In Pictures: The 2026 Queensland Open Golf Croquet Singles at Caloundra

A wet week nearly washed it out. Then the skies cleared and Caloundra Croquet Club put on the 2026 Queensland Open Golf Croquet Singles over the last weekend of May. Twenty-one players in three blocks of seven, with clubs from across Queensland and two who made the trip from Western Australia. The pictures, and the clubs' own words, tell most of it.

Charlie Ernst (Southport) took out the Championship and Mike Mabbutt (Eildon) won the Plate. Played from 29 to 31 May, with Robyn Brown managing the tournament and Sue Green refereeing. The full ladder is on CroquetScores.

Before a ball was struck, Caloundra set the scene

This weekend, Caloundra is hosting the Queensland Open Singles Golf Croquet Championship. 21 players entered in 3 blocks of 7, including 19 from Queensland and 2 very welcome entries from WA. Preparing the courts has been quite a challenge due to the sometimes torrential rain. Fortunately, our excellent mowing and marking folks have found gaps in the weather to make it the best it can be in the conditions. Robyn Brown is the tournament manager and Sue Green is the tournament referee.

A croquet player in a white shirt and hat stands on a green lawn holding a mallet near a white line

A woman in blue swings a croquet mallet on the lawn in front of the Bribie Island Croquet Club Tennis Club

Photos: Caloundra Croquet Club

And after the weekend

Over the weekend after the very wet week we hosted the Queensland Golf Croquet Open Singles. It was such a fun weekend. The weather was great, the competition was brilliant and the spirit of all was absolutely on a high! Just check it out, after we managed to get our courts back.

A smiling man and woman hold trophies next to a croquet mallet and a whiteboard scoreboard

A man and woman hold a large silver bowl trophy and a smaller award near a table with a croquet mallet

Two women in croquet attire hold trophies and a silver plate beside a table with a mallet and awards

A man holding a croquet mallet and a woman holding an award stand by a whiteboard with tournament sheets

Croquet results table with wins, losses, and net hoops, next to a photo labeled winner and runner-up holding a trophy

Photos: Caloundra Croquet Club

Two from Headland-Buderim

Congratulations Caloundra Croquet Club for giving back to this great sport by hosting the Queensland Open GC Singles 29th-31st May. Our members Ross Rillie and Col Beckett were two of the initial 21 players who entered and were able to benefit from a Sunshine Coast based venue. Charlie Ernst (Southport CC) overall winner of the Championship of 12 players in which Ross competed, and Mike Mabbutt (Eildon CC) winner of 8 Plate players in which Colin played.

Group of croquet players holding mallets pose on a lawn in front of a pavilion signed CQ GC OPEN SINGLES 2026

Photos: Headland-Buderim Croquet Club

Eildon's contingent

Looks like there has been some serious competition happening at the CAQ QLD Open Singles in Caloundra over the last three days. There have been some very close games! The Eildon Croquet Club contingent are enjoying both fine weather and fine company. Good luck team!

Seven people in hats and sportswear stand on a lawn outside a clubhouse, with croquet mallets visible

Photos: Eildon Croquet Club — and Eildon's Mike Mabbutt won the Plate.

Wynnum's send-off

Good luck to Cameron and Gordon as they represent our club this weekend in the CAQ Open Singles Championship. We hope you both play your best croquet, enjoy the competition and make plenty of hoops. Win or somewhere in between, the club is behind you all the way. May the balls run true, the jump shots behave themselves and the weather gods stay kind.