Tournament heralds start of Nambour Bowls Club’s 90th year

Winners, from left, Rick Holt, Peter Nixon, Ed Haller and Doug Tognolini.

The Nambour Bowls Club kick-started its 90th birthday year with another successful Australia Day Open Fours event.

The origin of this highly-popular annual competition dates back to 1949 when the first Foundation Day Carnival, as it was called then, was conducted on the Nambour bowling green. 

Some 73 years later, the modern competition is open to male and female bowlers who are greeted with a traditional Aussie BBQ breakfast. A thong throwing competition entertains the crowd during the lunch break before the third and final round of play begins.

On the greens there were many winners but the team of Peter Nixon, Doug Tognolini, Ed Haller and Rick Holt triumphed in first place. Hot on their heels in second place were Greg and Sharon Baker, Steve and Denise McLean. 

Doug Tognolini capped off a great day by flipping out former winner and favourite Michael Thorogood in the Thong Throwing grand final.

Shamrocks will soon replace the thongs when the Nambour Bowls Club stages its annual St Patrick’s Day Mixed Medley Event on Thursday March 17. Teams of four comprising two men and two ladies participate in this fun-filled day with dress and music encapsulating the occasion. Team nominations are now open. 

Runners Up, from left, Greg Baker, Sharon Baker, Steve McLean and Denise McLean.