Gisborne croquet players win more than half the prizes up for grabs in Whakatane

John Wilson

CROQUET

PLAYERS from Gisborne’s Barry Memorial Croquet Club won five of the eight prizes on offer at the Whakatane Golf Croquet Open.

In the Saturday handicap doubles, John Wilson and Ross Thomson were runners-up to George Coulter (Whakatane) and Kathie Grant (Epsom).

Coulter is the current national doubles title-holder and Grant is regarded as a top player, so the Gisborne pair found the standard of play a level above what they were used to. Consequently, Wilson and Thompson were satisfied with their performance in a 6-4 loss.

At the end of the day’s play, Wilson and Thomson were tied with another Gisborne pair, Rob Hayes and Christine McCullough, but were declared second on a countback.

Much to his amusement, Coulter was given the nickname Gentle George by the Gisborne players . . . because of his hard hitting from a considerable distance.

In the Sunday level singles, John Wilson played good, consistent croquet to win Section 2 on a countback from clubmate Dave Newton.

Ironically, Wilson’s only loss was to Newton’s wife Chris, who was placed third.

Thomson completed the Barry club’s dominance by finishing fourth.

Playing in Section 1, Hayes did well to be runner-up to New Zealand rep and former Gisborne player Mike Crashley.

Hayes headed off Grant on a countback of hoops differential.

Because of his wins against players on lower handicaps, Hayes has reduced his own handicap another notch.

In Section 3, McCullough was runner-up. She had only one loss during the day and that was to the section winner. These two finished well ahead of the rest.

The Barry players returned with one win and four runner-up placings against some of the best players in the Bay of Plenty and beyond.

Whereas players in other regions have this kind of tough competition every other weekend at nearby clubs, the Gisborne players have to travel at least as far as Whakatane or Napier to get this standard of play. The cost of travel and accommodation prohibits them from attending regular tournaments.

The club is applying for funding for a good-quality mower, which would help improve the lawns to a standard similar to bowling greens, and matching some of the best croquet lawns in the country.