Feb/March Greetings All Croquet Players Haven t we had the most amazing croquet weather? A number of us have been really busy battling it out on the lawns with the OCA Tournament, Wakatipu Tournament and a couple of weeks ago the NZ 0-3 and 4 plus Tournament. There were also the NZ Champs in ChCh in January which involved our top players. FORBURY PARK CROQUET CLUB Forbury Park Frances Hodgkins Christmas Association Croquet Doubles The tournament was very successful in spite of the lower number of entries this year. Unfortunately the wind was a bit on the cool side. In order of placing, Carol Leishman/Sue Chilton, David Jackson/Pam McCloy, Kathleen West/Frances L Casey, Mervyn Garthwaite/Shirley Ungemuth, Joan Dickinson/Lynley Browne, Leo Liefting/Jeanette Liefting. PUNGA NEW YEAR DOUBLES This was a most enjoyable tournament with beautiful weather throughout the weekend almost too hot for some of us! Anthony Ritchie was a first-time manager host as well - and did a great job. Final: Nairn Smith & Daphne Hannagan (Leith) winners plpam Bardsley & Pam McCloy (Tainui) Unfortunately, the Alexandra Mini Tournament, usually so popular, had to be cancelled this year due to insufficient entries. Good luck Alexandra for your Easter Tournament!
OCA 86 TH ANNUAL TOURNAMENT For a couple of reasons, no Masters Games and having the Golf Croquet earlier in the season, entries in the OCA Tournament were much better for most events and the superb weather helped to make it an enjoyable time for all concerned. Event 1 (3 and Under) Walker & Hall Cup Chris Shilling Punga, Murray Goldfinch (Runnder-up) Leith Chris (Winner) Karen Judge (Mgr) Event 2 (4-9) Peake Tray Men s Championship From left: Mervyn Garthwaite (umpire), Ron McMurran, Lyn Cvjetan, Joan Dickinson, Richard Bone (Umpire), Daphne Hannagan (Winner) Shirley Ungemuth, Michael Sinclair (Runner-up) Ngaire McKenzie (Mgr) From left: David Jackson (runner-up), Keith Cloughley, Nairn Smith (Winner), Robert Kemp (Australia)
10-16 Championship 18-24 Championship Back left: Nairn Smith (Mng), Joan Carter, Molly Duncan, Raewyn Idour, Kathryn Cherry (Runner-up), Front left: Pam McCloy, June Mills, Sue Chilton (Winner). From left: Frances Casey, Dorothy Walsh, Beth Madigan, David Jackson (Mgr) Frances Casey (Winner) WAKATIPU TOURNAMENT Here we have the Dunedin contingent of players enjoying drinks and nibbles after a very competitive but thoroughly enjoyable tournament. The weather was perfect and, as usual, the hospitality was outstanding. One usually comes away having put on weight when, really, it should be the other way round. Karen Jamieson, the first-time manager did an outstanding job. Well done Karen and thank you Wakatipu The doubles were played on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning with the final on Friday afternoon. Jamie Cormack (left) (Wellington) and Paul Frude (Wakatipu) won the event, however, Faye Gibson (Winton) made a very exciting break and had the spectators on the edge of their seats. Faye s partner, Judy Buchanan, also from Winton, for a beginner played well also and they certainly gave the guys a run for their money. Well done!
Championship Singles Div A: Murray Goldfinch (Leith) Div 2: Mike Beardsell (Wgn) Div 3: Frances Casey (Leith) Runners-up were: Brian Gilbert (Wanaka), Michael Sinclair (Punga) Kathryn Cherry (ingll) A tired, but happy, group of players Barbara Ward (Tainui) and Daphne Hannagan (Leith) after their play-off for the Gold and Silver Star Golf Croquet Handicap event. Barbara, a fairly new but very keen player, won and is off to Christchurch on the 14 th March to play in the final. We wish her well!!
NEW ZEALAND AC TOURNAMENT 0-3 AND 4 PLUS It was very exciting this season to host this Tournament and, again, with lovely weather and fairly good entries an enjoyable time was had by all. A Big Thank you to all Managers and Umpires. And a special thank you to Mary Hughes for organizing the Tainui and Forbury ladies to provide the coffee, tea and delicious baking. It was all very much appreciated. 4 Plus Doubles Event 0-3 Championship Ann & Tom Weir (Oamaru) Winners D Hannagan & Shirley Ungemuth (Runners-up) Graeme Fisher (Wellinggn) Winner Iam Campbell (Canterbury) Runner-up 4 Plus Championship and Handicap Event Kathy Woodrow (Mgr) D Hannagan (Winner) Tom Weir (Runner-up) Jasmine Rule (Oamaru) Winner Carol Leishman (Forbury) Runner-up CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR WINNERS! We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. - George Bernard Shaw Website: sportsground.co.nz/otagocroquet E-mail address: dhannagan1@kinect.co.nz