Touch wood
Tony Wood will try to add his names to the history books alongside some of the sport’s champions at the Australian Indoor Championships this week Victoria’s Tony Wood became just the 15th men’s winner in the Australian Indoor Championships’ 26-year history when he was crowned 12 months ago, but does he have what it takes to follow in the footsteps of so many greats before him and record consecutive title wins?
Wood will have a target planted firmly on his back when he steps onto the Tweed Head green this year, something that former Indoors champion Brett Wilkie can certainly attest to, after he found himself on the round one casualty list only a year after hoisting the trophy aloft in 2010.
Hoping to become the sixth multiple winner of the tournament, which dates back to 1998 – coincidently the same year of his birth – Wood faces a probing round one assignment against East Cessnock’s reigning Australian Open men’s fours winner Brodie Turner, but is aware that there are dangers lurking at every corner of the main draw.
Among the heavy hitters vying for contention of the coveted crown are current Australian Jackaroos’ Vice-Captain Wilkie, who has only recently returned home from his Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow with a bronze medal around his neck, 20 year-old Australian Open men’s singles titleholder Nathan Wilson and the man Wood piped at the post last year, Tasmanian Mark Nitz.
The list of combatants eager to secure the silverware and a slice of the $30,000 prize pool also includes Australia’s runner-up Male Bowler of the Year Andrew Howie, former English international and current National Champion of Champion winner David Holt, New Zealand Blackjack master-blaster Ali Forsyth, Australian Jackaroos squad member Barrie Lester, and APL Perth Suns star Clive Adams.
Regardless of who is crowned the 2014 Australian Indoor Championships winner on Thursday, it’s certain that the deserving champion would have played five near-flawless encounters against one of the strongest fields the competition has seen in years to earn themselves the $6,000 winner’s cheque, awarded to each of the men’s and women’s winners, a chance to defend their title next year and a spot in the 2015 World Cup in Warilla.
Click here for more information on the 2014 Australian Indoor Championships at Tweed Heads.
Caption: Australian Indoor Championships defending titleholders Karen Murphy and Tony Wood will launch their title defence tomorrow at Tweed Heads Bowls Club.
