THE annual York Open Bowls Tournament could be held for the final time this year unless there is a late surge in entries.

Last year's event attracted the fewest players in the competition's history but, less than two weeks before the 2005 closing date of May 16, the current number of bowlers entered is less than half that record low figure.

The suggested apathy means organisers are considering the very real threat that this year's 38th tournament could be York's last with entry fees unlikely to match the prize money on offer.

Its showcase titles - the men's singles (39 entries), men's pairs (34) and mixed pairs (28) - have all attracted an alarmingly low number of entries, while the ladies' pairs (16), ladies' singles (15) and juniors' singles (six) are really struggling to justify their existence.

Tournament secretary Ian Farrar said: "The interest in this year's tournament has been very, very poor. There are still a couple of weeks left and we must now hope for a last-minute rush otherwise that could be it and the competition will not be around next year.

"We normally get 70 or 80 entries for the three most-popular sections and, going back just ten years, you used to need to enter at Christmas to ensure you got into the men's singles, men's pairs and mixed pairs and that was when there was a maximum limit of 192 for places.

"Now, we have a situation where the amount of prize money on offer won't be covered by the entry fees. There's been a general decline in bowling nationally, as well as on a local and county level. The theory is more people are turning to golf instead but I think some of York's clubs have also reported recent drops in membership.

"Last year's event was a record low when entries went down by ten per cent on the previous year but, as we stand at the moment, we have less than half of that total."

Farrar went on to add that the next week would be critical as the York Open Bowls Tournament committee decide whether to continue running the competition in 2006.

He said: "Unfortunately, unless there is a significant improvement in entries over the next few days, there will be no alternative but to discuss whether this competition has a future. We need to know whether the bowlers in York are sufficiently interested or do we say goodbye to this annual event after 38 years?

"We are hoping this reminder will have a positive result and reverse the downward trend because, once the tournament disappears from the bowling calendar, it will be difficult to resurrect."

Entry forms are available by calling Ian Farrar on 01904 632159.

Updated: 11:20 Thursday, May 05, 2005