By TERRY MADDAFORD
Gary Lawson's return to big-time bowls continues this weekend at Pukekohe.
Lawson, a former international who turned his back on the sport after a sometimes tempestuous relationship with the sport's hierarchy, heads the field for New Zealand's first Professional Bowlers' Association tournament.
Lawson recently won a pairs event in Wellington
with Australian Rob Parrella and another in Ashburton. He has confirmed his entry in the national championships to be played in Auckland from late December.
The PBA tournament, which is open only to association members, has attracted 24 entries, including the country's top woman singles player, Marlene Castle. Sharon Sims, the only other woman to have joined the PBA, is unavailable for this weekend's tournament, which will be played as a straight knockout.
The winner will be handed a ticket to England and entry to December's International Indoor Championship. A second tournament, again at the new Pukekohe complex, in December will have a trip to January's World Indoor Championship, also in Britain, as the first prize.
The PBA has been set up in New Zealand under the wing of the Auckland Bowling Centre, and is part of a worldwide circuit.
Centre president Kevin Hickland, said he was confident a membership campaign would attract up to 64 players before the December tournament.
"Superbowls will not be effected by the PBA tournaments," said Hickland. "We still plan to have the Superbowls final at Pukekohe in December, with that winner again guaranteed a place in the world indoor finals in England.
"With Rowan Brassey already assured of his place in the world finals, New Zealand could have three players involved."
