But unlike the famous English king who wanted to limit the sport to the wealthy, members of the 40-year-old San Jose Lawn Bowling Club are eager to attract new members and are quick to mention that it's also an inexpensive sport.

"One of our goals is getting more people involved," says club member Helen Brady. "The more people we have the more fun we have. And we try to be very accommodating. We are not worried about whether someone is a novice or veteran, young or old."

A novice lawn bowler is an individual who has played less than two years. After that the bowler is considered a veteran, no matter how good he or she is, according to San Jose Lawn Bowling Club President Ken Gillett.

And although the club is continually trying to recruit new members, its team boasts a number of extremely talented players. One of its players, Regina Banares, has been on the U.S. team and is a world-ranked player, Brady says.

Other team members include John Luster, who was selected to play on the U.S. team, and Frank Souza, a lawn bowl hall of famer, who played on the U.S. National Team in 1976. And out of the six teams going to the U.S. championships this year, more than three team members are from the San Jose club.

"We are the strongest club in the U.S., as far as talent is concerned, " Brady says. "Yet the sport is still looked upon as an old fogy's sport."

Lawn bowling, which is played on a "rink" of grass that resembles the greens on a golf course, is a popular sport among youth in the Commonwealth countries, where the average player is in their 30s, but in the United States most of the players are 60 and older.

Yet the sport requires a great deal of concentration and is quite competitive, says 47-year-old David Hughes, who is one of the club's younger members.

The former college football player says, "When I was first introduced to the sport I didn't think it was very competitive. But you have got to try it. Last year I spent $6,000 on golf, and this year I only spent $200 on lawn bowling."

The sport is similar to bocce ball, but the playing surfaces are different—bocce ball is played on a gritty surface, as opposed to the grass or carpet used in lawn bowling—and in lawn bowling the balls are not perfectly round.

Club player and Willow Glen resident Ann Walker says once she tried it she was hooked.

Walker, who has only been playing for about five weeks, says, "Once people understand the game they realize the skill involved."

Brady says it's the lack of understanding, promotion and awareness of the sport that makes it appear snobby or elitist, but nothing could be further from the truth.

"You don't even need to buy any equipment. The club can supply everything. All we ask is that people interested in playing wear flat shoes," she says.

The rink at the Willow Glen park is meticulously maintained by the city of San Jose, says Gillett. The city waters, mows, aerates and cares for the grass, which is mowed to an eighth of an inch or lower. It is also why the club is considered one of the fastest around.

"This club is just crying out to be used," Brady says.

Hughes is also hoping more people discover the sport.

"This is a great facility," he says. " It's a wonderful little secret."

The San Jose Lawn Bowling Club, located at the corner of Willow Street and Camino Ramon, is open to the public every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. During daylight-saving time the public is also welcome Tuesday evenings at 5 p.m. Equipment is available at the club, and flat shoes are required. For more information, contact Helen or Ken Brady at 408.265.6438 or Ken Gillett at gillettk@earthlink.net.