As summer slipped away, Byron Bay welcomed back players who had been holidaying in Australia and overseas. After an unbeaten Northern Rivers Croquet Association season last year, the club began its 2026 pennant campaign with a loss, a draw and two wins from the first four of ten weekly matches.

Aware that last year's best performers lowered their handicaps beyond the limit, Coach Max is running weekly training for 12 contenders ready to fill vacancies if needed.

Several members competed in Queensland events before pennants began. Werner Borkhardt and Dennise Simmons won the George Hartman Metropolitan GC Challenge Tier 1 Doubles in early February, then claimed the Tier A Doubles title at the Darling Downs GC Championship. Werner was also runner up in the Tier A Singles.

Werner Borkhardt and Dennise Simmons at GHMGCC with Michelle Steele, sponsor and director of GHMF.

Tier A Doubles winners.

Tier A Singles runner up Werner Borkhardt.

Helen McKay and Stuart Elliott also played in Toowoomba, where Helen won the Tier C Singles event.

Helen McKay, Darling Downs, with Susan Powne.

Dennise then competed at the New South Wales GC Open Singles Championships in Tempe, Sydney.

David Scott, from Cherry Street and a Byron Bay associate member, has organised a monthly Northern Rivers Golf Croquet Development Squad at Byron Bay. The squad supports players aiming for State Squad or State Team selection, alongside senior players who can encourage, mentor or coach. Stuart Elliot has also organised Level 1 and 2 practice before Max's Tuesday pennant coaching session.

Byron Bay plays Golf Croquet on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday afternoons. Ricochet is played on Wednesday mornings and Saturday afternoons.

By Colin Beaton and Barbara Barrett, Byron Bay. From the Croquet Newsletter, March/April 2026, pages 10-12.