A 501(c) Nonprofit Organization
Looking for a new challenge?
Want to make new friends?
Do you enjoy outdoor activities?
Need some light exercise?
Bowls, or lawn bowling as it is known, is a sport that men and women of all ages can enjoy playing together. Physical strength plays a small part in this game because skill and strategy are the real factors.
Members enjoy competing in tournaments hosted by our club and at other clubs around the state as well. For social bowling, teams of 2, 3 or 4 people are randomly chosen. Since there are no set teams, you are not obligated to be there every day.
One of the best things about lawn bowling is it doesn't require a lot of expensive equipment. All you need is a pair of flat soled shoes, and you're on your way. We will provide everything else you need to get started.
We welcome all visitors, so why not drop by to see how the game is played!
Directions
We are located 1.5 miles north of downtown Clearwater, just east of N. Fort Harrison Ave and just south of Sunset Point Road. We're at 1040 Calumet Street and there is ample parking at the club.
Clearwater Beach is rated among the top beaches in the country and has lured countless families and couples to its broad sandy shores and beachfront hotels. Visitors enjoy sunbathing on white sandy beaches, playing a game of beach volleyball, renting fishing boats, taking a dolphin-watching cruise, parasailing or heading to a mainland museum or aquarium.
Hours
Starting October 11, 2021
Daily bowling starts at 9:30 AM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Arrive 15 minutes before the above times to check in.
Flat smooth soled, heel-less shoes are mandatory for all bowling.
New bowlers are welcome at all daily bowling sessions!
Free instruction is provided
Free use of club bowls on all visits
First 3 visits are free for new bowlers
The Game
How to Play - An Overview
Description of the game
Lawn bowls is an outdoor game in which a ball (known as a bowl) is rolled toward a
smaller stationary ball, called a jack. The object is to roll your bowls so that
they come to rest nearer to the jack than those of an opponent; this is sometimes
achieved by knocking aside an opponent's bowl or the jack. The bowls are not
exactly symmetrical- one side is more rounded than the other, causing the
bowl to curve to one side as it slows down. This is referred to as the "bias" of the bowl.
The game takes place on a large rectangle called a green. Our green has an artificial surface instead of grass, and it is divided into rinks which are each 14 feet wide. Four types of games can be played:
- Singles: one player against another, each using four bowls.
- Pairs: a team of two against two, each playing using four bowls.
- Triples: a team of three against three, each player using three bowls.
- Fours: a team of four against four, each player using two bowls.
Play
To begin play, a jack is rolled to the opposite end of the rink, and it becomes the target so long as it stops at least 21 meters (68' 10") from the delivery mat.
Then players take turns rolling their bowls to try to get close to the jack or to knock an opponent's bowl away from the jack. Each player's bowls are distinguished by color and by a unique design on the side When all bowls have been played by both teams, an "end" has been played. Before play begins, the number of ends to be played is decided, with 10, 12 or 14 being the most common.
After an end has been played, scoring is determined. The bowl closest to the target jack bowl is called "the shot" and it scores one point. If the second closest bowl is from the same team, another point is scored. If the third closest bowl is from the other team, scoring is over since an opponent's bowl is now the next closest to the jack. In this example, the team that had the shot gets two points for this end.
Only one team earns points on each end. The team with the highest number of points at the completion of the specified number of ends is the winner.
Personal Equipment
Shoes: All you need is a pair of flat (no heel) smooth soled shoes so that you do not mark the green.
Tennis shoes are ideal, as are many walking shoes. As a new bowler, this is the only must-have equipment item.
Clothing: Any comfortable clothing will suffice. For many tournaments, matching club shirts are usually required and shorts are fine, which the old Scots never would have worn. Sometimes white clothing is worn to help preserve the old traditions of the game. Because of the heat and glare, a hat or visor is definitely a necessity for most bowlers in Florida.
Bowls: For beginners and visitors, our club maintains a stock of bowls you may borrow at no charge. But as you play more regularly, you might want your own personal set that you can enjoy, maintain, and roll predictably. Each set of four bowls has a unique logo or pattern on them so you can identify your bowls during the game. One set of bowls will last you ten or more years with just the basics of maintenance and proper storage in their carrying case.
Measure/Chalk: Special tape measures exist for bowling to resolve those close calls, as well as spray chalk to mark bowls that touched the jack. Keep these in your pocket, especially when you are playing Vice.
Club Equipment
Jack: That little white ball we roll first and spend all our efforts chasing thereafter.
Mat: The starting point for every roll of a bowl.
Markers: These vary from club to club, but they are generally white or yellow to mark the boundaries and center of rinks in use that day.
Scoreboard: Traditional as it is, we all enjoy putting the scores up on old-fashioned chalk blackboards.
The Green: The playing surface itself is carefully maintained in all cases. Please always treat the green surface with the utmost care.
Lessons
Lessons and bowls are available to new bowlers, free of charge.
Cost
New bowlers are welcome at all daily bowling sessions!
Dues
Summer membership (May 1 to September 30, 2021) $50
Daily bowling rate: $10
If you don't want to pay your dues all at once, daily fees from May 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021 apply toward a summer membership for 2021. For example, if you bowl 5 times in June, it has cost you $50 so you have now paid for a $50 summer membership. This allows you to bowl until September 30 at no extra cost!
Annual Dues: (October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022) $200.00 (Southeast Division dues extra if needed)
Monthly Dues : $75.00
Daily Bowling Rate: $10.00
Junior or Social annual memberships: $25
If you don't want to pay your dues all at once, daily fees within the same month can apply toward the monthly rate.
For example, if you bowl 7 times in January, you only have to pay $5 for your 8th time in January for a total of $75.
You now have a monthly membership for January which allows you to bowl until January 31 at no extra cost!
Monthly rates can be applied toward an annual membership. If you have paid for two monthly memberships ($75+$75), your payment the third month would only be $50, for a total of $200 which is the annual membership fee. So then you could bowl until September 30 at no extra cost!
These dues payment programs are only valid within the same membership year.
There is no carryover of paid fees from one membership year until the next.
If you get a monthly membership for September, the $75 paid will not carry over into
October. Our membership year runs from October 1 to September 30.
*All participants in Southeast Division Tournaments must be a member of Bowls USA and the Southeast Division (if a resident in the
Southeast Division for more than 30 days). Residents of less than 30 days must be a member of Bowls USA or World Bowls.
Host an Event at the Club
Our facility includes a spacious, fully equipped clubhouse with plenty of parking. It's an excellent place for friends and family to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, and other occasions.
Corporate and other group events are welcome too. Lawn bowling is a great team building activity and a unique experience for customers and business associates. Contact the club for available dates and cost.
Upcoming Events
Open Tournaments
All participants in Southeast Division Tournaments must be a member of Bowls USA and the Southeast Division (if resident in the Southeast Division for more than 30 days).Residents of less than 30 days must be a member of Bowls USA or World Bowls.
Click/Tap Tournament for more information
or
Quick Register click/tap here
- SED Season Opener - Open Pairs (OP), Wednesday, November 24th, 2021
- CLBC Open Tournament - Open Pairs (OP), Saturday, January 8th, 2022
- Hall of Fame Super Bowls - Open Triples (OT), Saturday, January 29th, 2022
- Colby Trust Open Tournament - Open Triples (OT), Saturday, February 5th, 2022
- Clearwater Open Tournament - Mixed Triples / Women's Triples (MT/WT),February 19th, 2022
Contact
Clearwater Lawn Bowls Club
1040 Calumet Street (map)
Clearwater, Florida 33755
727-641-9144
Resources
PDF Reader
Some resources on this site are in PDF (Portable Document Format). You can read PDF files using the free Adobe Reader® software.
Coach's Corner
Tips, hints, advice and other information from our Club on how to improve your game and also provide information for all lawn bowlers on the rules and etiquette of the sport.Guide to Etiquette for the sport of Lawn Bowling (PDF)
Markers' Duties
Championship Development - Drills
Hand Signals
Basic Lawn Bowling Tactics (Rob Judson's guidance)
Rob Judson's basic guidance about the mechanics of delivering bowls
Bowl Delivery Basics, Rob Judson describes the fundamentals
Bowling Practice, Rob Judson on the importance of practice
Lawn Bowl Dynamics, Rob Judson describes technical information about bowls
Taking Aim - Line and Length, Rob Judson on aiming
About
Meet our Seven Bowls USA 'Hall of Fame' Inductees
The Clearwater Lawn Bowling Club is proud of the fact that we have seven members in the Bowls USA Hall of Fame,
which is more than any other club. Our inductees are listed in alphabetical order, click on the PDF for details.
Club officers and Committee Chairpersons
| President: | Dick Judycki |
| Vice President: | Ellen O'Donnell |
| Secretary: | Barb Roller |
| Treasurer: | Larry Hanks |
| Director-at-Large: | Bill Hedin |
| Grounds: | Bob Rehn |
| Hospitality: | Shirley Hedin |
| Tournaments: | June Paciga |
| Trophies/Keys: | Bruce Miller |
| City Liaison: | Ellen O'Donnell |
| SED Delegates: | Bob Rehn & Barb Roller |
| Membership: | Ellen O'Donnell |
Results
Ede MacWilliams Tournament, February 29, 2020.
1st place, 3 wins, Burl Roller, Kathleen Mein and Barb Roller
2nd place, 3 wins, Ken Martucci, Bob Fladung and Larry Johnson
3rd place, 2 wins, Sylvain Larocque, Paula Larocque and Ron Ridley
In 4th Place, with 2 wins Team Pat Beggs with Gilles De Serres and Sharon Farrish, from Lakeland / Sarasota.
5th Prize, high 1 game aggregate, Team Alice Dunkley with Joe Vargo and Luba Bialova, from Clearwater / World Pkwy.
Congratulations to the Winners!
Clearwater Spring Fling, February 21, 2020.
1st place, 2 game winners, 31 points, Bill Hedin and Ian Hunter
2nd place, 2 game winners, 20 points, Luba Bialova and Shirley Hedin
3rd place, 2 game winners, 19 points, Kathleen Mein and Paula Larocque
4th place, 2 game winners, 17 points, Gabe Tallifer and Ursula McMahon
Colby Trust Tournament, Feb 8, 2020
1st Place: Bob Fladung, Cassandra Furlong, Ken Martucci - Sun City Center
2nd Place: Ron Ridley, Burl Roller, Barb Roller - Clearwater
3rd Place: George Menzies, Carman Morris, Gilles Cayer - Sarasota
4th Place: Sharon Farrish, Helen Leroux, Pat Beggs - Lakeland & Sarasota
5th Place:Bob Rehn, Marina Rehn, Larry Hanks - Clearwater
6th Place: Garry Watts, Debbie Foster, Gilles De Serres - Sarasota & Lakeland
7th Place: Jenny Myers, Brian Myers, Paula Larocque - Sun City Center & Clearwater
Club Open Pairs Championship, January 29, 2020.
1st Place with 4 wins, Sandy Wall and Cathy Mills
2nd Place with 3 wins, Sylvain and Paula Larocque
3rd Place with 2 wins, Bill and Shirley Hedin
Hall of Fame "Super Bowls" January 25, 2020
Winners: Garry Watts, Debbie Foster and Pat Beggs (Sarasota )
2nd Place: Ken Martucci, Bob Fladung and Larry Johnson (Sun City Center)
3rd Place: Rick Fitzgerald, Jackie Williamson and Tom Bussell (Mount Dora)
4th Place: Jon Peele, Hans Momkes and Jeff Allman (Mount Dora)
5th Place: Sandy Wall, Cindy Higgins and Cathy Mills (ToW, SCC, ToW)
6th Place: Brian Myers, Jenny Myers and Sylvain Larocque (Sun City Center & CLBC)
7th Place: Bud Ricucci, Marita Nierth and Ron Macey (Mount Dora)
8th Place: Geoff Old, Ron Ridley and Eric Porr ( SLBC, CLBC, SCCLBC)
9th Place: Dick Judycki, Shirly and Bill Hedin (Clearwater)
10th Place: Russ Sheldon, Jeri Spann and Joe Vargo ( Frick Park/Clearwater) (Clearwater)
Clearwater Open Pairs Invityational Tournament, January 11, 2020
Winners, Carman Morris and Gilles Cayer (Sarasota ) with Ross Weir
2nd 3-Game Winners, Pat Beggs and Sharon Farrish (Lakeland)
3rd 3-Game Winners Garry Watts and Debbie Foster (Sarasota / Lakeland)
Fourth Place, Dick Judycki and Bill Hedin (Clearwater)
Fifth Place, Bob Rehn and Burl Roller (Clearwater)
Sixth Place, Larry Johnson and Garry Higgins (Sun City Center)
Seventh Prize, Kathleen Mein and Christine Wild (Clearwater)
Clearwater Snow Bowl, December 11, 2019.
Two game Winners were Marina Rhen (lead), Ron Ridley (skip) and Joy Ray (vice) and with 31 shots.
Second place went to Val Harris (lead), Butch Swain (vice) and Alice Dunkley (skip) winning one game with 32 shots.
Clearwater SED Opener Tournament, November 27, 2019
Winners Neil and Diane Douglas (Sun City Ariz) with Richard Broad
2nd 3-Game Winner, Brian and Jenny Myers (Sun City Center)
3rd 3-Game Winner, Cindy Higgins and Bob Fladung (Sun City Center)
4th Place Marj Kells and Rick Carr (World Pkwy).
5th Place Ron Ridley and Bruce Smith (Clearwater).
6th Place Sandy Wall and Cathy Mills (World Pkwy).
7th Place Richard Broad and Christine Wild (Seattle/Clearwater).
8th Place Cassandra Furlong and Marge Lange (Sun City Center).
Clearwater Hall of Fame Tournament, January 26, 2019
Tournament Winner the team of Dave Murray, Cathy Mills and Sandy Wall (World Pkwy) with 40+3 shots.
2nd 3 Game Winner the team of Garry Watts, Debbie Foster and Gilles Deserres (Sarasota) with 32 shots.
1st 2 Game Winner the team of Gilles Cayer, Clare Morris and Carman Morris(Sarasota) with 44+7 shots.
2nd 2 Game Winner the team of Pat Beggs, Sharon Farrish and Helen Leroux (Sarasota) with 43+2 shots.
1 Game High Aggregate Winner the team of Art Allen, Barb Lenzi and Mike Lenzi (World Pkwy) with 36+8 shots.
The tournanment had teams from World Parkway, Sarasota LBC, Sun City Center LBC and Maple Leaf G & CC.
CLBC invitational Tournament, January 12, 2019
Tournament Winner the team of Carman Morris and Gilles Cayer from Sarasota with 46+9 shots.
Second place (2nd 3 Game Winner) went to Garry Watts and Debbie Foster from Sarasota with 44+6 shots.
In third place, 3 game winner, the team of Angela Carkhuff and Sy Carkhuff from Mount Dora with 43 shots.
One game high aggregate, Burl Roller and Ron Ridley from Clearwater
Florida Senior Games at CLBC, December 6, 2018
The Gold Medal winners were Sandy Wall and Kathy Mills from OTOTW.
Silver medals went to Dave Murray and Art Allen also from OTOTW.
Bronze medal winner Alice Dunkley and Duncan Farrell, Clearwater.
4th Place ribbon winners Cindy Higgins and Bob Fladung Sun City Center.
2019 Clearwater SED Season Opener, November 28, 2018
Chris Daniels, Ross Weir and Julie Hudson .
Ross, June Paciga and Pauline McKinnon
The weather was perfect for our November 28th Season Opener and the turnout was very good. Chris Daniels and Julie Hudson both from England were in first place and they were 3 game winners and 49 points. Pauline McKinnon and June Paciga getting the runners up spot with 3 wins and 42 points Dave Murry and Kathy Mills were the best two game winners with 44 points.
Ede MacWilliams Triples Invitational, February 3, 2018
The Ede Macwilliams mixed triples a SED tournament went to Barb Roller lead, Ron Ridley vice and skip Burl Roller. They were 3 game winners with 45 points. This is the second triples win of the season for the Clearwater team.
Second place went to On Top of the World team Dave Murray lead, Kathy Mills Vice and Sandy Wall Skip. They were the best team with two wins and scored 47 points.
OTOTW Team were the third placed team with 2 wins and 43 points. There exciting final game against Burl Rollers team went to the final end and decided the tournament. Art Alan was lead, Loeki Roos was vice and skipped by Willie Roos, Willie and his wife are visitors from South Africa well played.
Clearwater Mixed Triples Invitational, January 27, 2018
The first mixed triples tournament of the season on Jan 27th and 14 teams competed in a great day of bowling. Clearwater team Barb Roller, Ron Ridley and Skip Burl Roller were the only 3 game winners with 50 points and got the win.
Sun City bowlers Larry Johnson, Bob Fladung and Skip Cindy Higgins were the best two game winners with 42 points, this was Larrys first time playing on Rubico and said he enjoyed it and will be here again.
3rd place wentt to Clearwater/OTOTW Rick Carr, Betty McWhirter and Skip Pauline McKinnon, they were also two game winners with 40 points.
Clearwater 4-3-2-1 Tournament, January 23, 2018
The tournament got underway on Tuesday and round two was played Thursday the 25th. Winner, Duncan Farrell won three games and had 271 points, this was the second year in a row he won the tournament.
A close second place went to Ron Ridley Ron had 268 points and had three wins also.
Dave Tripp was placed third in his first tournament of the season. He also won three games and gained 245 points. .
Clearwater Open Pairs Tournament, January 13, 2018
Debbie Foster and Gary Watts regular players at our club came out on top winning all their 3 games with a total of 52 points.
Second place went to Tom Barratt and Bob Laplante with 44 points well done guys it is the second time this year they have finished in the top three.
In third place was Carman Morris and Mo Boudreau. They also had three wins and 35 points.
2017/2018 Club Singles Championship, January 9, 2018
Ron Ridley won all 4 games with 84 points and was the only 4 game winner to claim his first club championship for 2018.
Second place went to Linda Tripp who played great and she was the best 3 game winner with 75 points.
Last years champion Duncan Farrell was also a three game winner with 72 points well done Duncan.
Florida Senior Games, December 7, 2017
Gold medals went to 3 game winners Debbie Foster (vice) and Pat Beggs (skip) " they bowled great as they usually do" both bowl at the Sarasota Club.
Silver Medals went to Pauline McKinnon (skip) and Betty McWhirter (vice). Both ladies are also 3 game winners bowl at the Clearwater club.
Tom Barrett and Bob Leplante won the bronze medals. These two great bowlers play at the On Top of the World bowling club.
2018 Clearwater SED Season Opener
Pauline McKinnon and Ron Ridley paired up to play for the first time together and won the tournament winning all three games playing for Clearwater.
Second place with 3 wins and from Sarasota were Debbie Foster and Garry Watts.
3rd place went to another Clearwater team with two wins Barb and Burl Roller.