Work on a new artificial green at Masterton Bowling Club has started. PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV
BOWLS
CHRIS COGDALE
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The heavy machinery is hard at work at the Masterton Bowling Club, preparing for the installation of the club’s new artificial green.
When completed, it will be the first artificial green to be guaranteed by Bowls New Zealand to World Bowls’ standard.
Masterton Bowling Club greenkeeper Warren Wyeth said the construction of the $300,000 project was very detailed.
“When they finish each phase, it has to be signed off and approved by the NZ Sports Turf Institute. It has to be compliant with their specifications.”
Wyeth said about 40 truckloads of soil taken off the green would be replaced by a coarser grade of fill at the base, with a finer grade towards the top.
“It will take up the whole green of eight rinks in front of club rooms, and will take about seven weeks. Hopefully, it will open in the first week of June.”
The artificial green will be the third in Wairarapa after the combined Masterton Park and Lansdowne facility at Queen Elizabeth Park, and the Carrington club in Carterton.
Wyeth, who is also president of Bowls Wairarapa, hopes that like the other clubs, Masterton could see a growth in membership with the new surface helping to attract new bowlers.
He said Bowls Wairarapa has been on a roll with some of the achievements, including the senior men’s team making the national intercentre championship semifinals, and Lansdowne making the next round of the Bowls 3Five national playoffs, as well as club memberships having grown.
While the new artificial green will allow for year-round bowls, Wyeth said Masterton had no intention of replacing their other grass green.
“We will upgrade it, but it’s probably the best green in Wairarapa at the moment, so we’re not going to replace it.”
