Club tournament results

Association Croquet Carnival
3-7 Nov 2014
Bathurst City Croquet Club
 
Croquet was alive and well in Bathurst from Monday 3rd til Friday 7th November when the Bathurst City Croquet Club held its annual Association Croquet Carnival. There were 24 entries from 12 clubs (Cammeray, Killara, Manly, Narooma, Milton/Ulladulla, Mosman, Newcastle National Park, Nowra, Orange, Toronto, Wollongong and Bathurst).

The Carnival was planned and organised by Annette McManus (Tournament Manager) and John Cook (the Referee/Handicapper). They followed the successful format they introduced last year where each morning saw Doubles being played first on both lawns at 8am, before players moved on to Singles for the rest of the day. All players played advanced handicap and all games were double banked (i.e. two games on each court at the one time).

A Presentation BBQ was held on the Friday afternoon. Prior to the BBQ the Tournament Manager presented the winners with their prizes.

RESULTS: DOUBLES

BLOCK A WINNERS: Jim Elston (Milton/Ulladulla) and Rik Mills (Orange City)
BLOCK B WINNERS: Michael Strickland (Mosman) and Helen Owen (Narooma)
BLOCK C WINNERS: Graham Cullen (Nowra) and Robyn Suttor (Orange City)

RESULTS: SINGLES

BLOCK A WINNER: John Deeves (Nowra), RUNNER-UP: Graham Cullen (Nowra)
BLOCK B WINNER: Pat Goldrick (Killara), RUNNER-UP: Annette Du Preez (Cammeray)
BLOCK C WINNER: Diane Scott (Wollongong), RUNNER-UP: Wendy Parry (Bathurst City)
BLOCK D WINNER: Helen Owen (Narooma), RUNNER-UP: Jeanette Testoni (Wollongong)

The HIGHEST BREAK AWARD was presented to Graham Cullen (Nowra)

The ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD was presented to Bernie Gibson (Manly)

Presentations were made to thank the Tournament Manager, Annette McManus, and to John Cook, for his part in organising the Carnival and being the Tournament Referee and Tournament Handicapper. Also acknowledged were some of the other behind the scenes’ volunteers, without whom the Carnival would not be possible - those who helped with the program, those who worked to make our Grounds ready for play each day, those who worked in the kitchen and those who donated items for the raffles and the kitchen. We’d also like to thank our sponsors for their kind donations: Elie’s ‘Kings Terrace’, Pro Wash, Matt’s Car Wash, Dan Murphy’s and Bathurst Travel Centre.

Over the 5 days we held daily raffles and we’d like to thank everyone who supported our Club by purchasing tickets. All tickets went back into the barrel for the major raffle drawn on the final afternoon. David Gibson was the winner of this.

The weather was on our side except for a sudden hail storm on Wednesday afternoon which left the lawns covered with hail stones for a short period. Douglas Woods from Wollongong, much to everyone’s amusement, decided to test his croquet skills by playing on the hail-covered lawns. However the hail stones soon disappeared, the sun came out and play resumed. (picture of hail on lawns)

Players had an enjoyable time, renewing friendships and joining in a number of social occasions. Tuesday’s play was disrupted with a short break for the Melbourne Cup. The winners of the various sweeps held were very excited. That night saw a group staying back at the Clubhouse for an informal get-together of take- away chicken or fish and chips. On Wednesday night twenty-five people enjoyed our ‘official’ carnival dinner at King’s Terrace Restaurant and on the Thursday night a smaller group enjoyed a Chinese meal at Marigold Gardens. To round off the week the Bathurst Club put on a Thank You BBQ (thanks to Margaret for cooking the meat which was supplied by John and thanks to Gail, Pam and Margaret for their salads). ('social' picture)

We look forward to another Association Croquet Carnival at the same time next year (2015). Remember, if you want to come to this Carnival, you need to get in early, as the 2014 carnival was full by the end of April, with entries received after that going onto “the reserve list” which this year was not needed. We already have bookings for the 2015 Carnival!! Hopefully we will see YOU there, too!!