Norfolk Island Convict Cup and a successful Regional Tournament at Murwillumbah

Three of our members travelled to Norfolk Island to participate in the Convict Cup tournament held over a week and organized by Go See Tours. Play was on ten courts marked out on the cricket field and the grass was very heavy as well as up hill and down dale but it just added to the fun. There were nearly eighty participants and we were paired with players from other clubs to play golf croquet. It was enjoyable to meet with people with similar interests and social activities meant we were kept entertained. The presentation dinner with the commandant saw us dress as convicts and be subjected to fun activities as well as having great local food. There was enough free time for us to explore some of the sights on the island travelling in our hired car.

The Regional Tournament held in July saw Murwillumbah hosting the Ladies Open event and the MMAD handicap event. Congratulations to Jacky Lynch (Brisbane) as winner of the Ladies Open and Baubre Murray (New Zealand) runner-up. Gavin Clarke and Lorelle Parker from Coolangatta won the doubles and Lance Turner and Joy Hughes Murwillumbah club were runners up.

Joy and Jacky Lynch.

Joy, Lance and Val.

The winner of the "can do" award would have to go to Julie Barber from Swan Hill who thought she was going to play Golf Croquet. Something we must reconsider with the acronym GCTR with so many people playing Golf Croquet now.

Thank you to all club members who helped with setting up the lawns and running the kitchen and generally making our visitors feel welcome. The lawns at Murwillumbah are still under stress from the floods but it is hoped that in September work will commence on refurbishing the surface.

L-R Julie Barber from Swan Hill and Bonnie Johnson from NZ.

The ricochet doubles tournament will be held at Murwillumbah on 10-12 August 2022. The rescheduled Margaret Mitchell Memorial Association doubles tournament will be held 24-26 August 2022. The fliers for these two tournaments will be sent to clubs. The club looks forward to welcoming players to these two events.

By Joy Hughes, Murwillumbah. From the Croquet Newsletter, August 2022, pages 21, 22.