BOWLS
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
South Pacific Carnival organisers will consider playing the tournament indoors at Warilla in future years if there continues to be a shortage of available outdoor greens within Illawarra Zone 16.
The carnival ended 54 years of being played solely outdoors when four sections of singles were played on the world-class indoor facility at Warilla on Saturday.
Seventeen Illawarra clubs made at least one of their outdoor greens available for sectional play, but with around 900 players officials had to opt to use the Warilla carpet.
A growing problem for the carnival is while most Illawarra clubs still want to host the region's biggest event, most are making only one rather than two of their greens available.
With December/January an important time for clubs in renovating and repairing their outdoor greens ahead of the new pennant season in February, the South Pacific Carnival is running short of greens.
And if the trend continues then some sectional matches, most likely singles, will have to be transferred indoors in future years.
Last year 15 Illawarra clubs made at least one of their greens available, while this year the number of participating clubs has grown to 17, but the number of overall greens has fallen.
Carnival officials ensured Warilla members who may be used to playing on their indoor rinks were not drawn to play at the indoor facility.