Golf croquet titles to Humphreys and Elzen

OPEN SINGLES: Barry Memorial Croquet Club golf croquet champion Per Elzen and runner-up Christine McCullough.

Barry Memorial Croquet Club’s golf croquet club champs are done and dusted.

The championships were split into open and intermediate sections, the latter for players with handicaps of nine and over. Unfortunately, entry numbers for both sections were lower than usual due to some members’ ill health or work commitments.

In the intermediate section, Barb Humphreys won all her games and was a clear winner. Des Chaffey, a relatively new player, was a bit of a surprise. He won two games, both against more experienced players, and was runner-up.

In the open, results were a lot closer. Up to the last round every player was in with a chance, and this round proved to be the decider.

Christine McCullough, who had won all her games, lost 7-3 to Murray Woods and it looked as if Per Elzen would lose his game with Ross Thomson. The score was tied 6-6 and Thomson’s ball was in the 13th hoop. However, Elzen played a brilliant jump shot, winning the hoop and the game. Elzen and McCullough were even on games won but Elzen took the title with a better differential of three hoops.

Some Gisborne players travelled to Whakatane to compete in the Dennis and Mabel James golf croquet tournament. In the Level Singles Block B, Christine McCullough played great croquet and, as the only player to win four games, took out the section.

In Block C, Will Humphreys was unlucky. He lost only one game and was equal with an Orewa player who also won four games. However, Humphreys lost on a countback by one hoop.

In the Level Doubles Block B, McCullough and Lynn Davies triumphed over some tough opponents, winning five games and losing one. A pair from Whakatane had similar results but the Gisborne pair won the block with a differential that was two hoops better.

Club captain Ross Thomson says people ask about the term “golf croquet” and whether this form of croquet is similar to golf.

Perhaps the only similarity is that players take alternate shots, he says. The balls aren’t hit into a hole; instead, players try to shoot their own allocated ball through a hoop. Meanwhile, the opposing pair with their shot either try to do the same or hit the opposing balls away. Once someone scores a hoop, everyone aims towards the next hoop.

Games usually last 45 minutes and on a typical club day two games are played, then afternoon tea is taken before a third game is played.

Club days are on Friday and Sunday afternoons starting at 12.45pm. People who want to try the game are always welcome. They will be coached along the way and mallets are supplied. For any further information, ring Ross Thomson on 027 716 6055.