2015 Victorian Open – day 1 men’s
The 2015 Victorian Open got under way under sunny skies, with a record 1,248 entries starting their journey in the men’s and women’s singles events across Greater Shepparton.
And there was a huge upset in the men’s singles on day one, with local hope Brad Orr eliminated in the sectional play at Hilltop BC.
The Shepparton Golf bowler, who had been tipped among the favourites for the men’s singles, lost both his matches.
Tomi Ristic (MCC Kew) beat Orr 21-15 to open the day.
Then an even bigger shock followed after Orr’s bye in round two, with Rob Dixon (Clayton) beating him 21-11.
But there were no excuses from last year’s Vic Medallist.
“Just wasn’t good enough today,” was Orr’s honest appraisal of his day.
He’ll now redouble his efforts in the men’s pairs and triples, pairing with Shepparton Golf teammate Matt Robertson and then Robertson and Essendon’s Cameron Wilson in the trips.
Orr’s demise has thrown the men’s singles even more wide open than it was without defending champion Safuan Said and leading Victorian bowlers Matt Flapper, Dylan Fisher and Aaron Wilson, who are all playing in the Australian Premier League.
There is a strong local connection in the last 32, with Mick Hanna (Numurkah), Mitch Sidebottom (Shepparton Golf) and Peter Matthews (Shepparton) all through.
The experienced Nick McIntyre (Whittlesea) and Wayne Roberts (Yarraville Footscray) and former Australian Open winner Nathan Wilson (Essendon) are all through to the business end of the tournament, which kicks off on Wednesday.
Finals venue Shepparton Park BC hosted the official opening by Greater Shepparton City Council’s Mayor, Cr Dennis Patterson.
Bowls Victoria president John Fisher, Shepparton Park BC chairman Stan Hester, and Bowls Victoria operations manager Peter Delaney welcomed players and spectators to the tournament.
Among the official party was Goulburn Valley Bowls Division president Lloyd Mawson, organising committee chair Sandra Wallace, and tournament director Barbara Gilbert.
For results, click here