2015 Victorian Open – day 1 opening
The 2015 Victorian Open is under way in Greater Shepparton, with the tournament officially launched at Shepparton Park Bowls Club.
Seventeen venues are being used on day one of the tournament, with men’s and women’s singles sectional play on all day.
Finals venue Shepparton Park BC hosted the official launch, with Greater Shepparton City Council’s Mayor, Cr Dennis Patterson, opening the tournament under sunny skies.
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.
The record 1,248 entries started on time at 8.30am with sectionals, pitting rank-and-file bowlers against some of the leading bowlers in Australia in a truly open event.
There is $42,000 prizemoney up for grabs, including $2,000 for the Vic Medal – awarded to the best-performed bowler in the event across all disciplines.
Sectional play in men’s and women’s singles will continue all day and into Saturday evening.
For updated results as they happen throughout the tournament, click here for our results pages.