Norfolk Island Lawn Bowls

This tournament is usually played in the last week of August where both mens’ and ladies games are played.
In 1982 a triples tournament called the “Discovery Triples” was conducted after securing very generous sponsorship from Dewars who not only provided financial rewards, but also spectacular silver trophies which can still be viewed in the club today.
The Norfolk Island teams dominated this event winning every year with the exceptions being only two “composite” teams, made up of local and overseas players, taking the honours from its inception until 1989.
In 1990, a new sponsor, Mobil replaced Dewars until 2002 and a ladies competition was introduced.
The inaugural Mobil event went to an Australia team, but Norfolk Island again dominated the winners podium and it took until 1998 for another Australian based team to win.
New Zealand teams have had little success in this event with only one NZ based team winning in 2000.
In 2003, the local airline, Norfolk Jet Express took over as the major sponsor and since then only twice has Norfolk Island missed out on taking the major prize, those being in 2005 and 2006 won by Australian based teams.
In the ladies, Norfolk Island teams have been almost as dominant in winning as the men’s teams taking out the title 10 times with Australian teams winning 4 times, composite teams 3 times and Lord Howe Island on one occasion.
Going from strength to strength this event now attracts up to seventy teams of men and ladies triples and a restriction has had to be placed on the number of entries.
This year the very welcome sponsor is the local TAB and the tournament is known as the Norfolk Island TAB Oceania Classic Triples.   Entry fees include social functions as well as green fees and a good time is assured for all.