Nearly 2000 teams and players have entered the tournament that lets any bowler test itself against the sport's elite.
Twenty venues across the Goulburn Valley are required to host the eight-day, seven-event sporting smorgasbord that culminates with two finals days at Shepparton Park next Thursday and Friday.
With nearly 3500 bowlers to hit the greens, Bowls Victoria events manager Sean O'Kane said it was all systems go for the annual spectacle.
“It's shaping up really well and we're really looking forward to the eight days of competition,” he said.
“There's plenty of Victorian stars but also a lot of international players coming as well. We're looking forward to that, and we've broken the record number of entries again.
“Three years ago there were probably about 1600 or 1700 entries, so it continues to slowly grow.
“When it first started nine years ago there were probably half that, so it's really grown and particularly with the support of the local people. Not just Shepparton but Bendigo, Echuca-Moama, Benalla.”
Last year's men's singles champion Lee Schraner, who rates as perhaps the world's best bowler after claiming this year's World Champion of Champions title, returns to the Open, but will not defend his singles crown, opening the door to the vast sea of challengers.
But Schraner will play pairs with East Bendigo teammate Brad Marron and add Essendon gun Jay Bye-Norris to the mix to play triples, meaning he remains a chance of leaving with another title.
One of the main challengers will be Tallygaroopna's Matt Robertson, also a defending champion after claiming the triples last year with South Bendigo's Mitch Sidebottom and Hill Top's Russell Locke.
Robertson, who is back in top form after back surgery in May last year, was pumped to get back into Open action.
“We've obviously got to go in with a bit of confidence, but I see Lee Schraner is going in with a pretty strong side, with Jay Bye-Norris and Brad Marron,” he said.
“They're definitely the ones to beat considering he's the world Champion of Champions. But last year we did beat Lee in the quarter-finals, he's not unbeatable, but you've got to give him respect.
“I've played every (Vic Open) and the fact it's local is great. It just gives the country people the opportunity to play against some of the best in the state, and to show them they're not going as well as they think.”
Today's sectional play brings mixed pairs action before singles (Saturday), pairs (Sunday) and triples (Monday) across the coming days, with knockout play starting Tuesday.
O'Kane said that was only possible with the enormous support of the Goulburn Valley Bowls Division's clubs.
“Especially the smaller clubs have been great, like Strathmerton, Wunghnu, across in Benalla they're really supportive,” he said.
“There's more like Nagambie, Berrigan and Stanhope. It's really good to see that mix of clubs and how well they support it.
“We're live streaming the last couple of days and really looking forward to make it a really good event. We'd love to see the local spectators get along to those last two days, if there's any fans of local bowls, they will love Thursday and Friday.”
And Robertson, who will commentate on said live stream if he is not still playing, doubles as a state team selector and said a big performance at the Open would be huge.
“It's an opportunity for up-and-comers and players that are on the cusp of the state side to have some success and put their hands up in the biggest Victorian event outside the state finals,” he said.
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