Sport
30 January, 2026
Champion of Champions returns this Sunday
The cream of the Goldfields Playing Area crop will partake in a winner takes all battle royal for the right to call themselves Goldfields Champion of Champions.
Sixteen bowlers representing various local clubs will commence the two single-elimination tournaments this Sunday at the Maryborough Highland Society.
Starting at 9.15 am, the weekend’s action will see round one and semi-final encounters be completed, with players racing to 25 shots to advance.
Dunolly star Chris Williams has an incredibly arduous road ahead in his quest to repeat as men’s champion, taking on former back-to-back winner Matthew Vernon from Talbot in the first round.
Williams denied Vernon a three-peat in 2025, dominating their semi-final clash 25-13.
Either Williams or Vernon will meet Maryborough Golf’s Tony Chambers or Carisbrook’s Ross Gregory in the semi-final after what’s expected to be an intriguing first round battle.
On the other side of the bracket, Bill Burnett will attempt to rectify recent heartbreak after finishing runner-up in the last three tournaments, facing Avoca’s Ian Proctor in the first round.
The final quarterfinal matchup pits Greg Shay, who has a 10-1 record as part of the Highland Tartan midweek pennant juggernaut, against Jim Brookshaw of Maldon.
Extra excitement surrounds the ladies’ tournament this year, as a new queen will be coronated in 2026, with current champion Leanne Wallis not defending her crown.
Talbot stalwart and last year’s runner-up Barbara Crossley is once again amongst the favourites, scheduled to play Wallis’ teammate Deborah Wright from the Mary-borough Highland Society in the opening round.
In correlation to the men’s tournament, Maryborough Golf and Carisbrook collide in the first round as Elizabeth Bucknall takes on Judy Cassidy, with the winner facing Crossley or Wright in the semi-final.
After falling one shot short of reaching the Grand Final in 2025, Avoca’s Allyson Hearnden’s pursuit of the last dance begins against Dunolly’s Sandra Chaplin.
Whoever wins has a date with either in-form Newstead bowler Angela Hill or Maldon’s Pam Lyons in the next round.