Top bowlers heading to Waimate for tournament return
One of Waimate’s major sporting events is making a comeback, with the Waimate Storage Invitational Whitehorse Pairs bowls tournament set for 11-12 April.
Last played around 25 years ago, the event was one of the strongest tournaments of its kind in the South Island, attracting some of the country’s best players.
And this year looks to be no different, with several former BlackJacks and national title holders getting ready to head to Waimate.
Pictured: Waimate Bowling Club President Bernie Morton (left), club member Brodie Devine (centre) and promoter Jason Rhodes (right).
Who’s coming
It’s going to be a who’s who of the bowling scene, with players boasting more than 50 national titles between them confirmed for the tournament.
Entries include Gary Lawson, a 15-time national title holder, who will partner with Shayne Sincock. Both are former New Zealand representatives, bringing extensive national and international experience.
Other former BlackJacks competing are Shaun Scott, a multiple-time national singles title holder, Terry Scott, a former international coach, and Timaru’s Sean O’Neil.
Recent national open pairs winner Hamish Kelleher is also set to play, alongside a number of bowlers who competed in the tournament in its earlier years.
Club President Bernie Morton said securing players of that calibre was a strong sign for the tournament’s return.
“We’ve been really pleased with the response. To have players of this level coming to Waimate says a lot about the tournament, and it should make for a great weekend of bowls.”
The Waimate Bowling Club at Victoria Park, where locals gather for a roll-up and a catch-up.
Bowls building again in Waimate
The return of the tournament comes amid renewed interest in bowls locally.
Bowls has been played in Waimate since 1894. There were previously two clubs in the town - the Waimate Services Club and Town and Country - which amalgamated in 2009 to form the Waimate Bowling Club.
Around 100 players are now involved in social bowls over summer, with twilight competitions on Tuesdays and Fridays both at capacity with 32 teams.
Club President Bernie Morton credits committee member Jason Rhodes with helping lead that growth.
“He’s put a real focus on bringing social bowls back and promoting it well.”
Rhodes said the social format had given locals a reason to come together for an outing and some friendly competition.
“Everyone’s in the mix - all ages, men and women. You’ve got farmers coming into town, people finishing work and heading down to the club for 10-12 weeks over summer. It’s very social.”
He said it had also created a pathway into competitive play, with newer bowlers progressing into, and winning, club championships.
“We’ve got players in our championships who’ve only been playing a few years, and they started in the social format,” he said.
Town and country come together for twilight bowls.
Looking ahead
The club currently has around 60 members and is supported by a small committee and a couple of volunteer greenkeepers.
In Waimate, bowls is still played on a grass surface, meaning the greens are rested over winter to allow the turf to recover.
Morton said the long-term goal was to install an additional artificial playing surface, with many clubs across South Canterbury already making the shift to tiger turf.
“It’s a big project and will require a lot of fundraising, but it’s something we’ll be working towards.”
A perfect spot to settle in and watch top golfers in action.
Spectators welcome
The Waimate Storage Invitational Whitehorse Pairs is free for the public to attend, with food and bar facilities available across the weekend at Victoria Park.
Organisers say the combination of top-level competition and the club’s hospitality is part of what made the event popular in the past, and that’s something the current committee know how to deliver.
They’re encouraging people to come down, see how the top players go about it, and enjoy the atmosphere.