Ten pin club strikes up again

Rotorua's Ten Pin Bowling Club members have the experience of an international bowler at their fingertips.
The club, which was formed in 1992, has experienced international ten pin bowler and "top" coach Adrian Judd available to offer his expertise to members. The club isn't all about competitiveness though - bowling is a great social pastime and members are trying to get more people to join their ranks.
Club secretary/treasurer Coralie Duignan said in recent years the club had been in recession but the association was up and running again with 32 members now on the books.
At times up to 62 people have been involved in the Rotorua Ten Pin Bowling Club.
The youngest club member at the moment is 7 and the oldest is in their 80s.
"Ten pin has been rekindled and is taking off again in Rotorua," Mrs Duignan said.
From the young to the elderly, anyone could join, she said.
It was an ideal sport for young children, who learned with bumpers up in lanes to help to encourage them until they were more experienced, she said.
"We will nurture them and guide them through," she said. "They are taught and learn good habits."
Members pay $10 annually to the club and in return receive discounts at Strike Zone.
Those new to the game or wanting tuition with Mr Judd pay $20 per week for six weeks and at the end receive their own bowling ball for free worth $130.
Ten pin bowlers can join a league with Prime Timers (those aged above 55) playing at 1pm on Tuesday and Thursday at 10am. Tuesday is singles' night at 7pm with doubles on Thursday nights.
Junior players meet at 5pm on a Wednesday and the shift workers' league meeting is at suitable times.
Mrs Duignan said business house league played on Wednesday at 7pm with four teams already signed up for this year.
"It's just lots of fun where you make lots of great friends."
Club president Peter Jones said it was up to individuals how far they went with the game. "It can be as serious or as social as you want it to be," he said.
Members travel all over the North Island to play tournaments with other clubs as part of the New Zealand Ten Pin Bowling Association. Mr Jones went into the game "raw" five or six years ago and he has never regretted the move.
"It's a bit like a band of brothers at times," he said. "You can bowl every weekend if you want to."
Players could also carry their handicap with them as they played against more experienced bowlers, Mr Jones said.
"[More experienced bowlers] are beatable," he said.
"It's similar to golf - your handicap goes with you."
OUR CLUB
- Rotorua Ten Pin Bowling Club was established in 1992.
- It has 32 members on its books.
- Members meet one Sunday every month at Rotorua's Strike Zone.
- Members can call on the experience of international bowler and coach Adrian Judd.
- For more information contact secretary/treasurer Coralie Duignan by phone or text on 027 439 6666.