Croquet: Lachlan Hughes has two shots at title

EYE OF THE NEEDLE: Lachlan Hughes of Wanganui will be threading his way through two sets of competition when he tackles the World U21 and World Open Golf Croquet tournaments next month.PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 200115WCSMCROQUET1

Wanganui teenager Lachlan Hughes will be pulling double duty next month when he competes in the World Under-21 and World Open Golf Croquet tournaments on New Zealand soil.

Between February 1 and 5, the 17-year-old crack shot will compete at the U21 competition in Christchurch against 27 others, before jumping on a plane on Waitangi Day to fly to Mt Maunganui where he will line up against 80 players in the World Open event.

Wanganui Croquet Club member Hughes is no stranger to international competition. In April 2013 he was selected to play for his country to take on the Egyptian National U21 team in a challenge series. He finished sixth of 12 players.

This time, U21 players from Egypt, Australia, England and New Zealand would take part, Hughes said.

"I've just completed playing at the open nationals in Waikanae and even though I finished eighth I'm happy enough with my form. I got knocked out by the eventual winner," he said yesterday.

"My goal for both the U21 and Open worlds is to at least make the knockout stage. The U21s finish on a Friday. I fly from Christchurch to Tauranga on the Saturday, and Saturday night is the opening ceremony."

Those invited to attend the open include players from Australian, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Egypt, England, Ireland, South Africa, the US, Sweden and Switzerland.

"Two players from the U21 next month will also receive wildcard entries into the World Open, but I'm already in," Hughes said.