New tournament will find county’s bowling master

Jul 1 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

AN exciting new bowling competition is set to hit Lanarkshire greens this month, with 200 bowlers from the area taking part.

The inaugural Lanarkshire Masters begins on Sunday, July 19, and will conclude seven days later with finals day, which will take place at Houldsworth Bowling Club, Wishaw.

A total prize fund of £3000 is up for grabs, giving the event added spice in its opening year.

In the tournament’s official programme notes, coordinator Gerry Sullivan explained: “It was during the 2008 outdoor season that Ian Campbell (Scotland bowls captain and Masters president) and I found ourselves reminiscing about times during the traditional Glasgow Fair Fortnight when we visited clubs the length and breadth of Lanarkshire to participate in various tournaments.

“For a variety of reasons, very few clubs now find it worthwhile to stage these types of events and the Fair Fortnight is now a very inactive period for many bowling clubs. With this in mind, we formed a working group last September and from this a Lanarkshire Masters Committee resulted.”

Some 10 months later, Lanarkshire bowlers are gearing up for the new tournament which it is hoped will become a prestigious annual fixture in Scotland’s bowling calendar.

Four greens - Houldsworth in Wishaw, Raploch in Larkhall, Eddlewood in Hamilton, and Uddingston - will host various sessions on the opening day before the tournament moves to venues throughout the county for the rest of the week, culminating in finals day at Houldsworth.

“This tournament is marvellous for Lanarkshire bowling and will only grow and grow,” Ian Campbell said.

“On a personal level, I am proud and privileged to be the first Lanarkshire Masters President.

“Lanarkshire bowls covers a vast area with almost a hundred clubs and this tournament gives anyone aged 14 years and upwards the chance to enter and test themselves against the best Lanarkshire has to offer.”

Ian, who last weekend skippered Scotland at the British Isles Championships in Belfast, continued: “Both North and South Lanarkshire councils responded magnificently in supporting us.

“Thanks to both councils, very substantial prize money is on offer, with the winner receiving the coveted Masters Jacket.

“I would urge all bowlers to come along and watch some great matches and hopefully it will entice them to enter next year.”