Just in Time for St. Patrick’s Day: Irish Road Bowling in Indian Lake
Let it roll with Indian Lake’s Snowarriors annual Irish Road Bowling event on March 15.
Irish Road Bowling is back in Indian Lake in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
Irish Road Bowling is a sport in which competitors strive to use the fewest throws to roll a metal ball along a designated course of country roads. Spectators frequently place bets on the outcome and offer advice to their favorite competitors during a match, also known as a "score."
An Indian Lake St. Patrick’s Day tradition.
Indian Lake began hosting an annual Road Bowling competition in 2006. It's as much fun for the competitors as it is for the spectators.
A typical road bowling ball. Photo courtesy West Virginia Irish Road Bowling Association
Participants form 4-person teams and underhand roll an official 28 oz iron ball called a "bullet" starting at the "butt" line. Players have to be careful to not "break the butt" by stepping over the line.
The course is 1.5 miles of scenic Adirondack roadways. The least number of roles over the course wins. This annual spring rite draws 100s of visitors and members of the Indian Lake community.
Get your team together and register online now.
Think you have what it takes? Form your team (max four players per team) in Women's, Men's, and Mixed Divisions. Creative costumes are highly encouraged.
Medals will be awarded for winning teams.
Register online at Snowarriors website.
This year's location will be at Pelon Road. There will be live music, raffles, and more. Food, including chili, sausage and peppers, cookies, and cannoli will be available for purchase.
Know the lingo before you go.
Want to look like a master road bowler? Here are a few key road bowling terms you can toss around to look like a pro.
Kitter-paw — a left-handed thrower
Loft — to throw through the air
Score — a match
Shot — a throw
Sop — a tuft of grass placed in the road at a spot where the bowl should first strike the surface. An experienced bowler can "split the sop"
Stylish bowler — a bowler with a smooth well-coordinated delivery
Bragging rights for best costumes is almost as fierce as the bowling competition.
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- Posted In: Events, Central Adirondacks, Indian Lake