Best of the best take to Toowoomba greens

GARDEN city prepares to host elite lawn bowlers.

Australian representative Nathan Rice will compete at the State Champion of Champions event at North Toowoomba Bowls Club during the next week.

LAWN BOWLS: Toowoomba rolls out the welcome mat over the next six days for some of the state’s leading bowlers bound for major events in the Garden City.

North Toowoomba Bowls Club breaks new ground when for the first time in its 70-year history it hosts the State Champions of Champions tournament.

Toowoomba Bowls Club will also be home on Saturday and Sunday to elite players set to contest the 2019 Mixed Prestige Pairs Carnival.

The North’s Champion of Champions event will see men’s and women’s divisions playing fours on Saturday and Sunday before the pairs teams take to the greens on Monday and Tuesday.

The titles wind up with the champion singles showdown on Wednesday and Thursday.

Norths club president Cameron King said securing the titles is a coup for the city.

“It’s the first time in 70 years we’ve staged the championships and it is a big honour for Toowoomba,” King said.

“These players are the best of the best including Australian players like Nathan Rice who will be here for the event.

“Bowlers from throughout Queensland will be competing including local pairs team Chris Forbes and Jai Singh from the Toowoomba club and a ladies’ fours team from West Toowoomba.

“The public is invited to come and watch some quality bowls during the week.”

The Toowoomba club also celebrates a first this weekend when it livestreams its Prestige event.

“Our carnival has been booked out since virtually last year’s ended,” club spokesperson Christine Slater said.

“The event continues to go from strength to strength and we are looking forward to another wonderful weekend which the public is invited to attend.”