The Professional Bowls Association of South Africa (PBASA) under current chairmanship of former Protea bowler Alan Lofthouse, was revived in 2023 after being dormant for several years. The main aim of the organisation is to run a qualifying tournament for South African bowlers to compete in World Bowl Tour Events at Potters in England and at the Scottish International Open. Our first singles winner was Protea bowler Wayne Roberts and this year the legendary Gerry Baker took the honours.

The PBASA is not in competition with Bowls South Africa, any District or club. It also seeks to promote bowls in general. Therefore, membership is open to any registered bowler in South Africa at an annual subscription of R250. Unfortunately, the annual qualifying event can only accommodate 64 players and our membership is already more than double that and growing. We are therefore looking at more opportunities to promote the PBASA and reward members.

With the assistance of Fairtree, our main sponsor, we have started identifying tournaments throughout South Africa to be affiliated to the PBASA. All this entails is that the PBASA will add prize money to your existing tournament, but exclusively for its members. This entails:

1. Before the start of your tournament anybody can still join the PBASA.
2. PBASA members win an additional R2 500 per person in the highest finishing team. This is qualified to a top three finish in tournaments with at least 24 teams and first place in tournaments with only 12 teams.
3. In selected tournaments an invite to the 2025 SA World Bowls Tour Qualifier (maximum of 2 x Pairs invites per team which can accommodate 4 PBA members – not transferable).
4. An additional R2 500 will be added to the above if a Fairtree Direct Client.
5. This means that possible additional prize money of R20 000 can be won at your tournament.

The advantage for a club is not only to be associated with the prestigious PBA brand, but it should also attract entries from existing PBA members helping to fill the field faster.