THE Crookwell Bowling club, situated at 184 Goulburn Street, was officially opened in March 1947.
In July 1950 17 ladies met at the Criterion Hotel lounge to discuss the formation of a Women’s Bowling Club in Crookwell.
Permission for the use of the greens and club facilities was sought and granted by then Men’s Club, and one month later, the Crookwell Ladies Bowling Club was affiliated with the NSW Women’s Bowling Association.
Winter uniform was grey skirt, white blouse, white hat, white or grey cardigan, dark stockings and white bowls shoes.
In February 1957, Crookwell instigated a meeting with the Lilac City, Kenmore and Braidwood members, which resulted in the formation of the Goulburn and District Association, with Crookwell member Mrs. Win Hewitt as its President.
Later the Association became known as the Goulburn and District Women’s Bowling Association (G. B. W B) when six new clubs, namely Goulburn RSL, City of Goulburn, Goulburn Women’s, Bungendore and Taralga joined.
A name change in 1957 saw the Crookwell Ladies Bowling Club become The Crookwell Women’s Bowling Club.
Success of note came early in our history in the 1958-59 Pennant season, when the No. I Grade “C” Pennant side travelled to Sydney, won the Country “C “ pennant, then were runner’s-up in the state “C” Pennant play-off State President Mrs. Mogford presented the Flying Pennant Flag and friendship badges to the players.
It would be 1996 before Crookwell team made another state playoff.
This time it was in District Fours, played at Francis Drake B.C. It was also in 1996 that the Goulburn District Women’s Bowling Association, due to unforeseen circumstance, was disbanded.
The remaining clubs, including Crookwell joined the Southern Tablelands District Women’s Bowling Association (S. T. D. W B. A)
In August 2000, they celebrated our 50th birthday and their official guest was the State President at the time, Mrs. Lenore Dunn.
It has been an eventful and exciting 10 years for our club, they had held several promotion days, which resulted in many new members. The Club also enjoyed some notable successes on the greens during this time.
They reached the State Play-offs in the James Wall Shield, in 2004, (The Entrance) in 2005, District Triples (St John’s Park) in 2006 District Fours (St John’s Park) and in 2008, the State Pennant Play-off in No 3 Grade at Tamworth. The Club is hoping that success at State level is not too far away.
Another name change came in 2003, with the amalgamation of the Crookwell Bowling Club with the Crookwell Services Club. They are now known as the Crookwell Services Women’s Bowling Club.
Although they do not have a large membership, the Club remain very optimistic about the future of the club.
As they celebrate their 60th Birthday, they look forward to the next decade with hopes of seeing their membership continue to increase, seeing more young women taking up this wonderful sport, and with a bit of luck they might finally see that elusive State Title.
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