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29/11/2009 - 3rd & Final update from Ladies GC Championship in Australia

Sensational final yesterday, Alix vs Iman. Iman, playing yellow ball into the 13th hoop and Alix, from near the boundary did a miracle jump shot to win the match. I think the scores were 7-5, 3-7, 6-7, 7-5 and 7-6. (Best of five). The match lasted 6 hours, brilliant croquet and very exhausting to watch. Ann Quin won the plate, we played twice and each won one game, but she went through to the semi final.
By Thursday and Friday I was playing good croquet, but I was exhausted and stressed out after 6 games on Friday. Anne also found it very tiring, plus a husband to look after. (No activities arranged for partners). For events of this nature, I think it is essential that enters warm up competitions beforehand.

The organisation, catering, transport has been brilliant all week. The standard of croquet, particularly the Australians, has been very high.
There are two young New Zealanders, Laura, (aged 15), who was the runner up in the plate and protege of Jenny Clark, and Ashley Cook (daughter of Dallas Cooke and grand daughter of Phyllis Young, who were both in the event), who are going to win in the future. Shadien, one of the Egyptians, who was new to the event, also showed promise. She lost to Jenny Clarke in the play off for 3rd and 4th.

It is now 7.30 am in Melbourne. Anne and Peter are taking two one-day tours, whilst I am going to visit a friend in Kilsyth. We meet again at the airport when we fly to Tasmania.
It is raining in Melbourne and apparently raining in Tasmania. We hope to see the sun before we return to SA.

Clare Stableford in Australia.

26/11/2009 - 2nd Update from Ladies GC Championship in Australia

Wednesday was the final day of the block section (the Egyptians regard blocks as practice rounds) Anne and I did not win our final games and went into the plate. Anne has withdrawn from the plate as she has been having shoulder problems. But I have carried on and won 4 games, which is being played as a Swiss event.
Tomorrow, as I have moved up the ladder, will be playing stronger opponents. Carol was beaten by an Australia in the round of 32 and has also withdrawn from the plate. (She has transport difficulties from town.

Today was quarter final day,5 Egyptians, 2 Australians and 1kiwi, Jenny Clark. One game in the round of 32 between Sarah Riad and Abir Moustafa lasted 6 hours, with a break of 1/2 hour for thunder and lightening.
I suggested to Owen Edwards, chief referee, that perhaps they should change referees, as it is a long time to be on ones feet! I had to leave before the games were finished, as the bus was leaving for Ashley Gardes, but Jenny Clarke was leading against Marwa, the losing finalist.

Clare Stableford in Australia.

22/11/2009 - 1st Update from Ladies GC Championship in Australia

Quick update on croquet from Melbourne on a very wet Sunday.
We arrived on Thursday in searing hot and by Friday afteroon it started to rain. Luckily the rain held off for the opening ceremony, but poured today and I had to play in bare feet and no glasses - my shoes and clothing were soakig.
Anne and I both lost our two games today, but they were close. Carol won her match and then had a bye.

The Victorian croquet centre at Cairnlea is brilliant, with excellent faciities. 12 croquet lawns, huge, well-equipped club house. We were very envious! There are 54 players, including 12 Egyptians, who had a 4 week training camp before they flew to Melbourne. The opening ceremony was very colourful, with a multi cultural choir and a speech from the Governor of Victoria. Afterwards we had a really good braai. The catering is excellent and so is the organisation and lots of helpful volunteers.

Today Anne and I played well and won our matches and we had a bye in the afternoon. Carol has won all of her 4 matches and has definitely gone through to the kock out section. The standard of play is very high and certainly the Australian golf croquet is flourishing and the standard of play has increased dramatically in the last 3 years. The Egyptians are good, but beatable. The lawns are in excellent condition, but slower than Kelvin, but thats no excuse for poor positioning play!

We are staying at Ashley Gardens and I am fortunate in that I am in the same section as Christine Pont, Director of Australian croquet, who is also staying at AG and gives me a lift in the morning. Anne is in a different block and different shift and has to take the shuttle service. We have been into Melbourne on the 220 bus from AG, which took 40 minutes.

It is a great tournament and hope we are now on the winning track. One more round in the block tomorrow, then it is the knock out section and the plate.

Clare Stableford in Australia.
(Image: Carole Jackson, Anne Oxton and Clare Stableford)

30/10/2009 - SA Golf Croquet Nationals - Full resuts.

Click here to see the full results.

27/10/2009 - SA Golf Croquet Nationals - Day 2 Update.

Results of Doubles Blocks DAY 2.
These winners will play in the Finals on Friday 30th October

Handicap Doubles:
John Hedding & Victor Dladla
Vernon Tomes and Peter Johnson

Derrick and Greta Snaith
Mike Corcoran and Peter Masekane

Open Doubles:
Mike Corcoran and Peter Masekane
David Hopkins and Carole Jackson

Anne Oxton and Clare Stableford
John Hedding and Victor Dladla

Images(T - B): Victor Dladla Opening Shot; John Hedding, Victor Dladla (2008 Champion) & Peter Johnson; Mike Corcoran.

18/10/2009 - WCF 2009 Ladies Golf Croquet Championship in Australia.

Anne Oxton and Clare Stableford
Two of three entrants to WCF 2009 Ladies Golf Croquet Championship in Australia in November.

Click here for the official webpage of the Championships.

10/10/2009 - Irish Croquet - Somerset West

Another highly enjoyable day washed down with Guiness and Champagne around a potjie of Irish Stew. This event was placed on the Western Province calendar this season and Somerset West extended an invitation to other clubs to experience the different aspects of this game and then to introduce it to their respective clubs.

We had 2 visitors from Kelvin Grove and 2 from Fish Hoek. John Cammell and Jean Gruner quickly grasped the rules and pressed through to win the Plate event.
Mariel de Bie and Marilyn Pentz also swung through excitedly and played in the semi-finals.

There was a very close finish in the finals culminating in a shoot out - William Louw and Fred Turnbull versus Vernon and Grahame Tomes.
Vernon won carefully calculated the wind gusting across the courts and used it to drive his ball close enough to the centre pole for the Tomes team to come out victors.

Images(L - R): ?; ?; Marilyn and Mariel came through from Kelvin Grove; ?.

22/09/2009 - Croquet fun at Somerset College Preparatory

The last week of the third term was very exciting. CLUBS time! And for the first time, croquet was introduced to our learners. Some of our keenest sport enthusiasts came to try their hand at this genteel, yet very competitive sport. They loved it!

The Somerset West Croquet Club kindly lent us their equipment for two days and Susan and Martina Crole, and Fred Turnbull came to the school to coach the children. Susan organised a tournament on Day 2 and the children enjoyed the challenge enormously!

Croquet is being introduced as an alternative sport for the first time this term. Thirty six Grade 6 and 7 pupils have signed up to play on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Somerset West Croquet Club has offered to lend us equipment until ours arrives, and also assist with some coaching.

This is a wonderful opportunity for Somerset College and our sincere thanks go to Susan Crole, who is so enthusiastic about establishing a Junior Croquet League in the Helderberg region.

Dianne de Villiers
Librarian
Somerset College Preparatory School

21/09/2009 - SACA's new WCF Golf Croquet Rules and Regulations booklet

SACA has now published and edited it's own pocket-sized booklet of the WCF Golf Croquet Rules and Regulations for Golf Croquet Tournaments. These will be available from individual clubs as from October 2009 at R25 each.

08/2009 - Croquet at little Switzerland in the Drakensburg

The venue was fantastic and the self catering accommodation top class. We were given their bowling green to play on. Apart from a few humps and bumps it was quite playable. It was in its winter condition so the lawns were quite fast, but we soon adapted to that.
Two lawns were set up on the green with the hoops at the correct spacing but with the East/West boundaries slightly closer than spec. We played Ricochet most of the time and this was enjoyed, even by those who had never played the game before.

The resort provided a variety of teas and cream scones every day. Each Chalet hosted in informal dinner each night where croquet (and other) stories were told well into the night.
Apart from one day the weather was kind to us and cool weather gear was shed at about 10am. The wind blew strongly for one day and as we were not tuned to Western Cape conditions we had a difficult time.
The picture on the right shows an unusual spectator that provided the means for filling the hoop holes when we finally packed up.
All in all we really enjoyed our stay.

13/08/2009 - The Gauteng Level Best Tournament

The Gauteng Level Best tournament will be played at CCJ over this coming weekend - 15/16 August.
The majority of competitors were selected for the event on merit, while a qualifying round was held last Saturday to fill the last few places available. There will be 12 competitors in all.

04/07/2009 - Irish Croquet Day at Somerset West Croquet Club

On a spectacular summery day in the middle of winter 20 players split up the courts into half-size
and laid out the wider hoops for 4 games of Irish Croquet organised by Vernon Tomes, his two
sons Grahame and Paul accompanied by their wives - Mary-Clare to assist with the huge potjie, and
Sharon as our photographer.

Rules were explained over glasses of Guiness so it took quite a while to get the balls rolling. Irish Croquet is a combination of Golf and Association Croquet - all four players are on the court together and each of their balls must run the hoops in sequence.
Free-shots can be claimed after hitting another ball, in defence or to assist one's partner. Running a hoop brings all the balls back to "life" and they can be used again to manoeuver around the court.

Irish stew par excellence, well laced with Guiness and pepper, spurred us on to hone our new found skills throughout the afternoon.

Click here to see the photos in our Gallery.

28/06/2009 - European Team Championships Update - Day 4

Well the tournament is over. We took Victor to the bus station in Cheltenham this morning where he met up with William, who will be travelling with him to Heathrow.

The last day SA played Canada for 3rd and 4th places and the team decided to swap around a little - Judith and Victor played association and William golf. The team was quite relaxed as they knew this match was more just for fun and only Victor managed to win his game - very nearly completing a triple peel which just failed as he could not run rover with his own ball.

Scotland beat England in the final and we all look forward to the next team champs in 2O11.

The team should all be at Heathrow by now waiting for their various flights home.

Over and out from your overseas correspondents.

Chris and Christine Wakeham.
(For detailed results of Euro Team Tournaments click here .)

27/06/2009 - European Team Championships Update - Day 3

I think we can be very proud of our team. They were placed 3rd in their block, behind England and Wales. The quarter final was played against Jersey and they managed to win 2-1 to get through to the semi-finals.

Unfortunately this was against England! They tried hard and at one stage William was well ahead of Chris Clarke, one of the top 3 in the world, but one little slip and Chris Clarke took over and finished.

Victor did very well by winning his match against Ivor Brand, who is also highly ranked..
In the end the score was 2-1 to England.

Tomorrow SA play Canada for 3rd place and the final is between England and Scotland.

More news tomorrow...

Chris and Christine Wakeham reporting.
(For detailed results of Euro Team Tournaments click here .)

26/06/2009 - European Team Championships Update - Day 2

Here's the latest from your correspondent on the spot in Cheltenham:

The day started with a grey, leaden sky which eventually burst into torrential rain about 3O mins into South Africa's match against Spain. The team struggled on valiantly in their not-so waterproof waterproofs, until the tournament manager called a halt. The lawns were flooded and photos will prove how uneven are these seemingly perfect lawns. 9O mins later, play resumed - Victor made short work of his still sodden opponent, William defeated his Spaniard but sadly Judith's opponent showed superb form on the now slow, damp lawns.

After lunch, SA played a friendly match against Jersey, just as a filler because Ireland pulled out at the last moment. Victor and Judith won their matches but William took advantage of the fact that tbe match didn't count and allowed his opponent to beat him!

The final match of the day against Switzerland started at 19h3O in brilliant sunshine. Victor beat his opponent at golf croquet very qiuckly. William's opponent missed his rover peel when William was still on 2 and 4 back. William then managed to peg out both his balls to win the match, despite a couple of tricky moments which had the fan club sitting on the edge of their seats! As I write Judith is still battling it out with her Swiss opponent and it is almost 1Opm and we are driving home. We know that we have won the match in any case and will definitely go through to the knockout tonorrow.

Final results:

SA - Spain: 2-1
SA - Jersey: 2-1
SA - Switzerland: 2-

More news tomorrow...

Chris and Christine Wakeham reporting.
(For detailed results of Euro Team Tournaments click here .)

25/06/2009 - European Team Championships Update

We have had a great day here at Cheltenham. The team all made it for a 9h3O start and the first opponents were Norway. William won his association match, Judith lost hers and Victor won his. Golf match 2-1 (best of 3).

The next round was against England who are the strongest team by far. William played extremely well against Chris Clarke, but sadly did not manage to beat him and both Victor and Judith lost their matches. This was not unexpected.

An excellent lunch was served, which revitalised our team and I am pleased to say that William played brilliantly beating his German opponent 26-O. It was great to watch William execute a triple peel. Victor was victorious again, winning the first 2 games, which gave him a well deserved rest. Sadly Judith lost in a very close match.

Their final match of the day against Belgium only started at 19hOO. Yet again William won very easily, Judith also managed to beat her opponent, but Victor came up against the strongest Belgian player and was beaten.

SA's final results for the day are;

S.A - 2. Norway - 1
S.A - O. England - 3
S.A - 2. Germany - 1
S.A - 2. Belgium - 1.

Tomorrow we meet Spain, Switzerland and Jersey and on Saturday we play Wales. The top 4 countries in each block go through to the knockout stage to be played on Saturday pm.

It was a long day and I think the team (and supporters) will sleep well tonight.
More news tomorrow...

Chris and Christine Wakeham reporting.
(For detailed results of Euro Team Tournaments click here .)

29/05/2009 - Ricochet in the Drakensberg - booking update

So far 7 players from Port Alfred, possibly 4 from East London whilst W Cape clubs still planning.
To break the long journey they are welcome to stop over in Port Alfred. Gauteng 4-6 players.
Bookings have been made - Derrick and Greta will see you beside the blazing log fire!

20/05/2009 - WCF World Association Championship "Wimbledon Cup"

WCF World Association Championship "Wimbledon Cup" has been won for the 3rd time by Reg Bamford in Palm Beach, Florida. Reg played against Ben Rothman USA in the finals.

Carole Jackson accepted a wild card invitation to compete, winning 3 out of 9 of her games, and was one of only three ladies out of a total of 80 entrants in the Championship.

16/05/2009 - Ricochet, The New Popular Croquet Game

The dates for the fun event are 10th-14th August '09. Garth has kindly offered to run a referees course for those interested in playing Ricochet.
The consensus is that 'Little Switzerland' is the best venue for our initial get together. It will cost approx. R160 per person per day sharing a 6 sleeper chalet.
Entrants will also be able to enjoy mountain hiking, fly fishing, horse riding, tennis, volley-ball etc. They also have a comprehensive gym.
Each chalet has its own braai area, also kitchenette/lounge. The main hotel has a comfortable lounge with a large log fire plus there is a lovely restaurant.

Further details on their website www.lsh.co.za.
To avoid confusion we suggest you book your accommodation directly with LITTLE SWITZERLAND, res@lsh.co.za(036 438 6220 and talk to Tarryn-liegh) who will give you the banking details.
Any other queries speak to the Croquet liason person in your area:
- Western Cape: Anne, oxton@mweb.co.za
- Eastern Cape: Derrick, derekandgreta@isat.co.za
- Gauteng: Lizzie, schwarer@gonet.co.za or Garth, beresford@telkom.net

08/05/2009 - Mitsubishi Motors European Team Champs Update

The WCF Management Committee in conjunction with the President of the European Croquet Federation (FEC) decided to make special invitations to compete to a limited number of countries outside Europe.
This will be of great benefit to those countries that do not normally compete in international team events. The fifteen who competed in 2007 namely Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, England, Finland, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Norway, Scotland, Switzerland, Sweden and the holders Wales. In addition Spain has also entered a team.

The WCF President, David Openshaw, is very pleased that both Canada and South Africa have taken up the special invitations to compete. He believes this will significantly help the development of croquet in those countries. There will be 20 teams competing.

03/05/2009 - 2009 Gauteng Assoc. and Golf Croquet Tournament

The Gauteng Association and Golf Croquet tournament was held over the 2 successive long weekends in April/May, to encourage players who are still working to enter without having to take leave.
The first weekend was association croquet, with an entry of 17 people, who enjoyed a lovely autumn weekend or warm sunshine and blue skies.
Things were different for the second weekend, which saw the golf croquet players at times wrapped up in winter woollies and occasionally even wearing waterproofs!
There were 29 participants in the golf event, which necessitated the use of 4 courts, ably set-up by the indefatigable Hans van Noord. There were a couple of well-supported social functions.

The association open singles was won by Meshack Mazibuko, with Chris Wakeham as runner-up, while the golf open singles final between Peter Masekane and Clive Coulson, resulted in Peter being the victor.

(Results available under the GCA Result's page.)
(Photos available under the Gallery.)

02/05/2009 - 2008/9 Robinson Cup Final

This was played on Saturday 2nd May between the 4 competing clubs namely Fish Hoek, Kelvin Grove, Helderberg Village and Somerset West.
As this is an event initiated by the late Geoffrey Robinson of Somerset West Croquet Club, the concluding games are all played at SWCC and HVCC.
Afterwards all the competitors gather at SWCC for the prize-giving and luncheon. SWCC was host to 50 guests and we had a superb spitbraai to end off our 2008/9 season.
Fish Hoek Croquet Club is this season's winner and was presented with the Robinson Cup Trophy.
(Photos available under the gallery.)

April 2009

10/04/2009 - Allocation of places for “3rd WCF Women’s World GC Champs”

After consultation with all WCF Member Associations, please be advised of the World Croquet Federation allocated places for each member association for the forthcoming, “3rd WCF Women’s World Golf Croquet Championship” to be held in Cairnlea, Victoria, Australia 21st to 28th November 2009.

Member Allocation:

Member	Allocation
Australia	9
Egypt	5
England	2
Ireland	1
Italy	1
New Zealand	6
Scotland	1
South Africa	3
Switzerland	1
USA	3

In addition to the above allocations:

the four semi-finalists from the last event in Dublin , Ireland will be invited to participate;
there will be four wild card places for selection by WCF.

Total entry: 40 players.

04/04/2009 - First Old Mutual Challenge at Somerset West CC

An entry of 34 players in new Golf Croquet Handicap doubles format.
Everyone had a wonderfully relaxed and entertaining day and enjoyed a sumptious luncheon and wines sponsored by Old Mutual.
Players from Fish Hoek, Kelvin and Helderberg Village also took part.

(From left to right: Alan Broadhurst,Old Mutual; Ellis Langeveld Chairman of SWCC; 1st prize winner Christina Vries FHCC; Gary, Old Mutual; 2nd prize winner Thea Lotz KCC; Tournament Manager Clare Stableford.)

(Photos available under the gallery.)

27/03/2009 - WCF have extended an invitation to South Africa

WCF have extended an invitation to South Africa to compete in the European Team Championship.
Each match consists of two games of Association Croquet and one of Golf Croquet. The event will take place from Thursday 25 June to Sunday 28 June 2009.

21/03/2009 - Benoni encourages new generation of players

Benoni recently held a Hobbies exhibition and the croquet club was offered a stand.
We set up two hoops and encouraged passers-by to contest them. The response was quite surprising as the overwhelming majority of participants were teenagers who really wanted to take up the game.

The girls guides have asked for a "Guiding day" and the Rangers have asked for the same.

Hopefully this will result in a new generation of players

20/03/2009 - Photos of the WP Golf Croquet Tournament

Click here to view...

14/03/2009 - Photos of the WP Association Croquet Tournament

Click here to view...

20/02/2009 - East London Open Door Tournament

We have just played the 2008 Open Door! Trophy Competition!
It was postponed last year and as we have to fit in with Port Alfred players have only just managed to do so. There were 6 players from Port Alfred and 6 from our Club competing in the event.
The winner was Hugh Brathwaite(Photo) from our Club, runner up was Derrick Snaith, third Jill Pople and fourth David Boyd - all from P.A. Everyone had a great time and it was so nice to have one of our members come out tops.

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29/11/2009 - 3rd & Final update from Ladies GC Championship in Australia

26/11/2009 - 2nd Update from Ladies GC Championship in Australia

22/11/2009 - 1st Update from Ladies GC Championship in Australia

30/10/2009 - SA Golf Croquet Nationals - Full resuts.

27/10/2009 - SA Golf Croquet Nationals - Day 2 Update.

18/10/2009 - WCF 2009 Ladies Golf Croquet Championship in Australia.

10/10/2009 - Irish Croquet - Somerset West

22/09/2009 - Croquet fun at Somerset College Preparatory

21/09/2009 - SACA's new WCF Golf Croquet Rules and Regulations booklet

08/2009 - Croquet at little Switzerland in the Drakensburg

13/08/2009 - The Gauteng Level Best Tournament

04/07/2009 - Irish Croquet Day at Somerset West Croquet Club

28/06/2009 - European Team Championships Update - Day 4

27/06/2009 - European Team Championships Update - Day 3

26/06/2009 - European Team Championships Update - Day 2

25/06/2009 - European Team Championships Update

29/05/2009 - Ricochet in the Drakensberg - booking update

20/05/2009 - WCF World Association Championship "Wimbledon Cup"

16/05/2009 - Ricochet, The New Popular Croquet Game

08/05/2009 - Mitsubishi Motors European Team Champs Update

03/05/2009 - 2009 Gauteng Assoc. and Golf Croquet Tournament

02/05/2009 - 2008/9 Robinson Cup Final

NEWSLETTER

10/04/2009 - Allocation of places for “3rd WCF Women’s World GC Champs”

04/04/2009 - First Old Mutual Challenge at Somerset West CC

27/03/2009 - WCF have extended an invitation to South Africa

21/03/2009 - Benoni encourages new generation of players

20/03/2009 - Photos of the WP Golf Croquet Tournament

14/03/2009 - Photos of the WP Association Croquet Tournament

20/02/2009 - East London Open Door Tournament