The funnyman filmed climactic scenes for his movie Crackerjack at the rinks in December 2001, after he saw the Corowa club during a scout along the Murray River.

“We realised there was no other place it could end,” Molloy said.

“It was like a big outdoor cathedral, it was a beautiful green oasis in a wonderful country town.

“Even though budget-wise there wasn’t really the money to go there, it suited us to get up there.”

The Corowa RSL Club decided last week to abandon the Ball Park greens, which it administers, in favour of upgrading its own greens at Betterment Parade.

It said it could no longer afford the $200,000 a year to maintain the greens and they will be closed within 12 months.

Molloy said he could understand there were rising administrative costs, but that did not lessen his disappointment.

“I have very fond memories of working there,” Molloy said.

“I’m devastated to think that it will be shut forever because they’ve become an important part of the Australian cultural landscape, because the film has become quite popular with people and the high point of the film was there.

“We’ve lost a couple of cast members (Frank Wilson and Monica Maughan) and the most inspiring bowls club.

“I’m very sad to hear it.

“I’d love to think the community can rally but I understand how it’s getting tougher and tougher to maintain these things.

“I’m very, very sad and I know a lot of people who worked on the film will be very sad.”

Coincidentally, Crackerjack told the story of a struggling bowls club which was facing a take­over.

Molloy played larrikin Jack Simpson before being roped into the fight against the takeover which culminates in the bowls match filmed at Corowa.

Molloy and his brother Richard received an AFI nomination for the screenplay, while its director was also nominated for the film awards.