Mandurah Bowling Club Hosts 2026 Everest of Bowls with $100,000 Prize Pool
The 2026 ITechworld Everest of Bowls has successfully concluded its latest edition at the Mandurah Bowling Club over the Easter weekend, marking another thrilling chapter in the prestigious event's history. With a substantial prize pool of $100,000 on offer, the competition attracted ninety-six elite bowlers from across the globe, each paying a $1,000 entry fee for a chance to claim a share of the lucrative rewards.
Spectacular Final Draws Crowds and Viewers
The tournament's final on Monday, April 6, proved to be a major highlight, drawing more than 500 enthusiastic spectators to the club. Additionally, the event garnered significant online attention, with over 23,000 views via Youtube Live Sports, showcasing the growing popularity of bowls as a spectator sport. The intense competition culminated in a victory for international representative Gary Kelly from Ireland, who secured the $50,000 first-place prize by defeating Australian Jackeroos player Ben Twist with a score of 31-21.
Winner and Runner-Up Reflect on the Experience
Gary Kelly expressed his amazement and honor at winning the event, emphasizing its global prestige. "It is an extremely prestigious event, not just here in Australia but worldwide," Kelly said. "I'm very grateful and thankful to have achieved this success. It was my third time at the Everest and the experience continues to blow me away every time." For Ben Twist, this marked his second runner-up finish since the inaugural Everest in 2017, where he lost to dual Commonwealth singles gold medalist Aaron Wilson. Twist praised the world-class field and the event's organization, noting, "It was a world class field so I was very pleased to have made it to the final. Gary was just too good. It's such a great event and we are also looked after away from the green, which adds to the experience and makes me want to come back for many years to come."
Tournament Director Highlights Community Impact
Tournament director Russell Tyrrell was thrilled with the quality of play and the event's positive impact on the local community. "It wasn't just the big-name players who performed outstandingly; the skill level from all players was a credit to them and their clubs," he said. Tyrrell emphasized the significance of bowls in the Peel region, which boasts 13 bowling clubs and thousands of participants. "Bowls is a huge part of the Peel region; we have 13 bowling clubs with thousands of participants and scope to grow that base. By having the internationals, nationals, interstate and some of WA's best can only help all clubs in the region. It is not just about the Mandurah Bowling Club, it is about our whole league; we are a very close community and everyone works together in the interest of all clubs."
Event's Resurrection and Future Plans
The Everest of Bowls has a storied history, previously held at the Dudley Park Bowling Club until it was shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was successfully resurrected by the Mandurah Bowling Club in 2025. Tyrrell explained, "COVID took the wind out of our sails and made it very difficult to get up and going again. In the end we resurrected in 2025 primarily because it didn't fit comfortably for The Everest to simply die after so many people put so much effort into making it such a success. The Mandurah Bowling Club members and executive backed me and my team to run it in 2025 and it proved to be a huge success, with 2026 exceeding everyone's expectations." Looking ahead, the 2027 Everest promises to be bigger and better, with plans to expand the field to 128 players and increase the total prize pool to $120,000, ensuring continued growth and excitement for the sport.
Notably, the event also featured former West Coast Eagles star David Wirrpanda, making his Everest debut while playing for the North Perth Bowling Club, adding a touch of celebrity to the competitive atmosphere. This blend of international talent, community spirit, and ambitious future plans solidifies the Everest of Bowls as a cornerstone event in the world of lawn bowls.
