OVER April & May stalwart honorary life members of Colintraive Bowling Club, Alex McNaughton and Tam Macdonald, helped on odd days by men from the community service group, have worked tirelessly to rid the playing surface of heavy winter moss.
As moss does, it was adhering well to the felt-like carpet due to a wet January and a warm February.
The first step was spraying a proprietary brand of moss killer which was eco-friendly towards animals and birds, as well as bowlers who have a habit of licking their fingers while playing.
Alex, with his sprayer, applied the watery mixture, which was left for over 14 days to act.
Next up, they scraped off the dead top moss from the surface using a garden hoe and the back of an aluminium rake before pressure washing the area, with a third person following up with a wet and dry suction industrial hoover to lift debris and water from the surface. A blast of the washer sends dead moss waste through to the under-carpet capillary matting and drainage system.
The whole green, two rinks at its full size, is now playable, with the odd tree husks and leaves falling onto the surface.
It is the intention of the club to run their Annual Anniversary Open Balloted Competition on June 18, a Thursday afternoon, which would mark 32 years since its inception/opening day. The reason for an afternoon game is to avoid weekends where Cowal and Bute clubs run their competitions.
Bowlers who have been to the club’s Anniversary Trophy in previous years are encouraged to take part, with the green providing an easier bowling experience than grass.
Interested bowlers should contact Alex on 01700 841269 or Tam on 07851 938412.
The club has made everything available on the green, open to visitors to play as and when, and it has been taken up by holidaymakers using the honesty box for payment. Rates are £1 per person per hour of play. Booking for larger groups can be made through Alex or Tam, and use of facilities like the toilets can be made available with a member of the club in attendance.
The club has also issued a call to arms for September 13, when a party of birthday revellers staying locally wish to challenge the club to an England v Scotland match.
Overall, the club is hoping to increase playing days and competitions if possible in the coming season.
