10/12/13 Christmas Lunch There was an excellent turnout for our Christmas Lunch which this year was held at a new venue, Piazza Firenze.
22/10/13 End of Season Social and Awards Evening Andrea and Mike Huxley kindly hosted this occasion once again. Members and partners enjoyed a “bring and share” buffet and raised their glasses to congratulate the winners of our competitions. Tony Mrozinski presented the trophies and prizes, and in the process, collected a trophy on behalf of himself and his doubles partner, Mark Godfrey, who was unable to attend. Iain Gaman, Andrea Huxley and Stephen Stuart-Matthews also won awards. Everyone did justice to the buffet which demonstrated the excellent culinary skills of members.
SECF League results 2013
SECF AC U League – G&G 12th of 16 teams
SECF Golf Handicap League West – G&G A – 5th and G&G B – 10th of 15 teams
29/09/13 End of Season 7-point Golf Croquet A dozen or so members turned out to contest the traditional end of season competition. Games were hotly contested with many going to 4:3. The weather was fine enough for a picnic lunch after which play continued till about 4 pm. At the end of play Mark Godfrey and Ian Fugeman were equal on the number of wins but Mark emerged victorious when hoops were taken into consideration.
23/09/13 SECF GC Handicap League Team B v Cheyney There was just one change to the team that beat Reigate Priory with Mike Thompson playing in place of Barry Gould. It was a close match but at the end of the day it went to Cheyney by 1 game. This was the last match of the season for the team as apparently the match against Sussex County (Southwick) is not going to be played. Match Result: G&G B 4: Cheyney 5
21/09/13 SECF GC Handicap League Team B v Reigate Priory This was only the second match of the season for Team B who were playing at home against Reigate Priory. The weather was cloudy but fortunately stayed dry. Barry Gould teamed up with Stefanie Budgen for one doubles and notes that she saved them several times before the game was won on the last hoop. In the same round Jay and Amanda Bentley were unlucky to lose their doubles on hoop 12 in what looked like a tight match. A quick coffee break woke everyone up to the extent that the team won all 4 of the singles games! Barry modestly forgot to mention that, giving away 5 extra turns, he put in a decisive performance to win his singles game 7-1. The match continued with a doubles and two singles. This time Barry formed a new partnership with Amanda, who was playing with great confidence, and the pair achieved another win! This was quickly followed by two wins by Jay and Stefanie in the singles. Barry summed up the match saying ‘We had won by 8 vs 1 – a great team effort. We quickly tidied everything away and still arrived at the Manor Inn by 1 pm!’. Match Result: G&G B 8: Reigate Priory 1
17/09/13 SECF GC Handicap League Team A v Worthing A soggy end to the season, to say the least!Team A played its final match away to Worthing on 17 September. Conditions were somewhat unfamiliar to us – three quarter size courts, very wide hoops that were loose in their sockets and incessant rain. The rain started half an hour before the match, continued throughout the match and stopped an hour after it finished. The match itself was nip and tuck the whole way – the opening two doubles were shared, then the four singles were shared. But in the final round of two singles and one double, Worthing pinched it on the 13th hoop of the final game, the final result being 5-4 to Worthing. A splendid tea provided by the home club rounded off the afternoon. I guess we enjoyed some aspects of the match – not least the friendly and welcoming opponents – but the rain was depressingly constant, and we were glad to get out of it! Our season ends with 2 wins and 2 losses. No trophy this year, but four enjoyable matches. Thank you to team members Julie Tremble, Joan West, Andrea and Mike Huxley and Charles Martin for all your efforts, and roll-on next year!
Season statistics: Games won: 21, games lost: 15. Hoops won: 211, hoops lost: 198. Perhaps the most telling statistic – extra turns received: 6, extra turns given: 117. It gets a bit tough playing handicap! (MH)
14/09/13 SECF AC U League v Caterham This was the final U League match of the season. Unusually the lawns were slightly squelchy after heavy rain but soon dried out and proved of reasonable speed. Fears of further heavy rain were unfounded. Arthur Lindley and Audrey Porter, playing doubles together for the first time, produced a winning combination but the two singles matches went to Caterham and by lunchtime we were two one down. With the start of the rugby season the clubhouse was packed but a quiet oasis had been provided for the croquet match lunch and the teams were able to relax before the afternoon matches. Caterham then built on their earlier successes winning three of the four singles games; Audrey continued on form to win her singles match. Match Result: G&G 2: Caterham 5.
11/09/13 SECF AC U League v Rother Valley G&G unfortunately got off to a poor start with Tony Mrozinski and Mike Thompson losing a close-fought game of doubles against Nancy Allen and David Smith; Barry Gould only just losing to David Boyd by one point, and Arthur Lindley losing rather more substantially to Christ Coote. However, an excellent cold lunch, set out in the main clubhouse, clearly inspired at least some of our team members in the afternoon set of singles games, with Arthur winning against Nancy by 19 points, and Mike beating David Smith by 8. Sadly, though, Tony wasn’t able to overcome the bunch of bisques which helped David Boyd to win by 25, while Barry, having an early lead, saw his opponent Chris Coote take advantage of his bisques to set up and complete some substantial breaks, winning in the end by 8. (AL) Match Result: G&G 2: Rother Valley 5
01/09/13 Chapman Challenge Cup AC Handicap Open for intermediate and high bisquers. Competitors came from as far away as York to take part in this weekend tournament for players with a handicap of 10+. The weather was fine and the lawns fast. For the first time this tournament was played from base 10 and all competitors had at least one bisque. It was pleasing to see more female than male competitors but at the end of the tournament it was John Knight from Reigate who was presented with the trophy by G&G President, Tony Mrozinski.
30/08/13 SECF GC Handicap League Team A v Chichester & Fishbourne Team A were on sparkling form in their match against Chichester & Fishbourne. The opening round of two doubles went comfortably to G&G. It was then the round of four singles. Last on court was Mike Huxley, who was engaged in something of a titanic struggle against Chichester & Fishbourne’s Brian Shipman. Using his 5 extra turns, Brian gained a lead of 6-3, only for Mike to fight back and pinch the game 7-6. After such a lengthy game, Mike discovered to his delight that all three other singles had also gone to G&G. That made the score 6-0 and the match was won. The final round of two singles and one double yielded two points for G&G and one for Chichester and Fishbourne, making the final score 8-1. A splendid morning’s play, with extremely friendly opponents, was rounded off by an excellent lunch in the clubhouse, courtesy of Jennifer and Stefanie. (MH) Match Result: G&G A 8: Chichester & Fishbourne 1
25/08/13 Sport for All (Farnham) Joan and David West generously volunteered to man a stand at this event for the second year. They reported that they were kept busy throughout the event with lots of families keen for their children to have a go at croquet but with the adults needing a little more persuasion. Joan was so busy that it was only when David pointed it out that she realised she had been helping Jeremy Hunt’s party to try the game.
21/08/13 Mid-Surrey Federation of Townswomen’s Guilds G&G hosted this annual event. In contrast to the previous year, the sun shone brilliantly throughout the day and the picnic lunch was a more leisured affair. 16 teams played an impressive total of 124 games and as the afternoon progressed two teams were in contention for first place. The “Smarties” won.
19/08/13 GC B-Level Open Tournament – MARE Cup – This was the club’s first venture into hosting a level play GC tournament – a B-level restricted to those with handicaps 2 to 7. Andrea and Mike Huxley kindly donated a new trophy. Mike, who managed the tournament, exercised his grey cells calculating the results whilst Andrea had the pleasurable task of presenting the cup to David Bell
10/08/13 SECF AC U League v Reigate Priory A Reigate Priory have been G&G’s nemesis on many previous occasions. They came to a wonderfully sunny but windy day and reasonably fast lawns. The morning went exceedingly well – we won all 3 games. The doubles win was thanks to a late break by Ian Fugeman- who went from hoop 4 to peg putting us 1 point ahead with 10 minutes to go. Reigate scored the equaliser after time – and then Mark Godfrey was able to score the golden hoop to give a +1(T) win. I would love to comment on the other games – but we won them convincingly well before the doubles was over. The afternoon games were shared 2-2, although Ian was again involved in a nail-biting finish. He achieved a position of peg-rover, well ahead, but with the oppo having 4 bisques still standing. The final result was a + 3 win, when Ian managed to hit in after what seemed like an eternity of very narrow misses. Well done to the team for the 5-2 win. Team: Stephen Stuart-Matthews, Robert Bateson, Ian Fugeman and Mark Godfrey. Thanks again to Jennifer Fugeman for the lunchtime catering. (MG) Match Result: G&G 5: Reigate Priory A 2
06/08/13 SECF GC Handicap League Team A v Angmering Match Result: G&G A 5: Angmering 4
04/08/13 SECF Golf Handicap Team Doubles and Singles This was the first time G&G had entered the SECF team doubles and singles held at Southwick. Intending to enter one team, enthusiasm was such that when we were invited to enter a second team, we had no problem forming a further team. 22 teams competed in the separate singles and doubles competitions. In the event it was the second team (Mike Thompson, Tony Mrozinski, Audrey Porter and Alison Cole) that played consistently to come 2nd in both the doubles and the singles whilst our other team (Mike Huxley, Andrea Huxley, Jay Bentley and Amanda Bentley) came 5th in the singles. No silver to polish on this occasion but overall, the club did well.
31/07/13 World class players visit the club – Stephen Mulliner, club member and international player, dropped by the club with two young Australian players, Malcolm and Robert Fletcher, for a short practice session after their long flight. All three are competing in the AC World Championships taking place later this month.
31/07/13 AC Friendly against Rother Valley G&G won all seven games in a friendly against Rother Valley. Man of the match was Alan Brown who, having returned from a sabbatical and declaring himself rusty, produced a 12-hoop break gaining well deserved admiration from both the opposition and fellow team members. The other members of the team were Audrey Porter, Ian Fugeman and Mike Thompson. Match Result: G&G 7: Rother Valley 0
28/07/13 Nottingham C-Level AC Tournament Following on from Andrea Huxley’s success at golf croquet earlier in July, Arthur Lindley won the Nottingham C-Level AC tournament. Arthur achieved 100% winning all 5 of his games to take the Eclipse Goblet. Arthur reports that for this tournament (restricted to Handicaps 4-9, played to Advanced rules with narrow, championship-style hoops) games were hard-fought; but flat, even-paced lawns gave everyone the chance to play to the best of their ability. Congratulations to Arthur.
27/07/13 Catenians Croquet Afternoon We had pleasure hosting an afternoon of croquet for 18 members from Guildford Catenians. Eight 2-member teams took part in an informal competition ably supported by lawn stewards Anthony Tutt, Ian Fugeman and Mike Thompson. A light misting of rain did not deter players and fortunately the heavy rain held off until the competition was finished, and guests were crossing to the clubhouse for a well-earned supper.
22/07/13 AC B-level Advanced Open Weekend David Boyd, former member of G&G won the Frank Rendall Trophy with Stephen Harbron a very close runner up.
17/07/13 Andrea Huxley wins her first singles trophy Congratulations to Andrea who won the Nottingham B-level golf croquet tournament on 17 July remaining unbeaten after seven games. Not only was it her first trophy win but she is now eligible for the B-Level series National to be held at Hamptworth on 12 October.
09/07/13 SECF AC U League v Surbiton Our first AC SECF U-League match was away to Surbiton who put out a strong team. The lawns were fast. At lunch the score was 2-1 in Surbiton’s favour thanks to a convincing win by Arthur Lindley. The other singles player was Andrew Fewster who was slowly worn down by his opponent as were the doubles pair of Ian Fugeman and Barry Gould. After a good lunch we were hopeful that we could improve on the morning performance, but it was not to be. As the afternoon progressed each of us lost although our last man standing, Ian, had a good break to finish when time was called but he could not overtake his opponent. A very disappointing start in the U-League. (BG) Match Result: G&G 1: Surbiton 6
01/07/13 SECF GC Handicap League: Team B v West Worthing G&G B welcomed the visiting team and their supporters in their first league match of the season. Play started in the early afternoon with two rounds being played before a break for afternoon tea in the clubhouse. At teatime G&G were just ahead and the third and final round saw the lead increase. Congratulations to: Mike Thompson, Barry Gould, Audrey Porter and Stefanie Budgen – the last member making her debut as a team member. Match Result: G&G B 7: West Worthing 2
29/06/13 Golf Croquet Handicap Open Tournament G&Ghosted its first GC Handicap Tournament at the weekend. Mike Huxley presented Janet Trueman (Hamptworth) with the new trophy ‘PJ’s Pot’ kindly donated by Andrea and Mike Huxley.
25/06/13 Croquet by Candlelight Arrangements were well in hand to move this event indoors but once again we struck lucky with a fine dry evening. Members and guests played golf croquet before pausing to do justice to the very fine ‘bring and share’ buffet they had provided. The lawns beckoned once again and now Pirates took over until the light was too poor to see and play came to a halt.
19/06/13 SECF GC Handicap League: Team A v Dogmersfield The winner of this home match was in question right to the end as the two teams contested the match through the morning and into the afternoon. Our team played well but it was Dogmersfield that finally managed to clinch the match. Match Result: G&G A 4: Dogmersfield 5 with 52 and 55 hoops respectively.
08/06/13 Longman Cup v Merton Hopes of making a comeback this year were dashed following our match against Merton on Saturday. The weather was favourable with brilliant sunshine tempered by a cool breeze and the lawns were fine. G&G had a disappointing start losing all 3 games in the morning so by lunchtime we were three down with four matches to play in the afternoon. Our team rallied in the afternoon but were not able to clinch all four games, and so with the deciding game going to the visitors it is Merton who go through to the next round. Match Result: G&G 3: Merton 4.
06/06/13 AC Friendly against Rother Valley It was a beautiful sunny day with a welcome light breeze for our friendly match at Rother Valley. The lawns were in good condition and the hosts gave us a warm welcome. Two doubles and four singles matches were played; our team was very content with winning the match 5 games to 1. The hospitality was excellent, and the post-match afternoon tea was enjoyed by all. The team comprised: Audrey Porter, Barry Gould, Ian and Jennifer Fugeman. The return match is on Wednesday 31 July.
19/05/13 SECF AC Team Doubles Eleven teams of four entered this two-day event. G&G won five of their matches, achieved 26 points and came sixth overall. Barry Gould reports: “The SECF doubles tournament was very close this year with no team being dominant. We started well with both our pairs, Andrew Fewster with Mike Thompson, and Arthur Lindley with Barry Gould, winning their first games – we were winning! It didn’t last as we then lost the rest of our games on the Saturday. On Sunday Tony Mrozinski and Stephen Stuart-Matthews replaced Andrew and Mike. We won 3 of our 4 games – the best Sunday performance, but it was not quite enough. The winners, Medway, only got one more point on the Sunday – against us – if we had won, as we very nearly did, then the trophy would have been ours!”
12/05/13 Winchester One-ball Charity Tournament Sadly Joan West, suffering an unwelcome attack of sciatica, was unable to go to Winchester. Graham Gale, playing off -1 following the Westerns, stepped forward and was quietly confident and hopeful heading to Winchester. As he said in his report ‘How wrong I was.’. A combination of not playing his best and conditions (especially loose, wide hoops), meant that any intimidation factor his handicap might have instilled in his opponents was nullified. However, the competitors proved good company, Winchester Club was most hospitable and £3,000 was raised for Prostate Cancer. which as Graham points out is surely the point of the event. Graham summed up ‘In conclusion, never have I enjoyed an entirely losing day of croquet quite as much.’
21/04/13 One-ball Charity Handicap Tournament £60 was raised for the Prostate Cancer charity as 12 members competed to be the person to qualify for the Winchester One-ball Handicap Charity Tournament in May. Congratulations go to Joan West who, with an apparently effortless performance, for the second time in recent years emerged as the clear winner. The sunshine and fine weather were appreciated by all and our thanks go to Mike Huxley, tournament manager, for organising the event.
04/13 Winter Golf Handicap League 2012-13 Congratulations to Charles Martin who has won for second year running. Jennifer Fugeman was runner up. Andrea Huxley played the most matches.
27/02/13 Secure storage on the lawns The new secure storage container was assembled by a group of volunteer members and brought into use today.
