Now it appears heavy rain might cast shade on the opening day of the North East Valley women's classic pairs.
The tournament is scheduled to get under way this morning but may have to shift indoors to the Dunedin Bowls Stadium if the forecast wet weather arrives.
There is more than a touch of irony in that potential outcome. The greens at the North East Valley Bowling Club (NEV) have been baking under scorching sunshine for the past month.
The surface is dry and barren in patches. Thatch has taken hold as the moisture has left, and both the No1 and No2 greens and will need to be renovated.
But despite their desolate appearance, NEV stalwart and tournament organiser Jim Scott said they were actually playing better than they looked. He is also hopeful the forecast rain will clear tomorrow so some bowls can be played at the venue.
The event is in its seventh year and has attracted some quality bowlers from around the country. Former champion Sandra Keith, of Canterbury, has returned and will be chasing a fourth title.
The New Zealand representative teamed up with three different players to claim the first three tournament crowns and again shapes as one to beat.
Wellington's Lisa White is another to watch. She teamed up with local Karen Gordon in 2016 and the pair finished second.
Canadian Commonwealth Games squad member Joanna Cooper is in Dunedin studying for a masters degree and is another strong competitor.
The competition has an interesting format. The 48 players are divided into skips and leads. Who partners whom literally comes down to luck thereafter.There was a draw held at Dunedin Casino last night to match the skips with the leads.
The 24 pairs are then put into four pools of six teams. The top two teams from each pool progress through to the playoffs.
Normally, each team would play five pool games, but that would have to be reduced if the event was forced indoors, Scott said.
First prize is a healthy $2200 with the second place pair winning $1100.
NEV greenkeeper Neill Williams said the spell of dry weather in Dunedin had made keeping the green alive difficult. Thatch had set in and it suffocates the grass.
But the No1 green will be renovated in late February and No2 green will get done later in the year, possibly in April.
They will cost about $9000 each.
''It will be labour intensive as well,'' Williams said.
''We'll probably need up to 15 people on the day we do it for two days.''
