There has been a lot of discussion recently in Sun City about the future of our outdoor activities, such as lawn bowling, pickleball, golf, tennis, mini-golf, bocce and softball.
Thanks to our mild winter weather, we are able to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities that promote a healthy lifestyle. Why would anyone seek to curtail or eliminate any of these? Yes, as our rec centers age they need “refurbishing,” but not at the expense of established outdoor sports.
Did you know that lawn bowling was one of the original activities when Sun City opened in 1960?
Walt Disney was an avid lawn bowler and good friend of Del Webb. Walt encouraged Del to build a bowling green at the Oakmont center, which is still in use today. As the popularity of the sport increased, it spread to other Del Webb communities across the United States. We still pay homage to Del and Walt every Monday when we bowl at the Lakeside club, dressed in ‘whites’ as was the custom in the ’60s.
I purchased my home here in Sun City specifically for the sport of lawn bowling. I have bowled at many greens throughout the western US, and the bowling greens here are the best. We attract national and international players to our annual tournaments, which helps the local economy and spurs home sales. Sun City has become a retirement destination for bowlers from across North America because of the number of greens and the quality of them.
I hope that RCSC comes up with a plan that enables all of us to continue doing what we love, after all, isn’t that what living here is all about?
