By TERRY MADDAFORD
Kerry Chapman ushered in the new era of professional bowls in New Zealand with a resounding, straight-sets win over Petar Sain in the final of the Professional Bowlers' Association singles at Pukekohe yesterday.
Chapman, now playing for the Henderson club, won a trip to England for next month's PBA
international tournament where, in a sudden-death event, he will meet world No 1 David Gourlay, of Scotland, in the first round.
New Zealand's first PBA tournament attracted some of the big names, including world women's indoor singles champion Marlene Castle, who had a bye into the second round, where she went down in a tough, five-set clash with Avondale's Mike Reid.
Reid eventually fell to Sain in the semifinals.
Gary Lawson, on the comeback trail although he insists he has never retired, just taken a break, also bowed out in the second round, going down in five to Sain after leading two sets to one.
New Zealand representative Andrew Curtain got through to the semifinals before bowing out to Chapman in straight sets.
The second New Zealand PBA tournament, hopefully with a field of 64 and with a trip to England for the world indoor championships for the winner, will also be played at the new Dorchester Bowls Complex in Pukekohe on December 9 and 10.
