Newton pairing win top section of golf croquet tournament

File picture

HUSBAND and wife Dave and Chris Newton of Gisborne’s Barry Memorial Croquet Club won the top section of the Whakatane Golf Croquet Handicap Doubles tournament last weekend.

They had not expected to play in top-level company, as they were entered in the second section of the tournament.

But when they arrived, they found that owing to a withdrawal they had been elevated to the top section.

Keen to improve their game, they were happy with the promotion.

They played well throughout the day and rose to the occasion when their opponents faltered under pressure.

They had two close games, winning by one hoop, 7-6, but their other wins were more comfortable — 7-1, 7-5 and 7-0. The wins were all the more impressive considering the Newtons, with a combined handicap of 15, were up against pairs with combined handicaps as low as six and seven.

Last month, Dave Newton and fellow Barry club member John Wilson won Section 2 of the Mt Maunganui club’s winter handicap golf croquet tournament.