Kyneton Golf Bowls Club knows it will never have a season like last year but is still hoping for more success this time around.
For a side that has played in 13 of the past 15 Central Highlands bowls division (CHBD) 1 grand finals, last season was amazing even by its own standards.
They won everything on offer, including the division 1 and 2 championships and the triples, while club member Anthony Mathison won the CHBD champion of champions title.
Club president John McQualter said the club knew it couldn’t have a season like that again. Both its teams will play in division 1 this year after Trentham dropped a division due to a shortage of players.
“Last year was the pinnacle,” McQualter said before the weekend’s opening round.
“We’ve never won divisions 1 and 2 in the same season before.
“We had a vote after the season and weren’t keen on [our second side] going into division 1 as we’re only a small club with about 45 players.
“But we had to go up when Trentham lost players and went down a division.”
McQualter says he expects the top team, Kyneton Golf Gold, will be in the mix again.
“The Gold side is a strong team, but the Blues may struggle as we’re a bit short of numbers at the moment.
“And a few other sides have improved so it will be hard.”
Kyneton Golf lost eight players in the off-season, most from the Blue side.
“Daniel Lonsdale has gone to try his luck to Mitcham, in the premier division,” McQualter said.
“Richard Dwyer, a son of one of our players, who has been with premier side Essendon, has returned and will replace Daniel as a skipper.
“Wayne Turner has also returned to the club, while Jarrod Plowman, another son of one of our players, is a handy addition.”
The Gold side started the season well, with a 16 (102) – 2 (74) win over Woodend on Saturday. The Blue side struggled, losing to Gisborne 18 (138) – 0 (83).
In other results, Kyneton beat Romsey 16 (109) – 2(76), while Lancefield defeated Bacchus Marsh 16(86) – 2(80) in the closest of the matches. Bacchus Marsh, Gisborne, Diggers Rest and Mt Cottrell were winners in division 2.
