visitor from Western Australia, one from the
USA and two from Whangarei.
The weather stayed fine for the event and all
visitors had a great day learning the GSSS
method – grip, stalk, stance and swing – with
lots of hilarity and good cheer. Club members
took groups of four, gave them an introduction
to the game, showed them the grip options and
the basic swing skills, and then they were
allowed to hit a ball as far as they could. The
groups were then introduced to Golf Croquet
and played at least three hoops before
everybody adjourned to the Club-house for
afternoon tea.
President Julie Parry (picture below)welcomed
everyone and explained that there were two
popular versions of the game (Association and
Golf) and the process for joining and the sort of
assistance a new member receives with lessons,
ongoing coaching and choices of days on which
they could play. Every visitor received a “3 Free
Lessons” voucher which encouraged them to
contact the Club to make an appointment. From
indications on the day, up to 20 people
immediately showed a keen interest in
membership.
The main source of visitors came from the local
newspaper ‘advertising’ (62% of visitors) which
included an article in one popular local paper
and in a the “What’s On” column of another
Rodney-wide based newspaper, followed by
member referrals (26%) and then radio
community announcements on Times FM and
Radio Live (12%).
All in all, the Club had a very successful day
and are looking forward to welcoming the new
members to the Club.
Some of the large
crowd at the open
day
……………………………………
Carlton Croquet Club
On Sunday 15th February one of our Golf
Croquet men played in the Auckland Croquet
Gold & Silver Stars Tournament at Takapuna
CC. For the first time in his “croquet career” he
played 7 games that day against some
formidable players ranging from 0 to 9. Of
those 7 games he was successful in winning all
but one of them and overall was successful in
becoming the winner of this first tournament of
its kind to represent Auckland down in
Christchurch on 14th & 15th March.
That
player’s name is Chris Plank and this is only his
second season of playing.
Chris has been proud to use his
mother’s mallet and attributes
some of his “luck” to this. Joan
Plank was a very long serving
member at Carlton CC and was
President from 1994 – 96. She
had many garage sales at her
home to raise much-needed funds for the club
and was made a Life Member for all her good
works for our club – she was renowned for her
wonderful jam and cream sponges.
Chris we are so proud of your success and wish
you all the best down South!
Another of our successful club players is Peter
Buchanan who recently was Runner Up in the
Auckland Croquet Association Handicap
Singles 4-9. His parents were both players;