Weatherblessed tournament upholds its proud reputation

THE North East Valley Invitational 10,000 Singles proved a tremendous success in the eyes of North East Valley Bowls Club president Jim Scott.

For the first time he can remember in the tournament’s 28 years, play has not been interrupted by the weather. The only interruption was one of the greens not being ready after being resurfaced, and section play being shared between the North East Valley and Kaikorai clubs.

‘‘Our second green just wasn’t up to standard. We expect a higher standard,’’ he said of welcoming Kaikorai’s help with providing a second green,

‘‘It’s worked in well. And Kaikorai have been very good to us,’’ he said.

‘‘It was something that had to be done.

‘‘In fact, the No 1 green has to be done, as well. That all takes time.’’

The tournament was blessed with four days of Labour Weekend sunshine and uninterrupted play.

‘‘It’s probably the first time that I can recall — and I’ve played in quite a few of them — that we’ve had four days of weather like we’ve had.’’

Scott said that quite often in the past, a day or half a day’s play had been lost, and a couple of times play had been transferred to the Bowls Stadium. But this year, the weather gave the tournament four uninterrupted days of competition. Temperatures rinkside were in the 20s.

The standard of competition was once again of a very high calibre.

‘‘Every player that has won the event has played for their country,’’ Scott said, looking out over semifinal play that included a Canadian, a Scotsman and Australian representatives.

Some ground work already under way for next year’s tournament. Scott said that following a review of this year’s tournament, planning would begin in earnest in the New Year.

He added that one of the tournament’s main aims was to develop players and continue its reputation as one of the premier events in Australasia.

‘‘Before we start inviting players, we have to make sure we have systems in place to be sure we have the resources to run the event.’’

Although it may pale in comparison to some of the big money events in Australia, the NEV 10,000 punches above its weight, with a prize pool of $15,000.

Scott believed a lot of players around the world wanted to come and compete because of what the tournament provided outside the monetary package.

‘‘A lot of it depends on the market out there and with the firms that we deal with to run the event,’’ he said.

‘‘For New Zealand, it is good prize money, compared to Australia, which holds such events as the Everest of Bowls that carries a prize of $100,000. But they’re in a different market to us.’’

Scott is proud of the fact that his club and Dunedin can claim one of the most prestigious singles tournaments in New Zealand.