In a match which was all over the place, Paul King, of the Andersons Bay club, drove his last bowl to win the end and the match 21-18 over Brent McEwan, of St Clair.
King was leading 20-18 in the first-to-21 final, but with one bowl left for each bowler, McEwan was holding three shots.
King decided to drive the end, and knocked the shots of his opponent out, leaving him with two shots, enough for victory. McEwan had one bowl left, and could have denied King the win.
But McEwan's bowl did not make any play and so King walked away the victor.
King (64) had started the game poorly. He was down 8-1 early before bouncing back to lead 12-10. He then trailed 17-13, but then tied up at 18-18.
King said there was nothing between the bowlers and the green at Balmacewen had played very well.
McEwan is a former Otago representative golfer, who played more than 100 provincial golf games for Otago.
King took up bowls about seven years ago after he had to give up running because of injury. He loved the sport and its competitive nature. He had been picked for national Professional Bowls Association (PBA) teams, and earlier this season travelled to Australia to play in two competitions in Victoria.
His win over McEwan has qualified him to play in the national final at Naenae in Wellington in July.
The former Cadbury worker, who is now retired, will be using the indoor stadium in Dunedin over the new few months to get ready for the national tournament.
