Southport members shine at the QLD Women's Open AC, Gateball Championships and interstate series

Being the winter season there are many competitions held at the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast Tweed Region holds its annual Association Tournaments in July. At Southport the Division 4 Singles was held. The winner was Malcolm Campbell from BHPB Club while Julia Tai from Southport was the Runner up. Graham Litchfield and a player from Victoria won the Doubles Competition for the GCT Region. Also in Association Croquet, there was a very good win by Kathie Grant who took first place in the QLD Women's Open AC Championship.

Kathie Grant being congratulated by Bruce Fleming after winning the QLD Women's Open AC Championship.

Busy days as well for those who compete in Golf Croquet Championships. Eildon hosted this year's friendly meet between it and Southport GC Players. The home team won this year.

It was a wonderful result for our dedicated member, Hisham Elkomy, who was runner up in the QLD President's GC Medal. It was a tough two days of competition with 20 participants. In the photo he is with Gordon Giles from Wynnum who was the winner. In the GCTR Champions of Champions Golf Tournament, held at Southport, Gabby Spencer was runner up to Gordon Giles.

Gordon Giles (winner) and Hisham Elkomy (runner up) at the QLD President's GC Medal.

Alan Edwards and Gabby Spencer at the GCTR Champions of Champions Golf Tournament.

Two club members, Mary McMahon and Beryl Turner, played for QLD in the Interstate Series in Golf Croquet. They also competed in the ACA Golf Singles Championships also held in Adelaide along with Gabby and Francis Spencer. In wet weather, these players did their best to win their games against strong opposition. Congratulations to Mary who lowered her handicap to 0.

The Pennant Season for the GCT Region has concluded for Golf Croquet. The Division 1 section was won by the Southport White team of Mary McMahon and Gabby Spencer. It was one of the 3 club teams in that Division. In Division 2, Southport had 2 teams that participated. The Ricochet Teams playing in the Pennants for the Region have yet to be concluded with the leading team, Southport Sharks, still to play one more game. The Association Team were unsuccessful in the attempt to win the Pennant Competition.

In the Club's annual MSOB Ricochet Competition, Julia Tai was placed second. Also in Ricochet it was very good that many players entered the Gold Coast Tweed Region's Ricochet Competitions. Marion Robertson was placed second in Division 4 in her very first try at this level.

The QLD Gateball Teams and Doubles Championships were held at Southport from August 12 to 15th. It was very good to welcome players from interstate: Adelaide, Canberra, Newcastle, as well as teams from QLD, 9 teams altogether. As well, there were 18 pairs that competed in the State Gateball Doubles Championship.

Gateball players gather at Southport for the QLD State Championships.

The winning team was "The Macs" which was a composite team of players from Toronto, and two others: John Park from Hazelbrook and Lynda Davis from Bribie Island. Second place went to the "Gray Shirts" from Moreton Bay. The Doubles Championship was very good with plenty of interesting games especially the final which was between Julia Tai and Lee Wentworth from Southport against Geoff Crook (Adelaide) and Jenny Willsher (Toronto). Bruce McAlister presented his trophy to the winners.

The Gateball Doubles Championship finalists and presenters: Lee Wentworth, Julia Tai, Robert Roose, Bruce McAlister, Jenny Willsher, Keith Chur-Hansen and Geoff Crook.

By Southport Croquet Club. From the Croquet Newsletter, October 2022, pages 30-32.