Dave Luxmore wins the Queensland Ricochet Open Singles at Burleigh Heads Palm Beach

Burleigh Heads Palm Beach has had a reasonably busy three months. The club hosted the CAQ Single Ricochet tournament in early May, with entries from Ballina, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast. Despite recent rain, the weather was kind and the tournament was very successful.

Participants in the CAQ Ricochet Championship at Burleigh Heads Palm Beach.

Dave Luxmore won the Isabella McLaren Queensland Ricochet Open Singles Trophy for the first time, undefeated. Kathie Grant was runner up, pictured with Ray Chapman, the tournament referee and player. Dave is now the Australian and Queensland Champion, with the NSW title beckoning.

The trophy itself has an interesting back story. The cup is inscribed "Tramway Picnic Oct 23rd 1886 1 mile Handicap Race First Prize won by P.R.Doran", a fine example of recycling a magnificent piece of silverware.

Club providore Colleen, with Joy and Dot, put on an Easter lunch with treats and fun. Seven members also played in Coolangatta's annual birthday tournament in May. Malcolm and Ann were runners up, David, Joy and Chris came third, and Dot and Karen had a whale of a time.

Burleigh Heads Palm Beach Easter lunch, treats and fun prepared by Colleen, Dot and Joy.

David, Anne, Karen, Dot, Joy and Malcolm at the Coolangatta birthday tournament.

Pennants are well under way, with three Division Two teams and one Division One team in Golf Croquet, plus one team each in Ricochet and Association.

The club thanked the volunteers who keep it going. Greenkeeper Ted, Life Member John and Ross were seen pushing the roller up the street for service, before Uber Dot gave them a lift back to the clubhouse.

Ted, John and Ross with the club roller.

By Ann Rawding, Burleigh Heads Palm Beach. From the Croquet Newsletter, May/June 2025, pages 9-11.