Peter Wilson more than compensated for missing the Kaikorai Bowling Club's centennial celebrations at the weekend by winning his first game in the Welsh Grand Prix in Swansea yesterday.
Wilson (40), a trainee manager, beat experienced Welsh international and 15th seed John Price 10-1, 7-3 in the first round.
Wilson was on the committee organising the Kaikorai centenary celebrations but could not attend because of his Professional Bowls Association commitment.
He became the first New Zealand bowler to win a match on the World Bowls Tour in two years.
Wilson won the game because his accurate draw bowls left Price struggling throughout the match.
He only played one up-shot late in the first set to break up a head when three down.
The No 3-ranked New Zealander has two days to regroup before facing Englishman Mark Royal in the second round tomorrow.
It was the second time Wilson has contested a PBA World Bowls Tour event.
He was beaten in the first round of the Scottish International Open Singles in November.
Wilson began the New Zealand PBA season ranked 35th and advanced to third after winning the Scottish Open qualifying final in Dunedin in September.
This ranking makes him an automatic selection in the New Zealand team for the PBA Transtasman Challenge on the Gold Coast in July.
Wilson started playing bowls in 1994 and has been a member of the PBA for five years.
He has reached the final of major PBA events in New Zealand three times.
He was runner-up to Bill Clements (Alexandra) in his first year and missed out on a trip to the Welsh Masters in Llanelli when beaten by New Zealand representative Andrew Kelly (Canterbury) three years ago.
