Bowls Papanui is one of the 25 or so bowling clubs in the metropolitan area of Christchurch.

It’s not the oldest … that’s Christchurch Bowling Club formed in1875.  it’s not the largest … that’s Burnside with 250 or so full playing members.  And it’s not the closest to town … that’s Christchurch just a kilometre or less from the Square.

But it does have the largest ‘badge’ collection of any bowling club in Christchurch.  In fact any bowling club in New Zealand (and probably any bowling club in the world!).  If you’re a scutelliphilist (Google it!), Bowls Papanui is a must-visit where thousands (no one’s counted) of tiny mementos from around the bowling world are displayed.

Bowls Papanui also has the only woman greenkeeper in the Canterbury Centre.  She’s a lovely person called Gaby McNab.  Not probably a person you’ll know, but a person you’ll know of.  She’s the better half of Jamey Ferris, greenkeeper extraordinaire and the person responsible for luring her into the dark arts of greenkeeping.

“I was a very much a bowls widow,” laughs Gaby. “Right up until we moved down from Gisborne when Jamey took up the greenkeeping role at Burnside in 2021.  We’d lived in Gizzie all our lives, and while Jamey looked after the greens at Gisborne and Kahutia, I was ‘floristing’ in between minding our two kids Maisey and Manaaki.”

“I’m still a passionate florist, but earlier this year Jamey put up my hand for the greenkeeping role at Bowls Papanui.”

“It wasn’t the big leap into the unknown you might think … I’d been helping Jamey at Burnside for a while and learning the ropes.  But it was a big leap of faith on the part of Bowls Papanui to take someone on to follow in the greensteps of the legendary Ron Sabin looking after the two natural greens at the club.”

Eight months later Gaby hasn’t been fired.  And the twin greens at the Condell Avenue bowling club are both looking immaculate .. and playing immaculately.  They’re the type of green which the losers of a bowls contest have nothing to hide from.

“Gaby’s doing a fantastic job,” says Bowls Papanui President Malcolm Hogan.  “Sure, we know that Jamey’s there to oversee things … and does oversee things … but Gaby 99% knows what she’s doing.”

“She’s done what all good greenkeepers do and that’s gain the confidence of the club members.”

Gaby’s probably also done what all good greenkeepers do, and ensured that the members are a little fearful of mistreating the green should they incur her wrath (with a well-used smile framing a set of pearly whites, it would be a pretty pathetic wrath though!).

“Like all greens, we have on-going problems which Gaby is tending to,” adds Malcolm. “Ours aren’t as big as many other clubs, but we have historical issues with the drainage under one of the greens, and a more recent issue where a bit of starweed has snuck onto number one green.  Otherwise, the greens are in tip top shape,”

They need to be.

The club has about 65 full-playing members, with over a third of them women.  On top of that there’s another 30 or so social members.  It’s a big club.  Sure … not as big or as ‘famous’ as Burnside a few kays the road.  But still one of the Canterbury clubs that’s up there.

It’s a ‘sigma’ club … as the grandkids would say.

“We’re particularly renown for our juniors,” says Malcolm. “We have 22 of them … starting from 13 year old Sol.  We also go right up to 95 year old Elwyn Judson, who is still playing bowls.  He’s been at the club a very long time, winning his first Centre title back in 1983.”

“We were also pretty chuffed this year to have Darron Wolland win the Singles of the National Para Champs.”

“And I guess our perennial star is Joseph van der Pennen … he came third in the National Single when they were held last time down here in Christchurch.”

With two magnificent natural greens, it’s not surprising that Bowls Papanui is producing bowlers who are being talked about.  But the club also enjoys another rare facility : lights.

“They were put in years ago,” explains Malcolm.  “Probably before all the consents which are required these days.  We’re lucky to still not to have any neighbours who are upset by them.”

“We have a great sponsor who is going to renew the LED’s shortly, so they’ll be back in full use.  It’s a long summer twilight down here in the Mainland, but they’re great at the start of the season and the end of the season when the nights are drawing in.”

Next time you’re in Christchurch, swing by Bowls Papanui (not to be confused with the Papanui Club … another excellent club).  It’s adjacent to Edgar Macintosh Park.  Gaby’ll be there … she’s there every day ... unless she’s back in Gizzie with Jamey catching up with the rellies.

And don’t forget to pop upstairs and see the badge collection!