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From the PresidentDear All, As we come closer to the end of the summer season, I encourage you to complete the competitions you have still to do. Closing Day and Prizegiving is on 29th April. Next up will be the Annual Meeting to be held on 27th May, when I will be stepping down as President and some others of our committee will not be seeking re-election, including the secretary, John Stevens. I am delighted to say that Jane is happy to carry on as Club Captain for another year. I would ask everyone to consider what they can offer toward the administration of our club, including standing for the committee. Read on to see the notice of the AGM and call for nominations. The committee is currently considering all the things that need to be done to ensure the efficient management of the club and our enjoyment of the game. We need to train referees and shot watchers for the club, organise a trial of Advantage Croquet, stage mini tournaments for new players and many more. So much to do! Your suggestions and ideas are most welcome. For instance, this last weekend six Kelburn members played in the Forsyth Barr Tournament at Paraparaumu Club. Despite the first day being very hot indeed, we played six 50-minute games. Several lawns had two games on the go at the same time. The games flowed seamlessly. One of our members asked why we don’t start our second game from the yellow flag when the first game has gone through the second hoop. It seemed to work better than having two starting points (this is the standard procedure for all NZ GC competition). I am sure there are other suggestions members can offer. The players’ meeting is the usual time for members to have their say, but any time is good! I have three orders for club shirts. Does anyone else want to order a long or short-sleeved shirt, a cap, or a men’s or women’s polo fleece jacket? Many thanks to Brian Black who has built and installed a handsome gate to stop balls running down beside the club house. Kind regards Mary Stevens  |
From the Club CaptainCongratulationsGC handicap doubles Winners: Denise and Dougal Ongley. Runners-up: Ron Rosenberg and Colette McKenzie. Thanks to John Corsham for managing it. AC Open Alison Robinson for reaching the knock-out stage. AC Waikanae 4+ singles Winner: Janet Boutel. Comings and goingsAround 40 people have come along to our advertised Have a Go days since early January to try out croquet. We hope they continue to play but, for some people, lack of time is the biggest barrier to playing more often. People are not only busy with work and family but already have other leisure activities. However, some have signed up for membership and others for the introductory offer. Thank you to all the club members who have helped new people and made them feel welcome. Welcome to new Associate member Callum McKinnon, who is a member of Rose Gardens Croquet Club. He has a GC handicap of 0 and an AC handicap of 3.5. Margaret Morrell is away at the moment but will be back. Welcome to Jeanie Stewart and Simon Tendeter, and Anwer Rahi and Sadaf Khadim, who have signed up to the introductory offer. Margaret Pannett, a former member, has rejoined and will be playing occasionally, probably on AC club days. Good croquet viewingThere is some excellent croquet viewing on You Tube, particularly the coverage of Sherif Abdelwahab v Matthew Essick in the 2022 USCA GC National Championship final. See link below to see ‘long clearances plus careful positional play, delicate blocks and even a hammer shot’. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX5-AnFHkDA Coaching information on our websiteJust a reminder that there is coaching information on our website, in the section for Kelburn Members, links to related information page. What's coming up at the clubSaturday 18 March There will be the usual club play as the GC Silver Badges will be only on one day. Sunday 19 March We host the GC Silver Badges singles competition. Come along and support club members. Saturday 1 April There will be a GC Open singles knockout competition, managed by Jim Brough. Enter on the day. Arrive promptly at 9.00 am for 9.30 am start. This competition is open to all club members, and is level play so there are no extra strokes. It is a seeded draw. There is a Plate competition for those on a handicap of 10 or more. Easter Friday 7 – Monday 10 April We may hold additional club sessions if there is interest. For more information on what's in our forward calendar, click the link in the blue bar below and check out the full calendar on our website. Jane Norman |
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Please do this quick survey by Sunday 19 MarchWellington Croquet Association has asked clubs for candid views on regional tournaments and competitions - what do we think of them? So we decided to add a couple of questions and ask you what type of games you prefer playing at Kelburn as well as further afield (if, indeed, you want to play further afield). Please click on the secure link below to take you to a survey of 14 questions about what type of croquet you enjoy the most, and why. There are no right or wrong answers, and you don't need to write a huge amount - short answers welcome! Responses will be anonymous, and we will compile extracts to include in our club's response to the WCA. Secure link to complete survey - https://forms.gle/G26zS89L2yHc9pmi7 |
Robert Upton memorial gatheringA very pleasant morning tea and chat was enjoyed by approximately 40 people on Sunday 26 February at the club. Robert’s four sons, David, Andrew, Stephen and Richard, welcomed their extended family and friends as well as 15 members from our croquet club after having completed the interment of their father’s ashes. Stephen presented both Robert’s and their mother Beverley’s croquet mallets to the club. They will be put to good use in the future. All four sons spoke fondly of their father and recalled many good memories of him. David and Mary Egley, who knew both the Uptons on a personal level spoke, as did Jane Norman, who reminded everyone of the hard work Robert did in securing the AC World Cup tournament at Kelburn in 2002. We had several other people recount memories they had of both Robert and Beverley over a long span. Mary Egley |
Notice of Annual General MeetingThe Annual General Meeting of the Club will be held in the clubhouse on Saturday 27 May 2023, commencing at 10.00 am. All financial members of the club are able to attend and vote. Anybody considering membership is also invited to attend. Tea or coffee will be served from 9:30am. An agenda and reports will be sent to members on or before Friday 19 May 2023. If you have any motions or other business you wish to have added to the agenda, please advise me by email by 5pm on Friday 5 April 2023. John Stevens AGM documents, including a Nomination for Office form, can be found on the Kelburn Members, Club and Committee page of the website. Click this link to download the Nomination form. |
Our recent newsYou can also read our latest news and our Facebook items on the News page of our website. |
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Finally …Thank you Mary Stevens and Croquet NZ for these photos of Joan Keate watching the recent Paraparaumu Forsyth Barr Teams Event, and Baubre Murray with Stratford's Bonnie Johnstone, clear winners of the prize for Best-dressed Doubles at the CNZ Open 2023 in late February. |
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