HYDE PARK CROQUET CLUB NEWSLETTER November 2018 Hyde Park Croquet Club is proudly sponsored by Alfred James Funeral Homes and Southern Cross Care. JENNY HAYDON S 60 TH CELEBRATION For Jenny s 60 th birthday, the weather could not have been more perfect. And the numbers of people to match Jenny's years of celebration. Guests from London and interstate, and friends, and the announcement of a new grandchild, all added to the celebration. Eats included quiche or sausage rolls, which were served to croquet players on the lawns. Some of the Guests who helped Jenny celebrate her milestone Birthday Treats were pleasantly washed down with delightfully decorated Pimms. And of-course everyone enjoyed some birthday cake. The picture display of happy times over previous years was the icing on the cake. A special time for all who shared the day. Happy Birthday Jenny. Article by Judy King and Lin Mayfield UPCOMING MAJOR CLUB EVENTS Our Event Co-ordinator, Hugh Levinson, has been busy with two major Events that are coming up in the Calendar. Hugh has provided the following information on these events, which are significant fundraisers for the Club and the premier Social events for the year. HPCC CHRISTMAS GALA DAY Monday 19 November Thank you to all the fabulous members who have provided items for inclusion in the raffle and offered to supply food items for morning/afternoon tea and lunch. With your generous offers we look like having a great day. An especially big thank-you to Margaret Clifford who is supplying a beautiful (and valuable) gift basket which will be offered to the winner of the day's competition. HPCC CHRISTMAS LUNCH Sunday 9th December To be held in the Kidman Room from 12.30pm This is our special day to enjoy. The food is being supplied by Fabulous Catering and will include Roast Chicken and Roast Pork with a range of salads and hot roast vegetables. There will be a choice of two desserts. We can cater for all dietary restrictions, but we will need you to let us know at the time of booking. Bar service is available at the normal UPSC prices. Costs will depend on the numbers attending and are likely to be about $30 per person. This is a family day so bring your partners too. There will be a flyer on the notice board for you to register interest soon.
SACA SPRING WOMEN S and MEN S OPEN SINGLES This year the SACA Women's and Men's Open Championship were combine and held on 5th to 7th October. The Norwood Croquet Club managed the first day of the competition and Hyde Park managed the remaining 2 days. I would like to thank the competitive members from our club who volunteered to help manage this event. I was not fully aware of the complexity of the management of this event at the start so I decided to be present for the 2 day. Those present enjoyed watching some truly high level play from SA's top players. Barry Jennings was a fitting winner having been undefeated (in matches and games) throughout the two day Men s event and moveed to a -1 handicap in the progress. During the event, I heard one of the best comments ever after a hard day on the Lawns. Mick Reidy had just finished for the day and commented that he was mentally spent and physically tired after walking 16 odd kms over the days play (according to his fitbit). Chris Griffin who was helping on the day replied "But you did walk slowly". How do you come back from that comment? Some of the HPCC helpers who were in attendance at the Spring Open Championship HPCC 2018 AC CLUB HANDICAP SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP A small field of 4 players Heather Bajcarz, Peter Beatty, Barry Jennings and Philip Hadley, did battle for this Association Croquet club title on Saturday 21 Oct. The winner, Peter Beatty had to withstand two turn after the bell charges by his opponents to win the competition. Congratulations Peter. Words by Peter Martynuik Editor s Note 1: There is no comeback to a comment like that and I am still reeling from it Editor s Note 2: Well done to Peter in his work as Event Manager on Dyas 2 and 3, which was done under very trying conditions at times. Pictured right: Peter being congratulated by the runner up Philip after AC Club Handicap Singles Championship
2018 ACA NATIONAL GC HANDICAP DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP The 2018 ACA National GC Handicap Doubles Championship was held at Hutt Road, over two consecutive days on October 24th and 25th. The competition, with seven competing pairs, was a double round robin, with the top 2 teams competing in a best of 3 grand final. HPCC were represented in the event by Barry Jennings (-1) and Stephen Condous (10) who were coming off their win in the State Handicap Championship the previous month. Seven games of 1 hour duration were played on the first day of competition, with Barry and Stephen winning all their matches. The success of the first day, resulted in handicap changes for Barry (-2) and Stephen (9) but meaning less extra turns for the remaining matches. The second days competition, comprised of 5 games and proved to be a tougher going with the HPCC pair losing 2 games. However at the end of the double round robin, Barry and Stephen finished top and were set to play in the Grand Final against a team from Victoria. THE BELT & ROAD GATEBALL INVITATIONAL INTERNATIONAL TORNAMENT Some members may have noticed that I have been AWOL for the last couple of weeks in October. I attended "The Belt and Road Gateball International Invitational Tournament" at Jin Xi in the Kunshan City (near Shanghai) in China as an associate member of the Woodville team. After being picked up at Shanghai airport several teams were transported to the Jin Xi Lakes Hotel to settle in before meeting up with other teams including, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, mainland China and Australia. Team Managers had a meeting to discuss all of the formal requirements for the competition on the next day prior to the welcoming dinner. After breakfast on the next day, all of the teams were bused to the beautifully presented playing venue. The 4 playing courts were covered in artificial turf, and were very fast compared to a lawn surface. The first game of the final was a tight affair, but resulted in a win to the HPCC team 7-5 and a come from behind win in the second game, 7-4, gave Barry and Stephen the 2018 ACA National Handicap Doubles Championship. The winning pair collecting the Shield from SACA President, Eileen Ferguson
After the first round robin competition, our team failed to win a game. But many lessons were gained about the playing style in Asia and the game strategies that are used by the team managers (including the use of laser pointers for ball positioning). THIS MONTH S HANDICAP CHANGES Congratulations to the following members GOLF CROQUET Trevin Love (5 to 4) Steve Condous (10 to 9) Barry Jennings (0 to -1 and from -1 -to -2) ASSOCIATION CROQUET Peter Beatty (14 to 12) Barry Jennings (4 to 3.5) Very well done to all, especially Barry, the big mover for the month. The final knockout games were no more successful, but we came very close in our last game versus the Indonesian team. The team from Singapore won the competition at the end of the day. The good-will and friendship that was displayed between all of the teams was wonderful and it was amazing how many people wanted to have photos with the the team, especially the 2 teenagers in our team. After the final dinner and presentations, I departed to join an organised 11 day tour of China. China is a country that is truly worth visiting, to gain an appreciation of a near global neighbor. Words & Photos from Peter MartynuiK THE PARKS CHALLENGE 2018 Hyde Park Croquet Club Sunday November 11 th 12.30 for a 1.00pm start 12 GC croquet players are required to compete in this year s Parks Challenge. The competition will be divided into 3 groups from each club playing 3 handicap doubles games. Handicap extra turns will be allocated before play begins. Players from Hyde Park will provide afternoon tea this year. So if you wish to be part of the fun please nominate ASAP (first in best dressed), to Peter Martyniuk via text or phone 0408277689 or captain@hydeparkcroquetclub.com.au NEW MEMBERS Three new members were approved at Monday's committee meeting. They are Gary Maher, Rosemary and Michael Vincent. We would like to welcome them to the club.
THURSDAY NIGHT SOCIAL TWILIGHT GOLF CROQUET 2018/2019 Hyde Park Croquet Club Resuming Thursday November 8th 6.00pm start till dusk All members are advised that Thursday night twilight GC croquet will resume on Thursday 8th November and continue till the end of Daylight Saving on 4th April 2019. If a Pennant match is to be played at Hyde Park, play will be limited to Lawn 2 West. If no Pennant match is to be played then social croquet can be played on Lawn 1 and Lawn 2 West. Once we have an idea of player numbers we may introduce a self-managed 3 game singles completion on Lawn 1. If you have anyquestions, please contact Peter Martyniuk via text or phone 0408277689 or captain@hydeparkcroquetclub.com.au 0408277689. Spring Pennants are scheduled for the 8th and the 22 November. Management of the SACA AC Open Doubles @ Hutt Road Tuesday November 6th to Thursday November 8 th All AC competition playing members are advised that our club is managing the SACA AC Open Doubles competition. We now have volunteers for Tuesday and Wednesday but still require 2 to 3 volunteers for the final day Thursday November 8th If you have some spare time, please consider volunteering half a day to help manage this event. If you have any questions, you guessed it, please contact Peter Martyniuk via text or phone 0408277689 or captain@hydeparkcroquetclub.com.au GC PENNANTS Plenty happening in GC Pennants with four competitions currently being run (and keeping the GC Scorer very busy!). Weekend Pennants Congratulations to Captain Noel Spooner and his team who have already taken out the Pennant in the 6+ Division. They were undefeated through the whole season. Meanwhile, with one round to play (on Nov 17 th ) both the Bearers and Knights are in the hunt for a flag in the 9+ Division. Get along, if you re able, to support these two teams on their last day of competition. While the Bearers remain top in the Open Division, they have to keep winning as teams behind them have games in hand. Spring Pennants Only one team in this competition from the Club this year with the Open Knights currently sitting second after four rounds. Midweek Spring 24+ and Spring Handicap Number of teams are representing the Club in these competition and all are around the mark to make the Finals later in the year.
Upcoming Club Social Events Friday 9 th November Play and Dine Sunday 11 th November The Parks Challenge @ Hyde Park Monday 19 th November HPCC Christmas Gala Day Tuesday 27 th November Pub Lunch Sunday 9 th December HPCC Christmas Lunch Friday 14 th December Play and Dine Upcoming Pennant Events Saturday 3 rd November AC Div 2 Sunday 4 th November GC Open Bearers, Open Spades Sunday 17 th November GC Open Spades, Open Knights, 9+ Knights, 9+Bearers Saturday 24 th November AC Div 4 Sunday 25 th November AC Open Spades, Open Knights, Open Bearers Sunday 2 nd December GC Open Bearers, Open Knights Saturday 8 th December GC Open Knights, Open Spade
For information about this newsletter please contact EDITOR Mick Reidy, mickreidy@optusnet.com.au or 0413 298 301 For information about the Club please contact secretary@hydeparkcroquetclub.com.au or president@hydeparkcroquetclub.com.au or phone 0432 884 341 Current Winter Playing Times Day Start time Format Tues 9.00 for 9.15 Both Wed 9.00 Gateball Thurs 9.00 Golf Fri 3.30 Golf Sat 9.15 for 9.30 Golf Sat 12.15 for 12.30 Association Sat 2.50 for 3.00 Golf