A new sport is gaining momentum in Tennessee and Morgan County is helping lead the way.

Historic Rugby hosted the state’s first solo male qualifier tryouts for Irish Road Bowling on March 22, marking an important milestone for the sport’s growth in Tennessee. The event was sponsored by the Morgan County Tourism Alliance.

Four local participants qualified during the Rugby tryouts: Robb Goldwire of Rugby, Jason Lavender of Lansing, Shane Latimer of Sunbright, and Tommy Jackson of Coalfield.

The group went on to compete at the Level 4 Novice division in Kanawha State Forest in Charleston, West Virginia.

On May 9, all four bowlers successfully qualified for the Singles State Championship, which will be held June 27–28 in Ireland, W.V.

“Seeing local players advance at this level is exciting, not just for them, but for the future of the sport here in Tennessee,” said DeAnn Kirgan, a representative of the Morgan County Tourism Alliance. “Irish Road Bowling is a fun and challenging sport, and we’re proud to help introduce it to Tennessee and watch it begin to grow.”

Winners at the state level will advance to the North American Regional Finals, scheduled for August 1–3, also in Ireland, West Virginia. From there, top competitors will move on to compete internationally in Ireland.

Irish Road Bowling, which involves throwing a 28-ounce iron ball along a designated road course in the fewest throws, has long been popular in West Virginia, where more than 20 tournaments are held each year. Organizers hope to establish a similar presence in Tennessee, particularly in rural areas where scenic backroads provide an ideal setting for the game.

Efforts are already underway to expand participation. West Virginia organizers are now encouraging women to qualify and compete, and Historic Rugby plans to include both men’s and women’s divisions in future events.

Locally, organizers are working to build what will become the Tennessee Irish Road Bowling Series (TNIRBS), with plans for a larger opening tournament next year that will include both a fun, family-friendly game and competitive opportunities for future state qualifiers.

Irish road bowling games are held every other Saturday between March and October at 6pm ET in Historic Rugby. Anyone can participate and teams are chosen at random once players arrive. Those interested in learning more or trying the sport can view upcoming events at Historic Rugby by visiting historicrugby.org/events.