MARCH 2018 Please forward all contributions, correspondence etc. to the editor at [email protected] IMPORTANT LETTER TO MEMBERS Members are aware of the drought condition and the effect it has had on the Bowling greens. Whilst every effort has been made to keep the greens open, it has become apparent that continued use is having an effect on them. The Committee has decide on the following playing restrictions. The greens will remain closed on Monday’s and Tuesdays. No play is allowed on the A Green, other than individual practice on Fridays/Saturday morn- ing. No team practice. We may in the future have to curtail more playing time. Ken Morton PAGE 2 GLEN COUNTRY CLUB Now that we are experiencing the effects of the worst drought in Cape Town’s history, what are we going to do about it? We are already buying water to keep our greens growing but the results at this stage are terrible. Are synthetic bowling greens the answer to our problems? There are a great more ques- tions than answers regarding the above quandary. Firstly, if we do invest in one or more synthetic bowling greens, where do we put it/them? Replace the “B” green at Glen Clifton and/or the “B” green at Glen Sea Point? The merits of going synthetic in Glen Sea Point may have advantages in that there are less strong winds than in Clifton. In about 5 years (my thumb suck) the Glen Clifton will be demolished and we will have to move to Glen Sea Point anyway, until the club is rebuilt. I won’t even guess as to how long that will take. The council regulations may prevent the installation of floodlights at Glen Clifton but there should be no problem at Glen Sea Point. The thought of playing even- ing bowls and encouraging evening competitions when no other club in Cape Town could offer this is thought provoking. Obviously there are Pros and Cons Pros ― Water Conservation One of the main reasons artificial/synthetic grass has become so popular, internationally, is because of the water savings it offers. Natural grass proponents have admitted that people often water their grass too much, making artificial/synthetic grass the winner on this point. Pros ― Appearance Gone are the days of where artificial/synthetic grass would stick out like a sore thumb and everyone could tell in an instance it was fake. Nowadays artificial/synthetic grass options are almost limitless and can fool about anyone who looks at it. Artificial/synthetic grass is UV stabilized to protect against colour fading. Unlike natural grass that will have to deal with diseases, drought, and dormancy, artificial/synthetic grass has the benefits of looking great 24/7 all year long. Pros ― Durable Natural grasses can be fickle and demanding, needing much tender loving care to stay looking their best, but artificial/synthetic grass is far less needy. Artificial/synthetic grass can put up with heavy use and can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years according to most dis- tributors. Continued on page 3 PAGE 3 GLEN COUNTRY CLUB Cons ― Temperature According to Turfgrass Producers International, artificial/synthetic grass has been docu- mented to be HOTTER than natural grass under identical conditions. This is because natu- ral grass has water within it allowing it to have cooling properties. Retractable covers to protect the players and synthetic surface are a reality. Cons ― Cost Artificial/synthetic grass installers will argue that this installation will pay for itself in three to five years thanks to the lack of maintenance costs that would be accrued from natural grass care Trade-Offs Often artificial/synthetic grass is promoted as environmentally friendly because one does not have to water, fertilize, or mow the lawns any more, reducing emissions by no longer being dependent on electric or gas-powered machines. Natural grass is praised for its ability to sequester carbon dioxide gases, yet it needs to be maintained by machines that give off more CO2. It is also said to reduce noise and air pollution, but often natural grass care equipment is noisy and pollutes the air as well. Maintenance is often said to be non-existent for artificial/synthetic grass, but if one does want their artificial/synthetic grass to last as long as possible, there is some maintenance needed. ARTIFICIAL SURFACE FOR AGAINST Low maintenance costs Surface replacement (Ten years) Extended season Capital Costs Immediate play on completion Tradition Can be constructed in six weeks No specialist maintenance required Constant conditions Better levels NATURAL SURFACE FOR AGAINST Natural surface Maintenance cost Lower capital costs Machinery costs Tradition Risk of Disease Loss of Levels PAGE 4 GLEN COUNTRY CLUB PAGE 5 GLEN COUNTRY CLUB PAGE 6 GLEN COUNTRY CLUB Adelaide wins world title hosting bid SOUTH Australia’s Adelaide Bowling Club is set to become the envy of the bowls world after being awarded the rights to host the 2019 and 2020 World Singles Champion of Champions events. Adelaide secured the rights to the prestigious competition ahead of a number of larger clubs in Australia and abroad and is ideally placed to host the coveted event, which is con- tested annually. The recent announcement from World Bowls and Bowls Australia extends the marquee in- ternational competition’s long association with Australia; which by the conclusion of the 2020 event will have hosted nine out of 18 championships. It also continues the nation’s trend of procuring the sport’s biggest events in recent years, with the World Champion of Champions held at the Gold Coast’s Club Helensvale in 2015 and 2016, followed by Syd- ney’s St Johns Park in 2017 and later this year, while the 2019 Asia Pacific Championships and 2020 World Bowls Championships will also be contested across three Gold Coast clubs. World Bowls CEO Gary Smith applauded Adelaide for winning the competitive tender pro- cess and praised the unsuccessful candidates for their submissions. ‘The Board was de- lighted with the level of interest shown in hosting this increasingly popular, prestigious World Bowls event in 2019 and 2020 and congratulate South Australia’s Adelaide Bowling Club in the knowledge that they will be worthy hosts who will maintain and build upon the high standards set by previous host clubs,’ Smith said. ‘This event provides the opportunity for all bowlers entering their national singles in our Member Nations the potential to fulfil their dreams of becoming a World Champion.’ Bowls Australia CEO Neil Dalrymple said he was delighted that Adelaide had been awarded the rights to host one of the sport’s premier international titles for a two-year period. ‘The announcement that Adelaide Bowling Club has been successful in procuring the 2019 and 2020 editions of this prestigious event is a coup for the club, the state and the nation,’ Dal- rymple said. ‘Australia has a particularly strong association with this event, both in the stag- ing and winning of the competitions, so it’s pleasing to see it continue to be hosted on our shores and I’m sure that Adelaide will be outstanding host venue.’ While Australia has been particularly successful in securing hosting rights for this event, it’s also been dominant on the green, with its athletes having enjoyed more success at the event than any other nation. Eight Australians have claimed the coveted titles, including reigning champion Aaron Teys (2017), Adelaide’s own Scott Thulborn (2016), Natasha Scott (2016), Karen Murphy (2013), Aron Sherriff (2010), Brett Wilkie and Kelsey Cottrell (2009), and Leif Selby (2008). While South Australia has played host to some of the sport’s biggest international competitions over the years, including the 1996 and 2012 World Bowls Cham- pionships, this announcement marks the first time the state will stage the World Singles Champion of Champions. PAGE 7 GLEN COUN- Congratulations to all who are celebrating a Birthday during this month. We wish all of you very good health and enjoy your special day Clive Sussman 2nd, William Abelman 3rd, Gerard Cloete 3rd, Brian Ikin 3rd, Isobel Fleischman 5th, Kumi Spanellis 5th, Josh Fleischman 12th, Leonard Yankelowitz 13th, Leonard Solomon 14th, Maurice Robin 17th, Harold Beinart 24th, PJ Strauss 24th, Peter Lasker 27th, Noah Chait 29th, Marlene de Waal 31st It has been suggested that all those who are celebrating their birthday this month and would like to bring cake/s to the Thursday evening braai should contact each other to ar- range which date they will bring cakes, so as to prevent too much one week and nothing the next Harry Truman Was Right.. Barack Obama's net worth as of the 2008 election: $8 million. 1. Barack Obama's net worth as of the 2012 election: $24 million. 2. Barack Obama's net worth as of December 2015: $46 million... 3. Not bad... considering his salary as president for 8 years was $400,000 a year! 4. The Clinton's net worth in 1992 was between $500,000 and $1 million. 5. Bill & Hillary Clinton's net worth stood at more than $240 million as of Oct 26, 2017, according to a FORBES analysis of 15 years of their tax returns. Not bad for working in government for just 25 years. I think Good Ole Harry knew what he was talking about! I would love to see a similar analysis of South African politicians PAGE 8 GLEN COUN- PAGE 9 GLEN COUNTRY CLUB VERY TRICKY Click on the link below https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=VRJmcxCrAOA Click on the link below https://www.youtube.com/embed/ tnOkJS-_Um8 PAGE 10 GLEN COUNTRY CLUB Caribbean bowlers join world family World Bowls is delighted to announce that the Jamaica Lawn Bowls Association’s application for Development Membership of the sport’s global governing body has been approved by the Board of Directors.