Bowlers Head to Melbourne for Vic150 & Australian Open
By Chris Rushton
The Easter long weekend will see Australia’s best compete at the annual Vic150 and Australian Open events at ZONE BOWLING Keon Park.
Being a highlight on the bowling calendar both tournaments will see competitors fight it out for a place at the 55th QubicaAMF World Cup in Indonesia this November. With qualifying for both tournaments beginning at 8am on Good Friday, bowlers will compete across three days to determine the winners.
Having won the 2018 World Cup after defeating Kyle Troup in last year’s final in Las Vegas, Sam Cooley returns to this weekend’s tournament following a swing on the PBA tour. After becoming only the second Australian male to win the prestigious tournament, Cooley will have all eyes on him this weekend.
Fellow 2018 World Cup representative and 2018 Vic150 scratch winner Bec Whiting will also return this weekend. Finishing as the number one scratch bowler at the tournament for the last three years the Victorian has earned the right to represented Australia at the QubicaAMF World Cup in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
After starting the year winning the Fishing World Ladies Classic in Darwin, Whiting will be wanting another shot at the World Cup where the 28-year-old’s best finish was 6th place at the Mexico event in 2017.
The Australian Open will see veteran and 2007 winner George Frilingos return to the event. Frilingos who has won everything there is to win in Australia and will face competition not only from Cooley but also former Australian representative Adam Hayes, David Porto and fellow left-hander Jarrod Langford.
After winning the Kegel QLD Open in March, Langford knows how to win at the tournament after taking the honours in 2017 and representing Australia at the World Cup.
In the Vic150, scratch bowlers will be looking to finish the 27 games with the highest average in order to earn a spot at the World Cup. After representing Australia at the event in the 2015 Narelle Baker will be looking to repeat her feats.
Former Australian representatives Dean Buxton and Bec Martin will be in this weekend’s field and have the game to push Whiting all the way but the weekend will also see the rising stars of the women’s game in Australia compete with Alexia Hicks, Jaime Maglieri and Emma Williamson entering the field and attempting to cause an upset.
To catch the action live head to ZONE BOWLING Keon Park, 16-18 Keon Parade, Keon Park and keep up with the action online via www.tenpinresults.com.au.
