English Riviera Bowls
The English Riviera welcomes bowlers from all parts of the UK to participate in this friendly but competitive tournament held at Torquay’s three seafront host clubs. This year sees the 25th Anniversary of the popular tournament which runs over an eight day period from Sunday to Sunday and is always in the week which includes the third Monday in June.
Since 1994, when the English Riviera Open Bowls Tournament started, it has seen clubs from as far afield as Australia and South Africa take part. You can certainly understand the appeal; the three host clubs each have wonderful settings, with views of the sea and attractive Abbey Gardens. The friendly and inclusive nature of the tournament also makes it a popular event.
The three host clubs, Kings, Torquay and Victoria are all within easy walking distance of each other so moving around from green to green is no problem. You can find out more about these clubs, as well as some of the other outdoor clubs in the area on another of our bowling blogs here.
Victoria Bowling Club Torquay
Back in the 90s, the tournament was run by Torbay Council. From 2004, the Council began a gradual withdrawal of it’s involvement with the event and the organisation passed to the bowling committee. It is presently run by that committee with elected officers, one of which is TLH Leisure Resort’s own Bowls Co-ordinator Sarah Vinnicombe. The Council do, up to the present time, award an annual grant to assist with the running costs.
Kings Bowling Club
Cash prizes are an added bonus to an exciting week of play. This year the Open Singles winner will receive £750.
Events programmed for 2018:- Sunday 17th to Sunday 24th June.
- Open Singles. Sponsored by Aero Bowls.
- English Riviera Wheel Men’s Pairs – Sponsored by Mellors Group Events.
- There will also be a limited entry “Consolation Men’s Pairs” for early round losers.
- Ladies Pairs.
- Men’s Triples.
- Mixed Pairs.
Each competition is played through to a conclusion so there is no “finals day”.
The 2017 champions were:
Open singles: Sam Tolchard (Kings BC)
Mens pairs: Adrian O’Neill and Sam Tolchard (Kings BC)
Ladies pairs: Linda Sampson & Sara Quayle (Beacon Down Plymouth)
Triples: Tony Salter, Connor & Stephen Thompson (Plymouth North Down BC)
Mixed pairs: Kelly Atkinson & Mike Woodridge (Kings BC)
Let us know if you’ve been following the English Riviera Open Bowls Tournament.
Find out more about bowling holidays at TLH Leisure Resort over on our bowling website.
Vicky Hinchliffe
I've worked at TLH for longer than I care to dwell on but have seen so many changes it's been like working for 3 or 4 different companies! I am now in Marketing and am involved in spreading the word about how great TLH is!
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