Caloundra restarts Hoops and High Tea and hosts the Queensland Open GC

Caloundra has had a good deal of activity since the last report. The club's Hoops and High Tea event, first planned for Saturday 8 March, was postponed by a cyclone and held instead on Sunday 30 March. Twelve visitors attended, helped by eight members, and enjoyed the food on offer. Faye Carr and Liz Niven assisted with catering.

The day brought new members too. Sally and Anne Pabst-Reeves joined after their visit, and 23 year old Robbie Spooner from New Zealand, a very low handicap player in Golf Croquet and Association Croquet, has also joined.

Caloundra hosted the Queensland Open GC event from 26 to 28 April. There were 25 players, including Caloundra's Alison Oatway. The club thanked all members who helped, especially Tournament Manager Robyn Brown.

Sixteen players progressed to the championship knockout rounds, while nine played in the plate. The championship final was between Addison Mathews from Laurel Bank and Shane Davis from Windsor. Addison won 2 games to 1. Casey De-Vene from Eildon won the Plate.

Caloundra President Howard congratulates Addison Mathews on his win.

Runner up Shane Davis from Windsor.

Twelve members of Fendalton Park Croquet Club from Christchurch, New Zealand, based themselves in Mooloolaba and played at Sunshine Coast clubs. Caloundra hosted them on Thursday morning, 8 May, and received a painted plate and tea towel adorned with kiwis.

Fendalton Park travellers at Caloundra.

The club is preparing for the Caloundra Classic, an Association Croquet event scheduled from Thursday 29 May to Sunday 1 June. It hopes to keep the event as a regular part of the Queensland calendar. The club has four sets of primary and secondary Invictus balls and has ordered three more sets.

The state GC development squad also had another session at Stephens, receiving advice from international sports psychologist Warren Kennaugh and strategy education from Caloundra Club Captain Murray Tinker.

Murray Tinker teaching strategies to the State Development Squad.

By Howard Williams, Caloundra MSC. From the Croquet Newsletter, May/June 2025, pages 14-16.