The Range-Maleny prepares for 30th birthday, and Chris Borlase wins the Open club championship

Preparations continue for the 30th birthday celebrations planned for Sunday 30th July. The club has had a great response to its outgoing invitation to this event and all three of the local politicians are attending: Local Councillor Winston Johnston, Federal Member Andrew Wallace and State Member Andrew Powell. Also, friends of the club from far and wide have RSVP'd to the invitation and the club is looking forward to welcoming everyone on the big day. The club is busy planning all sorts of tasty food for morning and afternoon teas and readying the BBQ for the lunchtime sausage sizzle. Fun games are planned, including some novelty challenge games made for the club by Dianne Horsman's husband, Kevin. Wallace Roy was trying these out in order to win prizes on the day. It will be a special time, celebrating who the club is today, as well as remembering those who founded the club 30 years ago and all who have contributed and participated over the years.

The teams have finished their participation in the Sunshine Coast region's pennants competitions in both Ricochet and AC. The Bray team (AC div 3 and 4) of Lynette Evans and Dianne Horsman had some great wins amidst stiff competition in what turned out to be quite an even competition among the clubs. They finished third in the competition. The Lochwood team (Div 1,2) of Sarah Widin, Ken Barker, Chris Borlase and Donna Manning had mixed success, ending up 4th on the ladder behind Coolum, Caloundra and Bribie Island. The Ricochet pennants team of Ken Barker, Sarah Widin, Dianne Horsman, Vince Carbery and Donna Manning finished third in their pennants competition behind Headland/Buderim and Bribie Island. Well played to all the teams in the region and thanks for a great pennants season.

As usual, several of the club's players have been travelling to play in competitions far and wide. On 2 July, Donna Manning played in the Women's Open of the Gold Coast Tweed tournament in Murwillumbah. She scored three wins from six in the double round robin as did the other three players. Donna came second on net hoops behind Heather Knight from Stephens Club, a great result. Donna commented on how great the Murwillumbah lawns were and thanked the organisers of this friendly and enjoyable competition.

In other club news, two of the club's players, Donna Manning and Chris Borlase, played in the Queensland Open at McIlwraith from 14th to 16th July. Donna won 2 from 4 in the plate to finish 3rd behind Bruce Ford (Stephens) and Wade Hart (Eildon) 1st. Chris went a step further winning the second tier behind the championship from Heather Knight (Stephens). Mike Giddings (Ballina) won the Championship beating Mark Kobelt (Tumby Bay S.A.) in the final.

The club is currently playing its Club Championships. The Open category is completed, being won by Chris Borlase who played brilliantly to defeat Ken Barker in a best of three competition. The second game was very impressive, with Chris winning in 45 minutes, starting with a break of nine with the third ball and executing a faultless three ball peel when Ken missed his only chance of a roquet. The quality of Chris' game was no surprise to those who had seen his play in the recent open singles competition as mentioned above. Chris has been a club member for only a few months and has added to the club's enjoyment of the game greatly, participating in social days and regularly seen on the lawns practicing.

In the attached photo, Chris can be seen relaxing beside Donna Manning during social play. Other results in the club's Div 2, 3 and 4 club championships are as yet unavailable at the time of writing and will be included in the next newsletter.

By Helen Uhlmann, The Range-Maleny. From the Croquet Newsletter, July/August 2023, pages 33, 34.