Wynnum protects plover chicks, hosts interstate events, and crowns Winner Takes All champions

Wynnum Croquet Club has had generations of plover chicks born on our courts and it is always a delight when the little fluffy chicks run around being "rounded up" by their very protective parents. Their nests are always on low ground to enable them to see any prospective enemies or danger. This time they selected a spot right at the penalty point between courts 1 and 2 and we provided a barrier with an irrigation pipe.

Plovers have spurs on their wings; however, despite common belief, these are not poisonous. As players, we avoid the area, and try not to walk directly towards the birds or make eye contact with them. We look forward to seeing the new little hatchling in the near future and being able to mow the adjacent courts.

Plover nest protected by an irrigation pipe barrier between Wynnum courts 1 and 2.

WCF Golf Croquet Interstate Shield in WA, 20th to 24th September

The Qld team was placed 4th in the Interstate Shield. The highlight was the defeat of the NSW team.

CAQ Men's Open AC Singles, 29th and 30th July, Wynnum CC

Wynnum hosted this event held over two days and the entrants thanked Wynnum members for letting them have the venue for the weekend. Congratulations to the winner Greg Bury and runner-up Chris Borlase. Thanks goes to Bruce and Liz Fleming, Tournament Manager and Tournament Referee, who also prepared the venue and hoop-set for the weekend.

Norfolk Island Convict's Cup 2023, 6th to 10th August

73 players from NSW, QLD, TAS, VIC, WA, NZ, and Canberra travelled to Norfolk Island with Go See Touring for a week of sightseeing and social croquet. Brian Rubock and Elaine Berridge with Gordon and Deirdre Giles managed the tournament on behalf of Go See Touring, while Wynnum members Karen Meates, Robyn Mattner, and Pat Woulahan all showed off their croquet skills on the playing fields at Kingston.

Deirdre, Gordon, and Brian were also referees for the tournament with 2 blocks which used 9 courts, with all courts being double banked. At the end of 15 rounds, winners of Block A were Brian Taylor (Monash) and Ray Kang (Strathfield), and winners of Block B were Terry Brown (Belmont WA) and Michael Martin (Coogee). The Final, which was untimed, was an intriguing affair where Terry and Michael were eventual winners 7-2 to take out the Convict's Cup trophy.

Karen Meates (Wynnum) and Sue Patterson took out the Ladies Pairs.

Go See Touring will be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Convict's Cup in 2024.

Windsor Brooch, 18th August, Windsor CC

Wynnum Club members Brian and Viv Tidmarsh competed in the monthly Golf Croquet Level Play Singles competition. The 16 players are divided into 4 blocks in a double round robin format, and a Brooch is awarded to the winner and runner up of each block.

Brian played 6 games and topped Block C with 4 wins and 4 net hoops and is winner of a Brooch. Congratulations to Brian, what a great achievement for a relatively new player.

Brian Tidmarsh, winner of Block C in the Windsor Brooch.

Winner Takes All, 26th and 27th August, Wynnum CC

Our Golf Croquet Pro-Am GC Doubles competition, sponsored by Shawn and Kym Kristofer Real Estate, is a level play event, with the doubles pairings made up of an experienced player with a handicap of 5 or under and the partner with a handicap of 6 or over. This is fascinating to watch as the combinations work together.

At the end of round 12 the top 2 seeded pairs, Gordon Giles and Dianne Lovi (Wynnum), and Gabby Spencer and Trevor Gray (Southport), were equal on 10 wins each. It came down to their final game against each other to find out who could claim the Winner Takes All purse. The winners of this game were Gordon and Dianne, who also won the inaugural event last year.

Gordon Giles and Dianne Lovi, winners of the Winner Takes All competition.

Our sponsors Shawn and Kym donated 2 Lucky Player prizes, one player drawn from the 5 or under group, and the other to a player from the 6 or over group. Shawn and Kym also provided a Thank You certificate to each player for participating in Queensland's Richest Golf Croquet Doubles Competition.

An event of this size would never happen without the support of volunteers, including Tournament Manager, Venue Manager and Assistants, Referees, hoop setters, and to the Club Members who provided some delightful treats for morning and afternoon tea. A huge thank you to everyone. We certainly appreciate your hard work.

CAQ Inaugural Alternate Stroke AC Doubles, 16th and 17th September, Caloundra CC

Bruce Fleming (Wynnum) and Gordon Cooper were undefeated in winning this inaugural event played over 2 days. Gordon also claimed his first TP in tournament play and was presented with the CAQ Northern Killer badge in celebration and recognition of the TP. All agreed that this was a fantastic event enjoyed by everyone and they are looking forward to entering again next year.

BSR Golf Pennants

On 13th August, Wynnum's Division 2 Golf Croquet Pennants team played its third match of the season, as visitors, against Stephens. With a long break between the second and third matches, the Wynnum team was refreshed and eager, resulting in an impressive 8 games to 2 victory, with strong performances by Beryl Russell, Ann Brooks, and Roy Machen. Unfortunately, Stephens were unable to field a Division 3 team on that day.

The fourth match of the season was an encounter against Twin Rivers for both teams, Division 2 at home and Division 3 visiting. Wynnum's Division 2 team went to an early lead winning five of the first six games; then struggled in the last four singles games, all won by Twin Rivers who achieved a well-deserved win with equal 5 games and superior net points of plus 6 to Wynnum's minus 6. The tables were turned for Wynnum's Division 3 team, also locked at 5 games each at the end of the contest but able to achieve a win with favourable net points of plus 5 to Twin Rivers minus 5.

17th September concluded the Pennants season with matches against East Brisbane, Division 2 visiting and Division 3 at home. Division 2 had to deal with intense competition and lost the match with 2 games won to East Brisbane's 8. Division 3 continued their good form for the season with a credible 8 games to 2 victory, Viv Tidmarsh and Esme Lucas Havens successful in their games. Congratulations to this team which exhibited strong team performances in all matches this year, finishing the season undefeated.

By Mike Fordyce, Wynnum. From the Croquet Newsletter, September/October 2023, pages 33-36.