Tweed Heads wins back the Border Trophy and hosts Gold Coast Association play

Well hooray, it was This Year! Tweed Heads won back the Border Trophy after a very long spell in the wilderness. There is a history of course. Once upon a time Queensland could field few players for the three codes. Then, with the exodus of southerners to sunny climes, Queensland became the force to contend with.

Last year it was decided that if born in NSW you played for the State even if domiciled in Queensland and vice versa. It was Followed by a rough balancing act to even up numbers and handicaps if born elsewhere. And a balancing act it was. Although the event was to be held at Tweed Heads there were no volunteers to set the games up and Dave Luxmoore from Burleigh Heads Palm Beach very kindly took on the task. For which we are truly grateful. But even with a rough draft so many players turn up hoping to join in it causes a big juggling act. And lots of cries ‘I want to play for NSW! Or, no I won’t play for NSW’.Victory was sweet, and achieved in all Codes. But can the Trophy be held onto? (See report by David Luxmoore on page 11)

Within a very short time Dave Luxmoore was busy as Manager of the Gold Coast Association Tournament. Also playing in it! Tweed Heads hosted 4 participants over two days for the Division I Men’s match. With mouth watering handicaps around zero and minus figures, the audience

had a feast of expert play in, as seems unnecessarily usual for early July, horrible conditions- Friday afternoon with 20mms falling in just over an hour the courts were awash. For the first day’s play on Saturday we could only use one court. Day 2 we were able to utilise Court 2 after game 2. Days 3 and 4 were slightly improved weather wise.

prize from Penny Guthrie, Club President, for Division 1 Men’s Open Championship

The Gold Coast Region held more competitions for Association Croquet at Tweed Heads. The Division 2 Open Singles were played at the Club. Two local players won 1st and 2nd.

from BH/PB Club received the first prize from the club’s President, Penny Guthrie. Dennis Backer from Southport came 2nd.

Pennants have continued to feature with Tweed Heads as Home Ground for our Golf Team Division 2. Also the combined O s p r e y Te a m , Tw e e d a n d Murwillumbah, for Ricochet. Pennants have thrown up the need for more careful handicapping and the necessity for all clubs to teach and learn Rules of Play and Etiquette on court. It was refreshing to see VERY new players supporting their club team. I put this in capitals as sometimes new players have not had enough experience to grasp all the rules. Tweed will always help and teach through a match and show when free turns should be taken. We love to win. We also love the sport and friendship it creates. Let us all play in the spirit of true sportsmanship.

Penny Guthrie

Photo L-R - Malcolm Campbell from BH/PB Club received the first prize from the club's President, Penny Guthrie. Dennis Backer from Southport came 2nd.

By Penny Guthrie, Tweed Heads. From the Croquet Newsletter, July/August 2024, pages 46, 47.