Burleigh Heads/Palm Beach celebrates tournament wins and renovated courts

Chris Parker and Mary McMahon from Southport Croquet Club teamed up in October to win the 2024 Shaw and Kym Realestate Winner Takes All Golf Croquet Doubles tournament, Queensland's richest Golf Doubles Tournament, played at Wynnum Croquet Club. It was the first time Chris and Mary had teamed up for a tournament, and they won 13 out of 15 games over the two days.

Club members helped spread and level sand over the three courts on 17th & 18th October. The club gave a big shout out to everyone who helped, and thanked Providore Colleen, who not only spread sand but also organised morning and afternoon teas and lunches for the two days.

Club members working on the courts during lawn renovations on 17th & 18th October.

The courts were closed for several weeks, which meant members could not play croquet on Melbourne Cup Day. Despite that, members turned out in their Melbourne Club outfits, enjoyed a BBQ lunch and played indoor and outdoor games until the cup was run.

The Dave Luxmoore year

Following his win in the Australian Singles Ricochet championships, BHPB's Dave Luxmoore went undefeated in 15 straight games at the Australian President's Association Croquet Seconds Eight championship held at Cairnlea, Victoria from 4-7 October.

Dave Luxmoore with a trophy and certificate after another successful tournament.

Dave Luxmoore and Yuni Rowell from Coolangatta Croquet Club were the Runners-up in the Queensland Association Croquet Open Mixed Doubles tournament held on 13 October.

On 20 November, Dave Luxmoore, Malcolm Campbell, Jock Roberts and Chris Parker combined to ensure that BHPB maintained the Mary and Bryan Pickup Memorial Shield (Association Croquet) for the seventh consecutive year. Teams from BHPB, Southport, Coolangatta and Murwillumbah competed in three handicap singles matches and three handicap doubles matches.

Dave Luxmoore, Malcolm Campbell and Chris Parker with the Mary and Bryan Pickup Memorial Shield.

BHPB Ricochet Croquet winners

BHPB also reported strong Ricochet Croquet results. The winners of the Gold Coast Tweed Region (GCTR) RC Championship in Division 1, 2 and 3 were all BHPB members. Dave Luxmoore won the Division 1 Championship again, club President Malcolm Campbell won the Division 2 Championship, and Ann Rawding won Division 3 while playing her first ever RC singles tournament.

BHPB are also the 2024 GCTR Ricochet and Association Pennant winners. Happy Hooping.

By Chris Parker. From the Croquet Newsletter, November/December 2024, pages 9-11.