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Twenty-five years on and a popular bowling tournament is still going strong.
The MLT Two-Day Pairs tournament was organised by Gore Bowling Club members at the weekend.
The Hokonui and Gore RSA Bowling Clubs also provided greens for the tournament.
Club members Lex Keith and Tony Cockerill came up with the idea for the tournament.
Although present at the event, Mr Keith has retired from helping organise the tournament and it was Mr Cockerill’s last year of convening the tournament.
Mr Cockerill said in the days when the tournament started there were not many pairs tournaments, which had added to its appeal.
"It’s been a very, very popular tournament in Southland."
Forty-eight pairs entered this year’s event which was all the three greens could accommodate.
"There were 11 pairs on the waiting list."
There had been a good field for the tournament.
"Most of the top players in Southland would be here."
After the first day’s play the pairs were divided up into three sections of 16 and once the best two pairs of each section were found the finals were held at the Gore club.
Mr Keith said he never thought the tournament would run this long due to dropping membership numbers at the club.
However, there had been a turnaround in numbers and success.
"The club’s really on the up."
The tournament was won by Waihopai bowlers Trevor Doublet and John Reece.
- By Sandy Eggleston