It has been winter down south and across the pond.
Noosa Croquet Club has had quite an influx of visitors recently who have added to our social mix as well as our coffers. Some we see regularly, others are new but we may well see them again in the future. We have had 20 visitors since April from clubs in Qld, NSW, SA, Victoria and New Zealand. Some played on multiple occasions. Some are actually shared members with other clubs, as members of the Australian Croquet Association and overseas clubs can play anywhere. This means that some Noosa members visiting other clubs can also participate as members. But why would anyone want to leave Noosa in winter?
The Golf Pennant team has secured the Sunshine Coast Pennant trophy for 2023, over Bribie Island.
The Shield team is in an interesting position. Early July, it was in first position level with Bribie on matches won, but ahead on both games and points. Just a matter of keeping on winning? However, on Monday 17 July, the Shield team played Headland and lost 6 – 4 but with hoop score at 60 – 59! The day was apparently very close with Headland winning both doubles, the second 8 – 9 on the bell. William Godsall won both his singles.
Also on 17 July the Plate team played Nambour at Noosa.
This was an earlier scheduled game which was cancelled due to rain. The Plate team went down 8 games to 2, with Barry McLaughlin and Lois King winning one singles each.
However things were different on Monday 24 July when the Plate team of Richard Brown, Judy Kitcher, Helena Godsall and Cam Black won the day against Headland-Buderim six games to four. Cam Black and Richard Brown won both their singles games. This was their first win of the year and shows what practice and a bit of experience can do!
An interesting much sought achievement of our game has suddenly reoccurred after laying dormant for some time – the running of two hoops with one ball! After some years of waiting, someone else emulated Uta von Homeier’s feat of achieving this three times and thus claiming the medal as their own.
President Richard Bawden managed this recently and was awarded with the medal as his own. This pushed things along, and last week Barry McLaughlin, one of our newer members, also ran the two-in-one, and was allowed to wear the medal for the day. Let’s hope this doesn’t become a habit – those pure gold medals can become expensive!
Another of our internal competitions due to start soon is the Jan van der Linden Handicap Golf Doubles. This is played annually for a Shield donated by Tony van der Linden to the club in honour of his wife Jan. Jan was a long-serving and hard-working member who unfortunately died before her time from deep vein thrombosis during a flight back to England to visit her mother-in-law in a nursing home. The club was shocked and saddened by the news and was only too willing to accept Tony’s offer of assistance. You will note the plaque on our impressive front gate and a seat around the grounds in Jan’s memory. The actual games will be played on 23 and 30 August.
Four new members were approved for membership by the Committee this month. Club membership is healthy and why not? More people are realising what an interesting and involving sport croquet is, and what an attractive facility they have within Noosa! .
Remember that every Sunday morning is Come and Try Day at the Club in Noosa Waters attractive grounds in Seashell Place. In this weather what a great way to spend a couple of hours! Be at the Club by 8.15am where experienced trainers will help you understand what this strategic game is all about! And remember our offer – four free lessons before you need to think about joining. For further information ring Niven on 0428799987.
