Kurri Kurri lawn bowler Nathan Dawson's outstanding year has been capped off with him winning the NSW Bowler of the Year title from a star-studded field including teammate Aaron Appleby.
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Appleby was also a finalist in the most improved bowler of the year award in which he finished second behind Alstonville's Peter Taylor.
In a big night for the Kurri Kurri Bowling Club, the club was second to Raymond Terrace in the country club of the year.
Dawson said 2019 had been his best year of bowls in terms of results and enjoyment.
"I won the four zone titles (singles, pairs, triples and fours) and the two zone champion of champions (singles and pairs). You probably can't do better than that," he said.
"It's certainly been my best zone wise and to get down to the state championships in all four disciplines ... it's been my best year by a long way. I hadn't won a state title before so it was good to get a state title under my belt."
Dawson and Appleby won the state pairs title in September and he took out the zone champion of champions pairs title with Appleby's son Tailor.
Dawson said his return to the NSW state team after a 12-year break had taken his bowling to a new level.
"Getting back into the state side two years ago has definitely given me a bit more confidence, a bit more self-belief I suppose," he said.
"I didn't think I'd ever get back after 12 years out of the team, it's been great."
Dawson said he hoped his and Appleby's success would help Kurri's young bowlers' development.
"We've got some very good young bowlers coming through and I think it really helps when they see this sort of success," he said.