The Mount Gambier District Indoor Bowls Association opened its 2026 season with a new format.
The Miller Timber Joinery/ Mount Gambier Isuzu Utes Open Triples Championship replaced the old mixed team format.
President Stephen Von Duve greeted all players and then invited the association’s patron Athol Malseed to roll the first jack and association patroness Shirley Gifford to roll the first bowl to officially open the season.
Von Duve then made a special presentation to three association members who are representing Australia against New Zealand in the Trans Tasman Test in Port Sorell Tasmania in May.
Fiona Pearson, Serena Bourn and Keisha Pearson received a donation from the association to assist with their national duties.
The Open Triples Championship followed with 20 team entries, with the combined team from Blue Lake, RSL and Commercial Club of Kath Jones, Tru Franklin and Coehen Keppels defeating the Kongorong team of Mark Hudson, Shane Glynn and Frank McCardle in the first semi final 13 shots to six.
In the second semi final the combined team from Glenburnie and Mil Lel of Fiona Rochow, Greg McCourt and Perria Davis took victory over the Moorak team of John Whiteley, Nola Spencer and Bob Hink, 9-3. The final was a close affair with the Keppels team having a one shot lead on the fourth end, before the Davis combination levelled the scores on the fifth end, sitting at three shots each.
The combined team of Fiona Rochow, Greg McCourt and Perria Davis then scored singles on the next two ends to give them victory and claim the first association championship for the year, 5-3.
The Post-Tel side of Kyle Johnson, Keisha Pearson and Craig Pearson defeated the Commercial Club team of Tanya Walker, Doreen Oakley and John Oakley in the consolation final, defeating them on the last end, 8-7.
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