Photo by Maria Solis
By Maria Solis
In downtown St. Petersburg, history isn’t just something you read about; it rolls across the green every week.
Tucked between high rises and the city buzz is a small, green field at 536 4th Ave. N. that is home to Florida’s oldest formally organized lawn bowling club — a welcoming community built around a sport that values precision, tradition and connection.
For more than a century, the club has drawn players from across the country, and even the world, many coming for the warm weather and staying for the game.
The club’s treasurer, John Woermer, arrived 15 years ago along with his wife for their first Florida winter. They checked out the senior center located right next to the bowling club and discovered the game.
“We figured we’d try it, one day a week, for something to do, but we got hooked,” Woermer said. “We have been here ever since.”
In 1980, the clubhouse was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, officially cementing it as a local treasure. But for those who play here, what makes the club special isn’t just its architecture or history, it is the people, the stories and the rhythm of a game that is part sport, part finesse.
At first glance, lawn bowling might seem like a laid-back hobby but a delicate and precise practice hides under the surface. Players take turns rolling heavy and slightly asymmetrical bowls toward a smaller white ball, known as the jack.
Because the bowls are weighted unevenly, they curve as they roll. Controlling the ball path requires strategy, precision and delicate touch.
The goal is simple: get your bowl as close to the jack as possible. But the execution takes some practice.
Games usually last around two and a half hours, with players competing in 16 rounds, called ends. Points are scored based on how many bowls are closer to the jack than the nearest bowl of the opposing team. A small measuring tool is often used to make the call, because in this sport, inches matter.
The president of the club, Trevor Cleland, mentioned that they are always happy to see new faces and pass this historic game on. He also shared the club’s motto: “When that great scorer comes to write against your name, it won’t be, ‘Did you win or lose?’ but how you played the game.”
Even though the pace is relaxed, the competition is real, and strategy is key. Players study the green, measure distances and adjust their techniques with each turn. A quiet intensity keeps players coming back for more.
Many members came to the club curious and stayed because of the people. Lawn bowling offers more than a workout or a hobby. It creates connection — regulars greet each other like family and get together during the holidays. Newcomers are welcomed with patience and encouragement.
“It keeps you moving,” said Cheryl Staley, one of the regular players at the lawn. “We wouldn’t be walking if it weren’t for this game.”
That sentiment, shared with a smile, speaks to the game’s power to bring joy, movement and motivation no matter the player’s age.
As St. Pete continues to grow, the lawn bowling club remains a bridge between the past and present. It’s a reminder that even in a fast-changing city, there are spaces where tradition and togetherness still matter.
Until April 30, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m., the club offers free lessons, welcoming beginners and experienced bowlers alike.
After that date, they get together only on Wednesdays. Free lessons are offered three times a week, and all equipment is provided.
All that’s needed is a willingness to try something new.
