When the dust settled at the Interschool Golf Croquet Tournament, Conor Parkhill emerged as the overall champion by the skin of his teeth.
The Havelock North High School pupil had to toil but prevailed in pipping schoolmate Oliver Taylor by a point, while Holly Clarke of Tamatea Intermediate had tosettle for third last Sunday.
"Happy Hoopers" from five schools involved in the Kiwi Golf Croquet Initiative in Schools project via a Kiwi Sport Grant competed for placings in their levels. Pupils competed in four games and as many skill activities, with overall cumulative points deciding placings.
Parkhill also clinched the secondary schools' title by a solitary point from Taylor, with Kara Billing of Hastings Girls' High third.
A close tussle for most points ensued in the intermediate section as Clarke posted four wins, while schoolmate Ben Thoresen lagged only three points behind after mustering extra points on skill activities. Evelyn Lee of Taradale Intermediate was third.
Newcomer Connor Parker of Nelson Park School was the only primary pupil to enter but shone against his seniors. He claimed three wins and registered the fifth highest overall score in the skill activities.
Another rookie, Charlie Mudgway of Taradale Intermediate, showed promise with a win and forcing two games to the 13th hoop to share fourth intermediate placing with Hamish Whyman of Tamatea Intermediate.
The pupils' project has extended to a dozen schools, with Hastings and Napier ones receiving free sessions.
Three pupils have so far been selected for the national youth development programme, with Parkhill the latest recruit.
Brothers Liam and Jez Reeves played in the world under-21 championship which New Zealand won this year.
Jez partnered Parkhill in this year's National Secondary School Tournament.
Croquet NZ has developed U21 players for several years and now nurtures secondary pupils as well as setting up a new initiative for an U12 national development squad.
In the Bay, the Heretaunga and Marewa clubs offer after-school and sometimes holiday programmes to pupils on Mondays at 4pm for Years 5-13.
