Moama Bowling Club, NSW, Australia

September 20-26 2003

The inaugural World Bowls Singles Champion of Champions was held at the Moama Bowling Club in NSW, Australia in late September 2003.

28 men and 22 women competed for their respective coveted title of World Singles Champion of  Champions.

Ali Forsyth and Marie Watson, both from the United Club in Nelson, represented NZ at this tournament. Like all their rivals Ali and Marie qualified to play in the event by winning their respective national singles titles earlier in the year.

Watson topped her section but lost to Ireland’s Alicia Weir in a tight quarterfinal while Forsyth finished sixth in his section after several close games.

The titles went to two of the smallest bowling nations – Namibia and Swaziland. Namibian Douw Calitz defeated Scotland’s Darren Burnett in the men’s final while Swaziland’s Liz James overcame Alison Merrien of Guernsey for the women’s crown.

In this event there are no play-offs for third and fourth. In the traditions of a jousting tournament from a former age the competition winner takes all –

the title of Champion.

Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club, NSW, Australia

The second World Singles Champion of Champions was decided at the Warilla bowls and Recreation Club in Shellharbour City on the NSW coast in November 2004.

24 men and 23 women, every one a current national singles champion, arrived at Warilla determined to win their respective Championship. Only two however could prevail.

Margaret Johnston showed her class and World Championship winning experience in winning the women’s crown defeating Karen Dawson of Scotland in the final.

NZ’s Shona Klimeck from Southland’s Hokonui Club in her international debut finished ninth in her section.

Nelson’s Ali Forsyth after winning his second NZ singles title in Christchurch had returned to Australia for another tilt at the Championship. This time he was successful. Winning all 10 section games Ali headed his pool and followed this achievement by defeating Rohan Kelly (Australia) and Eric Johannes (South Africa) in quarter and semi final matches. The final, played in heavy rain, was close resulting in a 9-3, 8-8 win to Ali Forsyth (NZ) over Scotland’s David Anderson.

13 wins in a row is a remarkable feat at this level and Ali surely deserved the title – Champion of Champions

Fendalton Bowling Club, Christchurch, NZ

November 19-26 2005

The third tournament, to be held at the 3-green Fendalton Bowling Club in Christchurch New Zealand, will see two new champions crowned.

Such are the rules of this competition that only the current national singles champion of each country is eligible to enter and neither Margaret nor Ali have qualified for 2005. The only thing that we can be sure of in Christchurch is that on November 26, 2005 there will be two new World Champions.

See the list of confirmed entries on the Competitors page.

Click here to find the tournament's previous winners