Gala Days, Pennants and a Norfolk Island adventure at Wynnum

Renaissance Gala Day, GC Handicap Doubles, Thursday 7 July

After all the rain in the previous week the weather gods were smiling for our Gala Day, sponsored by Renaissance Retirement Living. We had 22 players coming from six clubs, Burleigh Heads Palm Beach, Eildon, Ipswich, Twin Rivers, Windsor, and Wynnum. It was a pleasure to see so many smiling faces and everyone enjoying their croquet, although a few players had to drop out due to illness.

Players were divided into two blocks with the winners of each block progressing to the final. The final was a classic with Jannene Wall (Ipswich) and Wendy Scroope (Wynnum) taking the game 5-4 at the end of time (60 minutes) from Dot Davidson (Burleigh Heads) and Esme Lucas Havens (Wynnum).

Photo of participants is above and winners to the right.

The presentation of prizes was made by Lyndsay MacKinder from Renaissance Retirement Living to the winners and, as always, we thank Renaissance for their sponsorship.

Shawn & Kym Real Estate GC Handicap Mixed Doubles, Sunday 17 July

As this was a handicap event, there were lots of bisques (extra turns) given to the less experienced players. This always levels the play and often gives some unexpected results.

The winners of the event were Charlie Ernst and Mary McMahon from the Southport Croquet Club with a score of 7-1 over Steve Scrimgeour and Dot Davidson from the Burleigh Heads Palm Beach Croquet Club in a fiercely contested final. The final score did not reflect how close the game had been and there were some extraordinary jump shots to secure hoop points. It was fantastic to have our sponsors Shawn and Kym Kristofer at court side to watch the final and then present the trophy and medals.

Photo of winners, Charlie and Mary with Shawn at right.

Photo of participants is above.

Hosting these events would never happen without the support of volunteers, including Tournament Manager and Assistant, referees, hoop setters, and catering. A huge thank you to everyone. We certainly appreciate your hard work. All results can be found on Croquet Scores.

Division 3 Pennants

On Sunday 12th June our Wynnum Club were hosts to a combined Ipswich/Graceville Croquet Clubs team in the morning and East Brisbane Croquet Club in the afternoon, for their Brisbane Metropolitan GC Pennants matches. Our Wynnum teams consisted of Pam, Jenny, Lisa, Wendy, Brian, Viv, and Gloria. Only two of our seven players had ever experienced playing in croquet competition before, so it was quite daunting for them. They all put in a huge effort against some experienced players from the other clubs.

In the morning, Wynnum put up a spirited performance before going down 4-6 games and hoop difference 47 to 53. In the afternoon, East Brisbane came out on top 7-3 games and hoop difference 55 to 50.

Well done to all our players, thanks to Di who setting up the hoops in the cold early morning, to Ann and Pam for their delicious cakes, and to our members who came along to assist with the many tasks needed to successfully host these events.

Norfolk Island June 2022

Wynnum's Ann and Roy Brooks and Esme Lucas Havens were amongst the 76 players from clubs in NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and VIC who travelled to Norfolk Island with Go See Touring for a week of sightseeing and social croquet. Brian Rubock and Elaine Berridge with Wynnum's Gordon and Deirdre Giles managed the tournament on behalf of Go See Touring, played over 5 days, using 10 courts, with most being double banked, with Deirdre, Gordon, and Brian also being referees.

At the end of 14 rounds, Winners of Block A were Jim Hannington (Cherry Street) and Dave Barlow (Orange) and winners of Block B were Roy Brooks (Wynnum) and Pauline Blyth (North Esk). The Final which was an intriguing affair where Roy and Pauline were eventual winners 7-5 to take out the Norfolk Island Convict's Cup Perpetual Trophy.

The Wynnum contingent.

Roy and Pauline with the trophy.

The weather was beautiful and sunny for croquet and the social interaction between all the players was a pleasure to watch.

Lasting friendships were formed with many players promising to meet up again next year to play in the tournament early in August 2023.

Wynnum Members do well at other events

Wynnum's Cecelia Hains put in a great performance on Sunday 29th May in the rescheduled Windsor Shield GC Singles to secure 4 wins and 6 net hoops to take out Block D and to share the Division 2 Trophy with Mike Mabbutt (Windsor) who secured 4 wins and 8 net hoops to take out Block C. Congratulations to Cecelia. We are delighted you did so well.

The CAQ Ricochet Open Men's Singles was played in beautiful sunshine on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June at the Southport Croquet Club where Wynnum's Gordon Giles won all 4 of his games (with 30 net hoops) to take out the Isabel McLaren Trophy. Runner up was Geoff Jamieson (Eildon).

Photo left. Gordon with Dawn Crichlow, Patron of Southport CC.

In the Mallet Sports on the Broadwater GC Event played over 5 days 29th June to 3rd July, the GC Mixed Doubles was won by Elaine Berridge (Twin Rivers) and Randall Whyte (Graceville) who claimed the Shield with 10 wins and 31 net hoops. Wynnum's Richard Pickvance and Mary McMahon (Southport) came a close 2nd with 9 wins and 31 net hoops with Gordon and Deirdre Giles 3rd with 7 wins.

In the Division 1 Singles played on Friday 1st July, Gordon Giles ended up a close 2nd in Block B by 3 net hoops to John Young (Victoria) who went on to play in the final but lost 6-7 to Gabby Spencer (Southport) who won the Shield. Unfortunately, Richard Pickvance had to pull out at the last minute due to illness.

By Mike Fordyce, Wynnum. From the Croquet Newsletter, August 2022, pages 40-43.