Golf Croquet: Spectacular shots make for entertaining tournament

Shirley Cox (Kensington) jumps her black ball through the hoop to gain the hoop point.

Despite forecasted fears of rain the Whangarei Five day Croquet Annual Tournament went ahead with a full field.

The first two days were devoted to Golf Croquet Singles then Handicap doubles on the second day. The singles level play event in sections provided some spectacular shots.

Scott Martins (Remuera/Epsom) displayed his skills by a distant jump shot, so that his ball passed over an opposition ball sitting in the hoop to claim hoop point.

Golf Croquet Singles:

Overall winners were: Section One: Senior: Des Heath (Waipu); Runner-up: George Smith (Doubtless Bay). Section Two: Winner Rod Christensen (Waipu); Runner-up: Jean Tafa (Waipu); Rod Christensen (Waipu) won all his six games and reduced his handicap from 7 to 6.

Handicap Doubles: Again some spectacular jump shots were seen in an attempt to gain the hoop point. In Section one (Seniors) George Smith with partner Brian Atkins (Kaitaia) just pipped Judy Edlin/Mait Cole (Whangarei) to win their section.

In the Junior section Elizabeth McBeth/Audrey Hollier (Whangarei) won on countback from John and Carol Christmas (Kensington) to go into the playoff final against G Smith/B Atkins.

Results were 10 points to Smith/Atkins and 4 to McBeth/Hollier.

Great Golf Croquet was observed by the referees with the emerging talent from Waipu a force to be reckoned with.

The Association players took the field for Singles on two days and doubles on the final day.

Seniors playing off were George Depree (Kensington), Tsung Te Cheng and Judy Edlin (Whangarei). Cheng with his deceptive casual style of play beat Edlin 26-4 and Depree 26-9 gaining peg points in each game. Edlin beat Depree 26-24. Winners trophy to Cheng with Runner Up to Edlin. As usual there was excellent play by all three competitors.

In the 10-24 section Maitland Cole (Whangarei) gained the upper hand and reduced his handicap from 18 to 16 thus moving into the next (B) grade. Mike Midgley (Maungakaramea) coming a close second. Overall Winner was M Cole. Trophy winners were: B Grade - M Midgley; C Grade M Cole.