Torquay Bowls Club named best in state

TORQUAY Bowls Club has been crowned Victoria’s Best Bowls Club at Wotif 2020 Uniquely Aussie Award’s.

The awards were voted on by the public. Torquay Bowls Club has remained in high regard amid the difficulties of COVID-19, ranking as the ninth-best bowls club nationally, despite Victoria being the state worst affected by the pandemic.

Club chair Gary Banks said while it has been a year full of challenges there is reason for optimism.

“It’s been bloody tough really. The business has been closed for several months. We’re in the process of building the new green, which should have been up and running by now, but of course we’ve got a Queensland company building it and they’ve only just got back in the last week to complete,” Mr Banks said.

“But we fully expect the new green to be finished in the next three or four weeks, and then hopefully we will slowly open up the business side of things again as COVID restrictions lift.”

As regional Victoria has moved to Step Three of the Coronavirus Roadmap the club has been able to welcome people back on the green. It has recommenced its Social Bowls competition, with its other regular bowls groups gradually returning as well.

Mr Banks said the club was hoping the club would soon be able to welcome back staff.

“We keep them all informed about what’s been happening and we’re looking forward to slowly starting to open the business again and keeping them connected to the business so they’ve got something to return to.”

Wotif managing director Daniel Finch said there had been strong participation in the online voting.

“The thousands of votes received this year made clear that every Aussie knows a local gem worthy of the spotlight.”

Further evidence of Torquay Bowls Club’s popularity can be seen in the donations it received through Click Frenzy’s Virtual Canteen in August and September.

Mr Banks said the club had been delighted with the response to the fundraiser.

“We ended up being the most receiving more donations of any sporting clubs, so it was a great success.”