Kirkcaldy Bowling Club, situated on West Fergus Place, was opened in 1858 — well ahead of other bowling clubs in the town and making it one of the oldest in the Kingdom.

The club is planning a series of celebration matches throughout the 2008 season, culminating in a celebration dinner at Dean Park Hotel on September 19.

Club president for the historic anniversary season, Harry Wallace, praised the loyalty of club members over the past 150 years.

"Like most sports clubs nowadays, bowling clubs struggle to exist and yet the Big Green has survived for 150 years," he said.

"I put this down to the loyalty of its membership – from the distinguished group of 11 gentlemen who formed the club in 1858 to the current 120 dedicated members today.

"The club is not only about a game of bowls but also about friendship and camaraderie. We are fortunate in having so many volunteers and willing helpers who keep the clubhouse and grounds in fine shape.

"I feel privileged to be part of it and hope that KBC will continue to thrive and bring enjoyment to bowlers for many more decades."

It was on March 27, 1858 that Kirkcaldy Bowling Club was formed after a meeting in the National Hotel, chaired by Provost Henry Beveridge, who became the club's first president.

The club agreed to lease a small field from Robert Stocks opposite his residence at Osborne House. The annual rent cost the club 10 guineas until the ground was finally bought for £1250 in 1926.

A rather unusual condition of the original lease led to the club being known as The Big Green.

"Robert Stocks insisted that the green was cut in a rectangle and not the traditional square," Mr Wallace explained.

"That was so we would play north to south, and not east to west which would have looked straight into Osborne House.

"That request is still in the deeds today, although it is not on record what exactly he wanted to hide from us!"

Remarkably, there have been few major successes for the club over 150 years.

The Gilmour Trophy — contested by all Fife clubs — was won for only the second time in 1988, although there have been many individual winners among the members at local, county and national level.

The most successful bowler in the club's history is Lawson Scott, who has won the club championship a record nine times.

"I'm very proud of this record and don't think it will ever be beaten," Mr Scott told SportsPress.

He also became Scottish district champion in 1993.

Ladies were not admitted to the club until 1914 and only gained full membership rights in 1998. Now, ladies account for 50 per cent of the club's membership.

The historic 150th year started in traditional manner with lady president and reigning ladies champion, Cathy Orr, throwing the opening jack for the annual president versus vice president match.

Thereafter, club member Peter Smith unveiled an anniversary plaque which he carved and designed himself.

The plaque has pride of place in the clubhouse's main room, resting between a pair of silver mounted bowls awarded to the club's first champion in 1859.