Sebastopol Bowling Club hosting Great Southern $16,000 national rankings tournament in January.

Many of Victoria’s best lawn bowlers will be vying for a spot in a $16,000 national rankings tournament in Ballarat next January.

Sebastopol Bowling Club has added a further $13,000 in prizemoney into its premier bowls event, the Great Southern 16000, scheduled for 5th, 6th and 7th January 2023.

Feature event is the Fours offering $12,000 and tier three ranking points, while the balance of the prize pool will go to the Pairs $3000 (tier four) and $1000 Singles events.

Great Southern Classic co-ordinator Rob Baker said the tournament was already attracting enormous interest.

“We’re hoping to attract players from far and wide, as well as Ballarat’s best, and the field is expected to feature leading male and female players from Melbourne and other premier competitions around the state,” Rob said.

“Ballarat is also the new host of the Regions Sides Championships which take place the following week, so it’s a great opportunity for visiting players to play on our greens the week before.”

In addition to the increased prizemoney, other notable changes to the Great Southern include an extension from one day to three, and the addition of pairs and singles events.

The tournament will open with pairs on the Friday.

The top 16 pairs will gain entry into a sweep singles event on the Friday evening as a prelude to two days of pairs and fours.

The pairs will be made up of 66 teams and the four will have a capacity of 42 teams.

Email Rob Baker at bowls@sebasbowlingclub.com.au to register your team now!