Omanu Bowling Club is located at the beach-end of Golf Road, Mt Maunganui, a stone's throw from Omanu beach and adjacent to the Mt Maunganui Golf Course. It has a current membership of around 120 members. To locate the club, click here for the directions map provided courtesy Aardvark Maps and Google. To combine a satellite image of the area with the map, click on the hybrid button. You may also zoom in or out.
There is a year-round programme of activities with our main bowling season commencing in September and continuing until May. We run a full range of Club Championships, Inter-Club events and Tournaments with a regular programme of Mixed roll-ups. Over the Winter period the club runs a series of Social/Sporting activities including indoor bowls, mahjongg and cards, as well, the greens are usually available for a part of the off-season.
During the period of daylight-saving each Monday evening is devoted to 'twilight bowls'. For a couple of hours the greens are open to all, members or not, bowlers or not, to join in an enjoyable evening of social bowls for a nominal fee. Just turn up before 5.45 p.m., usually from the first Monday in November, for a warm welcome. Equipment is provided for the non-bowler and all are made welcome.
New Member or just want to try out bowls?
We welcome visitors to our club whether you are just 'looking us over' or are a prospective new member - if you are just taking up the sport or have a lifetime's experience. Twilight bowls, mentioned above, is a great way to try-out bowls. Just come as you are and enjoy a fun evening.
Full season membership subs are currently set at $195.00 p.a., but for first-year bowlers a reduced subscription of $110.00 is available. Many of our members are recent arrivals in the Bay and are now contributing enthusiastically to the life of the club. To make contact, call at the Club or use our email address; bowlsomanu@gmail.com
A Brief History
On Thursday 9th November 1967, Mrs Dal Knuckey convened a meeting at Omanu Surf Club. Twenty five local residents attended and it was decided to try to secure some land at the southern end of the Mount. Also present at that meeting were the parents of current member Derek Wills, a former Greens Superintendent. Dal, (pictured left along with her husband Darcy), was interim chairman and P McGregor Secretary. Dal, who was a life member sadly passed away in 2008 aged 97.
One and a half acres of public reserve was applied for to build a pavilion and lay two greens. On September 17th 1968 Omanu Men's and Women's clubs were formed and Dal Knuckey and K. Martin appointed President and Secretary of the Women's club.
Debentures were offered to 25 members in multiples of £10.00 and the subscription was set at £1.00 The Women's club ran cake stalls, raffles etc to boost funds. Both clubs gave freely of their time and labour to lay No 1 green which was opened on 2nd October 1970. The first bowl was played by Jack Okeby who still retains an interest in the club. Val Body, an early member and a Life member is still a very competitive and champion bowler. She recalls weeding and tending the early green.
The first pavilion (which is now our toolshed) was completed in 1969. Extensions to the clubhouse were done in 1979/80 and in 1991/92 the latest extension completed the well-equipped kitchen. The second green, once again laid down by volunteers, was opened in Sept 1983. The present gates and part of the wall were presented by Claude and Daphne Bell, the completion of the wall by Betty and Frank Lee, both of whom are Life-Members. The first combined opening was Sept 24th 1981. The Silver Jubilee was held at the club on 27th March 1993. Present were Bev Shea and Maurice McGill as Presidents. Membership at the time was 170 ladies and 180 men. Amalgamation of the clubs took place in 1998/99 with now Life Member, Jim Pratt, being President.
Omanu has continued as a successful Club since Jim Pratt won the club's first Centre Championship, the Triples in 1981. The club has now two top-class greens and top-class facilities. Where ever bowling events are held in the region or nationally, you are bound to see Omanu bowlers competing, and with some success. In 2009, Bev White and Josephine Connolly were part of a composite team that were Winners of the New Zealand Women's National Fours, They followed this up a year later with Runner-up in the NZ Pairs. Add this to their Third in the 2003 Pairs and you a have a Gold, Silver and Bronze, not a bad collection of medals.
(Contributed by Margaret Dalley)