Everything is starting to come together off field for the Gisborne Bowls Club – progress it hopes will turn into success on the rinks.
After three years of work, the Central Highlands club unveiled its new green in September.
Division 1 skipper Glenn Johnston jnr said the green had led to several players joining the club.
“It almost became comical,” he said.
“We’ve had two or three people signing up each week and there’s now 60 to 70 playing on Saturdays.
“We’d be close to the biggest club in the competition.”
Anticipating the arrival of new players, Gisborne entered two teams in division 3 to go with sides in divisions 1 and 2.
Johnston jnr said several of the new arrivals were front-line players and would be in the mix for the division 1 team.
They include Sam Boslem, Peter Clements, Glenn Johnston snr, Conway Bovell, Darren Fletcher, John Bell and Matthew Bacon.
Gisborne has won its first four matches in division 1, on Saturday beating Bacchus Marsh 90(14)-80(44).
“It’s been pretty great and there’s been a nice spread across the rinks,” Johnston jnr said.
“We were lucky that we played a couple of the lesser sides to start with.
“The match against Kyneton Golf Gold was our first real test and the next four weeks will give us an indication of where we’re at.”
Johnston jnr said the club was looking to end its finals drought.
“We want to make the four in division 1. We haven’t played finals in seven or eight years.
“Hopefully, it filters down into the lower grades and we get at least two or three sides in finals.”
