Have a go day planned for 106 -year-old local sports club this Sunday

Levin Croquet Club headquarters in Guy House at Speldhurst Country Estate, Kimberley Rd, Levin. Photo / Supplied

Can you name a sport that combines the skills of snooker, chess, and golf?

If you want to see this particular sport in action you need to head along to the Levin Croquet Club, based at Speldhurst Country Estate in Kimberley Rd, this Sunday, October 17.

The club is hosting a "Give it a Go" session from 1pm to 3pm on Sunday, and will provide mallets, coaches, and afternoon tea – you just need flat shoes.

Club spokesman Hugh Creasy said controlled aggression and technical know-how come to the fore during croquet, "... all in the friendliest possible way, of course".

Levin Croquet Club is headquartered in Guy House, a historic character building alongside four croquet lawns, accessed through the grounds of Speldhurst.

A player lines up for a shot on the club lawns. Photo / Supplied

The club is not part of the village but its proximity makes it a great asset for the residents, and club president Gary Botherway said membership has practically doubled since it moved there in November 2015.

The Levin club is one of 70 active croquet clubs throughout New Zealand and in 2015 the club turned 100 years old.

Croquet is believed to have been first played by 13th century French peasants who used crudely fashioned mallets to whack wooden balls through hoops made of willow branches.

The origins of the modern game have been traced back to 1852 when a game called "crooky" was introduced to England from Ireland where it had been played since the 1830s.

Croquet can be played by everyone and attracts players of all ages, plus men and women compete on an equal playing level without separate divisions.

"We have club members who come from Waikanae, Foxton, Waitarere Beach," said Creasy. "So if you [come along on Sunday] the mysteries of croquet, a somewhat esoteric and ancient sport, will be revealed."