Noel Kennedy is hoping to exploit his intimate knowledge of the Kowloon Bowling Green Club's (KGBC) rinks when the singles competition of the Manulife Funds Direct International Bowls Classic gets under way at Cox's Road today. The experienced KBGC player, who has just played an integral part in his club's Hong Kong league victory, is delighted that this year's Classic singles have been moved from the Craigengower Cricket Club (CCC). Tournament officials moved the two-day singles event to the KBGC after raising concerns about the condition of the CCC's second green. 'It's good news for me,' said Kennedy, who will represent Hong Kong in both singles and pairs competitions this week. 'I'm quite happy about it, although I think, with the singles being at KBGC, it's going to mean there will be fewer upsets because the greens are just that little bit truer,' added Kennedy, who will be looking to emulate his 1994 singles triumph this weekend. 'I'm reasonably happy with the way I've been playing. The singles will be tough, but I think we've got a good chance in the pairs next week,' said Kennedy, who plays CLBC's Wu Yu-hung in the tournament's opening round today. Singles champion Adam Jeffery of Australia is likely to provide the biggest obstacle between Kennedy and a place in tomorrow's final. Jeffery plays the Greende Lawn Bowls Club's Dickson Ha in today's first round. Kennedy will team up with Anthony Carstairs in the pairs competition, which starts on Monday. The Hong Kong duo are quietly confident of scoring an upset or two in the pairs, which Kennedy believes can be won by any one of eight teams. 'The strength in depth is pretty impressive,' said Kennedy. 'We've always got a fighting chance, but it's all going to depend on how we play on the day.' Kennedy says he is also aware that it is exactly 10 years since Hong Kong last won the pairs title, when he partnered Mark McMahon to victory. 'It would be nice to do it again on the 10-year anniversary,' he said.