Rose Gardens Croquet Club member Luke Francis says executing jump shots and long roquets gives him a buzz. "Winning is a massive bonus that helps the buzz last longer." Photo / Judith Lacy
Rose Gardens Croquet Club member Luke Francis says executing jump shots and long roquets gives him a buzz. "Winning is a massive bonus that helps the buzz last longer." Photo / Judith Lacy
“You miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take so bite off more than you can chew, then chew like heck.”
Croquet player Amy Gust lives by this saying.
Last season, Croquet New Zealand named her the most improved golf croquet player.
Gust started the 2022-23 season witha handicap of 12, but ended the season as a four.
She attributes her spectacular progress to the hard work she put in on and off the lawns and the help and encouragement from a wide range of people.
She debuted for New Zealand at the 2023 Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship in the Bay of Plenty in February.
She had a “real mint” experience and came back jabbering her grandparents’ ears off.
“I was filled with nerves from head to toe but by the end of my time up north, it’s safe to say that it was one of the most cracker and surreal experiences out there.”
She enjoyed seeing how other countries play: Egypt has amazing players who don’t miss a thing.
Amy Gust concentrates on her shot during a game of golf croquet at Rose Gardens Croquet Club, as John Doolan looks on. Photo / Judith Lacy
Injuries halted Luke Francis’ rugby playing. A friend introduced him to croquet, which is not as physically demanding, and he is hooked.
Francis likes the positive vibes of the sport.
“It is only competitive if you make it competitive. People don’t really get frustrated at all.”
The 18-year-old is at Palmerston North Boys’ High School.
He was seventh in the national Under-21 Golf Croquet Championship in Ashburton in April.
Francis would love to be selected for the Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship in Florida in 2025, as would Gust.
