Bowlers muster for rollicking roll-up
Yee-hah! Crowds can expect a crackerjack time in Broadbeach each June for at least the next five years thanks to a country music meets lawn bowls match made in traders’ heaven, as Suzanne Simonot reports for the Gold Coast Bulletin.
Bowls biggest stage, the $225,000 Australian Open, has locked in a five-year deal with Broadbeach Bowls Club which will see an estimated 4000 lawn bowlers from Australia and abroad descend on the Coast from June 13-25.
The meet will coincide with one of the beachside precinct’s biggest free events – the Broadbeach Country Music Festival, from June 19-21, featuring The McClymonts, Beccy Cole, Catherine Britt and James Blundell.
Bowls Australia Regional Manager (South East Queensland) Mark Casey said the Australian Open was open to all club bowlers.
“With the increased prizemoney – increased by $100,000 this year – it’s probably the most prestigious tournament in the world,” he said.
The Australian Open has moved from Melbourne in the lead up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Broadbeach Alliance CEO Jan McCormick said Broadbeach had cemented itself as a destination for lovers of music, entertainment and great events.
Caption: Mark Casey and Ryan Bester. Image: Mike Batterham.
