The club is hosting an Australian Open qualifying round, providing a huge opportunity for some of the best local bowlers.

The event has attracted strong fields in the women’s draw in particular, with former Dubbo resident Stacey Woodhouse, who now bowls at Cabramatta, returning for the event, as well as Dubbo City’s gun bowler Annette McMillan.

The smaller field for the men’s draw sees Mathew McIntyre, who recently moved to Taree, returning for the qualifiers while his brother Michael McIntyre and Western Warrior Tim Wark from Coonabarabran will also be in action.

Play will start at 8.30am on each day with singles in men and women on Monday, pairs on Tuesday and triples on Wednesday.

“The format will be a little different to what bowlers here are used to with matches consisting of two sets of first to nine ends,” West Dubbo bowls co-ordinator Tim Farrell said. “A three-end tie-breaker will be played in the case of matches finishing two sets all.

“That’s how they play at an international level and therefore how they will play at the Australian Open in Victoria in February.”

The winner of each discipline will qualify for the Australian Open while Farrell said, based on entry numbers, the top two from women’s singles will go through.

“It’s a bit of a shame we couldn’t attract more numbers for this event because it is an excellent opportunity,” Farrell said.

“However, short notice plus the fact qualifiers have to travel to Victoria played a part.

“Hopefully all goes well so we can look to host it again next year.”

One of the biggest matches of the week is scheduled to take place in the very first round on Monday with McMillan and Woodhouse drawn together in section one of the women’s singles.