Grant's to identify New Zealand's first-ever Corner to Corner bowls champion

Bowlers from around New Zealand will go head to head this weekend for the chance to be named New Zealand’s first ever Corner to Corner bowls champion in the national final happening in Auckland on Saturday 17 April.

Traditionally a light-hearted bowling game played for laughs at the end of the bowling day, Grant’s Blended Scotch Whisky has formalised the competition for the very first time, joining forces with 100 bowling clubs across the country to find New Zealand’s first Grant’s Corner to Corner champion.

Eight national finalists from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin will face off at Auckland’s Pt Chevalier Bowling Club, where they will compete for the grand prize of $5,000 for their club. The national finalists (detailed below) were selected following three months of club heats and regional finals in each centre.

Lion Nathan Marketing Manager Susan Browne says, “The regional finals have been a huge success with the clubs really getting behind players and supporting them. The players have been preserving the relaxed spirit of Corner to Corner, while also bringing a competitive streak to the game as they battle it out for a place in the national final.

“We’ve uncovered some phenomenal talent through the regional finals and now we’re excited to see the best from around New Zealand compete to take home the title and win $5,000 for their club.”

New Zealand celebrities as well as team members for the NZ bowls team will kick off the event in a star-studded curtain raiser Corner to Corner game.

National Final Event:
SATURDAY 17 APRIL, from 1pm (Rain Date: Sunday 18th April, 1pm)
Pt Chevalier Bowling Club,
Auckland

The National Finalists are:


Wellington


Winner

Kerrie Shearer

Waikanae Club



Runner Up

Bruce Miller

Wilton


Christchurch

Winner
Billl Hodge
Parklands Bowling Club

Runner Up
Phil Melville
Tai Tapu Bolwing Club

Dunedin

Winner
Bruce Suszko
Wakari Bowling Club

Runner Up
Laurence Moore
North East Valley

Auckland

Winner
John James
Balmoral Bowling Club

Runner Up
Russell Hocking
Birkenhead Bowling Club