Darling Downs trains new referees and coaches, sends three players to Under 21 Worlds, and hosts regional tournament

The past three months have seen lots happening on the Darling Downs with the training of three Golf Referees who have now passed their examinations and six new Golf Coaches in the region. Congratulations to these players and thanks to the facilitators for travelling to Toowoomba to lead this training. We have also had over 50 players take part in various skills sessions for both Golf and Association Croquet and the region's players are keen for more.

New Darling Downs GC Referees.

February started with three of our region's players heading off to New Zealand to compete in the Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship. With only one Queensland Under 21 World Representative (Tom Knight) prior to this, Addison Matthews became Under 21 Cap #12 and Timothy Wright Cap #15. Frances Wright travelled as the reserve of the team but was called up to play in the substitute block in the main draw becoming Under 21 Representative Cap #17. She then competed in the plate finishing 6th in her block.

Addison was runner-up in his block for the plate and finished just out of the placings with cyclonic rain interrupting the matches to determine the final standings. Timothy made it through to the final 16 and went down 1-2 to the top-placed knock-out finalist and lost narrowly in the bowl knockout quarter finals. All three players enjoyed the experience of playing with some of the world's best Under 21's and seeing the way they play the game. Congratulations to you all, you did our region proud.

Timothy and Frances Wright, Australian sibling Reps Cap #15 and #17.

Under 21 GC Worlds Opening Ceremony.

The Darling Downs Regional Croquet Tournament was held in February and March this year with players from Queensland and New South Wales competing. Toowoomba, West Toowoomba and Laurel Bank croquet clubs hosted events in Golf, Ricochet and Association. Laurel Bank hosted the region's feature event "The Rene Cole Memorial" Division one trophy with six players competing. Jacky Lynch (Stephens) was the overall winner with Lindsay David (Twin Rivers) runner up. The Joy Gardner (Div 2) Trophy was won by Bill Habner (Nambour) winning five of his six games to take out the trophy over Ken Barker (The Range Maleny). Division 3 and 4 were disrupted due to our regional representatives being stuck in New Zealand due to the cyclone but we still managed a modified competition held over the two days. Frank Meek (Isis) won the June Brady (Div 3) Trophy from Karen Boswell (West Toowoomba). The Betty Belz (Div 4) Trophy saw Carole Atkinson (Caloundra) triumphing over Margaret Dickenson (Toowoomba). Social Ricochet Doubles saw 6 pairings enjoying two evenings of ricochet with Bruce McAlister and David Watherston being announced winners from Karen Boswell and Frances Wright who just managed to take out second on net hoops from Tim Jones and Max Beattie.

Rene Cole winner Jacky Lynch.

Competitors in Division 1 AC.

Both the Golf Singles and Doubles Competitions were played in two tiers. Tier One (Handicaps 8 and under) was won by Addison Matthews with Jeremy Tasker runner-up. Tier Two (9 and over) winner was Max Beattie with Janelle Lockhart runner up. In the Doubles Tier One winners were Jeremy Tasker and Alison Oatway with Steven and Janelle Lockhart runners-up. One of our interstate visiting pairs, Terry and Narelle Wright, took out Tier Two Doubles with Heather Scott and Elaine Drennan in second.

Golf Singles Tier 1 winners and Tier 2 Golf Singles.

Thanks to everyone for your participation, we will try and arrange better weather next year. Many players from the region participated, a lot of these for the first time. Congratulations to Toowoomba Croquet Club for winning the Perpetual Chronicle Cup for most points for the entire tournament. Thanks to Laurel Bank for being part of the tournament for the first time in many years and we look forward to this continuing for years to come.

All clubs in the region will celebrate World Croquet Day on 6th May within their clubs and invite visitors to come along and try the sport on this day. Our Regional Friendship Days will continue this year with the first of these to be held at Laurel Bank Croquet Club on 11th May. The Darling Downs Region is also endeavouring to start a pennants competition in Golf Croquet this year.

By Joy Wright, Darling Downs Regional Secretary. From the Croquet Newsletter, March/April 2023, pages 11-14.