Caloundra hosts the President’s Medal and keeps winning across Gateball and Sunshine Coast competitions

Caloundra hosted the CAQ GC “President’s Medal” event, over the weekend 20-21 July. There were 16 entries, including Murray Tinker and Alison Oatway from Caloundra. The event was played in two blocks of eight on the Saturday; with the top four in each block playing off for the Championship on the Sunday. The remaining eight players played in the Consolation. Both Alison and Murray played in the Consolation on the Sunday. However Murray with four wins out of seven games on the Saturday only missed out on being in the Championship round on net hoops. Nevertheless, Murray was successful in winning the Consolation final with Jenee Molyneux (Eildon) runner up. The Championship was won by Sidney Bates (Ipswich) with Mary McMahon (Southport) runner up. Gabby Spencer (Southport) was third with Bob Martin (Eildon) fourth.

McMahon

The tournament was very successful thanks to the work of our Tournament Director, Robyn Brown; and the assistance of the willing workers in our club. It was pleasing to receive the positive comments from the visiting players regarding the state of our courts.

winner) with Pat Habner, CAQ President, and Tournament Manager, Robyn Brown

In the Association events, Caloundra came second in the Lochwood Shield ( Divs. 1&2), and third in the Bray Shield (Divs.3 & 4).

The Gateball players have been quite busy of late. Our team of Robyn Brown, Glenda Johnson, Kath Hayes, Kerry & Don Helmrich, Howard Williams plus Ian Carr (Bribie), finished second in the Southport Carnival. In the Southport doubles event, Howard and Ian finished second in their pool to participate in the final play offs. Unfortunately they lost both games and were relegated to fourth.

Mallet Sports on the Broadwater

We also participated in the recent Eildon Gateball carnival. However, because of the clash with the President’s Medal event, we only fielded a team in this event with limited success. At this event Howard received his level 1 referee accreditation. Some of our players will be participating in the State titles at Rockhampton over the three days 10-12 August.

Caloundra has had considerable success in the SCRCC GC competitions. We have won the Pennants (handicaps <=8) and Plate (handicaps >=11).There is one more round to play to complete the Shield (handicaps 8-11); but we have a bye. There is a possibility that Caloundra could win this as well, depending on the result of one game in the final round.

At the present time Sunshine Coast clubs are gearing up for the GC Nationals that will be held from the 28 August to 9 September. The ‘Invictus” AC event and the “President’s Medal” have helped our club get prepared for what is required.

Howard Williams

Photo: Sidney Bates and Mary McMahon

Caloundra Gateball players received 2nd prize in Southport's Mallet Sports on the Broadwater

By Howard Williams, Caloundra. From the Croquet Newsletter, July/August 2024, pages 14, 15.