BOWLING has brought 11 men back from the brink.

What these men share is their enthusiasm for bowling and their recovery from life-saving surgery.

Most of them were back on the greens within weeks of having after heart bypass operations and were thankful they had others with whom to share the rough ride.

“I reckon it was excellent for my recovery to get back into bowls,” said 72-year-old Bruno Rankin, who had his bypass in February.

“Having the other fellas around meant if I had any queries I had somebody to ask.”

For others it was the challenge of returning to full health that brought them back to playing so quickly after surgery.

“I had to come back gradually,” Bernie May, 67, explained.

“The first time I could only play 10 minutes and then I was exhausted. But the next time I came back I played a little longer. It took me one month to get back to playing for an hour, which is a proper game of bowls.”

Club director Merv Newman said the men were an inspiration.

“They have massive surgery and then within weeks they're back out there playing,” he said.

“To me they're just like heroes.”

Of the club's 450 members, Mr Rankin, Mr May, Bill Mostart, Brian Stewart, Kevin Hattenfels, Charlie Hutchison, Kevin Berger, Clive McConchie, Herbie Wood and Pat O'Brien are very lucky.

“I love bowls. It's what keeps me going,” Mr O'Brien said.

All the men agreed.