Bob Martin Wins the Queensland Men's Golf Croquet Singles at Windsor

Bob Martin of Eildon is the 2026 Queensland Men's Golf Croquet Singles champion. He won the title at Windsor Croquet Club, which hosted the event from 22 to 24 May, beating Charlie Ernst of Southport 3 games to 1 in the final: 7-3, 5-4, 2-7, 7-2.

It was the first game Charlie had lost all weekend. He won all seven of his block games, then both his knockout matches, without dropping a game. His form held up, too. The following weekend he won the Queensland Open at Caloundra.

Steve Bickley of Bribie Island won the Plate. He lost the first game of the final to Steve Lockhart of Coolum, then came back to win 2-7, 7-6, 7-3.

Sixteen players from nine clubs took part, including one New Zealand registered player. They were split into two blocks of eight. At the end of the first day, the top four in each block went into the Championship knockout. The other eight went into the Plate.

Windsor Croquet Club, the host, thanked its members for their hard work.

"The Queensland Men's Golf Croquet Singles Championship was held at the Windsor Croquet Club this weekend. It was great to see so many spectators from our club cheering from the sidelines. The playing conditions were first class, with many competitors praising the speed of the lawns. Well done to our President, Shane Davis, and Julie Simpson for managing the event. A huge thank you to all our wonderful members who mowed the surrounds, whipper-snipped, made new hoop holes, put in hoops, dressed the lawns, made food, worked in the kitchen, and helped clean up before, during and after. Congratulations to Bob Martin for taking out the 2026 title, and to Charlie Ernst for making the final undefeated. Steve Buckley also played well to win the plate."

Eildon Croquet Club sent four players.

"A big congratulations to Bob Martin, who won the 2026 CAQ GC Men's Singles played at Windsor over the weekend. Bob, John Smith, Casey DeVene and Mike Mabbutt all competed. The event was finished off on Sunday with a BBQ at Windsor."

Wynnum Croquet Club sent two players. Geoff Hull topped Block A, and his quarter-final ran for more than four and a half hours. Cameron Hipwell played in the Plate.

"A maximum field of 16 players representing 9 clubs took to the lawns. Wynnum CC were represented by Cameron Hipwell and Geoff Hull... Cameron took out the Z Plate 2-nil for a commendable 3rd place overall... Geoff won a marathon best-of-three quarter final, then contested the Z championship for official 4th place. In summary Wynnum CC fielded 2 players in the field of 16 with both players finishing in the top 4."

Headland-Buderim Croquet Club praised both its members and the host.

"Members Ross Rillie and Colin Beckett are to be commended for entering the three-day CQ GC Men's Singles. Congratulations to Ross, who made it through to the Championship knockout. Well done winner Bob Martin from Eildon. Windsor Croquet Club hosted the event with professionalism teamed with perfect weather."

You can see every game on CroquetScores.

Championship placings: 1st Bob Martin (Eildon), 2nd Charlie Ernst (Southport), 3rd Steve O'Hare (McIlwraith), 4th Geoff Hull (Wynnum), 5th Ross Rillie (Headland-Buderim), 6th Greg Bury (Windsor), 7th Mike Mabbutt (Eildon), 8th Dennis Green (Bribie Island).

Quarter-finals: Charlie Ernst bt Ross Rillie 7-6, 7-3; Steve O'Hare bt Mike Mabbutt 7-3, 7-5; Bob Martin bt Dennis Green 7-5, 7-6; Geoff Hull bt Greg Bury 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.

Photo: Eildon Croquet Club — Bob Martin with the title.

Semi-finals: Charlie Ernst bt Steve O'Hare 7-3, 7-6; Bob Martin bt Geoff Hull 7-3, 7-4.

Final: Bob Martin bt Charlie Ernst 7-3, 5-4, 2-7, 7-2.

3rd/4th: Steve O'Hare bt Geoff Hull 6-7, 7-4, 7-4.

5th/6th: Greg Bury bt Dennis Green 7-5, 5-7, 7-4; Ross Rillie bt Mike Mabbutt 7-5, 6-7, 7-6; play-off Ross Rillie bt Greg Bury 5-7, 7-2, 7-6.

7th/8th: Mike Mabbutt bt Dennis Green 7-4, 7-3.

Photo: Wynnum Croquet Club

Quarter-finals: Steve Bickley bt Nigel Read 7-6, 3-7, 7-6; Colin Beckett bt JohnH Smith 7-4, 7-4; Steve Lockhart, bye; Cameron Hipwell bt Ian Leivesley 7-6, 7-3.

Semi-finals: Steve Bickley bt Colin Beckett 7-2, 7-2; Steve Lockhart bt Cameron Hipwell 7-4, 4-7, 7-5.

Final: Steve Bickley bt Steve Lockhart 2-7, 7-6, 7-3.

3rd/4th: Cameron Hipwell bt Colin Beckett 7-6, 7-4.

Photo: Headland-Buderim Croquet Club

5th/6th: Ian Leivesley had a bye in the first round; JohnH Smith bt Nigel Read 7-2, 7-3; JohnH Smith bt Ian Leivesley 7-2, 7-5.

7th/8th: Nigel Read, bye.

Block A: Geoff Hull (Wynnum) 6-1; Bob Martin (Eildon) 5-2; Mike Mabbutt (Eildon) 5-2; Dennis Green (Bribie Island) 4-3; Casey De-Vene (Eildon) 3-4; JohnH Smith (Eildon) 3-4; Steve Lockhart (Coolum) 1-6; Ian Leivesley (McIlwraith) 1-6.

Block B: Charlie Ernst (Southport) 7-0; Steve O'Hare (McIlwraith) 4-3; Greg Bury (Windsor) 4-3; Ross Rillie (Headland-Buderim) 4-3; Steve Bickley (Bribie Island) 4-3; Cameron Hipwell (Wynnum) 4-3; Colin Beckett (Headland-Buderim) 1-6; Nigel Read (Marewa, NZ) 0-7.