This year’s event has drawn 1,248 entries – shattering the record of 940 set last year for the Victorian Open which is held in and around Greater Shepparton.
It cements the Victorian Open’s position as one of the biggest tournaments on the Australian bowls calendar.
It also vindicates the recent long-term deal to keep the Open in the Shepparton region for the next three years.
In another record, 17 bowls clubs around Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley will be used for matches during the tournament, spreading the tourism influx and spin-offs throughout the entire region for the November 7 to 13 event.
Shepparton Park, Dookie, East Shepparton, Euroa, Hilltop, Katandra West, Kyabram, Merrigum, Mooroopna, Mooroopna Golf, Numurkah, Numurkah Golf, Shepparton Golf, Shepparton RSL, Tallygaroopna, Tatura and Wunghnu will be used as tournament venues.
“We want to thank everyone who has spread the word and encouraged bowlers to enter, giving us a record number of entries and all sections filled,” event director Barbara Gilbert says.
Many of Australia’s best bowlers will take part.
Defending women’s singles champion and recent Australian Indoor winner Carla Odgers (Sunbury), last year’s Vic Medallist and Shepparton local Brad Orr (Shepparton Golf) and Australian squad member Chloe Stewart (Kyneton) are all confirmed entries.
But it is rank and file club bowlers from all over Victoria, NSW, Queensland, SA and even New Zealand who make up the vast majority of the field for an event which allows the grassroots bowler to compete alongside the elite for $42,000 prizemoney.
Singles, pairs and triples in both men’s and women’s competitions will feature at the Vic Open, as well as mixed pairs.
Finals will be played at Shepparton Park BC.
Source: 2015 Vic Open breaks all records
