Laguna Beach Police Square Off in International Lawn Bowling Tournament

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The Laguna Beach Police and the Laguna Beach Firefighters will compete against the visiting Australian Police Lawn Bowling team on Friday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. The games will begin with opening ceremonies worthy of such an event, with the Laguna Beach trolleys arriving to pick up the Australians on their way to Heisler Park. The Laguna Beach fire chief and police chief will also speak at the event.

"The team of retired Australian police have come to the United States and are here to play our Laguna Beach fire department members and the police department," said Sheila Conti, president of the LB Lawn Bowling Club.

This is the first ever police tournament at the Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling Club, which regularly hosts national lawn bowling events.

More than 18 months earlier, in 2014, the Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling Club was originally contacted by a group of Australians planning an Orange County journey. According to Conti, they were looking to play Laguna Beach police in a "game of bowls."

Lawn Bowling in Laguna Beach has long been a favored activity. Having celebrated its 85th anniversary in April, the court at Heisler Park enjoys a picturesque backdrop of the Pacific. For Conti, they couldn't have asked for a nicer day.

The weather on Oct. 21: sunny, with low humidity thanks to the dry Santa Ana conditions. Perfect weather for outdoor lawn bowling.

"It never rains here, so we weren't worried about that," Conti said.

After the challenge was laid down, the Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling club got to work organizing a team of police and firefighters who would take up the challenge against the Aussies. They were taught the rules of the game, how to play, as well as lawn bowling etiquette. According to the rules:

–“The game of bowls, whether competitive or social, is played in an atmosphere of fellowship and sociability. This atmosphere is maintained by a traditional code of behavior, with its roots in common courtesy…not only between opponents, but also between teammates, club officials, club members and spectators."

"In Australia, they have police teams that play lawn bowling, and that group was planning a visit to our own Surf and Sand resort," she said. "Here in Laguna Beach, we helped to organize a team of police and firefighters and arranged for coaching for them."

Now, the international Police Lawn Bowling Championship will take place as Laguna Beach Police and Laguna Beach Firefighters meet up to square off on the greens.

With 315 current members to its credit, the Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling club worked to get its police and fire fighter team tournament-ready.

"It's been a lot of fun, watching them play instead of doing their more serious roles," Conti said. The members of the police and firefighter team have been practicing on and off for more than a year, she said. "There will be 21 on the Laguna Beach team and 21 Australian police team bowlers. Some of the teams will also have the support of the older club players."

Both Conti, and the members of Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling Club, agree that it should be a fantastic day for the teams of public servants, both retired and active duty, as well as all who come to watch them play.

"Everyone wins in this event," she said. "Plus, we have barbecue after and lots of cold beer on tap. It should be a fabulous day."

Come and watch today at the Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling Club at Heisler Park.

Photo of part of the 21-person Police and Fire Department team,

Courtesy Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling Club