2024 NSW Open Preview: A Clash of Champions Awaits

The 41st edition of the NSW Open is set to kick off this weekend at iPlay Tenpin City Lidcombe in New South Wales. As one of the premier events on the national bowling calendar, the NSW Open, established in 1982, continues to attract top talent from across the country. This year’s event is the fourth stop on the nationally ranked series for both the Open and Women’s divisions in 2024, promising intense competition and substantial prize money over two action-packed days.

All eyes will be on the defending champions, Victoria’s Rebekah Martin and New South Wales’ own Sam Cooley, who have dominated this tournament in recent years. Both Martin and Cooley have claimed victory in the last three editions of the NSW Open (2019, 2022, 2023), and they are back, aiming to etch their names further into the history books with an unprecedented fourth consecutive win.

Cooley, a four-time champion (2017, 2019, 2022, 2023), has a chance to set a new benchmark in the event’s storied legacy. A fifth victory would elevate him above bowling legends Jason Belmonte, Ann-Maree Putney, and Bec Whiting, who each have four titles to their names. Rebekah Martin, meanwhile, will be striving for her fourth title, solidifying her status as one of the event’s most formidable competitors.

Among those vying to dethrone the reigning champions is King in the North, Jarrod Langford, the current top-ranked bowler in the Open division following his standout performance at the Melbourne Tenpin Cup. Victoria’s Bernie Grueso Jnr, riding high from his historic win at the Australian Open, is another strong contender, currently holding the third spot in the rankings. In the Women’s division, four-time NSW Open winner Bec Whiting makes her anticipated return following an injury. Sitting just behind Martin in the rankings, Whiting is ready to renew her rivalry and reclaim the top spot.

The tournament kicks off on Saturday with all bowlers competing in a 10-game qualifying round, divided into five two-game blocks. For the Open division, the top 24 bowlers based on scratch pinfall will advance to Stage 1, while the top 8 female bowlers will progress directly to match play. Stage 1 will feature the top 24 male bowlers competing over an additional 8 games, narrowing the field down to the top 8 for match play.

In the match play round, the top 8 bowlers from each division will face off in a 7-game matchplay section with bonus points awarded: 20 points for a win and 10 points for a draw. The culmination of the event will be the title matches on Sunday afternoon, where the top two bowlers in each division will battle it out in a head-to-head showdown. The top qualifier in each division will have the advantage of a right to rechallenge, should they lose the first game. The title winners will be crowned based on the outcome of this final, high-stakes match.

Tenpin Bowling Australia extends its best wishes to all competitors, hoping for a weekend of high scores and thrilling competition. May the best bowlers rise to the challenge and add their names to the illustrious list of NSW Open champions.

NSW OPEN PAST CHAMPIONS