The following is from Craig Burgess, organiser of the 2011 International Open.
I am pleased to annouce that the International Short Mat Open will once again be going ahead. It will again be on Easter weekend but please note the change of venue.
We have been looking for a new venue and have last night agreed to move to Havering Indoor Bowling Club. The facilities are first class and we hope you can join us for the biggest money competition in Short Mat Bowls. The venue is 40 minutes from Stanstead airport so ideal for people flying in.
For those who did not attend the 1st event in April we had 38 triples and 32 fours from England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Belgium & Sweden in what was truly a world class event. If you have not read the report from Short Mat International i would recommend that you take a look. It was a great weekend.
This season we will be changing the format to fours and pairs as many thought this would enable them to make up teams a lot easier.
We will also be running a plate for both comps at no extra cost due to the popularity of the fours plate this year.
Players will be getting at least 4 games in both competitions as there will be a Round Robin Stage before we go to the knockout stages, same as last year.
In the fours teams will be in a group of 5. The top 2 will qualify for the main comp with the 3rd and 4th placed sides going into the plate. The team finishing bottom will be emliminated. Games will be played over 8 ends in the Round Robin, 10 ends in the knockout stages
In the pairs teams will be in a group of 4. The top 2 will qualify for the main comp with the 3rd and 4th placed sides going into the plate. Games will be played over 10 ends in the Round Robin, 12 in the Knockout stages
I have attached the entry form with this email but should you have any further queries please do not hesitate in contacting me.
Hotel deals will be posted as soon as we have them. All of the latest new will be appearing on the following website www.shortmatplayerstour.com
Thanks again for the support over the past year with getting this off the ground and hope to see you all in 2011.
Kind Regards
Craig Burgess
