One could be forgiven for not noticing the bowling greens tucked away on the corner of Orange Avenue and Fleet Street, just off Belgravia Avenue, a stone’s throw away from Turfhall sports complex.
Established in 1979 and affiliated to WP Bowls and the SA Bowls Association, the club has been at this particular spot for more than four decades and remains one of a kind in Athlone and surrounding areas. Its fine-laid, close-mown, rolled out stretch of turf has always been the pride and joy of club members and visitors alike.
However, the usual wear and tear and the impact of fungi, disease and lawn-eating insects and worms, have members worried that it will not be in its usual tip-top shape when the season kicks off during the summer.
When water restrictions were imposed a few years ago due to a severe drought that hit the city, members could rely on borehole water usage but then Covid struck and access to facilities were curbed due to heavy lockdown regulations in 2020, resulting in regular maintenance having to take a backseat.
In a world reeling from the effects of the pandemic, members returning to the greens once measures were relaxed, now faced a whole new set of challenges, including the upkeep of their facility, which can be a costly affair. Thankfully, the weekend’s rain is a bit of a blessing for greenkeeper Reza “Robbie” Walker who has been taking care of the grass for the past 13 years.
Introduced to the club by a former City official in charge of sports facilities in the area and a former member at Wheatfield, Walker, 56, from Bridgetown, is just the man for the job. Having spent his childhood helping his mother, Magdalene, in her garden, Walker spent much of his life working the soil. He spent a few seasons at The Greens sports complex in Manenberg, Clover Crescent in Silvertown and Rygate and at Athlone Athletics Baseball Club’s home ground next to Vangate Mall, before settling at Wheatfield.
“This time of the year, our main problem is winter grass, fungi and algae”, said Walker, whose duties include a wide range of responsibilities such as the general maintenance of the playing surface and the correct application of fertilisers and other chemicals to control bugs and insects.
“I always loved working in the garden as a kid because it was my mother’s passion and I was the only one who helped her and we enjoyed every minute of it,” he said.
Club treasurer Michael Anhauser, who has been a member for 28 years, says the cost of making sure everything runs smoothly, can be a headache as they receive no outside help.
“We need to purchase grass seeds and excavate the playing area. Or, get a company to lay the turf. A very expensive exercise,” he said.
“We need R16 000 every month to keep the ship afloat. This is a big demand for a club filled with pensioners,” he said.
Enter recording artists and events co-ordinator, Safwan Goolam, who says he was asked by the City’s mayoral committee member responsible for water and sanitation, Dr Zahid Badroodien, to see how he can assist club members. This is where the idea for a variety show featuring Cape Town artists, including SA Idols contestant Zaheer Rocket, the group Protege and Jamia “JJ” Jacobs was born, said Goolam.
Wheatfield Bowling Club will host a fund-raising concert on its premises in Belthorn Estate on Youth Day, Friday June 16.
“The main purpose of the fund-raiser is to raise funds for Wheatfield Bowling Club for the maintenance of the greens and also to attract new members,” he said.
• Tickets cost R120 each. For more information about the club or if you would like to assist, call Michael Anhaus on 082 496 3469 or Safwan Goolam on 067 911 9474.