Dunedin is hosting the New Zealand island championships — effectively the South Island championships — over King’s Birthday Weekend.
Strong numbers have signed up for what should be a competitive tournament.
There are 88 teams in the pairs, 40 teams in the fours, and 52 teams in the triples.
Pairs action is today, fours tomorrow and triples on Monday.
Otago indoor bowls president David Webb said nine current New Zealand representatives had signed up.
There would also be several former national players, and participants were coming from as far as Auckland.
Dunedin players to watch include Daniel French and Keri Te Tamaki, who helped the Mat Blacks beat Australia to regain the Henselite Trophy recently.
South Island representative Brandon Williams and Otago life member Ross Garner are other local players eager to impress.
It is 22 years since Dunedin last hosted the South Island tournament.
Back then, it was played at the Edgar Centre, which was undergoing repairs at the time and had frosty breezes coming through a hole in the wall that caused a bit of fun for an indoor sport that requires deft handling.
Games this weekend are at the Otago association’s facility above the Dunedin Ice Stadium and at the Kaikorai Valley College gymnasium.
