What a field for the 2016 Golden Nugget
24 men and 24 women will compete in the prestigious Golden Nugget Singles tournament at the Tweed Heads Bowls Club The prestigious Golden Nugget commences next week at the Tweed Heads Bowls Club with 24 of the world’s best bowlers assembled for what will be another exhilarating event.
The invitational singles tournament has a strong and proud history of attracting world class bowlers and spectators flock from all over the country to catch a glimpse of the stars in action.
There are always crowd favourites and none more recognizable than National Coach Steve Glasson OAM and National Selector Kelvin Kerkow who attract crowds behind their rinks before play has even commenced.
Whilst every year you see familiar faces like those of Karen Murphy, Australia’s most capped international bowler, Carmen Anderson, the recently crowned World Cup Singles Champion and Australian singles representative Aron Sherriff, 2016 will see some of the most impressive rising stars of the sport compete on one of bowls’ traditional battle grounds.
2015 Australian Open Singles Champions Ellen Ryan and Aaron Teys have earned the call up from National Selectors to join the Australian Jackaroos Squad and have now been bestowed the honour of a Golden Nugget invitation.
Chloe Stewart, formally from Victoria, now resides in Queensland and will compete in her second Golden Nugget; the challenge doesn’t get much tougher for Stewart who faces 2016 Australian Open Singles Champion Natasha Scott in the opening round.
Aaron Wilson has recently been selected to represent Australia at the 2016 World Championships, the pinnacle event on the bowls calendar, and will no doubt be a dangerous player in this year’s Golden Nugget field.
It’s always hard to look past defending champions to go back-to-back especially when the defending champions are national representatives and champions of the sport.
Recently retired Australian Jackaroo Anne Johns has always found Tweed Heads to be a happy hunting ground, as has fellow 2015 champion and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Ryan Bester who is striving for a record breaking third consecutive title.
The pair have tough opening rounds; Johns will play Australian Jackaroos Captain Lynsey Clarke and Bester will meet two-time Australian Champion of Champions Singles winner and newly appointed Jackaroos Squad member Scott Thulborn, perhaps a dark horse in a field of international stars.
Our friends from across the ditch will enjoy the quick greens Tweed Heads always produce so watch out for Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jo Edwards to add a fourth Golden Nugget title to her name, Tweed Heads Open Prestige Singles wildcard recipient Sandra Keith is renowned for her singles play and a Golden Nugget debutant, Tweed Heads Bowls Co-ordinator and Blackjacks Squad member Paul Girdler.
There are four previous men’s winners included in the men’s field; Kelvin Kerkow (1994, 1997, 2008 and 2011), Steve Glasson (1995, 1997, & 2009), Leif Selby (2012), Ryan Bester (2014, 2015) and Brett Wilkie (2010).
Six previous ladies winners included in this year’s field are Jo Edwards (2009, 2011, and 2013) Karen Murphy, (1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003), Carmen Anderson (2008 and 2010) the Australian Jackaroos Captain Lynsey Clarke (2006), Rebecca Van Asch (2012), Natasha Scott (2014) and Anne Johns (2015).
The Golden Nugget commences on Monday August 8 to Thursday August 11; make sure you visit the Tweed Heads website for more information.
The Golden Nugget is a registered Bowls Australia Ranking Event.
Women’s Section 1
Anne Johns NSW *Defending Champion
Lynsey Clarke QLD
Jo Edwards NZ
Kelsey Cottrell NSW
Carmen Anderson NSW
Rebecca Van Asch TAS
Women’s Section 2
Karen Murphy NSW
Ellen Ryan NSW
Sandra Keith NZ *TOPS Wildcard
Carla Krizanic VIC
Natasha Scott NSW
Chloe Stewart QLD
Men’s Section 1
Ryan Bester QLD *Defending Champion
Scott Thulborn SA
Stephan Halmai QLD *TOPS Wildcard
Jeremy Henry NSW
Aron Sherriff NSW
Steve Glasson NSW
Men’s Section 2
Kelvin Kerkow QLD
Aaron Wilson VIC
Paul Girdler QLD
Aaron Teys NSW
Leif Selby NSW
Brett Wilkie QLD
Caption- The Golden Nugget commences Monday August 8 at the Tweed Heads Bowls Club
