CONWAY — Dozens of locals brought their own sunshine to a cloud-covered Elm Street to participate in the town’s Irish road bowling event on Sunday.
An Irish tradition that began in the 1600s, road bowling was brought back to the town by the Conway Sportsman’s Club. Fourteen teams of four congregated at the Conway Inn before heading down to a puddle-ridden Elm Street to compete. Decked out in wild outfits with the charisma to match, the communal bond was palpable.
“Mike wants Conway to be known as the ‘wacky game capital of the world,’” Silver Foxes team member Pixie Holbrook said of event organizer Michael Haley.
“Whip that sucker!” Haley chanted as participants took their stances and wound up their throws.
The Irish road bowling competition consists of each team taking turns rolling their ball down the street as far as they can, attempting to dodge grassy areas, cracks in the road and other obstacles along the way. Like golf, the objective is to reach a target in as few turns as possible. Haley said the course is usually longer than it was this year, but he shortened the distance due to last year’s event extending past sundown.
“It’s usually a one-and-a-half-mile course,” he said. “This is a four-tenths-mile course.”
Bowlers young and old filled out each four-person roster, with attitudes toward the game just as diverse. While some quietly enjoyed each others’ company, others made their excitement known, celebrating with cheers and venting frustration with expletives. Then, there were those who let their performance and technique do the talking.
“I sort of thought of it as real bowling, but with a counterbalance,” Boston Blueberries team member Yanis Chibani said after successfully toppling a practice target. “Use your leg as a counterbalance and let it fly.”
“I’ve been training the past four years,” Purple Ball Snatchers team member Christina Conklin said jovially. “You know, COVID-19 really put things to the side. We’ve had an extra year to train and practice our form.”
Although some at the event approached road bowling with pro-like strategy, Haley made it clear that the competition has always invited newcomers of all skill levels.
“A lot of these people have never done it before,” Haley said. “These people are all friends and neighbors. They’re people who just want to try something new.”
“I remember the first time, we went up against the Fire Department,” said Holbrook, who placed second in her first year road bowling. “You know, guys with muscle. But it’s not all about muscle.”
Above all, the Irish road bowling tradition serves the purpose of benefiting the Conway Sportsman’s Club Scholarship Fund. Proceeds accumulated from the $20 admission fee go toward the cause.
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.