Redlands Played a Pivotal Role in Showcasing Lawn Bowling at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics
Photo via Facebook
Competitors at an April 6, 2025 tournament.
By Kathleen Beall
Redlands Area Historical Society
What do Melvin Hooper, the Redlands Lawn Bowling Club and the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles have in common? As we near the third time Los Angeles will host an Olympic games, we look back at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics and the sport of lawn bowling.
Redlands played a pivotal role.
For Redlands, things began much earlier than the 1931 announcement in the Los Angeles Times article “Lawn Bowling Board Picked for Olympics.”
In fact, it was years earlier in 1916 when competitive lawn bowler, Canadian Melvin Hooper, arrived in Redlands.
Hooper instantly saw how the appeal of the warm winter climate, the temperate summer evenings, and exotic beauty here could add to the enjoyment and growth of his beloved sport. His devotion to the growth of lawn bowling was infectious and his dedication to establishing a world class club in his new hometown of Redlands, California was welcomed.
Hooper connected with other like-minded individuals who joined him in forming what is now the second-oldest lawn bowling club in California when the Redlands Lawn Bowling Club was started in 1923, and the city dedicated land in perpetuity for its purpose.
(The oldest — in the state and in the country — is The San Francisco Lawn Bowling Club, established in 1901.)
Photo credit: Lisa McClain
Members of the Redlands Lawn Bowling Club’s leadership include (from left) Al McClain, greenskeeper; Lisa McClain, social chairperson; Scott Yahnke, president; Joyce Johnson; and Jim Johnson, -mmediate past president.
Hooper personally funded the first tournament-quality lanes, while club members provided the labor and funds to build the clubhouse.
He traveled all over competing in his sport, and Redlands was soon hosting teams from around the world. News spread of the hospitality of the Redlands area with its beautiful location in Sylvan Park, along the banks of the Zanja.
Frequently when these world competitors would visit Redlands for tournaments, the Redlands club would host barbeques in adjacent Sylvan Park. In particular, the state-of-the-art outdoor lighting over the bowling greens would allow for memorable evening play through the vision of Melvin Hooper and fellow club members.
As plans for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics took shape, Melvin Hooper recognized a prime opportunity to showcase lawn bowling. Alongside a group of fellow enthusiasts, he successfully lobbied the Olympic planning committee to host a global tournament during the Games, securing prominent venues to ensure the sport captured worldwide attention.
The American Lawn Bowling Association appointed five Southern California men to work with officials to put together the tournament: two men from Los Angeles, one from Beverly Hills, one from Pasadena, and one from Redlands, none other than Melvin Hooper.
The April 4, 1931 Los Angeles Times article states that, “Word has already been received from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Australia assuring their participation with large numbers of entrants, Canada, Italy and New Zealand will also be represented. The British bowlers, many of whom plan to bring their families, expect to charter a ship.”
A large new lawn bowling complex was constructed at Arroyo Seco in time for the Olympics tournament. The mayor of Los Angeles was at the ribbon cutting and over 200 players could bowl at the same time.
It has been said that bowling greens were constructed for demonstration purposes near the Los Angeles Coliseum only for exhibition of the sport during the Olympics. A Los Angeles Times Jan. 4, 1932 article writes about the “Lawn Bowling Tournament at Olympic Games” and states that “it is probable that the Redlands green, known as an excellent one, will be used for some of the Olympic matches.”
Photo by Lisa McClain
A memento from Melvin Hooper, now a part of the Redlands Historical Museum’s collection.
The article also states that Melvin Hooper of Redlands is one of the best-known lawn bowlers in the United States.
While the tournament created excitement and growth and did in fact bring many international visitors and bowlers to Redlands to compete at the Redlands club’s greens during the 1932 Olympics, lawn bowling did not go on to become a medaled sport.
As an Olympic demonstration event, the tournament did help spread awareness and generate excitement for the program.
The Redlands Lawn Bowling Club was at the forefront of this movement and many international teams that came prior and during the Olympics continued to come to Redlands to compete through the years.
2026 is the 103rd anniversary of the Redlands club, whose clubhouse is a 2023 Heritage Award recipient, and play of one of the most ancient games in the world continues in Redlands to this day.
The Redlands Lawn Bowling Club welcomes new members. No prior lawn bowling experience is required. Free lessons are available.
The club’s location is 411 North University St. in Redlands.
Bowling is available year round Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Check-in is at 9:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.