Pineholt Bowls Club’s showpiece tournament celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

The Open Tournament – so called because it is open to any club in Gloucestershire – takes place this year on Sunday 6th August.

It is a 4-rink mixed tournament made up of 24 teams and is one of the highlights of the year for Pineholt assistant secretary Pete Langley.

“It’s always a good competition,” he said. “It’s a long day but a very enjoyable one. The action starts at 9am and continues throughout the day until about 7.30pm.

“There’s plenty of incentive to do well because there’s prize money on offer as well.”

The club in Hucclecote, which has about 60 members, are proud of the fact that their president and greenkeeper is Mark Savagar, who just happens to be a greens adviser to Bowls England.

“He prepares our green,” said Langley, “he knows what he’s doing.”

So is Pineholt’s the best in the west?

“We like to think so,” laughed Langley. “I would say it is pretty high up the list. People like to pick holes in a green when they don’t win but ours is pretty good.”

The club are celebrating their 80th anniversary this year. The men’s team are captained by Bob Allen and compete in the Glevum League as well as Division Two of the Gloucestershire League.

Pineholt, in common with many sports clubs, would like to increase their numbers.

“It would be nice to get new members to try our greens or to try bowls,” said Langley. “It’s a very relaxing game.”

Any club interested in entering the Open Tournament should call Doreen Savagar on 01452 501642.

It is a busy time for the club because they also have a Family Day on Saturday 8th July.