SEATTLE — Beacon Hill is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Seattle. It's also home to the Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club, a club serving lawn bowling enthusiasts since 1942.
Team Evening got there by using the Seattle based car rideshare service ReachNow.
President of the Lawn Bowling Club, Gina Tolentino, showed us how the game is played.
"The object of the game is you're trying to bowl your bowls. You try to get the black bowl closet to the white ball, called the Jack."
Tolentino encourages people to always start their game with "good bowls." Making sure to shake hands with all your fellow bowlers and wish them luck.
The sport has been compared to Bocce Ball. They are cousins, but have distinct differences:
- A Bocce Ball is round, a Lawn Bowl is round in one direction and elliptical in the other.
- The Bocce Ball is thrown underhand, the Lawn Bowl is rolled
- A Bocce court is sand or long grass, The Lawn Bowling Rink is bent grass
- A Bocce court is 10ft x 76ft, A Lawn Bowling Rink is 19ft by 120ft
- Both play to an object ball. This is called a "Pallino" in Bocce, and a "Jack" in Lawn Bowling.
Perched up atop Beacon Hill, the Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club has a superb view of the city. You don't have to be a member to bowl, but membership gives you access to the league and events throughout the year. Non-members can drop in during public events or schedule a free introductory lesson. They are hosting "Friday Night BBQ & Bowls" throughout July & August, where you can go meet members and be introduced to the game. You've got to wear flat soled shoes!
