As we begin to emerge from the restrictions of Covid, Noosa Croquet Club is preparing for a busy 2022 and beyond.
The playing surfaces have recently been renovated and the grounds are looking well-tended and provide an attractive setting for players and visitors.
The recent rains have held up play for a few days just when everyone as becoming active again, and the croquet lawns and neighbouring Good Shepherd school oval have looked like a bird sanctuary.
However, the club will be holding a come and try day on the morning of Sunday 6 March (weather permitting) for interested people. Members are asked to bring a friend, and the Noosa public is invited to attend. This will commence at 8.30am at the courts at Seashell Place, Noosa Waters (follow the signs), but visitors should be there a bit early – just be sure to wear a sunhat and flat-soled shoes. See what a relaxing, interesting and even competitive sport croquet can be. Any queries, ring Colin Hindson on 0414 760 524.
The club has been running its own internal golf croquet competition for its higher handicap players on Saturday afternoons and players have enjoyed the on-court strategies and tactics needed.
The Jan van der Linden Division 2 Handicap Singles is the club’s most popular event with 17 players competing over seven months.
After three rounds, Bob Bull leads with Charlie Younger in secnd place and Lorry Ryan third.The competition runs until August with nine rounds still to play.
Before then, the Noosa Club is hosting three events of the Regional Sunshine Coast Golf Croquet championships during March/April where players from all over the Coast, from Caloundra to Bribie Island will visit Noosa to compete and we expect some serious competition here.
The inter-club competitions will begin in April. Noosa will be entering teams in three levels of the golf croquet competition after winning the pennant and plate competitions last year, and the association players will also be looking to put a team in the Lockwood Shield, maybe in conjunction with another club.
The recent news for croquet on the Coast is that the 2022 National Golf Croquet Championships will be held at clubs in the area and all clubs are looking to see where they can help. Noosa will be doing its bit, and already Noosa Council has agreed to assist in preparing and assisting with these national championships – a way to showcase both the Noosa area and the Noosa club itself, as well as the other venues which will be involved.
So we are all looking forward to a much more relaxed 2022, and anyone who feels the need to get outside and take off those masks for a while can come down to the Noosa Club at Seashell Place, Noosa Waters and have a look around. You will always be welcome – at any time.
