HillCrest Classic

The Hillcrest Classic, a venerable crown green bowls competition, has been a cornerstone of the sport since its inception in 1976. Notably, it stands as one of, if not the oldest continually run "open" competitions in crown green bowls, held exclusively by a private club. This enduring event owes its existence to the vision and determination of Mr. Sydney Murgatroyd and his son Trevor, who conceived and brought to life this celebrated tournament.

The inaugural competition in 1976 bore the sponsorship of Whitbread's, a prominent brewing company of the time. It featured an exclusive invitation to approximately the finest 32 players in the field, each contributing a £5 entry fee, highlighting the competitive nature of the event. The competition adhered to the established "Blackpool" rules, formalizing its affiliation with the British Professional Crown Green Bowling Association (C.G.B.A.) for a nominal fee of £2.

On the momentous opening night of May 1st, an impressive assembly of around 100 spectators gathered, paying 10 pence (with a reduced rate of 5 pence for seniors) for the privilege of witnessing the genesis of this era-defining competition. The games were fiercely contested, with a format of 41 points to secure victory, played over 5 ends. From these initial skirmishes, two deserving qualifiers emerged, earning their coveted spots in the final showdown set for September 4th.

The climax of the tournament witnessed a historic face-off between Dennis Mercer of Stockport and Gene Bardon of Huddersfield, a contest that unfolded before a crowd of 438 eager spectators. Yet, this memorable final was not without controversy. Dennis Mercer, one of the finalists, had been engaged in a team event at the county level and arrived at Hill Crest an hour past the stipulated start time. As a consequence, both players competed with a handicap of 15, rather than the intended 5, and much of the game transpired in near darkness. Mercer emerged as the inaugural holder of the coveted trophy, triumphing over Bardon with a score of 41-34. Mercer's victory earned him £200, while the runner-up received £70. This inaugural event captured the attention of over 3000 spectators during its 15-week duration.

In 1980, a twist of fate occurred when Dennis Mercer had to withdraw due to illness, and his replacement, Brian Starkey, went on to secure victory in the final, defeating local bowler Roy Nicholson with a score of 41-37.

The competition retained its original format until 1981 when it faced a sponsorship setback. The number of entrants was increased to 64, with an entry fee of £6, and the format shifted to 31 points to win, played over 3 ends, with 4 players per heat competing for a spot in the final. The competition boasted a prize fund of £1000, with the victor taking home £360.

Russell Dean, a local furniture store, stepped in as sponsor from 1979 to 1981. In 1984, Caltravel, a local travel agency owned by David and Ann Wright, took over sponsorship duties, joined by support from Taylors Bacon and an entry fee of £10, increasing the prize fund to £1,500 and the winner's share to £500.

Notable dates
1976 Start of the competition. Entrants included Roy Nicholson, Michael Leach and Alan Thompson who are still competing in the Classic (as at 2013)
1981 £1,000 prize fund. 64 entries
1984 £1,500 prize fund £500 to winner
1986 Roy Nicholson finally wins sweep after being runner-up 3 times
1988 £2,200 prize fund 128 entries
1989 Brand new scorebox replaced old scoreboards
1992 Graeme Wilson wins Classic for the first time
1994 £5,300 256 entries @ £15’
1995 £6,000 prize fund
2000 Chris Mordue wins Classic and also wins BCGBA Champion of Champions
2001 £8,010 prize fund £1,400 winner £700 runner-up
2002 Entries revert back to 128
2008 Steve Copeland wins his 3rd title
2009 Graeme Wilson wins for a record 4th time
2011 Wayne “The Beast” Ditchfield becomes the youngest winner aged 20
2012 Gary Ellis wins his 3rd title

By 2013, as Hill Crest celebrated its centenary, the Hillcrest Classic had stood the test of time for 38 years with only three changes in the organizer's post. Throughout its storied history, the Hillcrest Classic has not only been a testament to the enduring spirit of crown green bowls but also a cherished tradition for players and spectators alike.