Birkdale Place Introduces Lawn Bowls: A Game For Life

Online, December 28, 2012 (Newswire.com) - In cooperation with Edwina Doddington of the Milton Lawn Bowling Club, the owners of Birkdale Place are putting together a lawn bowls match for the Ontario retirement community. They plan to hold the event once weekly over a five-week period.

When Edwina Doddington had an idea for a fun sporting event involving the seniors of Ontario's Birkdale Place, she didn't hesitate. The Milton Lawn Bowling Club member, with her experience as a social director, conspired with Birkdale Place owners Chris Jewitt and John Woods to come up with a version of lawn bowls they felt the residents of the retirement community could really get into. They're excited to implement their plan, a once-a-week match over five weeks that is sure to catch the interest of the fun-loving and competitive "super seniors" of Birkdale Place.

The game's organizers are gathering together their equipment arsenal of two sets of carpet bowls, a jack, six water noodles with Velcro as obstacle bumpers, and masking tape to serve as the starting point. Their variation of lawn bowls will have them setting up a rink for two teams to compete with one another on either side. The rules are simple and fair even if the teams aren't matched in number: Each player at the front of the queue will stand behind the masking tape marker and throw two bowls, in rotation with the other team, followed by the next two players in line, to complete the end. After the score is recorded, the organizers retrieve the bowls and the second end begins with the next set of players in line. For a bit of challenge and excitement, the water noodles will be arranged for the bowls to rebound off of.

Because of its low-impact, easygoing style that encourages exercise without being too strenuous, lawn bowls has been a popular game among senior citizens, but can be enjoyed at any age and almost any physical condition. With the success that came from early fall's putting contest, Chris and John are excited to bring new fun and excitement to Birkdale Place's residents by continuing to schedule

friendly and challenging competitions. Birkdale's mission statement is "Come Celebrate Life With Us." Edwina, Chris, and John feel that this statement meshes perfectly with lawn bowls' tradition of being "a game for life."