The 2026/27 Bowls Taupo summer season, which recently opened with the first bowl delivered by Mayor John Funnel, is now in full swing.
Club days are held every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon and are well supported with a strong turnout from a large number of new bowlers to the club.
The first one day club tournament of the new season attracted a large field of club members along with guest bowlers from both Tūrangi & Reporoa bowling clubs.
George Taare the manager of sponsor O’Briens Plumbing & Bathroomware Taupo also participated.
The club has also completed its first championship event of the 2026-27 season with the Mixed 2x4x2 Pairs, won by Jan Hopkins & Austin Harris.
The pair will go on to represent Bowls Taupō at the Bay of Plenty Centre Champion of Champions event in May.
The LakeCrest Lifestyle Village Great Lake Classic – the first of Bowls Taupō’s four annual major open tournaments was held on October 17-18.
This popular two-day annual event attracts 128 bowlers from clubs across New Zealand, along with partners, families and supporters, who take the opportunity to enjoy Taupō’s tourism, shopping and hospitality offerings.
Despite negative conditions on day one, Sunday delivered perfect Taupō weather.
Spectators and players alike enjoyed the stunning views from the Bowls Taupō greens, prompting many comments that the club boasts one of the most picturesque bowling settings in the country.
The tournament was won this year by Clinton Smith (skip), David Den Hertog, Shane Don &; Craig Lane from the Hobsonville Bowling Club.
Next month marks the return of one of Taupō’s most popular social bowls events - the annual Placemakers Twilight Community Bowls, designed especially for non-bowlers, keen to have fun, meet friends and colleagues, enjoy a sausage sizzle and refreshments and ‘Give Bowls A Go’.
The series begins on Monday, November 2 and then every Tuesday throughout the month, from 5.30pm.
Visitors, family, friends and supporters are invited to come along.
A full field of 128 non-bowlers is entered to participate.
Readers can look forward to further Bowls Taupō monthly updates, covering recent highlights and upcoming events on the last Thursday each month.
The club welcomes bowlers and non-bowlers alike and encourages the community to explore the wide range of activities offered at their Ferry Road facility – where the scenery complements the activity.
Enquiries to join the “Great Lake Community Clubs” group are warmly welcomed. (www.taupobowlingclub.co.nz).