Wynnum wins Twin Rivers Challenge and the Bayside Cup

Twin Rivers Challenge

The annual challenge match between Twin Rivers and Wynnum Croquet Clubs was held on 25th September after twice being postponed from earlier in the year due to bad weather. Each year the clubs play for a lovely trophy as well as 'bragging rights' for the next twelve months, but the biggest benefit of the day is the opportunity for players from both clubs to get together and enjoy each other's company and some very enjoyable games of croquet.

Thanks to all the donations of food and as usual, our merry band of helpers did us proud and produced some truly wonderful food. Thanks also to those 'early birds' who turn up at the club not long after daybreak to prepare the courts. Your help is very much appreciated.

Our new Assistant Tournament Manager, Roy, stepped up to run the show and we really appreciate how well he coped with this new experience. Our Tournament Referees, Deirdre and Gordon, were kept on their toes, looking after 4 courts of which 2 were double banked, adjudicating on hampered shots, double taps, crushes, jump shots, etc. Hopefully the players gained some knowledge from the experience. At the end of round 1, the 2 teams were all square, so all to play for in the next 5 rounds.

John van Berneveld and David Ford

At the end of play Wynnum were declared the winners, and our President, John van Barneveld, presented the trophy to Team Captain David Ford. Well done Team Wynnum!

Shawn & Kym Real Estate Winner Takes All We held a Golf Croquet “Pro-Am” Doubles competition, sponsored by Shawn & Kym Kristofer Real Estate, over 2 days 1st & 2nd October 2022. This was a GC level play event, with the pairings made up with an experienced player with a handicap of 5 or under and the partner with a handicap of 6 or over. This really was fascinating to watch as the combinations worked together and the inexperienced player gained knowledge and confidence from playing with the more experienced partner.

There was a full block of 16 pairs where every pair had to play all the other pairs in the block. The winners of this inaugural event were Gordon Giles & Dianne Lovi from Wynnum Croquet Club who were presented with the “Winner Takes All” massive cheque and winner certificate by our sponsors Shawn & Kym. ()

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

Bayside Cup

Our last major tournament of the year the “Go See Touring Bayside Cup” GC Doubles was held on Sunday 6 November with a full complement of players from Bribie Island, Eildon, Ipswich, Merthyr, Stephens, Southport, Twin Rivers, West Toowoomba and Windsor, as well as a number of our own club members. As with any tournament, a team effort is required to achieve a good result, and our team did us proud. From hoop-setting and court preparation, right through to games organisation and management including refereeing, cleaning and catering, raffles, etc. we had a lot of willing volunteers. Many thanks to everyone.

The weather was in our favour with a nice cool breeze and our lawns were looking good after recent rolling, all helped by the recent rain. There were some fiercely contested games with close results in the Blocks. Block A was won by Dennis Green (Bribie Island) & Graham McLean (Eildon) who won 5 games with a net hoop 18. Block B was won by Geoff Hull (Wynnum) and Ron Schodel (Twin Rivers) who won all 7 games.

The final was an epic battle and was won by Dennis and Graham over Geoff and Ron when time ran out. Deirdre Giles presented the Cup and prizes to the winners on behalf of Go See Touring, our generous sponsors. Graham McLean and Dennis Green

Ipswich 120 Birthday Gala Day Competition

Players with handicaps of 8 and above were invited to enter and Wynnum CC was well represented by Esme, George, Brian, and Viv. There were 2 blocks of players, with a winner and runner up in each block and our two relatively new players, Brian and Viv, were happy to come in as runners up in their block. And learning a valuable lesson in the process, being tied for first place with equal games won, the decision rests on nett hoops. A lesson for all new players!

Club Championships These are now well underway, with most AC and GC events being completed and the trophies will be presented at our Christmas party.

AGM – Saturday 26 November: By the time this newsletter is published, Wynnum CC will have a new Management committee in place – details in the next newsletter.

Merry Christmas to Everyone from Wynnum CC and Here's to a great 2023!

Mike Fordyce