NEW faces will be a feature at this year’s Chris Gryllis Real Estate Golden Eagle Pairs Classic.

Almost half the field will feature players who have never contested the event before.

Forty-two pairs will contest next month’s event at Orange City Bowling Club and tournament organiser Jim Gersbach said there could be a number of reasons for the number of bowlers making their debuts.

“It’s probably word of mouth and people who have been in it for years are starting to drop out,” Gersbach said.

“We’re getting new blood in the place.

“Plus, I suppose they all like the format.”

Entry forms were sent out in November and the competition was full before Christmas.

Included in the new faces this year will be two pairs from Streaky Bay in South Australia in Graham Fiebig and Rob Stephens and Steve Carnellor and John Rumbelow.

Narromine’s Don and Dave Sullivan are also first-time entrants.

Some bowlers making their debuts will be doing so with an experienced campaigner.

This will be the case for Molong’s Kevin Beatty, who will join with 2003 and 2005 Golden Eagle winner Bernie Diduszko.

Gersbach said Beatty might be new to the competition, but he shouldn’t be underestimated.

“Kevin is a handy bowler,” Gersbach said.

“He just got beat in the semi-final of the district fours.”

Last year’s winners, the Forbes combination of Jeff Matters and David Button, will be back in the hope of claiming their third title after taking out the 2006 event as well.

The 2009 runners-up, North Sydney’s Tom Nathan and Brad Franklin are back as well and will be keen to go one better in 2010.

A new combination but one with plenty of Golden Eagle experience is that of Molong’s Bob Hamilton and Blayney’s George Ford.

Between them they have played in countless Golden Eagles and their experience will make them tough to beat.

The format will remain the same for the competition with the 42 pairs divided into seven sections of six.

After playing within their sections, the top pair from each with the best second-placed side will move into the play-offs while the remaining teams will go through the consolation rounds.

This year’s event will run from February 8-11 at Orange City Bowling Club.