Leisure World News

Leisure World News • Community • March 2022 A19 By Lady of Leisure The sign says, “You Could Be Lawn Bowling. Easy to Learn. Lessons Are Free.” I passed it many times while heading to the Rec. 1 Courtyard. I would glance at the focused crowd on the lawn as I walked by. I never knew exactly what it was all about. I was intrigued, but I would just keep moving to my destination. Several weeks ago, I saw a few women on the lawn, and I stopped to watch. There were also more people and I wondered what was so fascinating about rolling a ball on the lawn? It looked like bowling without the pins; score was kept somehow, and the lawn bowlers seemed to be having fun. This surprised me. My curiosity was piqued and I approached the greens. As I watched, the lawn bowlers began to wave me over. “Do you know how to play,” yelled one bowler. “No. I am just watching,” I hollered back. Then, a very nice woman introduced herself as Tish Murphy. She is the treasurer of the Lawn Bowling Club. She asked if I had ever participated in a lawn bowling game. I laughed heartily because I was clueless about the sport—let alone could not possible be a formidable opponent to anyone! As we chatted, Tish explained that lawn bowling is a very popular sport. In fact, Leisure World’s greens and Lawn Bowling Club was the driving factor for one Leisure World resident to move into the community. “Really? I had no idea!” I said amazed. Was this an elite sport that I missed? As Tish and I continued to chat, I searched the faces of the residents playing on the lawn. They varied in age and physical abilities. “Lawn bowling seems to be a very versatile sport in terms of age and skill level,” I said inquisitively. “Absolutely! We even have a player in his 90s who benefits from the exercise,” explained Tish. “You can walk a mile in one game. And it is a sport enjoyed by all. One of our members is also visually impaired.” You could imagine my awe. As I looked around, I realized that this was not just a game, but an opportunity for residents to come together and encourage one another. Yes, the game matters, but the people and fellowship were more important! And this is why I want to be a part of it! The season may be coming to an end in March, but when October comes around, the lawn bowlers will have one new player! Come and join us on the greens! For more information about the Lawn Bowling Club, please contact Tish Murphy at tishsource@aol.com . -Lady of Leisure is passionate about all things LeisureWorld. Discovering Lawn Bowling and Life on the Greens! When Leisure World residents Robin Dougherty and SueWeber joined forces on the tennis court in June 2021, they had no idea they would be crowned champions of the Mesa Parks Tennis Tournament. “I love the game,” says Robin. “I just started playing as a beginner two years ago, so to win a championship is truly special!” The Illinois native dabbled in tennis at the age of 12, but she favored long-distance running. She only rediscovered her love of the game when she became a Leisure World resident in 2018 and joined the community’s Tennis Academy. “Marge Willadsen, who oversees the Tennis Academy, is wonderful!” exclaims Robin. “She is such a great encourager to beginners and does an amazing job at keeping us coming back.” Just when Robin was getting in the swing of things, she got injured from a fall and was away from the game for four months. Then, the pandemic continued and halted the East Valley Senior Tennis League. But Robin eventually hit the courts and became partners with fellow resident and tennis afficionado Sue Weber. “Sue and I had played together many times,” says Robin. “In June 2021, Sue asked if I wanted to partner for the Mesa Parks Tennis Tournament, and of course, I said yes.” The duo was focused and determined to improve their game and learn how to work together as partners. They practiced in the evenings at the Gene Autry Park in Mesa to improve their game. But it was worth it. “It was a new experience for me to play in the evening under the lights with the noise from the planes taking off from Falcon Field and flying low over the courts,” says Sue. “Regardless, the best part of the summer league was playing with Robin and making new friends. Robin and Sue’s hard work paid off. “When you play with someone, you get to know their strengths,” explains Robin. “Sue played deuce-court, which is what I was accustomed to playing, but I played ad court, and it ended up strengthening my net game. The Mesa Tennis Tournament began on July 21 and ended on September 29, where Robin and Sue became champions. What was amazing about the win is that Sue and Robin had only practiced together for eight weeks prior to winning. “It was a great feeling, but we could not have done this without Sue McCoy who filled in for me one Wednesday as I dealt with a family issue back in Illinois,” says Robin. “She was just as much a part of the win as Sue and I were!” “The best part of the summer league was playing with Robin and Sue and making new friends,” says Sue in conclusion. “It was a great summer!” Congratulations, Robin and Sue! For Love of the Game: Robin Dougherty and Sue Weber Tennis Champs! L-R: SueWeberwithpivotal subSueMcCoy andpartner Robin Dougherty.