We offer free lawn bowling lessons. To sign up or for more information;
Email the Club
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FriendlyBowls Event - Monday, June 24, 2024, more information and registration, here.
Bowls, or lawn bowling as it is known, is a sport that men and women of all ages can play together on an equal basis.
Physical strength plays a small part in this game. Much like curling, skill and strategy are the real factors.
Members enjoy competing in tournaments hosted by our club and at other clubs around the province as well. For social bowls (mixed), teams are 2, 3 or 4 people. 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 you started off on the right foot.
We welcome all visitors, so why not drop by see how the game is played! Learn more about our club here. Learn more about the game here.
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Canadian Tire League: co-ordinators, general information and rules;
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League Rules and Conditions of Play.
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League Rules and Conditions of Play.
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League Rules and Conditions of Play.
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We thank the following companies for their generous
support of our leagues, competitions, travel and our community work.
(Financial Support and Assistance)
(Financial Support and Assistance)
The Midland and District Lawn Bowling Club is located on the shores of Little Lake in the town of Midland, Ontario. You can access the Club by walking through Little Lake Park. Or by car, via the lane off King St., just north of Galloway Blvd.
A Brief Look Back
In 1972, Ken Ellis started his quest for a bowling green in Midland. He had
been introduced to the game during a Florida vacation. Only a few people
in town had ever participated in the game, but nonetheless, he was able to
recruit a number of people to help him with his vision, including Mr. Ken
Cowan.
In 1975, the Club obtained a 20 year lease from the Town of Midland for a scenic parcel of land on the east side of Little Lake known as the old Heathron Lodge. A large cottage on the site became the clubhouse.
Known then as the Midland Lawn Bowling Club, the group obtained initial financing from the federal government's "New Horizons for Seniors" program and the Midland Civitan Club. The official sod turning took place in the fall of 1975.
Ken Cowan stepped in as the greens-keeper and after two years of preparation, the Club was officially opened on June 27th, 1977, by then mayor, Moreland Lynn.
In 1994, the club house was expanded by refurbishing a school portable purchased from the Simcoe County Board of Education and moved to the site from Barrie.
In 2008, Ken Ellis and Ken Cowan were inducted into the Midland Sports Hall of Fame in the "Builders" category for their long time work with the Club.
Going Forward
Today, the Club is thriving. The clubhouse now has an office, members' lockers,
a kitchen and a banquet/meeting room. The green is about 120 feet square and
is comprised of 8 (and sometimes 9) rinks. It is flat and similar to a putting
green. It is reputed to be one of the finest greens in Ontario for its consistent
and fast surface. It is maintained daily by a paid greens-keeper and with the
help of volunteers.
The lawn bowling season is similar to golf, mid May to October. We play 6 days a week with one day set aside for the greens maintenance. The organized play is usually in the afternoon, however, many prefer to play in the evening and thus drum up their own games. Any member can have keys that allows them to play whenever they like, within reason of course. The green has lights which allows for play well into the evening, particularly in the fall.
Our club belongs to the Ontario Lawn Bowls Association's (OLBA) District 13 which is also comprised of clubs from Collingwood, Barrie, Orillia, Muskoka and Stayner. You can pursue championships to the national level if you enter this competitive side of bowls.
There is very little "team commitment". Most bowling is based on a draw to create teams. There is optional league play, Monday and Wednesday nights.
During the summer, the club holds "club tournaments" for members about once a week. These are optional and cost $5 extra per tournament. We also hold 4 to 5 "invitational tournaments" where players from other clubs will enter teams. Again this is optional and is a "step up" in the degree of competition. The cost is $15 extra per tournament.
Special Programs
The Club has an outstanding school program which was started in 2003. In co-ordination
with elementary and secondary schools, this program introduces young people
to the sport of lawn bowling.
Community Living Huronia, Brain Injury Group, Waypoint and Parkinson's clients bowl during the summer months. Our club provides many volunteers to provide an experience that is very satisfying and rewarding to all.
Visitors and Newcomers
Visitors are always welcome. Bowlers from other clubs around the world often
drop in for a game.
Newcomers are encouraged to come out to try the sport. There is a special practice week ("Open House Week") in late May. All you need is comfortable clothing and flat-soled shoes. We have eleven coaches lined up and ready to help. And, even if you show up unannounced, you will be shown the facility and how to play. After that, you are welcome to play for 2 weeks free.
The first season dues for new bowlers is half price. Members can play 6 days per week for about 20 weeks.
Our members range in age from 7 to 90. So, come and experience bowling in Midland at the MDLBC, a "little bit of paradise by Little Lake".
Bowls (also known as Lawn Bowls or Lawn Bowling) is a precision sport where the goal is to roll slightly radially asymmetrical balls (called bowls) closer to a smaller white ball (the "jack" or "kitty") than one's opponent is able to do. This game is most popular in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and in other UK territories.
The game takes place on a 120 ft. square of closely cut grass called a green. A green is divided into rinks 14-16 ft. wide, generally 8 rinks to a green.
Four types of games can be played:First, a small white ball called a "jack" is delivered down the surface of the rink and centered. Then, standing on a mat and going alternately, players deliver (roll) their bowls, the aim being to have their bowls come to a stop as close as possible to the "jack". The trick is that the bowls are biased (eccentrically balanced) and, therefore, do not roll in a straight line, but curl towards the "jack". A player must decide where the bowl should come to rest and then deliver the bowl along this visualized "line of aim".
The "feel" of the green is another important element in the game and dictates the "weight" with which a bowl should be delivered: IE., less weight for a fast green or short distance, more for a heavy green or long distance. The "jack" can be knocked and moved away (if lucky!) from the opponent and closer to one's own bowls.
The game is made up of a predetermined number of "ends" which consist of the playing of all the bowls of both sides in one direction on the rink. The first player lays the mat and, standing on it, rolls the jack up the green where it is centred by the "skip" (or, as in singles, the "marker"). The player then rolls the first bowl which is followed by one played by the opposition until both teams have played all their bowls. When the last bowl of the end has been played, the players decide who has the winning "shot(s)", how many, and the number is entered on the scorecard.
A game generally lasts about two hours.
Lawn Bowling etiquette is about good sportsmanship and common sense.
Here are some tips;Be punctual.
Begin and end each game with a handshake. Be a gracious winner and a good loser.
Be ready to step to the mat and play when it is your turn. Possession of the mat is yours only until your delivered bowl comes to rest.
Wait quietly behind the collection of bowls and be prepared to take your next turn. Distractions such as loud noises or conversation, visible movement of players, objects or shadows, impact of kicked bowls, etc should be avoided while a bowler is on the mat preparing for delivery.
Remain quiet and still on the green behind the head and away from sideline markers until the score has been agreed upon by both teams.
You are part of a team, keep your head in the game.
Simply adjust your bowling to adverse conditions.
Criticism should always be constructive and given privately.
Be sure to compliment a good shot from either your team or an opponent. The enjoyment of a game of bowls is diminished if either team indulges in gamesmanship.
Be sure to support our teams by attending inter-club events.
In recent years, Canadians under the age of 35 have left their mark on lawn bowling at the national and international level, with young bowlers raising the profile in the sport.
Penetanguishene native, and Vancouver resident Tim Mason, shocked the lawn bowling world when he won his first Canadian title, barely a year after taking up the sport. To visit Tim Mason's website, click here.
The Midland and District Lawn Bowling Club will be, once again, operating a youth program this summer. The membership fee for the season (May - October) is only $30. Coaching will be provided by qualified coaches and bowling will be six days per week, weather permitting.
Members choose their level of participation, with options just to play recreationally and/or competitively in Club, District, Provincial and National tournaments.If you are between the ages of 10 and 18 and are interested in trying lawn
bowling (for free), email the Club
(
The Midland and District Lawn Bowling Club
664 King St.,
Midland, ON , L4R 4P3
(Clubhouse) 705-427-1693
Directions:
Hwy 93 to Hwy 12 East. Left on King Street. Just
past traffic lights at Galloway Blvd, left (west), at the sign and proceed down the lane.
Club Mail To:
Midland and District Lawn Bowling Club, Box 246, Midland, ON, L4R 4K8