Bowlers from across Victoria will descend on Shepparton this weekend for the Shepparton Golf Bowls Club’s inaugural Byers Invitational Pairs competition.
With 24 teams set to battle it out for the title the event is sure to have plenty of high-quality bowls played across the two days.
Speaking ahead of the event, organiser Brett Foley said having 24 teams was a good start for the inaugural tournament.
“We’re pretty happy with that,” Foley said.
“We’ve already got a few sponsors, with Byers Electrical being on board as the major, so it looks like it’s going okay, the weather is going to be pretty nice for us, so we’re all set to have a good weekend.”
Former Australian players Matt Flapper and Dylan Fisher headline the talent on show, while Victorian representatives Brad Orr, John McCarron, Bryce Young, Dane McKinnon and Ben Loughlin will also strut their stuff against some strong Goulburn Valley talent.
“We’ve got blokes coming from Bendigo and Wangaratta as well as Melbourne and a team coming up from Geelong,” Foley said.
“For a first-year go we’re pretty happy, we’re hoping that once the weekend’s finished everyone will be pretty happy with how it ran and then we just build in years to come.
“We’re sort of competing with a couple of regional events, couple of mixed pairs here and there, which is okay, but we’ve missed out on a couple of players from the Moama area and Melbourne, but next year we hope to get them playing in this tournament.”
While entries are now closed, supporters are welcome to get to the club to watch, with food, drink and a great weekend of bowls pencilled in.
2023 Byers Electrical Invitational Pairs Teams
Brad Orr-Tyson Cromie
Brett Foley-John McCarron
Nathan Lynch-James Oliver
Ben Fletcher-Andrew Morris
Ethan Fruend-Maurie Barden
Luke Hoskin-Andrew Brown
Dane McKinnon-Bryce Young
Mitch Hocking-Tim Arnold
Ben Loughlin-Reed Chanter
Alan Foote-Billy Swan
Alan Dove-Winston Brackley
Ian Brimblecombe-Wayne Parks
Connor Trewren-Mack Trewren
David Cartwright-Rick Orchard
Curtis Hanley-Alex Skilton
Gary Beckham-Josh Matthews
Matt Flapper-Brad Pavey
Brendon Boyd-Nick Boyd
Guy Madigan-Wayne Dagger
Stu Whyte-Dennis O’Bryan
John Worledge-TBC
Kris Ferguson-John Gribble
Dylan Fisher-Jack Thompson
David Daws-Liam Crapper