Bowlers happy with greens

Press, 28 December 1987, Page 13

Bowlers happy with greens

PA Wellington The Henderson Bowling Club greens — which will play host to next year’s World Bowls Championships — have been given the stamp of approval. The five-strong New Zealand team for the championships spent last week-end at Henderson and came away convinced the greens will stand up to the test.. “What has been achieved in the last few

months at Henderson has been amazing,” said the defending singles champion, Peter Beiliss, “and let’s face it, the tournament is still five weeks away.” “I’m sure by the time the championships start, they should be in first class condition.” Beiliss had earlier this year been one of a number of prominent bowlers who had publicly expressed reservations about Henderson’s ability

to have the greens ready in time for a world championship event. But Beiliss said that any fears he may have had about the quality of the greens have now been allayed. “We played on as many rinks as we could over the two days, and while we only played in the one direction, it was a very useful exercise for all of us. The greens were running at a good

pace and I by February they should be running at 16-18 seconds, which will help us.” The world championships start on January 30, and continue until February 14. This was the first time that the New Zealand team — Beiliss, Rowan Brassey, Phil Skoglund, lan Dickison and Morgan Moffat — had been able to get together at Henderson.