Newton’s form outstanding at tournament

BIG EFFORT: Chris Newton won the handicap doubles with husband Dave and then Section 2 of the level singles at the Katikati Open Golf Croquet Tournament. Picture supplied

Chris Newton from the Barry Memorial Croquet Club played the tournament of her life so far at the Katikati Open Golf Croquet Tournament.

She won the handicap doubles with husband Dave and then won Section 2 of the level singles.

Entries covered clubs from Warkworth to Gisborne.

In the doubles, the Gisborne pair were thumped by a Katikati pair 7-1 but won the rest of their games, while the Katikati pair had some losses, which handed Chris and Dave Newton the title.

In the singles, Dave Newton — playing in the top division with 11 entries — did well to place in the middle of the field against many players with lower handicaps.

Wife Chris — in the second division — surprised herself. Newton lost one game to a Katikati player 7-4 but won her other nine games relatively easily and won the section. As a result, Newton has gone down to a 5 handicap.

On the same weekend, three pairs from the Barry club travelled to compete in the Heretaunga Doubles Golf Croquet Tournament in Havelock North.

In the first division, which played levels (no handicaps), Rob Hayes and John Wilson won eight of their games and were pleased to finish in the top half of their section, considering some of the opposition were on lower handicaps.

The second division played with handicaps and 14 pairs battled it out over the two days.

Per and Ina Elzen played well to finish in third place with eight wins.

They were delighted to finish ahead of clubmates Charles Ostler and Ross Thomson, who ended with seven wins.

The Elzens' success was a good build-up for when they shortly travel to Pakuranga to defend the title they won last year in the couples tournament.

A feature of the Heretaunga tournament was the strong showing of many teenage players. The Hawke's Bay clubs have run a successful programme in the schools over the past couple of years and the results are obvious.

The Barry club intends running a similar programme in the school holidays to encourage students to play the game.