SSCC Bowling Alley Debuts New Look at Grand Re-Opening Friday

Golfing season may be over for now, but the has something brand new to boast about that can be used year round.  The country club’s classic candlepin bowling alley has been revamped, and even has a new moniker. After more than 25 years of going by the name “The Country Club Lanes,” the facility now has a simple and modern alias: “The Alley” at South Shore Country Club. This is an exciting renovation, as the bowling alley has remained virtually unchanged since 1985, the year Hingham purchased the grounds.

If you’re worried about a loss of old-school feel, fear not: the walls will be decorated with 4x6 foot bowling scenes from the 1950’s and the classic candlepins and bowling balls remain – they’ve just been refinished.

The club’s Director of Operations, Jay McGrail, said “[The bowling alley] is a great asset to the town and with some time and effort, we have been able to recapture a vintage 1950’s bowling alley.”

A major improvement incorporates a new color scheme into the facility: the alley has changed from its stark blue and white concept to a warmer and more inviting earthy palette that features red, yellow and orange, among other colors. Further updates include a makeover to the bathroom, refinished bowling lanes, and repainted benches. At the helm of these extensive renovations is local Hingham decorator Tami Papich, who directed all of the creative changes made to the alley.

Parents and kids alike will be excited to see improvements made to the birthday room of the bowling alley. The function room is now larger with broad windows that look out to the golf course and the other lanes on either side, respectively. Perhaps one of the most exciting prospects that the restoration now allows is the possibility of cosmic bowling coming to SSCC in the future, which is always a birthday favorite.

“We are installing a new TV and stereo sound system now, and hope to move forward with cosmic bowling soon,” said McGrail.

In line with rather high-end bowling allies (like Lucky Strike and Kings, both of Boston), “The Alley” at SSCC now has full waitress service and patrons can choose from a pub menu catered by Raffael’s inside the facility.

Despite an economic recession, it seems that folks are not cutting bowling out of the budget. “Our alley has a very strong league and party following,” McGrail explains, and the renovation was funded entirely by revenue acquired from the alley’s operations. However, McGrail admits that the club has seen a decrease in daily fee bowlers (customers coming in to bowl one or two strings) in the past few years.

“We hope that some of these new features will help bring in more customers that are just coming in to bowl a few strings.  We are also hoping  to capture more party bookings," he said

 “The Alley” at the South Shore Country Club will be having a grand re-opening this Friday night, September 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. Hingham selectman will be in attendance, and visitors can expect free bowling and cake for all.  It will be on a first come, first serve basis with a one string maximum.