Windsor at the Eire Cup, an Ipswich Cup third place, and ...

President Willy Silk, and member Greg Bury, travelled to Tasmania recently to represent Queensland in the Association Eire Cup, the competition against the other states. Willy won the 2nd group of the brooch and the W section of the National Women's Championship. Congratulations to both players for representing the Windsor Croquet Club so admirably.

On Sunday 10 March the Ipswich Cup for players with handicaps of 8 and above was held. Windsor Croquet Club members, Annette, Jenny, Alison and Jim, gave commendable performances in the competition.

"We came third over all but it was very close. We won 3 games but the other 3 were 6/7, 6/7 and 5/6," Annette said.

"Great days playing, weather was kind. Terry showed up to support us."

Story and photos by Annette.

WCC Ipswich Cup players and Jenny, Annette, Alison and Jim.

Windsor Croquet Club held a multi-skills day at the club's greens recently. The purpose of the day was to show members there is more to being a club member than just turning up for games.

In fact, those who attended realised a great deal of work goes into keeping the greens in tip-top order, so social and competition games can be played on the best possible surfaces. Four skills were demonstrated: how to mark lines; how to use the roller; how to use the ride-on mower and how to install hoops.

First skill was line marking. Max who has spent much time marking the lines showed how he went about achieving straight, accurate lines. He also demonstrated the use of the marking machine and how to make sure the equipment is well-cared for. Next was rolling the greens by George who also has gained skills by having used the roller many times in the past. He demonstrated how to get the lumbering machine out and back into the shed, how to start it and get it rolling. He warned operating the roller required attention because the roller went side-ways while the driver sat facing ahead.

The recently acquired Rover Mini Ride-on Mower 382 was demonstrated by Greg who explained its safety features. He said the mower came with a manual and a video to help operators.

Greg demonstrating the new Rover Mini Ride-on Mower.

Hoop setting demonstration.

Greg also showed how to put in the hoops on the greens. "I put the hoops in to set up players for success," he said. "So it is very important hoops are put in accurately."

Those present soon realised it was not just a matter of banging in the hoops and that was that. Greg worked with a knee pad so as not to put dents in the grass, used a spirit level and gauges, as well as using kitty litter or grass clippings in the holes to get correct spacing so very important in playing croquet, especially competition games.

Five members of WCC, Annette, Carol, Claire, Judy and Julie, travelled to Toowoomba recently to take part in a weekend Darling Downs golf tournament played on the Toowoomba and Laurel Bank Croquet Club greens.

Straight from Brisbane's hot, humid and sunny conditions, the girls met with a cold, wet and foggy environment on Friday. Undaunted, the girls donned raincoats and took to the greens. There was very intense competition and the girls played admirably. Annette said, "The weather was just terrible on the Friday for the singles matches but the Windsor girls fought on and Claire was runner-up at the Toowoomba Club."

Claire, Judy, Julie, Carol and Annette at the Darling Downs tournament.

The sun came out for days two and three but there were no winners from Windsor. All agreed playing croquet in another city was a great experience and glad they took their wet weather gear with them. Story and photos from Annette.