Hollywood Croquet Club opened in 1945, under the name of North Nedlands, a name soon discarded.
Located on Smyth Street alongside the bowling club near Hollywood hospital and the War cemetery, the club was to become a powerhouse of innovation and a breath of fresh air for the association.
Country Croquet Carnival ladies competition hosted by the Nedland Croquet Club 1950 State Library of Western Australia 221372PD
Initially it was just another new club, it’s first chosen club colours were Cyclamen and Blue, later these were changed to Juniper, Navy and White.
Hollywood joined forces with nearby Nedlands and Subiaco clubs to start the Central Suburban Tournament, an extra event in the calendar played as handicap doubles.
They continued to have a strong coaching and mentoring theme through the Men’s Club, where male players who had slowly begun to be accepted back into croquet for the first time in about 50 years, could meet up and play regularly with other men. One player Ray Baker from Victoria Park was soon to progress from this group to become the first player to triple peel in the state and later the first male to make the WA state team. Most of this early drive seems to rest with the Maskew husband and wife pairing.
Hollywood established a strong rivalry with Subiaco, Nedlands and North Perth in the metro pennant competition.
Hollywood had an incredible run of success winning;
A grade in 1959, 1961, 1962, 1966, 1967
B grade in 1959
C grade in 1952 and 1958
C2 in 1956
When divisions replaced ranges more success;
Div 1 in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972
Div 2 in 1976
Div 4 in 1972
Unfortunately something went awry in the early 80’s and the club lost it’s greens in 1981, surviving one more year without it’s own courts before disbanding in 1982.
The area is still under utilised today and from the photo it appears the long clubhouse building still exists on the site.
