Sixty-eight of Central Otago's top singles bowlers were competing in Queenstown over the weekend during the Central Otago Bowls Centre's singles championship.
Central Otago president John Lindsay, of Arrowtown, said it was the first time the centre had held men's and women's tournaments simultaneously.
Bill Clements (Alexandra) won the men's title, with Simon Nyhof (Hawea) second and Sam Russell (Alexandra) and Stuart Hurkey (Wanaka) third-equal.
Ruth Grant made it an Alexandra double when she won the women's singles, with Imela Holdon (Alexandra) runner-up and Gill Stewart (Cromwell) and Linley O'Callaghan (Alexandra) sharing third.
Twenty-two women played at the Queenstown Bowling Club on Friday, with 46 men playing on Saturday, split between Queenstown and Arrowtown greens.
The finals for the men and women were at Queenstown on Sunday.
"Normally, the ladies would have theirs during the week and then men at the weekend," Lindsay said.
"This year we decided to do it and I think it's one of the reasons we have had such a good response and entries."
Bowlers competing over the weekend came from Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wanaka, Cromwell, Alexandra and Millers Flat.
It was the first major championship of the 2009-10 season, which runs until April.
Lindsay said it was heartening to see some younger bowlers coming through the ranks.
