Lots of good tips from Kate and Peter
Tune in for the second podcast with Alison talking all things golf croquet with Tobi Savage.
Dunsborough Croquet Club is seeking expressions of interest from those who would like to play in a Ricochet Doubles Event.
This event is to be held on the weekend of March 25/26.
Starting times most likely 8am Saturday & Sunday with finals Sunday afternoon.
If interested, please contact the Secretary, Wendy Collins wendyrc49@gmail.com
Dunsborough would like an indication of numbers, to determine if there is sufficient interest in the event.
Fees for the 2 days of the competition are $30 per person.
Morning and afternoon tea supplied.
Buffet Dinner will be available Sat night at the club at $30 per head for 2 courses.
So, come along and enjoy a competitive game of Ricochet
Where can I see Ricochet in action?
Currently, Como and the Sorrento Croquet Club run a Friday afternoon session each week which alternates between the venues.
This week (January 27th) it will be held at Sorrento – 10:45 for 11 am start, two x 1 ½ hour 14 point games with a break for BYO lunch and finish around 2:30 to 3pm.
They would welcome visitors to come along, either as experienced players or simply to learn this fascinating game (which doesn’t need any extra mallet skills over and about what Golf players already know).
If you are interested, Peter Hamilton and the clubs would love to hear from you.
Be sure to check out the latest edition of the Australian Croquet Magazine.
All eyes were on the State AC State Men’s and Women’s competition on the weekend which was held at the Moorabinda Croquet Club.
A field of 12 Men and 13 Women competed over the two days under clear skies and on speedy lawns.
Rob Bowling who did a magnificent job managing the tournament and our special thanks go to all the club members who helped out in the kitchen and acted as water carriers on both days.
A big shout out to Murray Hawker who refereed for the entire weekend. He was kept on his toes and even did it with a smile.
This year, the Women’s event was again won by Dawn Robinson and followed on from her success last year. The Runner-Up was Dale Jury.
In the Men’s event the country players were at the forefront with Eric Ayling (York) defeating Max Woolf (Bunbury) in the final. This was Eric’s second win in this event.
The play off for third was a most entertaining game and was won by John Jury from Ian Dumergue
Full results can be found on Croquetscores. Women’s Singles Men’s Singles
The Doll Makers
It doesn’t seem that long ago that this intrepid group of doll makers sent off their creations as part of the Uthando Project.
They have a great time getting together each week and today was packing day. They are all so talented and I have no doubt there will be plenty of smiles on the faces of those who will be receiving them.
This weekend Moorabinda is holding both the Women’s and Men’s AC State Open Singles.
Conditions on Saturday were warm and the balls seemed to travel swiftly across the lawns. The members did a fantastic job keeping us well watered and fed. Rob, as usual is doing a terrific job of both managing us and the tournament.
After yesterdays results, Jannine, Dawn, Dale and Elizabeth will be playing a round robin to decide to eventual winners. The men have two more rounds to play before the top of each block battle it out in a final.
Be sure to follow the results on Croquestscores.
Following up from his session the previous weekend, John took a leaf out of Marty’s playbook and ventured down to Bunbury to run a referee session for those in the South-West.
Obviously he is a good mentor as there are now 7 new referees in WA, with six of those being members of the Moorabinda Croquet Club. This is a great outcome.
Each week seems to get busier on the croquet front and this week has been no different.
We have seen the conclusion of the Women’s AC World Championship in New Zealand, the U21 Gold/Silver Medal event at Eildon in Queensland, the U21 Singles and Doubles Competition, the announcement of the Over 50s GC World Championship, Marty’s travelling road show head off to South Australia and locally, the T Hanson Hcp Singles was held in Geraldton.
T Hanson Handicap Singles / Geraldton
A field of 16 (10 last year) competed over the weekend in 2 x blocks of 8 with the top ranked players going through to a final.
The final game between Doug Lee and Bob Imray resulted in a win for Bob 7-4. This follows on from his victory in this event last year. Well done Bob!
Full results on Croquetscores
Women’s AC World Championship
The final of this event was held on Saturday 14th January. Fast lawns, tight hoops and immense pressure was the order for the day as Debbie Lines and Gabriel Higgins fought it out in a Best of Three Match.
Game 1: Debbie Line2 26 – Gabrielle Higgins 3
Game 2: Debbie Lines 19 – Gabrielle Higgins 22
Game 3: Debbie Lines 22 – Gabrielle Higgins 11
Full results can be found on Croquetscores.
My favourite story and picture of the week is this one of Marion McInnes. At 84, she qualified for the knockout stage. What an amazing performance.
Under 21 Gold and Silver Medal
In Queensland, a select group of young Australians had the opportunity to represent their state in the U21 Gold and Silver Medal Competition. The eventual winner was Curtis Mead of Tasmania. Hopefully next year, WA will have a representative.
Curtis now has the opportunity to represent Australia in the upcoming New Zealand U21 Championship.
Full results on Croquetscores.
Following on from this event was the Australian U21 Open Doubles and Singles event. The singles conclude today.
On the Road Again
Willie Nelson would be proud of the kilometres Marty is currently covering at the moment. The weekend his travelling roadshow headed to South Australia and from all accounts (Marty’s), it has been another successful trip. Next stop Tasmania!
Full results of the South Australian Test Matches can be found on Croquetscores.
Over 50’s GC World Championship
On the 15th of January, the Over 50’s GC World Championship was officially loaded onto the WCF website.
Shortly, an invitation asking for an expression of interest to play in this event will be called for.
This event also has its own website where you can keep up to date with everything that is happening. Be sure to check it out! www.over50gcworldchmpion.com
Tournament Information
Marcus has included a new section on the website that contains all the information and entry details about upcoming tournaments. Be sure to check it out!
GC Squad Practice
Held over two days.
I attended the Sports Psychology Session on Saturday presented by Craig Harms and found it most interesting. Craig has worked previously with both the AC and GC State Teams and he was very easy to listen too.
Some of my key takeaways.
The 4 C’s
Self talk – “What you say to a good friend is what you need to tell yourself.”
Reframe – Shift the negative thinking
Imagery and mental rehearsal – great tools that you can access at anytime!
I am reliable informed that John Doepel did an excellent job with the refereeing session in the morning. He will also be in Bunbury on this coming Saturday morning, the 14th January to do the same course for the South-West contingent. All are welcome however.
After much doing, there is always a number one and this weekend it was …
On Sunday, the AC State Team spent the day at Nedlands. The weather was amazing and there was plenty to learn from my standpoint. We covered openings, rushes, making a break, corner 2 cannon and setting a leave.
I made quite a few notes. Walk on with commitment, maximise chances, keep trying to get closer, weigh up your choices, tilting the mallet 10 degrees will move one of the cannon balls further into the court and so on.
If I was to sum it all up though, after listening to Marty earlier in the week, Craig on Saturday and then Alan yesterday, the key message to me is:-
PRACTICE WITH PURPOSE!
We are certainly spoilt with the access we have to coaches like Marty and Alan.
Fundraising Event – Nedlands Croquet Club
