Pocket Preview: NSW Open

iPlay Tenpin City in New South Wales (NSW) is gearing up to host bowlers from all corners of the country as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of the NSW Open.

This prestigious tournament that will run from 9-10 September promises to be the grand finale of the 2023 bowling calendar that features both the Open and Women’s ranked event divisions.

In its 40th edition, the NSW Open holds a special place, and this year’s edition is no exception.

The defending champions, Bek Martin and Sam Cooley have maintained a firm grip on their titles, reigning supreme in 2019 and 2022. These formidable bowlers will be present to defend their crowns and are aiming for three consecutive titles at the event. Notably, Sam Cooley is making his eagerly awaited return to the national-ranked event circuit after a successful stint on the regional tour in the United States.

The competition format for the NSW Open is both challenging and exhilarating. Each bowler will face 10 games divided into 2-game blocks for qualifying. The top 24 males, based on scratch pinfall, will advance to Stage 1, while the top 8 females will skip directly to the matchplay phase.

Stage 1 introduces a further test for the top 24 males, who will bowl an additional 8 games in a 1-game block. The pinfall from the qualifying rounds will carry over, ultimately determining the top 8 who will proceed to the matchplay phase.

The pinnacle of excitement comes during the matchplay phase, where the top 8 bowlers in each division engage in fierce competition. Over 7 games of matchplay, they’ll battle it out with bonus pins activated. At the conclusion of matchplay, the top two bowlers in each division will go head-to-head in the title match, with the added drama of the top qualifier having the option to rechallenge should they lose the first game.

As the NSW Open approaches, Tenpin Bowling Australia extends its warmest wishes to all participating bowlers. May the pins fall in your favour, and may you achieve your highest scores at this prestigious event. Let the countdown to the 40th anniversary of the NSW Open begin!

PAST CHAMPIONS

Year	Male	Female
1982	Terry Wenban (NSW)
1983	Don Brown (WA)	Cheryl Munson (NSW)
1984	Steve Lovell (NSW)	Jeanette Baker (NSW)
1985	Brian Bridges (Vic)	Cheryl Munson (NSW)
1986	Len Hogg (Vic)	Doreen Dockery (Vic)
1987	Fred Allsopp (NSW)	Debbie Biviano (NSW)
1988	Kevin Quinn (NSW)	Ruth Guerster (Vic)
1989	Mark Ramsay (Qld)	Carol Gianotti (WA)
1990	Mark Ramsay (Qld)	Cara Honeychurch (Vic)
1991	R Kostemuk (Canada)	Christine Roughley (NSW)
1992	Mark Ramsay (Qld)
1993	Ian Bradford (Vic)
1994	Brenton Davy (SA)
1995	Andrew Frawley (NSW)	Sharon McLeish (NSW)
1996	Andrew Frawley (NSW)	Sue Cassell (NSW)
1997	Frank Ryan (Vic)	Jeanette Baker (Vic)
1998	Andrew Frawley (NSW)
1999	Colin Hunt (SA)	Amanda Bradley (NSW)
2000	Colin Hunt (SA)	Katie Stuart (NSW)
2001	Matthew Francis (ACT)	Debbie Baldock (WA)
2002	Brandon Qualischefski (Qld)	Ann-Maree Putney (NSW)
2003	George Frilingos (Qld)	Natalie Shelley (Vic)
2004	George Frilingos (Qld)	Emma Walsh (NSW)
2005	Sam Romeo (NSW)	Sue Cassell (NSW)
2006	Andrew McArthur (NT)	Jayde Flanagan (NT)
2007	Jason Belmonte (NSW)	Ann-Maree Putney (NSW)
2008	Jason Walsh (NSW)	Maxine Nable (NSW)
2009	Dale Fitzgerald (NSW)	Bianca Flanagan (QLD)
2010	George Frilingos (Qld)	Carol Gianotti (WA)
2011	Jarrod Lean (NSW)	Ann-Maree Putney (NSW)
2012	Michael Little (NSW)	Rebecca Voukolos (NT)
2013	Jason Belmonte (NSW)	Ann-Maree Putney (NSW)
2014	Jason Belmonte (NSW)	Bec Whiting (Vic)
2015	Jason Belmonte (NSW)	Bec Whiting (Vic)
2016	Jarrod Langford (Qld)	Bec Whiting (Vic)
2017	Sam Cooley (NSW)	Narelle Baker (Vic)
2018	Jordan Dinham (NSW)	Bec Whiting (VIC)
2019	Sam Cooley (NSW)	Rebekah Martin (VIC)
2022	Sam Cooley (NSW)	Rebekah Martin (VIC)