Annual membership only $50 -

includes club dues and Bowls USA card

ABOUT ASHEVILLE LAWN BOWLING CLUB

Asheville is one of only two lawn bowling clubs in North Carolina, the other being in Pinehurst. The Asheville Lawn Bowling Club came into existence in the late 1990's as a result of the passion and dogged persistence of Jack and Nicki Benatan. ALBC owes this couple a deep debt of gratitude for making lawn bowls available in Asheville. (Read the full story below.)

Asheville plays on an artificial surface that was completely rebuilt over the spring and summer of 2018. The current green is a world-class green of 121-feet that is playable in both directions. By comparison, the old green was threadbare and only 110 feet long.

Asheville will now be able to host various open tournaments to attract bowlers from across the Southeast USA as well as receiving visitors from across the US and Canada.

ALBC is member club of the Southeast Division and BowlsUSA.

ALBC LEADERSHIP

President: Terry Reincke
Vice President: Bill Peete
Secretary: Liz Staufer
Treasurer: David Sarbey
Members at large: Stan Glickman, Wilma Momkes, Howard Gum, and Bill Stoermer

To contact any of the Club Officers, go to the Contact Us/Find Us menu to send an email or to get directions to the club.

THE CITY OF ASHEVILLE

Asheville is a city in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s known for a vibrant arts scene and historic architecture, including the dome-topped Basilica of Saint Lawrence. The vast 19th-century Biltmore estate displays artwork by masters like Renoir. The Downtown Art District is filled with galleries and museums, and in the nearby River Arts District, former factory buildings house artists' studios.

Early History of Asheville Lawn Bowing Club

by Jack Benatan

1998 - The River Link organization had acquired the land, which includes the Asheville Race Track and then presented it to the city. Word went out that the city intended to make this into a recreation park.

Nicki and I had learned the game of lawn bowling while living in South Africa, and brought our bowls along when we moved back to the US in 1994. On vacation at Williamsburg VA, we discovered the oldest active green and actually played there. It was perfectly natural, therefore, that we should immediately think of a bowling green.

Nicki got on the internet through USLBA and contacted Frank Ransome of California, a very senior member of USLBA and National Membership chairman. Frank responded immediately to our request for details of construction of a bowling green. We received not only detailed plans and information but also enthusiastic support. All this happened in a few days. I took the next step and called City Hall and found out who was the headman. Turned out to be Irby Brinson, Director of Parks and Rec. Made an appointment for Nicki and I to meet with him. Being aware of some of the projects, cycle track, soccer, softball, etc, after a while Nicki said, “That’s great, but do you realize that you are ignoring an important part of the population?” He looked puzzled for a moment, and then added, “What exactly is it that you want from me?”