The Byers Electrical Invitational Pairs Tournament is back for its second edition, following the success of its inaugural running in 2023.
Shepparton Golf Bowling Club will open its doors once more Saturday and Sunday, January 6 and 7, to host the event.
With stars such as perennial Goulburn Valley Playing Area champion Brad Orr suiting up again, the tournament should feature plenty of quality on the greens.
A Shepparton Golf colleague of Orr’s, Brett Foley, took out the top gong last year on his home turf, lifting the trophy alongside Glenroy’s John McCarron.
However, the tournament’s allure extends beyond its $5000 first-place payday Orr said.
“I think it’s a high-standard tournament around here. That’s what we identified when we thought about hosting an event like this,” Orr said.
“The first year was a huge success that gave our members something to look at and we had all positive feedback from the first event.
“Hopefully the second one is just as successful.”
Given the geographical disparity between last year’s winning duo, it is strongly expected the 2024 run will have a similarly wide-ranging line-up, with regional and metropolitan bowlers, and some from further afield, keen to have a crack.
“We’ve got current and former state players involved and a former Scottish international is playing,” Orr said.
“It’s a high-quality field with players from right across the state. We have a fair few coming from Melbourne.
“We have a few teams from places like Bendigo and Wangaratta coming as well, so there should be a good quality of games out there.”
As for personal fortunes, Orr will doubtlessly seek an improvement on his 2023 bronze medal placing alongside Tyson Cromie.
However, Cromie is unavailable for the tournament this time around, so Bowls Victoria senior committee chair Ant Flapper will join Orr’s quest for gold.
“Obviously, Brett and Johnny have teamed up again as well to try and go back-to-back,” Orr said.
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