Cool Calgary: Lawn bowling no longer for retired folk

It's a hard game to master, but an easy oneto play.

"Everyone'slaughing, you'rehigh-fivingother teams and everyone's just having a good time," said Liam Nicol.

He regularly attends theMonday night foursomes at the Rotary Park Lawn Bowls, whichwas created after the Wednesday night league startedbusting at the seams.

With 150 active members, it has becomeone of the largestclubsin Alberta. The bowling green isalso fully licensed.

"It's nice to have a glass of wine, pop, or can of beer or cooler and play the game," said club president, Lyle Thiele.

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Also, unlikethe Calgary Lawn Bowling Club and the Stanley Park Lawn Bowling Club, no experience is necessary.

"It's really relaxed, everyone's super welcoming," said newbie member Sandra Slavik.

She says she was expecting the demographic to be an "older generation," and "alittle more stuffy."

Thiele sayson most nights, the averageage is 38, but they also have people in their 20s joining.

'Ditch,please'

Members have also been getting creative with their team names:

• The Bowlsheviks
• Ebowla
• Winning by Touching
• Great Bowls of Fire

Slavik's team name is "Ditch, please"whileNicol's is "Pharaoh'sBalls."

"Apparently lawn bowling originated in Egypt and so we went with the pharaoh. And because we're a bunch of guys balls."

Their teammascot is afaux goldbust ofTutankhamun.

This summer, theCalgary Eyeopener is featuring peoplecontributing to the "cool factor" of our city. If you know someonewhois making Calgary cool, send anemailto eyeopener@cbc.ca