Around the clubs: winners, runners-up and pennant wins across Queensland

It has been a busy fortnight on Queensland lawns, with new champions crowned, close pennant matches, and one player trying a new game interstate and reaching the top four.

At McIlwraith Croquet Club, Andrew Cole and Graham Young won the Open Doubles. They beat Lesley Stabler and Charles Mitchell in a lively final, and Penny Jackson refereed. The club was just as pleased to see so many newer players enter. They gave the experienced pairs a real nudge.

Andrew Cole and Graham Young, winners of the McIlwraith Open DoublesPhoto: McIlwraith Croquet Club

*Andrew Cole and Graham Young, Open Doubles champions at McIlwraith. Photo: McIlwraith Croquet Club.*

It was a perfect day for the Headland Cup 2026 at Headland-Buderim Croquet Club. Dennis Green and Lyn Beh took the cup, with Steve Bickley and Jill Lenton runners-up. Pam Shepherd kindly sponsored the day.

Headland Cup 2026 winners at Headland-Buderim Croquet ClubPhoto: Headland-Buderim Croquet Club

*Dennis Green and Lyn Beh, 2026 Headland Cup winners at Headland-Buderim. Photo: Headland-Buderim Croquet Club.*

Jenny of Windsor Croquet Club won the MSOB Division 3 Golf Croquet Singles Championship.

Gracemere Croquet Club hosted its 14 Point Extravaganza: 71 games, 3 codes and 20 players. Visitors came from Brisbane and Ingham, and "almost locals" from Gladstone, Rockhampton and Yeppoon. Windsor's Francesca de Wytt finished runner-up in the Egyptian Singles. The club thanked its sponsors: Gracemere Quality Meats, Livelife Pharmacy Gracemere, Gracemere Hotel, Frenchville Sports Club Ltd and Tim North Transport.

Players at the Gracemere 14 Point ExtravaganzaPhoto: Gracemere Croquet Club

*A weekend to remember at Gracemere's 14 Point Extravaganza. Photo: Francesca, via Gracemere Croquet Club.*

The Gold Coast Tweed Tournament ran for eight days. For Stephens Croquet Club, Elaine and Kevin were runners-up in the mixed AC Handicap Doubles. They were beaten on the bell by Doug Turner of Coolangatta and Val Smith of Murwillumbah. Elaine also won the Over 75s, with Kevin runner-up. Heather Knight took third in the AC Open Singles at Burleigh Heads / Palm Beach.

Stephens members with their placings at the Gold Coast Tweed TournamentPhoto: Stephens Croquet Club

*Stephens members did well across several events at the Gold Coast Tweed Tournament. Photo: Stephens Croquet Club.*

Sue among the final four at the NSW Advantage Golf ChampionshipsPhoto: East Brisbane Croquet Club

*East Brisbane's Sue, among the final four at the NSW Advantage Golf Championships. Photo: East Brisbane Croquet Club.*

Sue Maher of East Brisbane Croquet Club finished in the top four at the NSW Advantage Golf Championships. It was her first event outside Queensland and her first time playing Advantage Golf.

Windsor's Shane, Addison, Willy and Joy claimed another AC pennant win.

Eildon Croquet Club sent its Division 2 team to McIlwraith and won 7 games to 3, and 59 hoops to 48.

There was a curious result for Ipswich Croquet Club. Its Division 3 side beat East Brisbane 6 rubbers to 4 at East Brisbane. Yet East Brisbane scored more hoops, 53 to Ipswich's 52.

Close margins were the theme elsewhere too. Wynnum Croquet Club and Twin Rivers tied on 15 wins each, and Wynnum kept its trophy on net hoops, 69 to 58.

These results are drawn from the clubs' own Facebook posts and member submissions, gathered in the Around the Clubs feed at news.croquetqld.org.

Well played, everyone.