Blackstones Bowls Club in Stamford has been chosen to host the Balcomb Trophy Midland qualifier

Bowls England has honoured Blackstones Bowls Club in Stamford by nominating it to host a regional qualifier for one of the sport's most prestigious events next weekend.

Over May 17 and 18, it will stage the newly re-formatted men's Balcomb Trophy Midland qualifier between teams from Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

It's a real feather in the cap of the club which prides itself on the quality of manicured grass surface it presents to its members and visiting clubs in Stamford and Peterborough League domestic fixtures as well as national, county and individual matches.

Said greenkeeper Mal Smith: "This tournament is early in the season which is quite challenging to ensure the green runs at a decent pace.

"In addition to the normal pre-season preparations, the green will undergo verticutting, as opposed to scarifying, and power-brushing some eight to 10 days before the event.

"It will also be mowed at a height of 4mm every day for the five days leading up to the event and again on both days of the competition.

"Blackstones has also seen some improvements to the surrounds of the green with newly installed paving and a block built shed for equipment. This will also free up the viewing gallery."

Teams of 10 will compete in the Balcomb Trophy over two sessions each day (9.30am and 4pm) in singles, pairs, triples and fours, scoring points for individual points with the overall winners qualifying for the next stage towards the Aviva national finals at Leamington Spa.