High Tea, shield success, Bronze Medal and pennants at Wynnum

Wynnum has had a busy couple of months at the club.

High Tea

A group of hard-working ladies held a High Tea to raise funds for the club's 100th birthday. Twenty-eight guests were treated to a welcome drink with nibbles, followed by trays of hot savouries, sandwiches and a huge selection of cakes, some even decorated with gold dust.

The club was very fortunate to have its Patron, Cr Alex Givney, join the afternoon as members welcomed her to the club. Later in the afternoon, guests were welcomed onto the courts for a 6 hoop game of croquet. Everyone enjoyed the game and the company of fellow players.

Windsor Shield GC Singles

Wynnum club members Gordon Giles and Geoff Hull were contestants in the Windsor Shield GC Singles Block A, handicap 3 & under, played under overcast skies on Saturday 20th April 2024. It was a very tight competition with some excellent play by all contestants. From the 7 games played, Gordon and Geoff secured 5 wins each, with Gordon the eventual winner on net hoops. Congratulations to Gordon, who will get his name put on the coveted Shield.

Gordon accepts the Shield after winning Windsor Shield GC Singles Block A.

Congratulations also to the winner of Block B, handicap 4 to 6, Jill Cole (Eildon), and runner up Joy Wright (Laurel Bank).

ACA Bronze Medal (Qld)

Wynnum club members Gordon Giles and Geoff Hull competed in the ACA Bronze Medal (Qld) on 26th-28th April 2024 at Headland Buderim Croquet Club. The 8 players were vying for the honour of competing for the Gold and Silver medal in Queensland in August. The ranked competitors were Gabby Spencer, Bob Martin, Gordon Giles, Addison Matthews, Mary McMahon, Geoff Hull, Ross Rillie, and Casey De-Vene. Each match was a best of 3 games, with each competitor playing all seven of the other competitors over three days. The winner was Ross Rillie (Headland Buderim) with 5 match wins and 6 net games, while Gabby Spencer (Southport) came in 2nd with 5 match wins and 1 net game.

Golf Pennants

The 2024 Golf Croquet Pennants tournament commenced on April 18th. For the first time, Wynnum Club entered two teams in Division 2 and they were drawn to play against each other in the first round. Being able to field two teams is indicative of the depth of players within the club, and this was evident when the match concluded in a tie. Both teams recorded 5 games won and 56 points scored, a fitting end to a very competitive match. Unfortunately, Ipswich were unable to field a Division 3 team, resulting in a forfeited win for Wynnum.

Round 2 of the 2024 Golf Croquet Pennants tournament was held on May 19th. The Division 2 team, Wynnum Blue, played away at Stephens and recorded a 7 games to 3 victory. Good form was exhibited by John van Barneveld and Brian Tidmarsh, who each won their three games.

Wynnum's other Division 2 team was at home to Graceville and had to call upon two Division 3 players to replace absentees. Both Sue and Cheryl acquitted themselves very well, each winning one of their three games. However, the Graceville team were too strong on the day, winning by 8 games to 2. Wynnum's Division 3 team played away at Graceville in a very tight match. Each team won 5 games, with the Wynnum team winning on hoops run, 58 to 54. There was an excellent performance by Barry, who won his three games, and a commendable performance by Jane playing her first tournament event.

ACA Bowls Medal (GC) 2024 All-Fours Mix-Ups group, including Mary McAllan, Bob Martin, Cia di Pauli, Lis Spereder, Casey de Vries and Noss Rolfe.

By Shelley Johnson, Wynnum. From the Croquet Newsletter, May/June 2024, pages 36-38.