George Hartnett Metropolitan Challenge a great success

Our first major GC tournament of the year, the George Hartnett Metropolitan Challenge GC Level Play Doubles, was held on Sunday 5 February 2023 and was a great success, with a full complement of players from Bribie Island, Eildon, Ipswich, McIlwraith, Nambour, Stephens, Southport, Windsor and Twin Rivers, as well as a number of our own club members.

We very much appreciate the generous sponsorship of George Hartnett Metropolitan Funerals Wynnum, and we were delighted that Therese Prebble arrived to introduce us to the new Wynnum Office Manager, Emory Scott, who presented the trophies.

As with any tournament, a team effort is required to achieve a good result, and our team again did us proud. From hoop-setting and court preparation, right through to games organisation and management, including refereeing, cleaning, catering, raffles and more, we had a lot of willing volunteers. Many thanks to everyone.

The weather was very hot, and we were fortunate that there was also a nice sea breeze. All croquet players and referees had to keep well hydrated.

There were some fiercely contested games with close results. Both blocks were very tight affairs, with the first and second place-getters depending on their results in the final game to progress through to the finals.

Block A was won by Mary McMahon & Charlie Ernst (Southport), who won all 7 games. Second place in Block A went to Bob Martin & Jenee Molyneux (Eildon).

Block B was won by Geoff Hull & Ron Schodel (Wynnum), who also won all 7 games. Second place in Block B went to Graham McLean & Dennis Green (Windsor & Bribie Island).

The Challenge final was an interesting exhibition of different styles of play and was won by Mary McMahon & Charlie Ernst (Southport). In second place were Geoff Hull & Ron Schodel (Wynnum).

The battle for third place was between Bob Martin & Jenee Molyneux (Eildon) and Graham McLean & Dennis Green (Windsor & Bribie Island), with Graham & Dennis coming out on top to take 3rd place.