Glengowan Bowling Club, located on Main Street in Caldercruix, is a historic lawn bowls club with a rich history dating back to 1878. Originally established as a recreational facility for employees of the Calico Print Works and the local community, the club has been in existence for over 130 years.
The club was owned by the local Glen Family until 1934 when ownership was transferred to Robert Craig and Sons, owners of the local paper mill. They leased the clubhouse and green to the members for an annual rent of one shilling. In 1934, the land and building were offered to the club and its members for the sum of 2,000, which was accepted. This ownership arrangement has remained in place ever since.
Over the years, Glengowan Bowling Club has actively participated in the Scottish Bowling Association (now BOWLS Scotland), and in 1897, the club joined the Lanarkshire Bowling Association when it was formed. A significant development in the club's history took place in 1965 with the formation of the Ladies Section, which has continued to thrive and grow.
In 2003, the club extended its green to meet the new SBA requirements following the change from imperial to metric measurements. This extension was necessary to ensure compliance with the minimum length stipulated by SBA rules.
Glengowan Bowling Club takes pride in its history of producing high achievers in the sport. Three members have played at both the club and national level. John Burt represented the club and country in 1946 and 1949, while William Harkness participated in outdoor and indoor competitions from 1980 to 1986, including the Commonwealth Games in 1986. Harkness was also capped twice for the over 50s in 1999 and 2000.
Graham Laing, on the other hand, received the U25's Scottish cap in 1999 and represented Wales in 2002.
The Ladies Section of Glengowan Bowling Club has achieved notable success, winning the Scottish Rink Championship in 1994. The winning team consisted of Isabel Frew as the Lead, Sadie Wallace as the 2nd, Mary Nelson as the 3rd, and Jean Sherlock as the Skip.
As the club looks ahead, it celebrates its past and future champions, whether at the club level, regional level, national level, or even international level. The dedication and skill of its members truly shine through their achievements.
After experiencing two lost seasons due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Glengowan Bowling Club is thrilled to announce the reopening of its green on April 9th, 2022. To stay updated on the club's activities and plans for the 2022 season, visit their Facebook page. Please note that no updates will be added to the club's website at this time.
For more information or inquiries, please contact Glengowan Bowling Club at 01236 842902 or via email at glengowanbc@aol. Com.