Bowls Manawatu

Skoglund Trophy 
Named in Honour of Phil Skoglund

One of New Zealand’s greatest lawn bowlers, Phil Skoglund, was renowned for his unique, silky delivery and his exceptional tactical awareness on the green.

He was born in Palmerston North in 1937 and attended Palmerston North Boys’ High School, where he was a member of the first XI cricket team.

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A true legend of the game, Skoglund won eight national titles, including his first singles title in 1958 at just 20 years of age—the youngest to do so at the time.

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On the international stage, he claimed a gold medal at the World Bowls Championship 1988 in Auckland, along with two silver and three bronze world medals, and a silver and two bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games.

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He remained actively involved in bowls almost until his passing in 2015 and, remarkably, even won his Northern club singles in his final season.

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Phil Skoglund was part of a proud bowling dynasty, the son of Philip Oscar Skoglund, himself a fine bowler and former Minister of Education.

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In 1988, “Phil Senior” was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his services to bowls.

He was inducted into both the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame and Bowls New Zealand Hall of Fame, and was also recognised as a Manawatū Legend of Sport.

He was a four-time Manawatū Sportsperson of the Year.

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Skoglund gave outstanding service to bowls in Manawatū, holding almost every administrative role and serving twice as president.

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Respected biographer Denis Duffy once placed Skoglund among the very elite of the game, alongside Peter Belliss, describing them as being “in a stratosphere of their own.” He also acknowledged other greats of the era, including Rowan Brassey, Gary Lawson, Nick Unkovich, and Bob McDonald.