What Is 2016 US Open Lawn Bowls Championship

Overview

The 2016 US Open Lawn Bowls Championship was a premier international lawn bowls competition held in the United States, drawing top talent from across the globe. Hosted by the Los Angeles Lawn Bowling Club, the event showcased high-level competition in both men's and women's divisions.

The tournament emphasized precision, strategy, and international sportsmanship, reinforcing lawn bowls as a growing competitive sport in North America. With a history dating back to the early 20th century, the US Open remains a key event on the bowls calendar.

• Event date: The championship was held in August 2016, marking one of the year’s most anticipated bowls events in the Western Hemisphere.
• Location: The Los Angeles Lawn Bowling Club in Santa Monica, California, served as the official host venue for the tournament.
• Participants: More than 200 players from 15 countries competed, including top-ranked athletes from Canada, the United States, Australia, and South Africa.
• Men's singles winner: Ryan Bester of Canada claimed the title after defeating several top-seeded players in the knockout rounds.
• Women's singles winner: Kelly McKerihen, also from Canada, won the women’s division, demonstrating consistent performance across all matches.

How It Works

The US Open Lawn Bowls Championship follows international rules set by World Bowls, with slight adaptations for the Open format. Matches are played on flat, manicured grass greens, and scoring is based on proximity to a small white target ball called the jack.

• Format: The tournament uses a round-robin group stage followed by a knockout phase to determine the champion in each division.
• Game duration: Matches typically last 18 to 21 ends, with each end taking approximately 6–8 minutes to complete.
• Scoring: Points are awarded based on how many of a player’s bowls finish closer to the jack than the opponent’s closest bowl.
• Equipment: Players use biased bowls weighing between 1.45 and 1.58 kg, with each bowl designed to curve during delivery.
• Officials: Matches are overseen by certified umpires and markers who ensure adherence to international lawn bowls regulations.
• Categories: The event includes divisions for men’s singles, women’s singles, and occasionally mixed pairs, depending on participation levels.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2016 US Open stacked up against recent editions in terms of participation and outcomes:

The 2016 tournament saw the highest international turnout since 2014, reflecting growing interest in the sport across North America. Canada’s dominance in both singles categories underscored its rising status in international lawn bowls.

Why It Matters

The 2016 US Open Lawn Bowls Championship played a crucial role in promoting the sport in a non-traditional market. Its success helped secure future funding and media coverage for lawn bowls in the United States.

• Increased visibility: The event was covered by niche sports networks and digital platforms, reaching over 50,000 viewers online.
• Youth engagement: Organizers launched a youth outreach program, introducing lawn bowls to over 300 high school students in Southern California.
• International collaboration: The tournament strengthened ties between the US Lawn Bowls Association and federations in Canada and Australia.
• Infrastructure investment: Hosting the event prompted $75,000 in upgrades to the Los Angeles club’s greens and facilities.
• Pathway to pro play: Several amateur athletes earned national team consideration after strong performances in the Open.
• Legacy impact: The 2016 championship inspired the creation of two new lawn bowls clubs in Nevada and Colorado by 2018.

As lawn bowls continues to evolve, events like the 2016 US Open remain vital for expanding the sport’s footprint beyond traditional strongholds.