A report by Michael Andersch, Chair, BSOP
I inspected the Buckingham synthetic green on Thursday 9th February 2023 to assess it’s compliance with the laws of the game and consider its suitability for pennant and competition play. Inspections was hosted and discussed with a number of Buckingham members working and responsible for elements such as marking of lines and boundary and centre peg placements. The green just come into has been in operation and the Berry Bowling Systems contractors were concluded their worked a few days earlier.
To the green itself; ditch depths and widths all meet the minimum and maximum requirements in the laws of the game. Depth varies only very slightly between 65 and 90mm around the green and is well above the minimum requirement of 50mm depth. As per the other clubs, the long pile on the synthetic material creates an illusion of shallow ditches, but measurement to the playing surface height was determined to be well over the minimum. Buckingham were concerned about the appearance of shallow ditches but I have assured them all shallow spots were measured and complied and the height inconsistencies is a matter of aesthetics and ensuring jacks trailed to the ditch don’t unfairly have the opportunity to roll more (due to unlevel synthetic material) than they would on other ditch material.
Banks exceed the minimum height requirement. Bank height is very consistent with most measurements in the 225-240 mm range. The extreme lows of 210mm and 215mm on the Eastern and Northern banks are typically around the north east corner of the green towards the main road Moonah end. Variation and low heights poses no real issues for play on the green.
Ditch widths are consistently 220-240mm wide, but a couple of spot reduce down to 205 mm but still exceed the minimum. Variations in width can only be observed if one takes a position to view such in a single view across the full green or along the full length of a ditch hence all variations are relatively minor.
Rink width is 4.860m, and well above the minimum width law. At time of inspection only E/W peg holes were completed and their accompanying line markings. The green is square and hence the widths and peg position measured for N/S will be replicated for E/W by the time Ladies Pennant is playing a home game. Boundary pegs on outside rinks are on one side 1.00m form the bank and 1.01m on the other, but with room to move a peg in on either side without reducing from the 7 rinks. The size of the green allows 7 rinks in both directions and excess each side of the ditch rink will allow a draw on the outside close to the side ditch.
Inspection did not include the rolling of a bowl but I observed a player practicing/testing the surface. There remains a certain amount of settling of the nap of the surface which will occur with both the regular rolling and warmer weather. Buckingham’s new synthetic green like all recent installations will be quicker and truer at the start of the season than for grass greens.
There remains anecdotal feedback from players visiting clubs with new greens, that the narrow side and tracking/leaning of the bowl is disconcerting, but in reality the requirement to find the line is no different to a narrow ditch rink or cross-wind conditions. We know that time and maintenance on this type of surface will see this issue diminish.
On behalf of the Bowls South Officiating Panel, we recommend the new Buckingham synthetic green be declared “fit for play” for BTS events. Note: I have given a verbal approval to Buckingham based on the imminent pennant play preceding BTS Board Meeting and report acceptance
Michael Andersch, Chair, BSOP
20 February 2023