The San Francisco call., 1913-07-20
National Flag and Pennant
of Golden Gate Green Are
Flung to Wind in
Exercises
BIG CROWD SEES
EXHIBITION GAME
Champions Of Organization
Give Demonstration Of
Sport Now Open to
Danes

The first women's bowling green in
America was formally opened yester-
day afternoon. when Mayor Rolph
rolled a bail across the sward at Col
den Gate park that had been prepared
by Park Superintendent John McLaren
on instructions from the park commits
sioners
The fine new bowling green was
dedicated with brief program. Two
short addresses were made, one by
Mrs. George A. Van Smith. president
Of the Women's Golden Gate Bowling
Green: the other by Mayor James Rolph
Jr Following these the stars and
stripes and the banner of the women's
bowling organization. bearing the let
ters Wv. G. C. E. G." were hoisted by
little Anona Roberts while the band
PLAYED The Star Spangled Banner"
and the large crowd that surrounded
the green stood uncovered.
The new green was in perfect con-
citlon. the thick grass being trimmed
close TO permit Of the balls rolling we'll
and the grounds being as level and
smooth as a billiard table Benches
had been placed on the four sides and
were filed with spectators. At two
corners were refreshment tables that
did a big business after the dedication
ceremonies.
, OFFICIALS THANKED
Following the formal exercises
match games were played by the cham
pions of the women's club.
In her brief address Mrs. Van Smith
took occasion TO thank the mems bowl
Ing green association, the guests of
which she said. the ladies had been for
II months while their own green was
being prepared. She stated that the
green then being dedicated was the
first and only women's bowling green
in America. Mrs. Van Smith thanked
Mayor Rolph and the park commission
ers for the interest they had taken in
setting aside the grounds and having
them put in excellent shape. She then
introduced Mayor Rolph.
The mayor began his address by say
ing that it was the first time he had
had occasion to speak TO his fellow
citizens at such long range. He was
IN good voice, however. and was easily
heard even by those on the opposite
side Of the green. He reminded his
hearers that only few years ago the
beautiful place where they then sat
was a wilderness of sand. continually
ADDED to from the inexhaustible Pa
ciAc ocean. and he paid a tribute to the
energy and patriotic work of Park
Superintendent John McLaren, to whom.
he said. was largely due the fact that
= san Francisco has the finest park in
y the United States.
MAYOR Is OPTIMISTIC
Mayor Rolph then told something of
the history of the game of bowling i'm
England and again called attention to
the fact that the green then being dedl-
Gated was the first women's bowling
green in America. He said that he
hoped to see championship games
played on it and that the Women's
Golden Gate Bowling Green would de-
velop a team of champions who would
travel all over the country and bring
back all the trophies
A hearty round of applause greeted
the mayors happy speech. AS he con-
cluded. little Anona Roberts stepped
forward and took the halliards to hoist
to the top of the Flagstaff the national
banner and the pennant of the women's
bowling club, while the band played
The Star Spangled Banner" Tightly
rolled, the two flags rose in a ball to
the top of the staff. Anona pulled the
string that bound them and they fut-
tered out in the breeze. The Women's
Golden Gate Bowling Green was for
mally dedicated
STARTS BALL ROLLING"
Mayor RoIph. escorted by Mrs.
George A. Van Smith president of the
club, then ran down upon the green,
took the little white ball that serves as
target and rolled it out upon the
, grass. Then he took one Of the bigger
balls and prepared to roll that, re-
marking as he did so that he didn't
know whether he would get the right
curve on it, as he was more accus-
toned to baseball. He didn't, either.
for he far overshot the mark Where
upon. he walked across, picked up his
ball and placed it where he wanted it
TO go Mrs. Van Smith announced that
Mayor Rolph was a full fedged member
q 10 NVOrQpnfS hovvIire~ green
That ended the formal ceremonies.
Following an intermisson of Is min
utes, during which the refreshment
tables were patronized. regular games
were PLAYED by experts Of the club.
The officers of the Women's Golden
Gate Bowling Green, who are largely
responsible for the valuable new at
traction of the park through their work
in getting the green established, are:
Mrs George A. Van Smith, president;
Mrs J. Donovan, vice president Mrs.
A. McNear, secretary, and Mrs w. L.
Cooley, treasurer.
LARGE MEMBERSHIP
The club has a membership Of 5s,
which includes many Of those who are
most prominent in the social life of
located in a little hollow near the
childrens playground and adjoining
the mems bowling green. 1t is sur
BOUNDED by palms and evergreen trees
that shelter it from the wind and make
IT a delightful place in which to 1inger
or to play the fascinating game to
which 1t is devoted.
DOCKEEET ED TA CHACE