The Dunoon Bowling Tournament has been running since 1948 when a men’s singles tournament was held for the ‘Harry Gordon Trophy’. The tournament week is now affectionately known as the ‘Harry Gordon Week’ even though it’s merely the name of the gent’s singles trophy.
In 1950 a gent’s pairs was added to the week playing for the McPherson Trophy. In 1969, the tournament expanded to allow ladies to compete for the Marshall Cup (singles) and Milanda Trophy (pairs). Further expansion in the 1980s saw the addition of two consolation trophies, for those already eliminated from the ‘blue riband’ events, in the form of the McColl’s Hotel Trophy (mixed pairs) and Cowal Cottage Bakery Trophy (mixed triples). In 1986 a juvenile tournament was introduced for under 16s with a shield donated by Jimmy Riddell of Renfrewshire. There are also many social bowling events taking place at the greens, now, during the course of the week to keep visitors entertained.