northern Ireland and Wales. I now look forward to lawn bowling on the west coast of the United States.
Hopefully lawn bowling results will return to the sports pages of our newspapers – the sport certainly deserves wider recognition and appreciation. – Yours, etc,