The Wanganui Croquet Club has locked up for the winter to carry out substantial ground maintenance on its eight full-size lawns.
Traditionally the club has played summer and winter competition, but Wanganui Croquet Association president Lynn Williams said the time had come to refresh the lawns and carry out generalmaintenance of the Parsons St facilities.
"We have the largest number of full-size croquet lawns in the country and we haven't closed up for the winter in several years, so it's timely to do some refurbishments," Williams said yesterday.
A "fun day' marked the end of the season on Saturday, with life member James Carver "pegging out" to mark the occasion.
"When a season ends we nominate someone to peg out and that officially marks the end. This year it was appropriate that James Carver, one our life members, to carry out that duty.
"We organised a fun day to mark the occasion at the weekend and it was a thoroughly enjoyable day. Because we have the [most] full-size lawns in the country it is important we maintain the grounds.
"We host many national and international events and the grounds need to be in tip top order. Traditionally we have a summer and winter season, but the next opening day will not be until the end of September, although we haven't set an actual date yet."
The last major event hosted by the Wanganui club was in March when Wellington junior Josh Smith (21) won the AC Invitation Tournament (Tier 3).
