History
Harpenden Bowling Club was founded in 1908 by eight local businessmen and in 2008 celebrated its Centenary.
Over the years membership has fluctuated but during the last few years the playing membership has remained steady at around 140, one of the largest Bowling Club in Hertfordshire.
Our fixture list caters for bowlers of all standards, from friendly and sociable, to St Albans & District, County , London & Southern Counties and National involvement. The Club and its members regularly enter competitions arranged by these bodies, thus giving a wide spectrum of bowling for all abilities.
The Club has eight nationally qualified coaches to give help and assistance to all members wishing to improve their game.
In 2001 the homely collection of wooden buildings which served as clubhouse, changing rooms and stores, were replaced by a single purpose-built brick building. This was achieved with the help of a lottery grant through Sport England, a large mortgage, and the generosity of members.
In 2003 the Green was improved by the replacement of deteriorating old wooden ditch boards with pre-cast concrete units covered with astro-turf. The north and south Green surrounds were repaved and landscaped. This major undertaking was completed entirley by club members. In 2010 the west side of the Green was refurbished using the high-density plastic ditch linings.
Harpenden has become a favoured venue for many District and County Associations to host premier matches at our Club. The fixture list now normally boasts at least half-a-dozen occasions where the Club has been booked, not only providing esteem and revenue but an opportunity to enjoy good bowling at first hand.
In 2005/7/8/9 the Club won the Harpenden in Bloom - Sports & Leisure section - for it's outstanding gardens and floral arrangements.
Unparrelled success has been achieved since 2002 by both individual members and representative teams in competitions at District, County, National and International levels.
In St Albans & District competitions, individuals have won the men's Champion of Champions 2003/16; Singles 2004/5/6/8/9/10/16; Pairs 2015; Triples 2015; Fours 2008/9/18. Representative Club teams have won the Jones Cup 2002/2/12; the Bob Vise Trophy 2009/13/15 and the Triples League 2008. Our Ladies have won the Champion of Champions 2005; Singles 2010/18; Officer Singles 2009/18; Pairs 2017; Triples 2002/13/14/15; Australian Pairs 2017; Double Rink 2015 and Ladies Friendly League 2016. A mixed team won the two mixed fours 2009/16.
In Hertfordshire County competitions
Ladies two wood singles 2008/2013; Unbadged singles 2003/9/10/12/13; Triples runners-up 2017; Benevolent Triples 2013 and runners-up 2017; Singles 2018; Pairs 2018; Senior Fours 2018
Men have won the Junior Singles 2010/2013/2015/2018; Two wood singles 2015/17; Under 30's singles 2006/8; Pairs 2017/18; Fours 2004/16, 2010 runners-up but reached National semi-finals. Additionally, men were were finalists in Fours 2005; Triples 2012.
The winners/finalists in the Two Wood Singles/Junior Singles/Pairs/Fours and Triples all qualified for the National Championships.
Representative Club men's teams have won the County Championship (Eversley Trophy) 2014; County League South Area 2008/14/18; The Ladies won the County League South Area 2014.
In the National Mixed Double rink (Tony Allcock Trophy) Harpenden were area winners and National quarter-finalists 2015.
In London & Southern Counties competitions (Men)
Individuals reached the semi-finals of the Gold Badge 2009/17; Triples runners-up 2002/16, 2013/18 semi-finals.
In County/National competitions at National Championships
Tom Muir was National Junior Singles runner up 2014; Men's Fours National semi-finalists 2010.
Eastern Counties
Men's Fours runners-up 2005; men's Triples runners-up 2013.
National Competitions, (qualifying for the National Championships)
Ladies over 55 Singles, County winner 2010.
Mixed Pairs, County winners 2010 (National quarter finalists) and 2014.
Mixed Fours 2016 (National semi-finalists) and 2017.
Mens Senior Singles, County winner 2014.
Mens Senior Pairs, County winner 2018
Family Pairs semi-finals 2016.
Mixed Two Fours, (Tony Allcock Trophy), area winners - National quarter-finals).
Men's teams won the County section of the Top Club 2013 and Two Fours 2014.
International Championships
Tom Muir was selected for the Men's Junior international Series 2016/17/18. In 2016 in Elgin, Scotland England were crowned British Isles Champions.
Becky Maynard was selected for the Women's Junior International squad 2018.
Other successes (not qualifying for National Championships); men's teams won the County section of the Top Club 2013 and Two Fours 2014.
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