Gallery | Byers Invitational Pairs Classic ushers the local greens into 2025

Jan 6, 2025

Brad Orr was back in new colours to defend his 2024 crown. Photo by Megan Fisher

“If the hospitality’s good, the greens are good and it’s well-run, they’ll keep coming back.”

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Those words were spoken 12 months ago by then-Shepparton Golf coach Brad Orr, in reference to the fledgling Byers Invitational Pairs bowls event hosted at his club, following the tournament’s second edition.

The 2025 running has proven that the event is here to stay, the weekend which ushers in a new calendar year of local bowls.

However, an entirely new duo claimed the $10,000 prize.

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Shepparton Golf's Col Power assesses the situation. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Brodie Harker looks calm and collected. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Mooroopna's Josh Warren was yet one more Goulburn Valley Playing Area face on hand. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Bendigo's Brad Horn made the long trip east to vie for the cash prize. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Brunswick's Steve Loney was among a very strong metro contingent in contention. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Shepparton Golf's Kristoffer Ferguson sought to keep the winnings from straying too far. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Mooroopna's Martin Fong seeks refuge from a warm rink. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Moama's Travis Kelly enjoys himself on the greens. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Moama's Cameron Keenan takes an analytical approach. Photo by Megan Fisher

Highlighting the attractive nature of the tournament, which brought defending champions Brad Orr and Anthony Flapper into town from Essendon among other travellers, it was the neighbouring Moonee Valley pair of Dylan Fisher and Matt O’Brien who surged to a comfortable clubhouse lead at the close of play Saturday.

The western suburbs duo did the job required on Sunday morning to secure the warmly welcomed payday and cap another successful edition of the year-opening event.

January will promptly return the regional bowls scene to full throttle courtesy of the Bowls Victoria Region Sides Championships in Ballarat, set to feature some of the Goulburn Murray Bowls Region’s best talents from January 10-12.

Following on from there, the Goulburn Valley Playing Area fires up once more with midweek pennant club bowls resuming on Tuesday, January 14 before the weekend warriors take over on Saturday, January 18.