A man from Blenheim has saved the future of the 107-year-old Waikouaiti Bowling Club.
The club's 13 members had gathered to play what they thought would be their last ends at the old bowling green on Matanaka Dr recently, when they were greeted with some happy news.
A newcomer to the area, Russell Jenkinson, had read in a local paper the club's future was in question after it lost its greenkeeper, and he volunteered his help, club president Judy Allcott informed them.
''It was just great, great news,'' she said of Mr Jenkinson's offer.
''I'm a relatively new member of the club, but some members who have been there for years were rather sad it was all going to end.''
The work involved in keeping the green became too much for its last keeper and the club's membership was declining, which added up to a dim future.
Mr Jenkinson, a former greenkeeper at the Rarangi Golf Club at Tuamarina, said he had retired and about six weeks ago he and his wife moved from Blenheim to Waikouaiti.
They were now building a house in the town, which had been recommended to them by family. They had investigated Waikouaiti online and admired it.
A ''community-minded sort of person'', Mr Jenkinson said he was at a garage sale when he struck up a conversation with a woman next to him about the club, and mentioned he was a retired greenkeeper.
That woman happened to be Mrs Allcott.
''When I said I'd worked at a golf course, her eyes lit up.''
It seemed like something small he could do for the locals, he said.
Mrs Allcock said the bowling club would now be able to continue next season, beginning in September.
Efforts would be increased to find more bowlers to play on the rejuvenated green.
