New Ranking Event for World Bowls Tour
The 2004/05 World Bowls Tour season boasts a new world ranking event in Scotland and a record prize fund, WBT Chief Executive Nigel Oldfield revealed today.
The Norwegian Coastal Voyage Scottish Masters, from 27 November to 3 December, becomes the WBT's fourth world ranking event, and will be staged for the first time at the Dewars Centre in Perth.
The event, which will be covered live on BBC TV Scotland, will feature the top 16 players in the world, joined by qualifiers from the UK, Australia, South Africa, USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel and New Zealand - all fighting for the £10,000 winner's cheque.
The Dewars Centre, situated in the heart of Scotland, is also home to the Ramada Masters, Europe's premier Curling tournament
The WBT programme in Perth will also include the men's and women's Scottish National Championships' finals, which will be covered live on TV on Monday 29th November. The winner of the men's event will go on to compete in the Scottish Masters ranking tournament
The new indoor bowls season will kick off with the BUPA Care Homes Open, in its fourth year at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield, from 31 October to 7 November.
'Next season promises to be the best in the WBT's history, with a record prize fund across four ranking events for the first time,' said Nigel Oldfield. 'The WBT ranking event tour has now doubled in size within the past 18 months, giving evidence of the sport's strengthening popularity since revolutionary changes to the look and the format were incorporated in 2001.
'We are pleased that the Scottish Masters has now become a full ranking event, following the renewal of the sponsorship agreement with Norwegian Coastal Voyage,' said Oldfield. 'We also look forward to moving to a new home at the Dewars Centre in Perth, where the WBT's distinctive blue portable rink will be seen for the first time.
'Local fans will be able to see indoor bowls of the highest quality, led by three distinguished Scots Alex Marshall, David Gourlay and Paul Foster - the world's top three players,' Oldfield added.
Danny Fitzsimons, Manager of the Dewars Centre, responded: 'We are delighted that the 2004 World Bowls Tour Scottish Masters is coming to Perth. The WBT's decision to bring the Scottish Masters to Perth is vindication of the Board's strategy in bringing top class sporting events to Perth.
'Perth and Dewars Centre now boast two of the premier competitions for which the Centre was built. The Centre's staff & management are delighted that their hard work and dedication is bearing fruit. We look forward to ensuring officials, competitors and spectators alike leave the City reflecting on the warmth of the welcome, and the hospitality extended to them during their stay, sure in the knowledge that Perth and the Dewars Centre can do justice to major sporting events,' said Fitzsimons.
Laurence Hicks, head of business development at Norwegian Coastal Voyage, comments: 'We are delighted to be involved in this premier bowls event for the second year running. Sponsoring this event enables us to raise the profile of our products amongst those who are closely aligned to the demographic profile of our clients. We have an increase portfolio of direct flights out of Scotland for 2005 and we hope this will help increase awareness.'
For ticket availability and bookings, contact the Dewars Centre on 01738-624188, or by email at info@conferencescotland.com
For more details contact:
Howard Harding
Tel: +44 (0)1737-243333 or (mobile) +44 (0)7773-325130
Email: HowHard@aol.com
The Norwegian Coastal Voyage Scottish Masters, from 27 November to 3 December, becomes the WBT's fourth world ranking event, and will be staged for the first time at the Dewars Centre in Perth.
The event, which will be covered live on BBC TV Scotland, will feature the top 16 players in the world, joined by qualifiers from the UK, Australia, South Africa, USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel and New Zealand - all fighting for the £10,000 winner's cheque.
The Dewars Centre, situated in the heart of Scotland, is also home to the Ramada Masters, Europe's premier Curling tournament
The WBT programme in Perth will also include the men's and women's Scottish National Championships' finals, which will be covered live on TV on Monday 29th November. The winner of the men's event will go on to compete in the Scottish Masters ranking tournament
The new indoor bowls season will kick off with the BUPA Care Homes Open, in its fourth year at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield, from 31 October to 7 November.
'Next season promises to be the best in the WBT's history, with a record prize fund across four ranking events for the first time,' said Nigel Oldfield. 'The WBT ranking event tour has now doubled in size within the past 18 months, giving evidence of the sport's strengthening popularity since revolutionary changes to the look and the format were incorporated in 2001.
'We are pleased that the Scottish Masters has now become a full ranking event, following the renewal of the sponsorship agreement with Norwegian Coastal Voyage,' said Oldfield. 'We also look forward to moving to a new home at the Dewars Centre in Perth, where the WBT's distinctive blue portable rink will be seen for the first time.
'Local fans will be able to see indoor bowls of the highest quality, led by three distinguished Scots Alex Marshall, David Gourlay and Paul Foster - the world's top three players,' Oldfield added.
Danny Fitzsimons, Manager of the Dewars Centre, responded: 'We are delighted that the 2004 World Bowls Tour Scottish Masters is coming to Perth. The WBT's decision to bring the Scottish Masters to Perth is vindication of the Board's strategy in bringing top class sporting events to Perth.
'Perth and Dewars Centre now boast two of the premier competitions for which the Centre was built. The Centre's staff & management are delighted that their hard work and dedication is bearing fruit. We look forward to ensuring officials, competitors and spectators alike leave the City reflecting on the warmth of the welcome, and the hospitality extended to them during their stay, sure in the knowledge that Perth and the Dewars Centre can do justice to major sporting events,' said Fitzsimons.
Laurence Hicks, head of business development at Norwegian Coastal Voyage, comments: 'We are delighted to be involved in this premier bowls event for the second year running. Sponsoring this event enables us to raise the profile of our products amongst those who are closely aligned to the demographic profile of our clients. We have an increase portfolio of direct flights out of Scotland for 2005 and we hope this will help increase awareness.'
For ticket availability and bookings, contact the Dewars Centre on 01738-624188, or by email at info@conferencescotland.com
For more details contact:
Howard Harding
Tel: +44 (0)1737-243333 or (mobile) +44 (0)7773-325130
Email: HowHard@aol.com