Australia’s senior bowlers will open the 2026 ranked event season when The Hammer Queensland Senior Classic returns to Caboolture, bringing three days of high-level competition and valuable national ranking points.

As a TBA Ranked Event for both Senior and Grand Senior divisions, the Hammer Queensland Senior Classic remains a key fixture on the national calendar and an early benchmark for the year ahead.

Event Snapshot

• Event: The Hammer Queensland Senior Classic
• Edition: 22^nd (established 2005)
• Dates: 16-18 January 2026
• Venue: Caboolture Bowl & Mini-Golf, QLD
• Divisions: Senior & Grand Senior – Male and Female
• Status: 2026 TBA Ranked Event
• Prize pool: Over $21,700

Why this event matters

The Hammer Queensland Senior Classic plays an important role in the early stages of the season, offering competitors the chance to secure points before the calendar becomes more congested later in the year.

With separate Senior and Grand Senior divisions for both male and female competitors, the event provides meaningful competitive opportunities across the full senior pathway, while maintaining a strong focus on scratch bowling and consistency across multiple sessions.

The field at a glance

George Frilingos returns to defend the title he captured in 2025, while Dena Buxton is a late scratching and will miss the season opener – an event she has dominated, winning two of the past three editions.

Now a long-standing fixture on the calendar, the event continues to attract a strong national field each year. There is no exception in 2026 with an expected turnout of 130 participants registered for the event at the time of writing, placed in one of four squads with a 36-bowler capacity.

The field boasts a strong mix of experienced ranked competitors, returning regulars and new bowlers keen to see how they match up against some of the top senior bowlers in the country.

Format

All competitors will bowl 18 games across two appearances, spread over the three-day schedule.

Each squad appearance features freshly washed and oiled lanes, placing a premium on adaptability across sessions, shot execution under changing conditions and managing transition late in blocks.

Final placings are determined on total pinfall, with any tie for first place decided by the highest final game.

How to follow the event

Competition will take place across Friday 16 January to Sunday 18 January, with multiple squads in action each day.

As with all Caboolture-hosted events, live streaming will be available throughout the tournament. TenpinResults Australia will host the scoring of the event, and scores will be available once entered by the tournament committee throughout the event.

Past Champions