Bowling on the green a ritual for Hargraves

sr spotlight Jan HargravesNewport Harbor Lawn Bowling Club player picked up the sport as an activity that put less strain on her body.There aren’t many lawn bowlers. There are even fewer female lawn bowlers. Jan Hargraves is trying to change that.

Hargraves is the membership chairperson for the Newport Harbor Lawn Bowling Club. She’s also quite a player.

In the 2004 Southwest Division women’s open, Hargraves was on the winning triple team for her flight, or level of expertise.

Hargraves has been active in lawn bowling since 2000. She discovered lawn bowling as a sport she could participate in without as much strain on her body.

“Once I started this sport, I was addicted. In the past, I ran, golfed, water skied, played volleyball and tennis,” Hargraves said.

Lawn bowling was a sport that didn’t put as much stress on her joints or cause pain in the mornings.

Hargraves looked into her past to rediscover lawn bowling. She remembered that in the 1970s, her grandmother was a lawn bowler. Hargraves became intrigued and wanted to find out more about the sport.

Part of the reason she became “addicted” to lawn bowling is the variety of games. There are an infinite number of combinations to each game.

“There are many ways to play a game,” Hargroves said. “You can play with just women, just men, or you can play mixed. You can play by yourself, or with up to seven more players.

“You also learn what your flight, or level of playing, is. You typically want to play with players on the same flight as yourself.”

The membership chairperson wants to get the word out to prospective bowlers. Hargraves enjoys the sport, and thinks other women would as well.

“Lawn bowling is more about technique. It doesn’t matter how strong you are or how fast you run,” Hargraves said.

“It’s a great game for couples to start playing. At the club, we encourage couples to learn and play together.”

Lawn bowling is always hoping to draw new players. Hargraves says the sport is “a secret” to the younger generation.

“It’s traditionally an older person’s game,” Hargraves said, pointing to last month’s Michael Ashton-Phillips International Challenge Cup in Orange County. “However, there was a 9-year-old and an 11-year-old who won events. There were quite a few players in their 20s and 30s.”

When asked about the new breed of lawn bowlers, Hargraves likes the new demographics.