Visitors dominate croquet podium
Nicola Clement has the circus big top as a backdrop as she surveys her next shot during the doubles final. Photos Peter Jones.
Taranaki players dominated the top placing at the South Island Golf Croquet Championships, staged at Blenheim’s Whitehead Park from February 5-8.
The event was hosted by the Brooklyn Croquet Club on behalf of the Croquet Marlborough Nelson West Coast Association and attracted several of the country’s leading exponents, from Taranaki to South Canterbury. One of Marlborough’s top players, Brian Goodwin, also took part.
While it is called the South Island Golf championship it alternates between the North and South Islands each year and is open to all competitors.
The singles winner, and recipient of the Timaru Trophy, was Te Kiri King from Taranaki, who defeated Nicola Clement, also from Taranaki, 7-6, 7-2 in the final. In the semis, Te Kiri beat John H Watson 7-4, 7-3 while Nicola downed Ricardo Pintor 7-2, 7-6.
Te Kiri and Nicola joined forces in the doubles knockout competition, winning a thrilling three game final against fellow Taranaki duo, Ricky Clement and Ricardo 7-2, 6-7, 7-3.
In the semis Te Kiri and Nicola beat John and Helen Reeves, both representing Central Districts, 1-7, 7-5, 7-4 while Ricky and Ricardo overcame Brian Goodwin and Sue Cleveland (South Canterbury) 7-2, 7-5.