Clubs NZ national bowls tournament begins Monday

ROLL UP: The magnificent facilities at Club Mount Maunganui will host the 44th Clubs New Zealand 2017 National Men's Outdoor Bowls Tournament this week. PHOTO: FILE

One of the largest sporting events to be held in the Western Bay rolls into action this morning across five bowling greens.

The Clubs New Zealand 2017 National Men's Outdoor Bowls Tournament has attracted 138 teams of four from throughout New Zealand, including 10 teams representing Mount Maunganui, eight from Tauranga and three from Te Puke.

They are all chasing the ultimate prize of the Moase Cup.

Club Mount Maunganui is hosting the tournament with the help of their partners Bowls Mount Maunganui.

Since the tournament's inception in 1974, the only Western Bay team to have won the event is Tauranga Citizens Club in 1981, 2002 and 2011.

Last year in New Plymouth the title was won by Manurewa led by Neville Hill, from the Mount Maunganui four with Phil Morgan as skip.

Hill is back to defend the title but Morgan and his team of Dennis Grice, Howard Fahy and Reg Archer are confident they can win it on their home greens.

"We just got pipped at the post last year and have pretty much got the same team and we hope to go one better this week for sure," Morgan said.

"We have played a few years together now. We have a combination that seems to work pretty well with us. All the teams we beat last year are coming back so they will want to beat us this time. It is going to be just as hectic as it was last year.

"A lot of the guys you have played against over the years so it is always nice to catch up with them again."

Section play gets underway this morning across the Western Bay at Mount Maunganui, Omanu, Tauranga, Tauranga South and Matua bowling clubs. Post section play is on Thursday with Friday finals day.