Terrigal Bowling Club

Terrigal, the buzzing cosmopolitan beachside town filled with passionate, eccentric, beach-loving locals and tourists. It may be hard to believe that just behind the Crowne Plaza, where Terrigal Bowling Club now proudly stands, once sat an unwanted swampland.

In 1947, keen bowlers Wal Bailey and Fred Baker decided to approach Council with a proposal to reclaim the unwanted swampland and turn it into a bowling green for locals to enjoy. Having agreed a rental price of 100 pounds per year – the currency at the time – they organised 2000 yards to be filled with sand which was carted from The Entrance Beach and with volunteer locals they set out to build the bowling green.

While Fred’s original quote for 325 pounds ran to over 1,000 pounds and more than a years’ labour, in 1948 it was all worth it as Terrigal Bowling Club was officially formed. Don Hudson was appointed as the Club’s first President, John Stinson as Secretary and Alex McBean as Treasurer.

In 1950-51 they started playing Men’s Championships. The Club’s very first singles Champion was John Stinson.

The first greens were looked after by Mac McLeod, Sid Norton, Ben Lawn and Joe Maher before Charlie Hore was appointed as the first qualified greenkeeper.

1955 saw the construction of the Club’s second green and the formation of the Terrigal Women’s Bowling Club, which has grown from strength to strength in the succeeding years.

Our Club is what it is today because of the hard work and dedication of men like Adam Kelly, Reg Smith, Tom Watt, Dick Crawford, Eric Pengilley and many others, in the earlier years.

The third green was opened in 1959 and the renovated clubhouse was completed the same year.

During the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s we became the central point for sporting locals to enjoy playing the wonderful game of bowls and during these years, much like other Clubs, we enjoyed the highs and the lows.

In 2002 we made some well-needed renovations at a cost of $800,000.

In 2008, new Chairman John (Bongo) MacKintosh, with our professional Committee, took us into our new era with new caterers, Simon and Rebecca (Bec’s Kitchen) which has become a much-loved foodies heaven with a variety of Western, Malaysian and Chinese classics on offer.

Over the illustrious history of our Club, the men and women bowlers have won 15 District Zone Pennant Flags and we continue to create brilliantly talented bowlers winning many awards.