Wynnum closes the year with tournaments and lawn upgrades

The Shawn & Kym Winner Takes All GC Tournament was held on 19th & 20th October with a full complement of players, some coming from as far away as Ballina. The turnout from players at other clubs was outstanding, perhaps attracted by the one and only prize of $1000.

The competition was a high/low handicap event, which resulted in some different pairings. It was a great experience for those with higher handicaps to have the opportunity to compete with top class players.

The winners, who only lost two games over the entire weekend, were Mary McMahon (Southport) and Chris Parker (BHPB) with 13 wins and 42 net hoops.

The “Go See Touring Bayside Cup” GC Doubles was Wynnum's last major tournament for the year and proved to be a great success. There was a full complement of players, including from Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, Caloundra, Eildon, Ipswich, Laurel Bank, Southport, Twin Rivers and Windsor, as well as a number of Wynnum club members, all vying for the honours.

Players at the Go See Touring Bayside Cup.

Block A was won by Mike Mabbutt & Jill Cole (Eildon), who won all 7 games with 20 net hoops. In second place were Mary McMahon (Southport) & Gordon Giles (Wynnum), who won 5 games with 16 net hoops. The final was won 7-3 by Mike Mabbutt & Jill Cole.

The final was won 7-3 by Mike Mabbutt & Jill Cole.

Block B was won by Richard Pickvance (Twin Rivers) & Graham McLean (Windsor), who won 6 games with 18 net hoops. In second place were Steve Scrimgeour & Dot Davidson (Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach), who won 5 games with 5 net hoops.

Graham McLean and Richard Pickvance being presented with second prize by Deirdre Giles.

The club greatly appreciates the ongoing sponsorship and support provided by Go See Touring.

Wynnum Croquet Club Mixed Doubles GC was held on Thursday, 7th November 2024. Seven pairs played, with each pair enjoying a bye. This was a level play event, made more challenging by strong winds that saw players' hats flying away and even stationary balls moving. The winners were Ron Schodel and Karen Meates with 6 from 6 wins. Runners up were John van Barneveld and Di Lovi.

The Wynnum Ladies Singles GC Handicap Competition was held on 9th November 2024, with 10 players in two blocks competing. It was a great experience for newer players, who had to navigate using free turns, and an ongoing challenge to those with a lower handicap.

Block A winner was Lorraine Beattie and the winner of Block B was Cecelia Haines. Lorraine and Cecelia played off in a hard fought final, with Cecilia prevailing 7-5. A beautiful arrangement of flowers, donated by Heidi, was presented to the winner Cecelia.

A beautiful arrangement of flowers, donated by Heidi, was presented to the winner Cecelia.

There have been some concerns expressed about the state of Wynnum's lawns, which have been suffering an infiltration of some form of intrusive grass. The club has commenced upgrading its lawns, with scarifying carried out on two of the four courts. Further work will be undertaken as recommended by expert advisers.

It may take time to get the lawns back to their former glory, but Wynnum is working on it.

Scarifying work in progress on Wynnum's lawns.

By Shelley Johnson, Wynnum. From the Croquet Newsletter, November/December 2024, pages 45-48.