2026 John Sullivan Senior Australian Open Recap
By Tenpin Bowling Australia
Buxton leads a trio of champions at Wyncity Keon Park at the John Sullivan Senior Australian Open
Dena Buxton, Andrew Thorpe and Graeme Morgan have been crowned champions of the 2026 John Sullivan Senior Australian Open, with all three titles decided at Wyncity Keon Park in Thomastown, Victoria across the weekend of 21-22 March.
Buxton claimed a historic fourth consecutive Ladies title, Thorpe took out the Men’s 50s division with the highest pinfall total of the weekend, and Morgan held off a late charge from Mick Talevski by just nine pins to defend his Grand Senior crown – all in front of a strong national field competing in the 2026 edition of the TBA-ranked event.
At A Glance
| Event | 2026 John Sullivan Senior Australian Open |
| Dates | 21-22 March 2026 |
| Venue | Wyncity Keon Park, Victoria |
| Division | Senior / Grand Senior Division |
| Status | 2026 TBA Nationally Ranked Event |
| Full Results | View Here |
Overview
Wyncity Keon Park played host to one of the senior calendar’s most anticipated events over the weekend, with bowlers from across the country competing across 16 games of scratch bowling. The 2026 edition delivered strong performances, tight standings, and three worthy champions – including a landmark fourth consecutive title in the lady’s division.
Results
Female Division (50’s)
Podium
| Position | Athlete | Bowl | State |
| 🥇 | Dena Buxton | 3D Lanes Wodonga | VIC |
| 🥈 | Mary Dodds | Oz Tenpin Chirnside Park | VIC |
| 🥉 | Samantha Matthews | ZONE BOWLING Cannington | WA |
Dena Buxton claimed her fourth consecutive John Sullivan Senior Australian Open title, a remarkable achievement that cements her standing as one of the most dominant forces the division has seen. Dena’s victory places her alongside TBA Hall of Famer Jeanette Baker as the only athletes to secure four consecutive titles at the event in its history, with Jeanette continuing to hold the record of seven titles at the event. Leading after day one, Buxton held on across day two to finish with 3,082 pins at a 192.6 average. Mary Dodds (3,026) and Samantha Matthews (3,024) rounded out the podium in a tight finish, with just 2 pins separating second and third.
Male Division (50’s)
Podium
| Position | Athlete | Bowl | State |
| 🥇 | Andrew Thorpe | Wyncity Keon Park | VIC |
| 🥈 | Alan Notman | ZONE BOWLING Frankston | VIC |
| 🥉 | Ashley Riley | The Alley Entertainment Centre | TAS |
Andrew Thorpe claimed his first John Sullivan title in style, leading wire-to-wire from day one to finish with a commanding 3,403 pins at a 217.7 average – the highest total across all three divisions. Thorpe led day one with 1,697 and backed it up with 1,706 on day two to secure a 19-pin margin over Alan Notman (3,384). Ashley riley (3,328) rounded out the podium in third. The win for Thorpe is his second consecutive TBA Senior Ranked event win in 2026 after claiming the Hammer QLD Senior Classic.
Male Division (60’s)
Podium
| Position | Athlete | Bowl | State |
| 🥇 | Graeme Morgan | Logan City Tenpin | QLD |
| 🥈 | Mick Talevski | Wyncity Keon Park | VIC |
| 🥉 | Andrew Frawley | Manhattan Superbowl Mascot | NSW |
Graeme Morgan claimed his second John Sullivan Senior Australian Open 60’s title in three years, holding off a charging Mick Talevski by just nine pins – the closest finish of the weekend. This is Graeme’s third John Sullivan Senior Australian Open title (2022, 2025, 2026). Despite trailing after day one, where Michael Muir led the division with 1,692, Morgan surged to the top of the standings on day two and held on as Talevski fell just short. Andrew Frawley (3,155) finished third to earn a place on the podium. This is Graeme’s second consecutive win in a grand senior division after winning the Hammer QLD Senior Classic Grand Senior title earlier this year.
Performance Highlights
The 44ft TBA Reservoir pattern made high scores difficult throughout the weekend, with the two below high scores achieved.
HIGH GAMES
288- Paul Reus (ZONE BOWLING Forest Hill, VIC)
237 – Dena Buxton (3D Lanes Wodonga, VIC)
Top 10 Standings
Female Division (50s)
| Position | Athlete | Pins | Bowl | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dena Buxton | 3,082 | 3D Lanes Wodonga | VIC |
| 2 | Mary Dodds | 3,026 | Oz Tenpin Chirnside Park | VIC |
| 3 | Samantha Matthews | 3,024 | ZONE BOWLING Cannington | WA |
| 4 | Sue Cassell | 2,995 | Caboolture Bowl | QLD |
| 5 | Christine Clark | 2,940 | Bendigo Bowling Centre | VIC |
| 6 | Jenny Burton-Douglas | 2,875 | ZONE BOWLING Tuggeranong | ACT |
| 7 | Jo Babic | 2,869 | Bowland Salisbury | SA |
| 8 | Linda Els | 2,856 | Wyncity Keon Park | VIC |
| 9 | Karen Commane | 2,836 | ZONE BOWLING Moonah | TAS |
| 10 | Jenny Notman | 2,831 | ZONE BOWLING Frankston | VIC |
Male Division (50s)
| Position | Athlete | Pins | Bowl | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrew Thorpe | 3,403 | Wyncity Keon Park | VIC |
| 2 | Alan Notman | 3,384 | ZONE BOWLING Frankston | VIC |
| 3 | Ashley Riley | 3,328 | The Alley Entertainment Centre | TAS |
| 4 | Michael Wilshaw | 3,296 | Campbelltown City Bowl | NSW |
| 5 | Paul Reus | 3,256 | ZONE BOWLING Forest Hill | VIC |
| 6 | Andrew Lloyd | 3,221 | Bowlarama Wetherill Park | NSW |
| 7 | Damien McAndrew | 3,183 | Caboolture Bowl | QLD |
| 8 | Brett Smith | 3,171 | 3D Lanes Wodonga | VIC |
| 9 | Dan Borey | 3,145 | Shoalhaven City Lanes | NSW |
| 10 | Barry Dodds | 3,137 | Oz Tenpin Chirnside Park | VIC |
Male Division (60s)
| Position | Athlete | Pins | Bowl | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graeme Morgan | 3,232 | Logan City Tenpin | QLD |
| 2 | Mick Talevski | 3,223 | Wyncity Keon Park | VIC |
| 3 | Andrew Frawley | 3,155 | Manhattan Superbowl Mascot | NSW |
| 4 | Michael Muir | 3,142 | Bowland Salisbury | SA |
| 5 | Jim Bakirtzidis | 3,133 | Campbelltown City Bowl | NSW |
| 6 | Brian Robinson | 3,055 | Caboolture Bowl | QLD |
| 7 | David Edwards | 3,046 | Wyncity Keon Park | VIC |
| 8 | Jim Karakostas | 3,000 | Campbelltown City Bowl | NSW |
| 9 | Michael Holden | 2,991 | Oz Tenpin Chirnside Park | VIC |
| 10 | Robbie Douglas | 2,970 | ZONE BOWLING Tuggeranong | ACT |
Acknowledgements
TBA congratulates all three champions and thanks the committee of ATBSOV Inc. for organizing the 2026 edition of this prestigious event. Thanks also to Wyncity Keon Park for hosting and to TBA Victoria for their ongoing support. To all competitors who made the trip from across the country – thank you for your continued commitment to senior tenpin bowling in Australia.
Past Champions
| Year | Senior Division | Grand Senior Division |
| 2007 | Merv Billing and Jeanette Baker | |
| 2008 | ||
| 2009 | Bob Whybrow, Jeanette Baker | Stephen Bell, Alain Cossadeaux |
| 2010 | Tony Stoppel, Julie Hird | Stephen Bell and Ingrid Coburn |
| 2011 | Bill Johnson, Jeanette Baker | Brien Show-yin, Barb Richmond |
| 2012 | Brenton Davy, Jeanette Baker | Rob Zikman, Maxine Forrest |
| 2013 | Brenton Davy, Jeanette Baker | Mike Kennedy, Barb Richmond |
| 2014 | Mick Talevski, Jeanette Baker | Stephen Bell, Christene Webster |
| 2015 | Bill Johnson, Heather Robertson | Stephen Bell, Jeanette Baker |
| 2016 | Mick Talevski, Lee Booth | Jim Bakirtzidis, Jeanette Baker |
| 2017 | Bill Johnson, Julie Harrison | Jim Bakirtzidis, Jeanette Baker |
| 2018 | Kevin Webb, Jeanette Baker | Mick Talevski, Lee Booth |
| 2019 | Ralph Harford, Christine Clark | Terry Wenban, Sarah Knowland |
| 2020 | Andrew Lloyd, Christine Clark | Jim Bakirtzidis and Jeanette Baker |
| 2021 | Mike Muir, Sue Cassell | David Farquharson |
| 2022 | Andrew Lloyd, Jennifer Burton-Douglas | Graeme Morgan |
| 2023 | Adam Hayes, Dena Buxton | Mick Talevski |
| 2024 | Andrew Lloyd, Dena Buxton | Michael Holden |
| 2025 | Adam Hayes, Dena Buxton | Graeme Morgan |
| 2026 | Andrew Thorpe, Dena Buxton | Graeme Morgan |
