Wynnum welcomes new Patron Sara Whitmee, hosts a Gala Day, and Gordon Giles wins the Bribie Challenge

It has been a busy couple of months for Wynnum CC and for several of the club's players competing in events at other clubs. Wynnum was fortunate enough to welcome the Queensland State Team to practice at the club on the first weekend in July. It was fabulous to see all the top players on the courts and to watch the tactical play in action. Every shot was precise with weight and length, an absolute pleasure to see. The talent amongst these selected champions is incredible. If any player wanted to improve their game, then to watch this team play would be a great benefit. The club wishes them all well in the upcoming challenges with the other States, and of course the club would love to see Queensland go all the way.

This year the WCF Golf Croquet Interstate Shield will be held in WA from 20-24 September. Teams consist of five men and five women, plus two non-travelling reserves. The Queensland team was announced in early June, and includes Wynnum Club Member Gordon Giles, who is very honoured to be invited to be part of the team and to take on the role of Vice Captain. Gordon will also compete at the GC Men's National Singles, which will be held from 16th to 19th September 2023 in Perth, as a warm-up for the WCF Interstate Shield.

On Tuesday 11 July, the club was delighted to welcome Brisbane City Councillor Sara Whitmee, the new Club Patron. Sara introduced herself to members and outlined her plans for the local community, before watching a game. President John encouraged her to take up a mallet and "have a hit" at the first opportunity. The club looks forward to a long and cordial relationship with Cr Sara.

CAQ First Eight GC Singles - 17th and 18th June, Eildon Croquet Club

Wynnum's Gordon Giles was one of the 8 players competing in this Double Round Robin event, played in glorious sunshine at Eildon CC. All players played against each other on Saturday and then on Sunday did it all over again. Games were untimed and many were decided on hoop 13. The winner in the First Eight wasn't decided until the last round on Sunday, which made for a fascinating finale to the tournament.

Congratulations to the winner of the First Eight, Mary McMahon (Southport) and Runner Up, Ross Rillie (Headland-Buderim). Wynnum's Gordon Giles was third.

The club's entries for the GC Division 1 Singles played on Friday 30th June were Geoff Hull, Richard Pickvance and Gordon Giles. Block 1 was a very close competition with 4 players with 3 wins but Graham McLean (Windsor) won with a better Net Hoops (5). Geoff Hull (Wynnum) won Block 2 with 4 Wins and 12 Net Hoops. The final was played between Geoff Hull (Wynnum) and Graham McLean (Windsor) where Geoff went on to win the GC Division 1 Shield. Congratulations Geoff, well done. Unfortunately Wynnum didn't have any players in Divisions 2 and 3.

Renaissance Gala Day, GC Handicap Doubles - 6th July, Wynnum CC

The courts were damp underfoot after all the rain on the Tuesday night, but the weather gods were smiling for the Gala Day, sponsored by Renaissance Retirement Living. There were 24 players coming from five clubs: Bribie Island, Burleigh Heads Palm Beach, Eildon, Twin Rivers, and Wynnum. It was a pleasure to see so many smiling faces, with lots of laughter and everyone enjoying their croquet. One player dropped out due to illness and Gloria Litchfield stepped in to even up the numbers. It was a pleasure to see her playing in a Gala Day again.

Players were divided into two blocks and had three games before the lunch break and 2 games in the afternoon. The winners of each block then progressed to the final. The final between winners of Block A, Di Lovi (Wynnum) and Phillip Moxham (Bribie Island) and the winners of Block B, Viv Tidmarsh (Wynnum) with Beth Parker (Burleigh Heads) was a classic with Di and Phil taking the game 7-5. Runners-up Viv and Beth put up a great battle.

Viv Tidmarsh and Beth Parker, runners-up in the Renaissance Gala Day final.

Winners Di Lovi and Phillip Moxham with the Renaissance Gala Day trophy.

Lyndsay MacKinder from Renaissance Retirement Living was in South Africa so the presentation of prizes was made by Deirdre on Lyndsay's behalf to the winners and, as always, the club thanks Renaissance for their sponsorship. Hosting this event was a team effort by Wynnum members and thanks must go to all those that helped on the day, and also the caterers. Well done everyone, it was a great day.

McKenzie Aged Care Bribie Challenge - 24th and 25th June, Bribie Island

Saturday was a Round Robin of 2 Blocks, with 16 players with the top 4 from each Block progressing to the Championship block of 8 on the Sunday.

Wynnum was represented by Geoff Hull, who played great croquet on Saturday to win Block A with 6 games and 22 net hoops, and Gordon Giles who came 4th in Block B with 4 wins and 11 net hoops. Both players qualified for the Championship round on the Sunday. There were many close games and the winner of the Championship wasn't clear until after the last game of the day.

Gordon Giles won the Championship with 5 wins and 12 net hoops to claim the trophy. Congratulations to Gordon on his success, well done. Wynnum's Deirdre Giles was a Referee for the weekend.

Gordon Giles with the McKenzie Aged Care Bribie Challenge trophy.

Wynnum/Twin Rivers Golf Croquet Doubles Challenge - 25th June, Wynnum CC

Wynnum and Twin Rivers Clubs faced off for the annual Handicap Golf Croquet Doubles match, competing for the perpetual Challenge Shield. Each club provided six doubles pairs with each pair playing all six pairs of the opposing team, over six rounds. Wynnum started well and after Round 5 held a two-game advantage, 16 games won to Twin Rivers' 14 games.

Competitors from Wynnum and Twin Rivers at the annual Doubles Challenge.

However, with 6 games to be played in the final round, Twin Rivers was not to be denied and won the first two games of Round 6, Wynnum won the third, Twin Rivers won the fourth and fifth games to take the overall lead 18 games won to Wynnum's 17. The match result hinged on the final game of the 36 games to be played and this game was intense, each team winning alternate hoops.

When the bell rang after the allocated 50 minutes, Wynnum held a 4-3 lead; total games won by each club was now 18. Such an exciting finish to the match resulted in a win for Wynnum with 18 games won and net points of +15 to Twin Rivers' 18 games won and -15 net points.

Mallet Sports on the Broadwater Golf Croquet Event - 28th June - 2nd July

Wynnum was well represented at this event played over 5 days by Geoff Hull, Richard Pickvance and Gordon Giles. The Golf Croquet Mixed Doubles was played on Wednesday and Thursday 28th-29th where Gordon Giles (Wynnum) teamed up with Mary McMahon (Southport) and Richard Pickvance (Wynnum) teamed up with Alison Oatway (Stephens). There were 12 pairs playing in the Round Robin block.

There was some extraordinary croquet played over the 2 days of play and eventually Gordon and Mary claimed the Shield with 10 wins and 31 Net hoops. Richard and Alison came in 3rd with 7 Wins and 19 Net hoops. Congratulations to Gordon and Mary on their success.

Mary McMahon and Gordon Giles with the Mixed Doubles Shield at MSOB.

Geoff Hull with the GC Division 1 Shield and runner-up Graham McLean.

Shawn and Kym Real Estate Invitational, GC Handicap Mixed Doubles - 16 July, Wynnum CC

Wynnum had a beautiful sunny day for this Mixed Doubles competition, sponsored by Shawn and Kym Kristofer Real Estate. As this was a handicap event, there were lots of bisques (extra turns) given to the less experienced players. This always levels the play and often gives some unexpected results.

The winners of the event were Elaine Berridge and Brian Rubock from the Twin Rivers Club with a score of 7-3 over Greg Bury and Francesca de Witt from the Windsor Croquet Club in a fiercely contested final. The final score didn't reflect how close the game had been. It was fantastic to have the sponsors Shawn and Kym at court side to watch the Final and then present the trophy and medals.

An event of this size would never happen without the support of volunteers, including Tournament Manager and Assistant, referees, hoop setters, and catering ladies. A huge thank you to everyone. The club certainly appreciates the hard work.

The club's thanks must also go to volunteer club members who provided some delightful treats for morning and afternoon tea. Everyone enjoyed the goodies.

Elaine Berridge and Brian Rubock with the Shawn and Kym Cup.

Runners-up Francesca de Witt and Greg Bury.

By Mike Fordyce, Wynnum. From the Croquet Newsletter, July/August 2023, pages 39-43.