"He said after the John Flett tournament, 'what are we going to do for junior bowlers in the off-season?' I put my hand up and said' let's hold a tournament in Wanganui'. At that time the Wanganui club had just had two artificial greens installed, so could easily cope with off-season conditions," Adams said.
Adams and Rowney got their heads together and arranged for other clubs to commit to the concept and the hexagonal tournament was born.
"It's designed to give bowlers with five or less years experience on the greens a chance to get tournament time and selectors a chance to watch them play and develop," Adams said.
Each club sends a team of 10 players who are generally accompanied by managers and supporters. The titleholder is Taranaki and while Adams no longer has hands-on involvement in the tournament, he was sure Wanganui had won the Guscott Trophy at some time, but could not remember dates.
"I'm sure Wanganui has won it before, but Taranaki currently holds it. They weren't in the original six, but are major players now," he said.
Meanwhile, the original format catered only for junior men, but in September, 2008, provision was made for a junior women's Academy Hexagonal tournament, also played each year in Wanganui.
Play in this weekend's tournament starts at 10am on Saturday and 8.30am on Sunday.
