Merimbula will host the Australian Bowls Championships for a third time starting on December 2.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Club Sapphire spokesman Michael Wilks said this was the final round of a three-year hosting deal for the national event and is expecting quality competition.
"The qualifying list reads like the who's who of sports elite with no less than 20 current and former Australian reps," Mr Wilks said.
An ex-international himself, Mr Wilks said it would be sensational to welcome visitors from New Zealand, Scotland and South Africa for the Championships.
Triples will open the competition starting Monday, December 2nd with four full days of competition to flllow.
With men's and women's teams in contention, there are strong fields vying for the crown.
In the men's, the Victorian qualifiers will be led by world fours gold medallist and current NZ representative Ali Forsyth. NSW is also strongly represented with current Australian squad member Ben Twist, while South African star Eric Johannes captains the Queensland team.
The ladies also boast some of the best with Chloe Stewart teaming up with Claire Turley and Kira Bourke for Queensland, while NSW provide stiff opposition through 2017 triples winners Natasha Scott, Genevieve Delves and Kate Matthews.
Day two is the pairs competition with defending champions Sean Baker and Jade Groenewege returning in the hope they can become the first back to back champions.
New Zealander Katelyn Inch and former Australian Jackaroo Julie Keegan look to be the ones to beat in the women's pairs - but they'll have to overcome Delves and Matthews.
Former singles national champion Carolyn Smolski will give the Northern Territory a great shot at its first gold at the Australian Championships.
Wednesday will see the coveted fours crown in the offing with Mr Wilks saying the men's field is the strongest in the three years the comp has run at Merimbula.
"The women's field appears just as even with a number of the nations best under 25's qualifying to represent their states," he said.
Last year's winners from Western Australia return and will be an early favourite but face a tough day if they are to emulate last year's performance.
Local contender Kevin Anderson will compete in the blue-ribbon singles on Thursday, while Friday is the mixed pairs contest.
Entry is free to all sessions of the championships with sectional play commencing at 8:30am each day and finals sessions commencing at 6pm each night.
Next year's Championships will head to Broadbeach in Queensland.
