None of the winners crowned at the end of the last instalment of the biggest bowls tournament in NSW will return this time around.

Defending player of the carnival Matt Pietersen will not make the trek, while Steve Glasson, who bested him in a gripping singles decider, will be playing overseas.

John Hills has switched from Dapto Citizens to Thirroul and will partner club-mate Ted Clarke after teaming with Troy Somerville - who will miss this edition of the carnival - for pairs glory in 2008-09.

Shane Garvey - the carnival's most decorated player - will be back to defend his fours title with Anthony Moran and new faces Greg Helm and Brendon Edwards.

Garvey, who just tasted Bowls NSW Premier League success with Engadine, has won a record four player of the carnival awards.

He has won the fours and singles three times to go with a lone pairs title and will be looking to add to his glittering reputation this year.

Zone 16 match committee member Brian Gibson is proud Illawarra bowlers have flocked to the event despite reduced prize money due to the tough economic climate.

"We've had a very good response from the locals this year, the best for some years," Gibson said.

While the tournament may be a little down on star power, it is just as popular as the landmark 50th instalment, with the same number of singles (60), pairs (51) and fours sections (19) as 2008-09.

However, the senior fours has been scrapped due to lack of entries.

Corrimal's John Green and Thirroul's Matt Sargeant will be looking to reclaim the pairs title after their three-year streak was broken last year.

Warilla bowler Eric Johannes looms as one of the contenders in the blue-riband singles while the Ellem clan - Tommy, Daniel, their father Eric and uncle Peter - won the fours in 2008.

The tournament will kick off with fours sectional play tomorrow, with the pairs tournament starting the following day and the singles competition beginning on December 29.

All but a handful of Zone 16 clubs have supplied greens for the tournament.