Brian Dial triumphs at Heidelberg’s Suikerbosrand Singles PBA Qualifier
Bedfordview’s Brian Dial beat 36 of the region’s top bowlers to claim the Suikerbosrand Singles Qualifier title at Heidelberg Bowling Club, defeating defending champion John Molupi before securing a straight-sets victory in the final against Vernon Wolstenholme.
Heidelberg Bowling Club welcomed 36 of the region’s top singles bowlers for its annual Suikerbosrand Singles Professional Bowls Association Qualifier tournament.
The competition attracted players from across the region and beyond, including the Northern Free State, Mpumalanga, the Vaal, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.
The PBA allows bowling clubs to host qualifying tournaments, with the winner earning an invitation to compete in the World Bowls Series South African Qualifier in Durbanville, Western Cape.
Heidelberg Bowling Club made history in 2025 when Bowls South Africa and the PBA selected it to host the first singles qualifying event in South Africa, following their decision to allow clubs to host regional singles competitions.
The 2026 title was fiercely contested, with defending champion John Molupi of Benoni Lake Bowling Club facing a tough challenge from eventual winner Brian Dial of Bedfordview Bowling Club.
Dial defeated Molupi in a closely fought encounter before carrying his winning momentum into the final, where he beat Vernon Wolstenholme of Harvinia Bowling Club in straight sets to claim the title.
