How it all started...
Mr. Del Webb commenced the construction of a retirement community between Tampa and Sarasota named Sun City Center in 1961 and the facility was officially opened in January 1962. Mr. Webb was a keen lawn bowler (as was his good friend Walt Disney) and the first lawn bowling green at Sun City Center was completed in the same year.
Initially women were not permitted to become members however eventually the men gave way and allowed ladies, as guests, to lawn bowl on Tuesday afternoons. Later women were allowed to play on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, hence the formation of the Tuesday and Friday Ladies Club which is still active today. This is a club within a club and, apart from lawn bowling, they enjoy a number of social activities. Eventually the rules were changed, and the membership was amended to include women.
The number of members has fluctuated over the years. Initially there were approximately 100 members; however it gradually grew and peaked at 420 in the 1990s. By that time, 3 new greens had been added.
The new magnificent Club House was built in 2002. The cost of construction was covered by members' donations, a large gift from long-serving members, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Eberhardt, and from The Community Association. Appropriately the building is named " The Eberhardt Building" .
Initially women were not permitted to become members however eventually the men gave way and allowed ladies, as guests, to lawn bowl on Tuesday afternoons. Later women were allowed to play on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, hence the formation of the Tuesday and Friday Ladies Club which is still active today. This is a club within a club and, apart from lawn bowling, they enjoy a number of social activities. Eventually the rules were changed, and the membership was amended to include women.
The number of members has fluctuated over the years. Initially there were approximately 100 members; however it gradually grew and peaked at 420 in the 1990s. By that time, 3 new greens had been added.
The new magnificent Club House was built in 2002. The cost of construction was covered by members' donations, a large gift from long-serving members, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Eberhardt, and from The Community Association. Appropriately the building is named " The Eberhardt Building" .
Other groups who play under the umbrella of the Sun City Center Lawn Bowling Club are the two divisions which are affiliated with Bowls USA, the governing body of lawn bowling in the United States - The Suncoasters (women), and the Pebble Beach Division (men).
Suncoasters Division
The Suncoasters Division (affiliated with Bowls USA) is the women's section of the Sun City Center Lawn Bowling Club. Its counterpart is the all-male Pebble Beach group. Suncoasters bowl every Monday and Thursday afternoon and participate in all morning sessions which are open to the entire club. Membership in Sun City Center Lawn Bowling and Croquet Club is required in order to join Suncoasters. The women also hold their own triples, pairs and singles tournaments each year.
Pebble Beach Division
The Pebble Beach group (affiliated with Bowls USA) is a division of the Sun City Center Lawn Bowling Club. The group is all male, and the Suncoasters Division is its female counterpart. Pebble beach bowlers are required to be members of the Sun City Center Lawn Bowling and Croquet Club. Members bowl each Monday, Thursday and Friday afternoon as well as every morning, along with regular club members. Pebble Beach triples, pairs and singles tournaments are played every year.
Suncoasters Division
The Suncoasters Division (affiliated with Bowls USA) is the women's section of the Sun City Center Lawn Bowling Club. Its counterpart is the all-male Pebble Beach group. Suncoasters bowl every Monday and Thursday afternoon and participate in all morning sessions which are open to the entire club. Membership in Sun City Center Lawn Bowling and Croquet Club is required in order to join Suncoasters. The women also hold their own triples, pairs and singles tournaments each year.
Pebble Beach Division
The Pebble Beach group (affiliated with Bowls USA) is a division of the Sun City Center Lawn Bowling Club. The group is all male, and the Suncoasters Division is its female counterpart. Pebble beach bowlers are required to be members of the Sun City Center Lawn Bowling and Croquet Club. Members bowl each Monday, Thursday and Friday afternoon as well as every morning, along with regular club members. Pebble Beach triples, pairs and singles tournaments are played every year.
