Tournaments

Tournament play is an exciting way for both players and spectators to experience the thrill of lawn bowls. Join us many weekends throughout the season at our Lake Park greens, where members are encouraged to compete and everyone is invited to watch. Many of our bowlers also take their passion to the next level by participating in Divisional and National tournaments.

Club tournament registration is available in the club app . You must register in the club app for each tournament you wish to participate in. 

Club Tournaments

These are organized and hosted by Milwaukee Lawn Bowling. Advance registration and entry fees are required to participate. 

Blind Pairs

The Blind Pairs Tournament is played on Memorial Day weekend and is the first tournament of our season. This is a social tournament and all skill levels are welcome. Participants register as individuals for either full day (four games) or half day (2 games). The tournament director designates participants as either a “lead” or a “skip” and assigns teams. Teams are not revealed until the start of each game, hence it is named a “blind” tournament. The lead and skip partners change each game in order to promote mixing of pairs. Participants earn points based on whether they win or lose and by how much each game. The top scoring lead and top scoring skip are declared the tournament winners and will have their names engraved on a plaque in the clubhouse. The top three leads and skips receive Milwaukee Lawn Bowling pins.

Mixed Pairs

The Mixed Pairs tournament allows members a taste of competitive bowling by offering the opportunity to pair with fellow club members who you may not have had the opportunity to bowl with previously. Pairs teams are composed of one male and one female. Participants choose their own partners or will be paired by the tournament director. The tournament is bracket-style and starts in early June after drawing opponents. The first round will be played within two weeks on a mutually agreed-upon date and time between you and your opponents.  After the first game, pairs teams are placed into flights based on win or loss. The second, third and fourth rounds begin every other Monday thereafter until the winners of each flight are determined. 

Potlicker Pairs

The Potlicker tournament is the first highly competitive tournament of the season. A potlicker is a bowler who is hungry for a win, no matter how out of shape or practice they may be. Participants determine their own pairs teams. The entry fee, goes towards the cash prize pot, that is awarded to the winners. First place team receives 50% of the total pot. Teams earn points based on whether they win or lose and by how much each game. At the end of play, the top scoring team is declared the tournament winner and will have their names laser engraved on the potlicker trophy in the clubhouse. 

    Breakfast Bowls

    This series of monthly games is intended to promote club fellowship for all skill levels. Come enjoy a delicious breakfast or brunch followed by a casual morning of bowls one Saturday per month. This season offers four Breakfast Bowls dates and the last date will be a brunch starting at 11:30 am. Teams are determined based on the skill and experience level of the bowlers present. Opponents will be determined by a draw. At the end of the series this season, special prizes will be awarded to participants based on attendance and game success. The $6 entry fee for each date helps to cover the cost of breakfast and prizes.

      Super Singles

      The Super Singles tournament offers individual club members of varying skill levels, a chance to bowl competitively against fellow club members who you may or may not have had the opportunity to compete with previously. The tournament is an elimination, bracket-style, singles tournament. The first round will be played that evening or within a week on a mutually agreed-upon date and time between you and your opponent. The second and later rounds start each week thereafter until the winners of each flight are determined. All skill levels have the opportunity to win their flight! Depending on the number of participants there may be two pools.

        Sydney Stellar Invitational

        This women’s triples tournament was started in 1971 by Sydney Steller of the Lake Park Ladies Auxiliary. The original name of the Invitational is unknown, but it was renamed the Sydney Steller Invitational in 1984. It was traditionally held Labor Day weekend, but is now held around that time of the year. Unlike other club tournaments, it is open to MLPLBA members and other Bowls USA members and is a womens-only tournament. If there is a low number of participants, then we merge with the Otto Hess Invitational being held concurrently. Participants may sign up as triples teams or as individuals and in the latter case, the tournament director will assign teams. Teams earn points based on whether they win or lose and by how much in each game. At the end of play, the top scoring team is declared the tournament winner and will have their name engraved on a plaque in the clubhouse.

          Otto Hess Invitational

          This men’s triples tournament was started in 1963 by the Milwaukee Lawn Bowling Association. It was originally named the Milwaukee Invitational, but later was renamed the Otto Hess Invitational in 1984. Otto Hess was an active member from 1934 to the late 1980’s. It was traditionally held Labor Day weekend, but is now held around that time of the year. Unlike other club tournaments, it is open to MLPLBA members and other Bowls USA members and is a mens-only tournament. If there is a low number of participants, then we merge with the Sydney Steller Invitational being held concurrently. Participants may sign up as triples teams or as individuals and in the latter case, the tournament director will assign teams. Teams earn points based on whether they win or lose and by how much in each game. At the end of play, the top scoring team is declared the tournament winner and will have their name engraved on a plaque in the clubhouse.

            Veteran Novice Pairs

            The Veteran Novice Pairs Tournament teams veterans with more than two years of lawn bowling experience with novices who have two years or less of lawn bowling experience. It is a fun and excellent way for our novice bowlers to gain tournament experience. This club tournament was inspired by the veteran novice pairs tournament played at Jefferson Park in Seattle, WA and we started playing our own version in 2011. Participants may register as a team (veteran and novice) or as individuals, in which case the tournament director will assign teams. Teams earn points based on whether they win or lose and by how much each game. At the end of play, the top-scoring team is declared the tournament winner and prizes are awarded to the top teams. Breakfast and lunch are included with your $12.00 entry fee.

            Chili Bowl

            The Chili Bowl is our last club tournament of the season and is open to all club bowlers. Participants sign up as individuals and the tournament director(s) assign two large, evenly ranked teams (Chili Roja or Chili Verde), which compete against each other in a variety of lawn bowling disciplines which may include singles, pairs, triples and fours in the morning and afternoon.  In each game you will be playing with different partners against a different opponent. The competing participants and teams earn points based on whether they win or lose and by how many points per game. At the end of play, the top-scoring team (Chili Roja or Chili Verde) is declared the tournament winner.

            As the name of the tournament suggests, chili creation and consumption plays a major role! A number of various styles of chili will be available for breakfast, brunch, lunch and during breaks between games. Our annual chili contest offers participants the chance to vote for their favorite chili and crown a chili champ (by vote) next to the bowling team champs (by performance). The entry fee supports the day-long chili brunch. And if you are not a chili fan, we will have light breakfast basics available as well as Mac N Cheese at lunch.

              Central Division Tournaments

              Central Division Singles Playdown

              Men and women compete separately. The winners qualify and agree to play in the Bowls USA National Championships. All members of the Central Division of Bowls USA are eligible to participate.

              Participants must hold membership in the Central Division and Bowls USA. This tournament is organized by the Central Division and played on our greens in Lake Park. Advance registration and entry fee is required to participate. Milwaukee Lawn Bowling Club members are members of the Central Division and Bowls USA. Our club hosts the Central Division Playdowns.

              Central Division Pairs Playdown

              Men and women compete separately. The winners qualify and agree to play in the Bowls USA National Championships. All members of the Central Division of Bowls USA are eligible to participate.

              Participants must hold membership in the Central Division and Bowls USA. This tournament is organized by the Central Division and played on our greens in Lake Park. Advance registration and entry fee is required to participate. Milwaukee Lawn Bowling Club members are members of the Central Division and Bowls USA. Our club hosts the Central Division Playdowns.

              Central Division Open

              A competitive open tournament hosted by the Central Division on our greens at Lake Park,

              Participants must hold membership in the Central Division and Bowls USA. Advance registration and entry fee is required to participate. Milwaukee Lawn Bowling Club members are members of the Central Division and Bowls USA.

              Other Divisional Tournaments

              National Tournaments

              US Open

              Players must hold membership in Bowls USA or World Bowls. The tournament is organized by Bowls USA and played on the greens of host clubs throughout the country. Advance registration and entry fee is required to participate. Milwaukee Lawn Bowling Club members are members of Bowls USA.

              National Championships

              Players must hold membership in your particular Division of Bowls USA and Bowls USA. The tournament is organized by Bowls USA and played on the greens of host clubs throughout the country. Players qualify by winning Division Playdowns. Milwaukee Lawn Bowling Club members are members of the Central Division and Bowls USA. Milwaukee Lawn Bowling Club hosted the National Championships in 2006 and again in 2024.

              National Championship Opening Ceremony