Huge turnout for sunny games

IN ACTION: Doubtless Bay local Joyce Vinac at the Carter's Tournament on Saturday.

Organisers of the Carter's Tournament were rewarded with a huge turnout and perfect conditions for the annual event at the Doubtless Bay Croquet Club on Saturday.

A total 46 players representing clubs from Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Whangarei, Kensington, Waipu, Maungakaramea and Doubtless Bay took part in conditions ideal for croquet, event spokesman Peter Hartnall said.

"Thursday evening had dark, brooding ominous clouds, but Friday dawned with brilliant sun and developed into a wonderful day," he said.

FULL LAWNS: The Doubtless Bay croquet club lawns were full to bursting for the annual Carter's Tournament last week. PICTURES/SUPPLIED

Six half lawns and one full lawn (with a double banking system used on most lawns) were needed to accommodate the 36 players across the three golf croquet divisions - senior, intermediate and junior - and the 10 in the association competition.

The golf croquet competitors played five games, with no two players ever playing with or against the same player more than once.

The association players played three games, some on full lawns and some on half lawns.

Play concluded at 3pm and was followed by refreshments and prize giving - which saw plenty of prizes awarded, thanks to the generosity of the event's major sponsor before the winner of the day's raffle was announced.

The top six placegetters in each division were: Association croquet: Beverley Brake (Doubtless Bay) 1, Joy Dawson (Doubtless Bay) 2, Beatrice Keay (Doubtless Bay) 3, Betty Dawson (Doubtless Bay) 4, Linda Thompson (Kaitaia) 5, Pauline Nethercott (Doubtless Bay) 6.

Golf croquet, seniors: Brian Stitt (Doubtless Bay) 1, Clyde Wood (Kaitaia) 2, Lois Wilkinson (Kerikeri) 3, Barney Vincent (Waipu) 4, Sue McCleod (Kerikeri) 5, Jean Tafa (Waipu) 6.

Intermediates: John Schollom (Maungakaramea) 1, Sue Cole (Doubtless Bay) 2, Liz Clarke (Kerikeri) 3, Brian Trott (Maungakaramea) 4, Wendy Schollom (Maungakaramea) 5, Jeanette Carter 6.

Juniors: Brian Bridge (Doubtless Bay) 1, Joyce Switzer (Kaitaia), Murray Shaw (Doubtless Bay) 3, Charlotte Sutherland (Kaitaia) 4, Ross Bariball (Doubtless Bay) 5, Brenda (surname not advised, Doubtless Bay).