The Range Maleny runs club championships and prepares fast lawns for national play

The 2024 Club Championships for the Range Croquet Club at Maleny were held from 11th - 14th July. Across four sunny, autumn days club members competed in games for Open, Second, Third and Fourth divisions. The Open championship was played over games between Sarah Widin, Dianne Horsman, Donna Manning and Nic Cram. Donna was successful as the 2024 Open Champion. Donna also took out the Second Division where Sarah, Nic and Donna each won a game with the result coming down to who had the most net hoops. Donna received the Open and 2nd Division shields from President Sarah Widin. Sarah Widin Third Division was keenly fought between Lynette Evans and Dianne Horsman. While Dianne won the opening game, Lynette took out the final two games and the Third Division for 2024. Wallace Roy and David Kerr battled it out in Sunday’s final championship match. Wallace took out two games in the best of three competition and is the 2024 Fourth Division Champion. It was the first club championship that David competed in and as a relative newcomer to Association Croquet the advice and coaching he has received from club members showed in his commendable performance. Division shield again this year. Sarah Widin makes the presentation

Thanks to the officials and spectators and of course the players who contributed to a well-run event conducted in a sporting manner, a hallmark of the Range Croquet Club. A special mention is made of our referees Sarah, Donna and Vince. In wider competitions we had members participating, with some deserved success. In the Association Croquet Bray Shield it was a near thing, with the Range being runner up to Bribie Island. Well done Lynette Evans and Dianne Horsman. Donna Manning from Maleny took part in the Queensland AC Open Singles tournament held at Toombul over July 13 - 16. Bruce Fleming took out that tournament, with Jacky Lynch in second place. In June we had success in the Ricochet Pennants final, where our players Donna, Sarah and Lynette overcame Jenny and Margie from Bribie in three games to take the match. Ricochet is played weekly at our club, with Tuesday games keenly fought out between Priscilla Vickers, Sally Adams, Stuart Craig and Kath Hayes. Professional development has continued, with Sarah, Wallace, Dianne and Carole Atkinson undertaking training in hoop setting. Dianne has also been tutored by Wallace in line marking. Back in late May Queensland Referee Coordinator Mr Greg Whymark came to the Range to conduct referee accreditation for Sarah and Wallace - a credit to them and our club! This increased depth of knowledge is already showing positive effects with discussion and application of the subtlety of the rules in our home games. In late September we can look forward to the CAQ Div. 3 AC Singles championships being held at Maleny. Our courts are looking good and playing fast, given the recent “drought” up here. The lawns are being mown once a week which is a pleasant relief. Groundsman Wallace reports some minor lawn issues with dollar spot and weed grasses in this season of dormancy. Everything that can be done is being done to have the courts in good shape for the National Golf Croquet championships we are co-hosting in August and September. To be sure, we may even call on Saint Fiacre of Breuil, an Irish saint from the seventh century and the patron of gardening and lawn care!! Photo at Right: David & Wallace

In Spring (after the Nationals) President Sarah Widin has flagged the club will undertake a membership drive to grow the numbers and depth of our club. Meanwhile we continue to have the regular pleasure of our friends visiting from Caloundra Gardens Over 50s Village. This group of a dozen or so are offered a cuppa and cake and games of Golf Croquet, before heading to a local establishment for lunch. We also have regular “drop-in” visitors from further afield. Some are staying in their caravans in the adjoining show grounds. There are also caravaners who stop in their walks to watch and enquire about this fascinating sport of Croquet! David Kerr

By David Kerr, The Range Maleny. From the Croquet Newsletter, July/August 2024, pages 44-46.