News
Close outcomes in doubles day competitions
32 players entered the August GC Level Play Doubles Tournament on a somewhat showery August morning which later developed into a lovely sunny afternoon.
The players were split into two competitions based on their aggregate handicap played over 6 rounds.
Both competitions were closely fought with 2 very close finishes.
In the A section 4 of the 8 pairs ended up with 4 wins. Liz Drury/Tony James & Richard Brooks/David King were level on +6 net hoops, however Richard & David beat Liz & Tony and won based on who beat who.
In the B Section the result was also pretty close with 2 Doubles on 5 wins and 2 doubles on 4 wins. Beryl Hughes & Gavin Taylor won based on net hoops from Fran Box & Graham Tucker with a net hoop score of +12 compared with Fran & Graham’s plus 10.
At the beginning of the tournament the Manager put out a special plea to avoid slow play following several complaints that had been made recently.
The players did extremely well and completed 6 rounds in under 6 hours including a lunch break. Well done all.
Jonathan Isaacs
Manager
Thanks to Jonathan for managing what proved to be a difficult event, with withdrawals right until the last minute; PLEASE, we all know it's sometimes unavoidable but do try to withdraw as early as possible if you need to. You will now receive a 4 week warning as well as a 10 day one to encourage everyone to check their dairies for clashes!
Full results
| Block A | BA&SC | TJ&FP | AC&PG | RB&DK | LD&TJ | SA&PH | BG&JP | AH< | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Aikens & Steve Chapman | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 5 | ||
| Tony Jolly & Fiona Phillips | 5 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 8 | ||
| Alan Cottle & Paul Green | 1 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 7 | ||
| Richard Brooks & David King | 2 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 | ||
| Liz Drury & Tony James | 7 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | ||
| Simon Ancell & Philip Harrison | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Bridget Goodman & Jane Powell | 6 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 6 | ||
| Andrea Huxley & Louise Taylor | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Block B | RC&DL | FB> | BH> | RW&PB | R&RP | DR&SK | SG&TE | SN&JM | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Carline & Diana Langridge | 6 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | ||
| Fran Box & Graham Tucker | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 2 | ||
| Beryl Hughes & Gavin Taylor | 7 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 1 | ||
| Robin Wootton & Paul Brown | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 6 | ||
| Rachel & Richard Pointon | 7 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Diana Rolfe & Sue Kilby | 1 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 8 | ||
| Susan Gale & Trish Ellis | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 7 | ||
| Sue Nicholas & Jim Mander | 1 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 5 |
Pam Gooders wins High Bisque Competition
The Annual High Bisque AC Tournament, run by the Croquet Academy, took place on 22nd August. Unusually, the weather was brilliant! 10 entries this year, well down from the 1980's and 1990's when over 30 competitors took part. This reflects the decline of AC in local clubs.
We saw some excellent play with breaks being attempted and some successfully made. Good use of bisques. Well done everyone and I hope you enjoyed the day.
Our worthy winner was Pam Gooders, an SCCC member, and long time supported of the event. Pam narrowly beat Richard Ellis to take the Salver.
Many thanks to the wonderful coaches who helped and advised the players - Chrissie Merrington, Clive Hayton and Katharine Minchin. They were a great support to me. Many thanks to Steve Chapman who filled a gap!
Next year? Maybe have a combined coaching/playing AC day?? Any ideas, please let me know.
Frances Low (Manager)
Sussex stay in Division 1 in 2023 GC Inter-Counties but Richard Brooks will stand down as Captain in 2024
The Sussex team competed at Cheltenham in division 1 over the weekend of 19th/20th August. We managed to retain our div 1 status by finishing 9th out of 12 counties.
A report by the manager is available on the CA website and the full results can be viewed on croquetscores.com
This is a good result for us considering the strength of opposition provided by some of the other counties. My main objective this year was to remain in the first division and get the benefit of playing at Southwick in 2024 (the div1 and div2 venues switch over every two years).
The teams are being canvassed at the moment on their opinions about some possible changes to the format in two years time.
Whatever the future holds I’ve decided after representing Sussex for seventeen years and the last five as captain, the time has come for me to find a successor.
My intention is to continue as organiser/captain for 2024 whilst working alongside my successor who would take over in 2025.
I welcome any low handicap player who would like to take on the roll to contact me to discuss what’s involved.
Anyone who meets the qualification requirements to play for Sussex can apply. It isn’t necessary that they are a member of SCCC.
I will consider the views of the current team before making any decisions.
Richard Brooks
Championship Report
Friday
Gabrielle Higgins will play Liz Drury and Liz Farrow will play Virginia Arney in the first round of the championship knockout stage. Sorry there appears to be no published information on times and lawns at present.
If you play in the Sussex County one-day GC competitions you will know Liz Drury who is a member at Compton. In June she was a 6 handicap; she played in the qualifier event at Compton and took the 4th and last place available for the championship. Taking the 4th place in her block this week - described by Chris Clarke as the "standout performance" in the block, she is now playing in the knockout. A fantastic achievement!
Liz Farrow lost to Virginia Arney 2-7, 7-5, 3-7. In the subsequent Bowl Knockout she lost to Begona Elzaburu 5-7, 4-7.
Gabrielle Higgins beat Liz Drury 7-6, 7-3 but lost to Pouline Salib 1-7, 4-7.
Thursday
Gabrielle Higgins beat Pamela Barnwell 7-4, 4-7, 7-6
Both Gabrielle and Liz have 4/6 wins and will play in the championship knockout.
Wednesday
Gabrielle Higgins lost to Susanna Romero 2-7, 2-7 and beat Jessica Bullen 7-4, 7-5
Liz Farrow beat Diana Wilson 7-6, 7-6 and Beverly Cardo 7-5, 7-3
Tuesday
Gabrielle Higgins lost to Maram Nabil 2-7, 7-4, 0-7
Liz Farrow lost to Soha Mostafa 6-7, 5-7
Monday
The WCF Womens GC World Championship kicks off today with play starting shortly on all 11 lawns.
Good luck to our two club members competing: Gabrielle Higgins and Liz Farrow. If you want to watch them play their block match schedule is here.
| Name | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabrielle Higgins | 09:30 on Lawn 9 pm on Lawn 8 |
11:00 on Lawn 1 |
11:00 on Lawn 2 late pm on Lawn 7 |
09:30 on Lawn 8 |
| Liz Farrow | 09:30 on Lawn 6 pm on Lawn 10 |
11:00 on Lawn 7 | 09:30 on Lawn 3 pm on Lawn 5 |
11:00 on Lawn 11 |
Timings: play starts at 09:30 each day. There are 4 match sessions each day so the start times of later sessions are dependent of the length of earlier matches.
Gabrielle Higgins beat Margot Engstrom 7-2, 7-6 and beat Perihan Elwy 7-5, 7-2
Liz Farrow beat Anne Lehmann 7-3, 7-3 and lost to Manal Khodeir 2-7, 7-3, 2-7
(photos courtesy of Ray Hall)
A photo display of the recent GC Carnival Day is now in the Gallery (in main menu). Thanks to Ray Hall for the photography.
GC Singles Friday, 28 July 2023
Our latest Singles tournament attracted 32 entrants who were greeted with some fine drizzle and wind blowing off the sea when play started. However, by lunch time there was warm sunshine which continued into the afternoon.
The low handicappers were split into two groups. Block A1 was close with Bob Clark, Morgan Case and Chrissie Merrington all winning 4 games but Bob was the winner with +16 net hoops. Steve Chapman was the runaway winner of Block A2, winning all 5 matches with an impressive +16 net hoops. The crossover final saw Steve beat Bob 7-3.
There were two mid-range blocks, B & C. Martin Daniels dominated Block B, winning all 6 matches with a terrific net hoop margin of +20 and a reduction to his handicap.
David Dickins and Konstantin Yudintsev were neck-and-neck in Block C with 4 wins each but David shaded it on net hoops, +14 against Konstantin's +11. David's handicap was also reduced at the end of the day.
Block D was keenly contested by Paul Brown and Karen Newbould (Bromley CC), both of whom have recently improved their handicap. They each won 4 of their 5 matches but Paul was the overall winner with net hoops +10 against Karen's +9.
Thanks to everyone for entering and congratulations to all the winners. A big thank you also to the catering team, Angela Avis, Arthur Flatt and Sue McHugh for providing the lunch and afternoon refreshments.
Vincent L'Estrange, Manager
And thanks to Vincent for managing the competition for us.
Full results
| Block A1 | BC | MC | CM | JI | TJ | SA | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Clark | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Morgan Case | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| Chrissie Merrington | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | |
| Jonathan Isaacs | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 6 | |
| Tony Jolly | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 5 | |
| Simon Ancell | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 4 |
| Block A2 | LF | NG | RB | SC | RW | AS | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liz Farrow | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| Noel Gill | 4 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 4 | |
| Richard Brooks | 4 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Steve Chapman | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 1 | |
| Robin Wootton | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | |
| Andrew Stewart | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 5 |
| Block B | BH | DK | MD | GT | PG | TN | SN | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beryl Hughes | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 6 | |
| David King | 7 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 4 | |
| Martin Daniels | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | |
| Gavin Taylor | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| Paul Green | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 5 | |
| Tony Nicholas | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 3 | |
| Sue Nicholas | 6 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 7 |
| Block C | AN | DD | KY | JR | GT | LG | RF | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Newbould | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 4 | |
| David Dickins | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 1 | |
| Konstantin Yudintsev | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 2 | |
| Jill Richardson | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 6 | |
| Graham Tucker | 2 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | |
| Linda Gavigan | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 5 | |
| Rosemary Faulkner | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| Block D | KN | PB | DC | HW | MA | PG | Wins | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Newbould | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| Paul Brown | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| David Comber | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 4 | |
| Helen Wilson | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Martin Avis | 4 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | |
| Peter Goldsmith | 4 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 5 |
Please allow your Webmaster to blow his own trumpet a bit, if rather asthmatically: he won the Fortfield Cup in the B level competition at Sidmouth this last weekend. A qualified victory as, having beaten the four better handicapped players, he lost to the two higher handicapped. Three players ended on 4 wins so decided on who beat whom. Must be more consistent!
Points victory in Longman Cup over Compton
Sussex County was represented by Captain David Gillett and team Chrissie Merrington, Richard Caroline and Steve Chapman.
Sussex led 2-1 at lunchtime but Compton drew level at 3-3. Chrissie Merrington won the deciding game by +3 on time to send Sussex into the semi-final against either Kington Langley or East Dorset.
Sussex team with 3 members of Compton team.
Dame Mary Berry to open the 2023 WCF Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship
The 2023 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship is being held at Sussex County Croquet Club, Southwick, nr Brighton from 6th – 14th August 2023.
Dame Mary Berry has kindly agreed to attend the Opening Ceremony as Guest of Honour.
This will commence at 3.45pm on Sunday 6th August.
Play will commence on Monday 7th August culminating in Finals Day on Monday 14th August.
56 players from at least 16 countries will be competing to be the World Women’s Champion.
Egypt’s Soha Mostafa will be defending her title which she won in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand in 2019. Soha is one of at least 13 Egyptian players competing for the trophy.
Home contenders include Rachel Gee, Debbie Lines & Gabrielle Higgins. Rachel Gee is the current holder of the European Golf Croquet Championship as well as a previous winner of the Women’s World Championship. Debbie Lines is the current holder of the Association Croquet Women’s World Championship and Gabrielle Higgins is the current runner up in the same event. Other strong contenders include Jenny Clarke (New Zealand) and Judith Hanekom (South Africa).
Also playing is our very own Liz Farrow who has been awarded a ranking place. We shall be rooting for you Liz!!
The final places for the Championship will be determined by a qualifier which will take place at Compton Croquet Club, Eastbourne in the week prior to the championship.
Spectators are most welcome.
Entry to the Opening ceremony Free.
During the tournament: One day Entry Fee £10 or whole tournament pass £25 payable at the gate. (Children up to age 12 FREE, over 12’s half price).
Free parking available adjacent to the club in Kingston Lane, Southwick BN43 6YW.
Light lunches, refreshments and a licensed bar available throughout the Championship.
For further details visit the Women’s GC World Championship Website:
www.gcwomensworld2023.org