Sunshine Coast’s best lawn bowlers look forward to winter carnival

From representing their country to winning at their local club, we’ve ranked the top 12 bowlers on the Sunshine Coast.

Sunshine Coast's top bowlers Julie Keegan, Katelyn Inch, Wade Mutzelburg, Jay Dawe, Ed Boxall, Peter Johnson and Tim Phillips have made their mark on the region’s greens.

The Coast has been and still is home to a number of talented bowlers that range in age and experience level.

The region’s 17 clubs include Buderim, Caloundra, Kawana, Maroochydore, Coolum, Cooroy, Glass House, Headland, Maleny, Mapleton, Mooloolaba, Nambour, Palmwoods, Pelican Waters, Tewantin-Noosa, Woombye and Yandina.

With the Sunshine Coast District Bowls Association Winter Carnival beginning on July 17 and going until July 27, we’ve asked Coast clubs who their best bowlers are.

Coolum Beach Bowls Club

Wade Mutzelburg (left) is the Bowls Australia regional bowls manager and Jay Dawe, who is based at Coolum Beach Bowls Club. Picture: Contributed

Jay Dawe

“Jay is currently a Queensland representative in the opens team,” Coolum president Tim Phillips said.

“He has been a long time Sunshine Coast bowler who started at Tewantin-Noosa and came through with several bowlers that included (Australian representative) Kelsey Cottrell.”

Annica McGill

“Annica is a district level bowler who has won multiple district and club singles championships,” Mr Phillips said.

“Her most recent achievement was with another member of our club, Chris Johnson, when they won the demonstration mixed pairs event at the Australian Open.”

Caloundra Bowls Club

Ed Boxall and Peter Johnson from Caloundra celebrate winning the champion of champion men's pairs with Tim Phillips. Picture: Contributed

Peter Johnson and Ed Boxall

“Peter has been at our club for a few years now and has played in a number of Queensland representative sides,” Caloundra bowls convener Allan Johnson said.

“He and his partner Ed Boxall won the clubs pairs championship and recently competed in the Sunshine Coast District Champion of Champions Pairs event which they won.”

Club Kawana

Julie Keegan celebrates being crowned the 2021 Sunshine Coast singles champion. Picture: Contributed

Julie Keegan

“Julie has bowled on the Sunshine Coast for a number of years and she’s even represented Australia overseas and in the Commonwealth Games for quite a few years,” Kawana bowls manager Kurt Brown said.

“She won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games and is still currently playing at a high level when she represents Queensland.

“Her most recent victory was being crowned the Sunshine Coast District Ladies Bowls Association singles champion.”

New Zealand representative Katelyn Inch.

Katelyn Inch

“Katelyn has played and performed well in a number of high-level competitions,” Mr Brown said.

“She has represented New Zealand and is the current Queensland ladies champion.”

Buderim Bowls Club

Judy Peard

“I started in 2014 and would have to say this year’s achievements have been my biggest,” Peard said.

“The best one was I was able to win the ladies singles competition.

“I play at least two times a week but sometimes more when there are competitions on.

“I absolutely love my time down at the club and we have a great bond and a really good social group.”

Pelican Waters

Shane Cashill

“Shane most recently won the Sunshine Coast mixed pairs event and is also a Victorian champion,” Pelican Waters president Byron Ewin said.

“He’s one of our club’s newer members but definitely someone you want on your team.”

Tewantin-Noosa Bowls Club

Jenny Bowie

“Jenny is our current ladies A singles champion,” Tewantin member Jo Berridge said.

“She has been a member of the club since 2015 and is a keen bowler who attends all social games and a willing volunteer.

“Her lovely nature makes her a fantastic bowler.”

Simon Wood

“Simon is our current men’s A singles champion, has been an active volunteer, pennant selector and all round great guy at the club for the last four years,” Mrs Berridge said.

“He’s a wonderful competitor with a passion for bowls.”

Headland Pacific Sports Club

Anne Le Claire and Darrel How

“Our ladies singles champion for 2021 is Anne and the men’s singles champion for 2021 is Darrell How,” Chairperson Graeme Torbitt said.

“Both players prevailed against strong opposition over many weeks in a knockout competition and also transferred to our club in 2019.”