Highland Park Lawn Bowling Club

Conditions of Play – 2026

SCOPE
This document will outline the general format of play for the various leagues, tournaments, and jitneys at the Highland Park Lawn Bowling Club (HPLBC). The intent is to provide clarity to all playing members on the format, structure and general rules followed by the club. This will ensure members can enjoy their bowls with the consistent and transparent understanding of how the games are played.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. All club events and competitions will be governed by the Laws of the Sport of Bowls: Crystal Mark Fourth Edition, any domestic regulations as set by Bowls Canada Boulingrin, the OLBA and these Conditions of Play.
  2. Where the Club follows portions of the OLBA Conditions of Play referenced herein, this refers to the current year’s document published in the Championship Events section of the OLBA website.

MEMBER EXPECTATIONS
Members have joined the Highland Park Lawn Bowling Club for many reasons, some want exercise, some want the social aspects, and some are developing skills for competition. All of these reasons are welcomed and are approached with equality, not placing priority of one bowling aspect/reason over another.

Every member must feel comfortable at the club knowing that friendliness, respect, and inclusion are the guiding principles for all members.

The club offers many events, jitneys, leagues, and tournaments. These are designed to accommodate all interests, preferences and skill levels and ensure the club has something for everyone.

Member Principles – all members are responsible to:

  1. Provide every bowler with a positive experience.
  2. Provide every bowler the chance to develop and achieve their potential.
  3. Provide an environment where Members are always focused on having an atmosphere that is – friendly, positive, inclusive, patient and encouraging. These characteristics are important to ensure other bowlers feel welcome and provides the incentive to continue.

JITNEYS

  1. Informal club play for members.
  2. Jitneys are played Monday, Tuesday, and Friday evenings at 6:30. An early evening jitney isheld on Thursday at 5:00. As well there are day-time jitneys on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10:00
  3. Tags must be placed on the end table at least 15 minutes before the start time. This allows names to be drawn, and teams established on time.
  4. Team formation will be determined based on the number of participants. This could result in a combination of team formats.
  5. Team formation will make every effort to balance the experience levels of the players. The default placement will be the players rating on the draw board.
  6. Generally, the format will be triples and pairs games. When the numbers are larger fours will be considered.
  7. The number of bowls will depend on the team format.
    a. Pairs will use three (3) bowls each.
    b. Triples will use three (3) bowls each.
    c. Fours will use two (2) bowls each.
  8. Games will be at least eight (8) ends and if players all agree games can be played to ten (10) ends.

OPEN SINGLES LEAGUE

  1. The Open Singles league will be held on Saturday mornings and is open to all members.
  2. Depending on the number of bowlers in the league – games will be played at 9:00 and 10:30. Schedules will be made with every effort to balance times and rink assignments.
  3. In the event of tournaments, the league will move to Sunday mornings.
  4. The format of the Open Singles league will generally align with OLBA & Canada Bowls formats, outlined in their respective “Conditions of Play”, and will be as follows:
  • 4 bowls,
  • 2 trial ends – 2 bowls each,
  • Two 7-end sets,
  • Winner of coin toss chooses jack in 1st or 2nd set – opposition takes jack in other set.
  • Sets can result in win, lose, or tie.
  • If no clear winner after 2 sets – there will be a 3-end (or less tiebreaker (no points)): Tie-breaker will start with coin toss; winner can choose jack or pass. Jack alters each end (one player has jack in 1st and 3rd end other player has jack in 2nd end) and match play is used (there is no score just ends) – first to win 2 ends, regardless of score, wins match.

OPEN PAIRS LEAGUE

  1. The Open Pairs League will be held on Wednesday evenings.
  2. The format of the Pairs league will generally align with OLBA & Canada Bowls formats
    outlined in their respective “Conditions of Play” and will be as follows:
  • 3 bowls each,
  • 12 ends, or 20 points, (the OLBA is 14 ends),
  • 2 trial ends of 2 bowls each,
  • Extra end (no points) if tied – just to determine winning teams.

FORMATS for OPEN LEAGUES (Singles & Pairs)

  1. Leagues will be structured in pools with multiple short round-robins that will permit shorter draw periods. The size of each pool and length of each round-robin will depend on the number of participants. Ideal size would be 6 or 8 teams in Pairs or players in Singles league. Leagues schedules will adjust the format sizes and lengths of draws to accommodate summer schedules and vacations. Players can opt in and out of draws depending on their schedules.
  2. Following each draw, teams in the pools will be adjusted by moving players based on results. The level of movement will be based on the size of the pools and length of draw. This will be done with the purpose of matching level of play and having the opportunity to play a wide variety of opponents.
  3. This structure will accommodate schedules allowing teams to opt out of a draw if they are away or sign up for future draws.
  4. Each draw will include a “make-up” week where teams can play games postponed due to weather etc.
  5. The Match Committee can add additional weeks to the draws to accommodate inclement weather situations.
  6. Pools will be structured for first draw based on previous years standing and the current club ratings.
  7. As an example, if there are two groups of six – there would be a round-robin of five games – at the completion of the round, two teams from each grouping would move and the next draw of five games would start. Over time teams will play more against others with similar skills but still allow everyone to improve their level of play.

TOURNAMENTS

CLUB TOURNAMENTS

  1. HPLBC plans in the calendar, a club tournament every month (at least) for club members.
  2. Club tournaments are open to all members in good standing. If numbers permit, the club will consider prospective new members to participate in the tournament.
  3. Most tournaments are held on Saturdays. There is one mid-summer tournament held on a Tuesday evening.
  4. The format of club tournaments is dependent on the number of sign-ups for the event. Many tournaments have themes, such as Scotch Doubles, Flings, etc. which provides the opportunity for members to enjoy different formats.
  5. Generally, the tournaments will be two games of ten (10) ends each.
  6. There is a minimal cost associated with the tournaments, as presented in the club advertisement.
  7. Sign-up sheets will be posted in the club at least two-weeks prior to the event. Members can also contact the Match Director(s) to indicate participation.
  8. Sign-up deadlines will be set for the Thursday (6:00 pm) before a Saturday event. Players signing up after or showing up on the day of the tournament will be accommodated where
    possible. The Match Director(s) will not ask anyone to sit out who had signed up by the deadline.

OPEN TOURNAMENTS

  1. HPLBC plans four annual open tournaments per season.
  2. All tournaments will be on club website, shared with district clubs and posted on the SAM system.
  3. Open tournaments are available to anyone who is a member of an OLBA registered club. Players from outside of Ontario can be eligible upon confirmation from the Match Director(s).
  4. The formats are pre-established as Open Pairs or Open Triples and are subject to the Match Director(s) discretion. This will depend on tournament sign-ups and general popularity.
  5. All tournaments will consist of 3 games of 10 or 12 ends each. For triples tournaments each player will use 3 bowls each. For Pairs tournaments each player will use 4 bowls.
  6. Priority will be given to area clubs. Highland Park members will be entitled to a minimum of 30% of the total entries.
  7. Entries will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis. All entries will be done via email to HPLBCMatch@gmail.com. Entries are not considered in the tournament until the Match Director(s) confirm via email that the entry has been received.
  8. Tournaments will play under the OLBA conditions of play for the format in place. All exceptions will be made clear to all participants prior to the event.
  9. All decisions relating to schedule and play will be the responsibility of the Match Director(s), tournament convenor and assigned umpire. These individuals are known as the tournament committee.
  10. As a general practice, the HPLBC will provide prize monies in the amount of 60% (minimum) of the sponsorship monies and entries received.

INCLEMENT WEATHER OR OTHER EMERGENCY LEADING TO INCOMPLETE GAMES

  1. The decision to terminate a tournament game due to excessive rain, heat index or other unforeseen circumstances will be made by the Match Director(s) or in the case of regular club play, the players themselves using the principles and standards outlined herein.
  2. Games may have to be shortened due to excessive rain, heat index or other unforeseen circumstances. Such decisions may result in games being postponed to the following day or to a later date.
  3. Lightning
    3.1. All club events shall comply with the lightning safety and preparedness standards issued by Environment Canada.
    3.2. At first sound of thunder or observation of lightning, play shall be suspended immediately, and
    3.3. All participants shall be ordered off the greens to find appropriate shelter.
    3.4. Play will not resume until at least 30 minutes have passed since the last sight of lightning or the sound of thunder.
    3.5. Full details of these requirements are available here.
  4. Hot Weather Guide
    4.1. When the temperature reaches 35 degrees Celsius at the club, play should be interrupted at 20-minute intervals (at the completion of the end in play) for a period of five (5) minutes, during which time, drinks should be made available. Any time limit imposed on the interrupted game will be waived.
    4.2. When the temperature reaches 38 degrees Celsius at the club, play/competition will be suspended.
    4.3. If the Humidex reading reaches 40 degrees, all games will be suspended.
  5. If play must be discontinued, the drawmaster/convenor will determine how many ends of the game in progress have been completed by all teams, and the outcome of the tournament will be determined as follows:
    5.1. If play is discontinued before six ends of the second game have been completed, the tournament is cancelled and the fees refunded.
    5.2. If play is discontinued after six ends of the second game have been completed but before six ends of the third game have been completed, prizes will be awarded using only the scores from the first game and the completed part of the second game.
    5.3. If play is discontinued after six ends of the third game, prizes will be awarded using the scores from the first two games and the completed part of the third game.

INDIVIDUAL BOWLER RANKINGS

  1. All HPLBC members will be ranked among peers.
  2. These ranking are applicable for the jitneys and club tournaments.
  3. The ranking process will be applied every two-years unless the membership turn-over requires annual review.
  4. The ranking process shall be led by the Match Director(s) and include a committee of well established and experienced club members.
  5. The categories of the rankings will be; Skip; Vice; Second; Lead, New Bowler.
  6. After the first year all new bowlers will automatically move to the Lead category (or possibly higher).
  7. While the expectation of bowlers is to progress within the ranking system, there should be recognition that some bowlers may be dropped a level in certain circumstances (health, injury or ability to bowl).

RULINGS, CLARIFICATIONS AND DISPUTES

  1. All club bowling activities fall under the purview of the Club Board of Directors. All activities on the green will be approved in advance by the Board.
  2. The Match Director(s) will provide the Board with recommendations on the state of play and format of tournaments.
  3. The Match Director(s) will be responsible for all rulings on the format and interpretation of rules.
  4. The Match Director(s) will consult with members who are qualified Umpires and/or Coaches to solicit positions and rules clarifications.
  5. The Match Director(s) will be responsible to hear and determine best results for any disputes arising from members, games, and schedules. The Board will be kept apprised of any actions determined by the Match Director(s).

Approved by:
HPLBC Board of Directors