The Sunshine Coast Bowls Winter Carnival is a big event. At the last count there have been around 2000 entrants from all over Australia and New Zealand. Not quite the Australian Open but a genuine opportunity for mature bowlers wanting to escape the Adelaide Winter and enjoy the sunshine. It was 24C today and the last 10 days have been perfect. Margie and I came up last year and decided to give it another go. We have just played our last day of pairs and I thought I should tell our story.
We have played open pairs, mixed pairs, open triples, mixed triples and mixed fours. A lot of bowling, sometimes with people we only met on the day. We have played at Noosa, Pelican Waters., Coolum, Yandina, Nambour and Palmwoods. We have played 32 games of bowls over 14 days. We have played on quick synthetic and generally slow grass with the odd 15 or 16 surprise green to remind us of home. We have been challenged by the slow greens and continually question our delivery - you know the drill. Each day costs $50 to enter and each player gets $10 for every game won. So, 4 game winners pick up $80 plus a cash prize if you finish in the top 6. Winners are decided on games up and then shots. Invariably games are played over 3 venues due to the large number of entrants.
A few days ago, we played at Palmwoods and were joined by the lovely Wendy in the mixed triples. (never met before). At lunch we had lost both morning games and decided to switch it up(nothing to lose). Wendy a relatively new local bowler went to 2, Margie went to skip, and I went to lead. Bingo - 2 wins and the Big Switch was on!
Yesterday we played Mixed Pairs at Yandina and won 2 out of 4, the new combination felt competitive, and we both bowled well, losing narrowly in the other 2 games.
Today, our last game of the carnival, we won 3 out of 4 and went down in the last game by a shot (gutted). $60 richer we are left to contemplate what might have been. One shot would have put us in the top 4 for the event. So, in summary the Big Switch is on! Margie to Skip and I will lead. A great event, lots of very good bowlers and will we be back next year, you betcha!!
Alan Catterrall 16 July 2025