March of croquet

Ed Symes is gearing up for next weekend's Jane Winestone Golf Croquet Tournament at the Wanganui Croquet Club.

It's a busy few weeks ahead for the Wanganui Croquet Club which is hosting its two major annual tournaments - one in each form of the game.

The Jane Winestone Golf Croquet Tournament is on the weekend of February 11 and 12 with the association Championship Singles Tournament to be held next month on March 11 and 12.

One of those preparing to line up in next weekend's golf croquet tournament is Ed Symes. Symes, who has been playing for about seven years, won the doubles last year with Neville Parker.

"It's the biggest tournament that the club has for the year," he said.

Symes got into the sport after his wife had been playing for a few years. "It gets me out of the house and it's something to do," he said.

And he encouraged people who had an interest in the sport to come and try it out.

"Come along and have a go. As I say, it helps fill up the day and it gets you exercising. It can take a lot of walking if you get people hitting you away."

The annual tournaments hosted by the Wanganui Croquet Club attract players from Palmerston North, Marton, Hawera, Feilding and as far away as Hawkes Bay and Wellington.

*Entries for next weekend's golf croquet tournament close on Sunday (February 5) and can made by calling 343 1823 or emailing clairewally6@xtra.co.nz. Level singles will be played on Saturday with handicap doubles set down for Sunday.