Today at the Newport Harbor Lawn Bowling Club, the US Open kicks off with a traditional bagpipe procession, opening ceremony, and a welcome party.
The festivities will begin at 4:30 p.m.
Teams from all over the country and the world are coming to compete in the event, with the biggest international representation coming from Canada and Australia.
Competition will kick off Saturday with women’s fours and men’s singles and will continue through Sept. 30 alternating between singles, pairs, and fours. Dinner, a raffle drawing, and an awards banquet will also be held on the last day of matches at the Orange County Hilton, by John Wayne Airport.
Lawn bowling, the game of rolling oblong shaped balls at a smaller ball called the jack, has been played for centuries all around the world both competitively and socially. The Southwest division of US Lawn Bowling is hosting the Open this year, and matches will be held at the Newport Harbor LBC in Corona del Mar, The Groves LBC in Irvine, Laguna Beach LBC, Laguna Woods LBC, Long Beach LBC at Recreation Park, Costa del Sol LBC in Mission Viejo and Santa Ana LBC. Matches will be held daily and are free – crowds are encouraged to come watch the festivities.
Visit http://www.usopenlawnbowls.com/welcome.html for a full schedule and information on the US Open. To join or find out more information about the Newport Harbor Lawn Bowling Club visit http://www.newportharborlbc.com/