22-26 Jul 2019
Port Macquarie Croquet Club
This year player numbers were down to 22 which meant, for the first time, there were only 4 blocks. A block was a double round robin and D block was advanced handicap.
The results for each block were:
Block A Winner: Bill Blowes (Wagga Wagga), Runner Up: John Piggott (Urunga)
Block B Winner: Barb Piggott (Urunga), Runner Up: Geoff Chapman (Urunga)
Block C Winner: Kay Munro (Sawtell), Runner Up: Bernie Gibson (Manly)
Block D Winner: Mary Lambert (Killara), Runner Up: Janine Crellin (Taree)
The "first to peg out" trophy went to John Hincks (Port Macquarie).
Social events were held on Monday and Wednesday evenings. These events allow players to interact outside playing conditions, which is why they are well attended. The presentation dinner on Friday allowed our Club Patron, Mayor Peta Pinson and major sponsor, Westport Sporting Club, represented by Jenny Edmunds, to hand out prizes to winners and runners up of the blocks. Sue Moss and Sue Shenton did an excellent job catering for the presentation dinner, plus John Piggott was washer upper extraordinaire.
No carnival can go ahead without the support of Club members, who provided provisions and help for morning teas, lunches and afternoon teas; prizes for the raffles (run by Meredith Pisani) and Sue Shenton overseeing the kitchen.
Each day got off to a good start with the greenkeeper, Les Short and Club member Graeme Meers arriving at dawn to help set up the clubhouse and Trevor Thornton helping with the hoop setting. Once again John Watson put his hand up to do the carnival programme cover design and Westport Sporting Club printed the covers free of charge.
Behind the scenes Bridget Earle, Tournament Secretary, kept all on their toes as well as overseeing the "apprentice" Brian Hardy in the intricacies of scoring. Jim Hicks was again kind enough to act as Assistant Tournament Referee.
Finally, my thanks go to all the players for attending our carnival, refereeing games and helping to clear the courts after each day’s play ended.
We are seeking expressions of interest for next year’s 65th Association Carnival to gauge player interest. Please contact Bridget Earle either by phone (0412923232) or by email at bridget@earles-paradise.com.
Robin Shenton
Tournament Manager and Referee
