Burton Cup makes a welcome return with $2500 in prize money

BURTON BONANZA: Gisborne Bowling Club tournament chairman Maurice Allan (left) and club president Rod McCulloch check that all is in order with the Burton Cup. A new format, new date and $2500 in prize money are giving the Burton Cup a new start. Picture supplied

BOWLS

THE Burton Cup is back.

A new format, new date and $2500 in prize money are expected to restore the prestige of a lawn bowling contest that in the past made the Burton Cup one of the most prized trophies in the sport.

The Burton Cup Classic Fours will be played on February 9 and 10.

Launching the new-look contest this week, Gisborne Bowling Club president Rod McCulloch said that having the Eastland Group come on board as sponsor had allowed the club to offer attractive prize money.

“It is the biggest purse for a bowls tournament in Gisborne and that, along with an exciting format, should attract a quality field,” McCulloch said.

“The contest will be restricted to 16 teams playing classic fours, which encompasses all four disciplines of the sport — singles, pairs, triples and fours. Teams must have at least one player of the opposite gender.

“We believe this is a true test of a four and it will guarantee that winning this magnificent trophy carries the prestige it has always had.”

Traditionally played as a men-only fours tournament at Easter, in its heyday the Burton Cup tournament attracted upwards of 80 teams.

Bowlers came from all over New Zealand to try to get their hands on the trophy, but those days are long gone.

In 2013, Bowls Gisborne-East Coast changed the format from fours to triples and opened the event to women, but interest continued to dwindle. Two years ago the centre handed the cup back to the Gisborne Club, its original owners.

“A tired format and the Easter timing of the event had fallen out of favour with bowlers,” McCulloch said.

“But this new concept is attracting interest and we have already accepted several paid-up entries.

“The Burton Cup has a long and proud tradition that the Gisborne Club believes should not be lost to bowling in this district.

“We are doing our best to keep that tradition alive.”