Bowlers to contest cup
Horsham will host more than 100 of country Victoria’s best tenpin bowlers at the weekend for the Victorian Country Cup.
The cup is one of the biggest events on Victoria’s tenpin calendar, with competitors from associations in Horsham, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Wodonga, Latrobe Valley, Colac, Sunraysia and Warrnambool competing.
Each city will field men’s and women’s teams, with up to seven players in each team.
Horsham Lanes and Games owner Wayne Watkins said the cup would be one of the biggest tenpin events Horsham had ever hosted.
“The different cities take turns hosting it,” he said.
“In the early days we’ve had it but I don’t think it was quite as big then as it is now.
“This is probably one of the biggest events we’ve ever hosted.”
Horsham Lanes and Games will be closed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday while the tournament is in progress.
Bowling will commence at 7.30am each morning, concluding at midnight on Saturday and Sunday and about 4.30pm on Monday.
Mr Watkins said days needed to be long to accommodate the sheer number of teams and games to get through.
“Each team plays 18 games in three days,” he said.
“There are five players competing head-to-head in each game, with two subs.
“It’s a pretty prestigious event and everyone wants to play.”
Mr Watkins said the cup would bring even more excitement to what is already shaping up as an action-packed long weekend, with the Horsham Fishing Competition also drawing plenty of visitors to the city.
He said the influx of competitors at both events would give a boost to Horsham’s economy.
“If all teams are full there will be 140 bowlers,” he said.
“There are not just the bowlers, but managers and families as well.
“It should be a great weekend and hopefully it all goes well.”
Mr Watkins said Horsham would be competitive in the men’s and women’s divisions, but said the men’s team stood a better chance of winning the cup.