Lawn bowls is set for change

Walter Jacobs CEO of Aero Bowls with his newly designed Lawn Bowl at Ballina Bowling Club for the Summerlan Series Pair competition.

Jay Cronan

PLAYERS and spectators at the Summerland Pairs were treated to the first look at a revolutionary set of lawn bowls at the Ballina Bowling Club yesterday.

Aero Bowls chief executive Walter Jacobs unveiled the new shiny silver set as he teamed with Commonwealth Games gold medallist and former world No1 Kelvin Kerkow.

"We're about to launch these around the world and pretty soon everyone will be using them," Jacobs said.

"The worst enemy of a bowler is wind and these overcome it.

"The accuracy with them is unbelievable and we have dozens of orders already.

"Every ball and every set are identical."

The Aero Bowls are expected to be released in February.

Kerkow was happy to be back in Ballina as he and Jacobs advanced in their section before being bundled out 17-14 in post-sectional play last night by local pair Glen Pitts (South Lismore) and Brett Dean (Alstonville).

"The greens are always good and it's one of the most prestigious pairs events in Northern New South Wales," he said.

In a coup for the Ballina club, Kerkow will play both Summerland Series events for the first time this year.

The 2012 Summerland Singles will feature 64 bowlers and starts on Friday week.