Bowls:Rapid-fire games open to all players

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The climate is a little cooler but the play a lot faster when the TigerTurf Winter League tournaments are held at the Wanganui Bowling Club in the coming month.

Bowls NZ's nationwide league is played on all-weather artificial greens like those at Wanganui BC.

The local winners will go into various regional finals in August, with the winners there then competing for the national title in September.

Winter League is a pairs tournament for teams of three, who can substitute at any time, with entries open to all players - club regulars and casuals alike.

"It allows bowls to be played in regions that aren't conducive to cotula [natural plant] greens," said regional Bowls NZ development officer Keith Slight.

"The concept is a fast format. You get 30 seconds to play each bowl."

Wanganui BC has had TigerTurf for about seven years.

The tournament at the clubs with artificial turf consists of 16 teams split into four pools, with the pool winners qualifying for the playoffs.

"When it comes to getting winners through semis and finals, it's the best way to work it," said Wanganui BC spokesman Tony Herbert.

"It's designed to be a quick-fire game.

"It's the sort of game anyone can win. You don't have to be a Peter Belliss or Keith Slight, because of the quick duration."

Games consist of five-end sets, followed by a one-end shootout if the scores are tied.

Each team can nominate one set to be a power play when they get double points.

The two Wanganui tournaments will be held on June 29 and July 20, 10am to 3pm, with a $990 prize pool for both events.

The top two teams will go on to the regional final in Kapiti on August 3, followed by the regional winners meeting at the New Zealand final in Wellington's Lyall Bay on September 6 for a $3500 prize pool.

Entries will be accepted at the Wanganui BC every day between 4pm and 6pm.