KEY POINTS:
The future of New Zealand bowls was vividly illustrated at the New Zealand Open at Henderson yesterday as Ali Forsyth skipped a composite four of national development players to the men's fours title.
Forsyth, 27, skipped Isaac Denny and Shannon McIlroy, both in their early 20s, and North
Harbour's Tony Grantham, 34, to a 16-11 win in the final over a Brown's Bay club four skipped by Brent Turner.
As the Black Jacks' specialist singles player for the world championships in Christchurch in January, and with the four for that event kept intact for this week's tournament, Forsyth was given the role of skipping the development players.
But he showed it was not simply a matter of helping to make up the numbers.
To make the final the Forsyth four ousted the world championship line-up of Gary Lawson in the semifinals. And yesterday's win confirmed that Forsyth might yet become as superb a skip as singles player.
On at least three ends Forsyth, both with draw bowls and drives, denied a competent Browns Bay side - which after nine of the 18 ends had held the lead - crucial shots, winning the admiration of his opposing skip.
"He has the potential and the attitude to become a truly great skip," said Turner.
So obviously do the others. McIlory has already represented the country, while Grantham last week won the world champion of champions singles title.
Only Denny has yet to achieve nationally, but he has emerged as a lead of promise in the competitive Canterbury centre. Today Forsyth and Grantham have the chance of a double, lining up against the Australians Mark Casey and Wayne Turley in the pairs final.
Forsyth said of their chances: "We're both playing well and today was a good preparation. The pressure was off and we just gelled together."
Turner's four was delighted with its effort, particularly as a late replacement at lead was required with a former club member, Dave Gardiner, now in Australia, replacing John Walker. Others in the four were the experienced Tony Marinkovich at two and Dave McMurchy three.
New Zealand's Jo Edwards had a only moderate day. In the singles semifinal she was beaten 8-2, 8-7 by Australian Sharyn Renshaw, who will play compatriot Karen Murphy in today's final.
She then skipped her world championship lineup of Sharon Sims, Jan and Marina Khan to a decisive loss in the fours finals.
South African Lorna Trigwell, Renshaw, former New Zealand champion Marlene Castle and Auckland centre gold star holder Norma McKeown won 20-7 after 16 of the 18 ends.
Today's men's singles final will be between Australian Gerald Beath and New Zealand world championship squad member Andrew Todd, who beat St Helier's Barclay Lee.