As Labour Weekend draws in, all eyes will be centred on the star-studded line-up converging in Dunedin for the prestigious NEV 10,000 Invitational Singles, to be held over four action-packed days, commencing Friday.
Now in its 27th year, the event has long been known for its international pulling power, with a healthy prize purse up for grabs and the worthy honour of being crowned the NEV 10,000 champion an attractive prospect for any bowler.
With no fewer than 32 bowlers taking part, the four sections of eight typically reads like a who who of the bowling world, with talent represented from both sides of the Tasman, including a couple of reputable Canadian injected in for good measure and four local qualifiers from the host club - as per tradition.
Adding to this years hype, Canadian master blaster Ryan Bester, of the Broadbeach Bowls Club, is making the trip over, alongside two Bowls Australia selections Aaron Wilson and Commonwealth Games hopeful Nathan Rice. Fresh from pocketing a staggering $50k in the inaugural Dudley Park $64,000 Everest Singles, Wilson will prove tough to beat as he looks to go one better than 2015, then falling to fellow Jackaroo Brett Wilkie in a thrilling finale.
For those less astute bowls followers, Bester has forged an enviable career on the greens since starting out as a teenager, snagging multiple medals at Commonwealth and World Bowls level and carving out a fearsome reputation for his uncannily accurate driving ability - a feature sure to be seen on the Valleys greens throughout the tournament.
Reflecting greater interest among this years final outcome, the spotlight will be placed firmly on reigning mens World Singles champion Shannon McIlroy, who along with tournament stalwart Mike Kernaghan will be looking to become the first player to wrap up the coveted silverware for a record fourth occasion.
Two late withdrawals see Scottish international Kevin Anderson remain in Australia, replaced by NEV club member and Southland rep Roger Stevens, while Canterbury senior representative Stephen Ditfort has been cruelly forced to the sideline due to injury - replaced by Canadian international Pat Bird.
Several days out from the first round, the betting gurus appear to be playing it safe, tipping Bester and the international showstoppers for cross-Tasman success, though with almost 10 current and former New Zealand representatives among the field, and double world champion Gary Lawson lurking dangerously in the foreground in search of his maiden NEV victory, it really is anyone for the taking.
Add to that a fruitful spice of inspired youth capable of causing several upsets and a handful of vastly experienced campaigners that knows what it takes, the event is shaping up to be yet another belter to get the domestic season into full swing.
As always, time to let the bowls do the talking and all will be revealed in the days to follow.
