A DELIGHTED Beechworth Bowls Club president on behalf of members accepted a cheque from Community Bank Beechworth and District (Bendigo Bank) for a $6000 grant at the club on Sunday.

President Michael O'Flaherty said the grant for a kitchen upgrade with new cupboards and a stove will provide an improved amenity for members as well as club functions.

Guest speaker Indigo Shire deputy mayor Peter Croucher, who is also a Kiewa Bowls Club keen player, represented council at the event.

Mr O'Flaherty said Cr Croucher had been called on to be the club's number one ticket holder which was presented to him on the day.

"The presentation coincided with the opening of the pennant season and as guest speaker, the deputy mayor declared the season open for our club as well," he said.

"We played a competition after the presentation without winners or losers where Cr Croucher stayed and played bowls with us."

With a rich history as one of the oldest bowling clubs in the area which has been running for more than a century, the club had its first home at Queen Victoria Park where it was opened by the Countess of Darnley Florence Bligh on December 16, 1903.

The opening was on her first visit back to Beechworth with a link to the town where her father who died in 1861 had been a police magistrate in the town.

The club later moved to its present Albert Road and Harper Street corner location.

Mr O'Flaherty said the club offered barefoot bowls as well as 60 and over competitions.

"We welcome new members to the club," he said.