Carpet bowling has come a long way in its popularity in the Interior of the province, and some seniors will go out of their way to play this game of skill and strategy – much like bocce ball and curling.
Forty-eight players from the Interlakes, Ashcroft, Clearwater, Little Fort, Kamloops and Barriere travelled to 100 Mile House to play in a one-day, friendly carpet bowling competition with local bowlers at the 100 Mile Community Hall on Oct. 14.
Sue Pinkerton, who is the president of the 100 Mile Carpet Bowling Club, organized the event, which, she says, was strictly an opportunity to enjoy the fun and camaraderie of playing the sport.
That is why the event was called the 100 Mile House Fun Carpet Bowling Tournament and each of the participating club takes turns hosting tournaments, Pinkerton adds.
The format was to mix all the players up and put them on different teams, so they can get to meet players from other communities, she adds.
"It's not so much to see who is the best, but more to have fun because the game can be quite serious. When some of the players go to Provincial trials and Summer Games, they do tend to get quite serious.
"I just thought it would be more fun to have people play on different teams. It also lets new bowlers know what it's like to be in competition."
Pinkerton's goal was realized because players were laughing, joking and teasing in a good-hearted nature, and she got a lot of good feedback.
In fact, a buzz of excitement and merriment filled the hall as all of the players shared the joy of playing "their" game.
The game
Carpet bowling originated in the South of England around the turn of the century when there was more that 1,000 clubs.
The game made its way to Quebec and eventually spread across the country.
The mat they play on is around 25 long by five feet wide, and the bowls (similar to bocce balls) are delivered from an 18-inch-wide space at the front of the carpet. The goal of the game is to get your bowls closest to the Jack – a white ball that's 2.5 inches in diameter – that is placed on a centreline three to six feet from the end of the carpet.
The player or team gets a point for each bowl it has closer to the Jack than their opponents' bowls.
Active seniors
Pinkerton notes the game is a challenging sport that keeps the mind through the strategy and body moving when they get up from and crouch down to the carpet to roll the bowl.
Pinkerton says carpet bowling is like "warm curling" because you're not on the ice.
"It's very much like curling because of the strategy and the bowl is weighted and has to curl into the area you want it to stop.
Noting folks don't need to be athletes to play the game, she says people who have had hip or knee replacements play as do people in wheelchairs.
"It is a great activity for seniors because you're also getting out and meeting and socializing with other people.
Join the fun
The club currently has 30 members, including 92-year-old Dot Aspen.
They are looking for new players who are 55 years and older, Pinkerton says, adding all of the bowlers are nice and very helpful for newcomers to the game.
Anyone who is interested in learning about the carpet bowling and/or playing can drop in at Creekside Seniors Activity Centre (501 Birch Ave.) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m.
There is a $2.25 drop-in fee, with $2 going towards the hall rental and the quarter going to a fund to pay for a luncheon at the end of the season.
For more information, call the centre at 250-395-3919, or Sue at 395-791-5750.
