A GREENOCK umpire is bowled over after being hand-picked to work at one of the world’s biggest tournaments.

Pat Woods, who is vice president and secretary at Hillend Bowling Club, will jet out to sunny Cyprus for the World Champion of Champions competition later this year.

The Greenock grandad, above, says he can’t wait to see the best players in the world in action.Proud Pat told the Tele: “It’s a great honour and I’m really looking forward to it.

“This is one of the biggest competitions in the world. It’s a privilege to umpire at it.” The 65-year-old, who lives with wife Anne in Carwood Court and has three grown-up children, has made a name for himself as an eagle-eyed umpire in the bowling world and knows how to stay calm under pressure.

He added: “This will be the third time I’ve worked at this tournament. At first it was a bit overwhelming but you get used to it.” Pat is a well known face on the bowling circuit.Last year, we revealed how he had been chosen from 900 umpires across the country to officiate at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

He also featured on the BBC flagship news magazine-style programme, The One Show, presented by Alex Jones and Matt Baker, in front of an audience of five million people.

His forthcoming 11-day stint at the big tournament will see him visit the luxurious four-star Athena Royal Beach Hotel in Paphos in November.