Dapto Citizens and Warilla are into the semi-finals in the elite Gold division of the Bowls NSW Club Challenge at Warilla Bowling Club on Saturday.

Dapto Citizens take on top Sydney club Taren Point in their Men's Gold semi-final, with Warilla facing Terrigal in the Women's Gold semi-final.

The Bowls Challenge is a club-based tournament featuring seven players who play singles, pairs and fours, with points allocated in each discipline.

Dapto Citizens face Taren Point in Saturday's second semi-final (5pm) with Taren Point the dominant club in NSW in 2013 after winning the state Grade 1 pennants and Champions League crown.

Brendan Aquilina will play singles for Dapto Citizens, with Chris Green and John Hills to combine in the pairs.

The Dapto Citizens fours team is Peter McCauley, Stuart Ellem, Ian Bailey and Zoran Bosev (skip).

Kempsey Heights take on Soldiers Point in the first Men's Gold semi-final on Saturday from 1pm.

The final is on Sunday morning (9.30am).

Meanwhile, Warilla take on Terrigal in the second of the Women's Gold semi-finals (5pm).

Warilla won the state Grade 1 pennants title this year, with Vicky Turner to play singles in their semi-final.

Joy Rylands and Reta Ledgerwood will form the pairs team with Elaine Ellis, Carol Groch, Barbara O'Donnell and Kerrie Boughen to play fours.

Telarah take on South Tamworth in the other Women's Gold semi-final on Saturday.

A host of Illawarra clubs have reached the semi-finals in other divisions. Bulli take on Ashfield in the semis of the Men's Silver, Warilla face Revesby Workers in Men's Blue and Towradgi Park meet EBP Sports in Mixed Bronze division.

The Towradgi Park ladies face East Cessnock in the semi-finals of the Women's Pink division.

Club turns back clock

The bowls took some adjusting to but the costumes were dapper and elegant as Shellharbour Bowling Club was transformed back to the 1950s and 60s at their Heritage Bowls Day.

Fifty-eight bowlers took to the green in some of their finest attire from 50 years ago.

The colours may have been more demure and conservative but everyone enjoyed the return to a bygone era, even if using some of the old bowls left around the club proved challenging.

‘‘Let’s just say playing with the old bowls was interesting,’’ club honorary secretary Geoff Kervin said.

 ‘‘Everyone had a great time, loved getting dressed up and got into the spirit of the day,’’ he said.

 Shellharbour Bowling Club president Phil Greatorix won a prize for best dressed man, while Sharyn Wynn was judged best dressed woman.

Members aged in their 30s through to the club’s oldest bowler, 93-year-old pennant player Norm Rowland, enjoyed making a new [of sorts] fashion statement.

The exertions of the day proved to be such a success that the afternoon game of mixed bowls had to be scaled back a few ends.

Shellharbour officials are already working on a few ideas for their next ‘‘project’’ as the countdown starts to the club closing in December 2014.

Bowl in the hole

Dapto Citizens look to be on a winner with their Bowl in the Hole promotion on a Friday night.

Around 250 people were on hand last week, many chipping in $2.50 trying to roll a bowl in a hole from across the green.

Similar to making a massively long putt in golf, a hole is placed at one corner of the green, with bowlers and non-bowlers trying to land a bowl in the hole from the other corner of the green.

Last Friday Citos member Cayne Ford made the shot and collected $925. The jackpot starts at $300 tomorrow  night and for $2.50 punters can try to  make the shot.

New Dapto Citizens secretary manager Shane Parnis is enjoying his new role after two months in the job.

‘‘I’ve been with the club five years, doing a number of jobs and I’m excited by this new opportunity,’’ Parnis said.

Dapto Citizens and Warilla have dominated the Illawarra Grade1 pennants in recent years and Parnis expects his club to again be a contender.

‘‘We’ve lost Brian Harriott, but Scott Bateup has returned to the club and we pretty much have the same side that made the grand final last year.’’  

Bellambi claims Summer honours

A Bellambi team played two outstanding games to take out the annual women’s Summer Fours carnival at Windang Bowling Club recently.

 The tournament was  the Illawarra District’s last event for 2013, with the Illawarra District Women’s Bowls Association also the major sponsor.

  Teams played two games of 13 ends of fours, with the day featuring both brilliant sunshine and intermittent showers.

Several teams had two wins, with the Bellambi team of Lillian Felgate, Isabelle Fenton, Elaine Rowe and Shirley Barnside having the best differential with a +32 shot margin.

 The result was in doubt until the final ends with the Figtree RSL team of Zelda Lucroft, Carmen Plaza, Marian Jordan and Margot Brandes finishing with two wins +30.

 The Fairy Meadow fours team of Sandra Lane, Margaret Walton, Helen Barlow and Margaret Hayman were a close-up third on two wins +25.

  Illawarra Ladies District president Thelma Lever closed the carnival by wishing everyone a merry Christmas and happy 2014.