Club doubles up on tournaments

MEMBERS of the Ballarat Petanque Club were busy hosts recently with back-to-back competitions held last weekend.

Players from throughout Victoria took to the gravel at the Ballarat East Bowling Club to participate in the events held by the club for the first time.

The Saturday saw the club coordinating the north-western regional qualifying round for Victorian Petanque’s shooting competition, while a mixed doubles tournament took place the following day.

Ballarat Petanque Club president and tournament director Gordon Oliver said the weekend was a great way to show off the local branch to the visitors.

“We’re only three years old and we’ve had two triples tournaments and two annual ones,” he said.

“For the club, this is really good because we’ve got great facilities and we’re central.

“We’ve got people who’ve travelled from Mount Martha in Mornington up as far as Woodend and the Grampians.

“A lot of the Victorian clubs are here which is great. A lot of petanque players will travel all over for this.”

Saturday’s competition saw eight players shooting 6.5 metre to 9.5 metre targets in an attempt to qualify for the Australian National Championships in Adelaide in April.

Then, nearly 60 players from about 12 clubs were paired in teams of two for the doubles, which ran over five games of 50 minutes.

Grampians Petanque Club secretary Glenn Bovell participated in both events and said it was an enjoyable weekend.

“Yesterday was a good day and it was a very good atmosphere,” he said. “Everyone supported each other even though they’re from opposing clubs.

“I think I’ve played at every tournament that’s been had here. The club’s always good and it’s an excellent venue. They look after you here.”