21/10/17 Tony Mrozinski awarded CA Diploma – Congratulations to Tony, founder and President of our club, who was presented with a CA Diploma by Quiller Barrett, President of the CA, in recognition of his outstanding service to croquet and active involvement in club affairs over a long period.
10/10/17 SECF League results 2017
SECF AC U League – G&G 13th of 15 teams
SECF GC Level Play League – G&G 10th of 10 teams
SECF Golf Handicap League West – G&G A – 2nd and G&G B – 9th of 17 teams
08/10/17 GB GC Squad v GB AC Squad G&G had pleasure in hosting a ‘friendly’ golf croquet challenge match between the Great Britain GC and AC squads. At the end of play the final result was GC squad 30 and AC squad 24. The manager thanked Mike Huxley and the club for the use of the club’s facilities and for the catering. Mike responded saying the club had been glad to host the event and members had enjoyed the opportunity to watch such a high standard of play. Report on CA website.
02/09/17 SECF AC U League v Hampstead The day got off to a rather difficult start, as two of the Hampstead players were delayed for more than 45 minutes by traffic problems: changes were made to the pairing for doubles, so that two games were able to begin with players who had arrived on time by train. The third game got under way rather later, and – perhaps because of the stresses of travel affecting Hampstead players, G&G won two of the three games. In the doubles, Mike Huxley, who had joined the team at the last minute as an emergency stand-in, completed a straight double peel in the last turn of the match after time had been called to seal the win, but was unfortunately unable to make the peg-out. Lunch, kindly provided by Anne, was very well received by everyone – and was accompanied by some excellent wines (a 2005 Chambertin and a 2014 Chianti) very kindly presented by Rick Weinstein of Hampstead. Unfortunately, the standard of G&G play in the afternoon could not match the quality of lunch: Hampstead won 3 of the 4 games, and so ended the day with 4 wins out of 7. (AL) Match result: G&G 3: Hampstead Heath 4
23/09/17 GC AB-Level One Day Open Tournament – The CARA Cup Was won by Richard Carline (Sussex County) with Derek Cole (Norwich runner up)
31/08/17 In memory of David West A service to celebrate the life of David West was held at St Andrew’s Parish Church, Farnham. Several members of our club attended and shared fond memories of David with Joan and their family and many friends.
23/08/17 Mid-Surrey Federation of Townswomen’s Guilds Croquet Day 15 teams of two converged on the club for their annual croquet tournament. In all 62 games were played with two of the teams managing to play ten games each before play drew to a close. Although the weather was overcast it was warm with only a light breeze, ideal conditions for playing croquet and for the picnic lunch. Team Solo won the trophy.
21/08/17 Murphy Shield v Watford. Whether it was a consequence of the two-hour journey round the M25 or playing on unfamiliar lawns, one of which sloped significantly, G&G just didn’t sparkle in this match. None of the team performed consistently at the level of which they are capable, and we lost to a Watford side who played solidly throughout and deserved the victory. We wish them luck in the final. Match result: G&G 2: Watford 5
19/08/17 SECF AC U League v Surbiton A bright but blustery day at Surbiton saw G&G achieve their first league win this year. Andrew Fewster played as a last-minute reserve and won both his games. Mark Godfrey-James and Audrey Porter won their doubles in the morning and Audrey notched up another win in the afternoon to secure overall victory. All games bar one went to time and were relatively close. (IF) Match result: G&G 4: Surbiton 3
18/08/17 David West Mike Huxley writes “I am deeply saddened to report the loss of one of our members. David West died on Wednesday. He was much loved by all who knew him for his gentleness, his quiet sense of humour, his intellect, his conversation and the flashes of accuracy on court that belied his relatively high handicap. We extend our profound sympathy to Joan and to all the West family. The world has lost a real gentleman.”
08/08/17 Godalming Staycation Open Day About 30 visitors many of whom were juniors were welcomed by members to our fourth Godalming Staycation open afternoon. Our four lawns were kept busy, and visitors were able to enjoy the clubhouse to sample the refreshments and home-made cakes.
06/08/17 SECF Golf Croquet Teams day 22 teams from 16 clubs competed in the team singles and doubles on Sunday with G&G being one of the many clubs to be represented by two teams. Team 1 achieved 5th place in the doubles but came 20th in the singles. Team 2 in contrast had better results in the singles than the doubles coming 9th and 19th respectively.
05/08/17 B-Level Golf Croquet Open Tournament The MARE Cup Stars of the morning’s play were Stephen Leonard, Andrea Huxley and John Skuse, each with 3 wins out of 3. After lunch, the top eight players entered the knockout phase while the bottom eight competed in further groups. Halfway through the first games, the heavens opened, and players sought safety from the thunderstorm that covered the lawns with hail! After that, though, things started to look up and the event finished under a cloudless sky. In the meantime, some croquet happened. Derek Cole, Brian McCausland, John Skuse and Andrea Huxley progressed to the semis, where Derek beat Brian 7-2 and John beat Andrea 7-6. The final was a nip and tuck affair up to 5-5 and had all the signs of going to hoop 13, but John missed a few crucial clearances at hoops 11 and 12, leaving Derek a deserving winner by 7-5.
04/08/17 SECF GC Level Play League v Tunbridge Wells G&G were forced to field a depleted team owing the absence of our three lowest handicapped players, so the team’s handicaps were 2, 3, 3 and 4 (total 12). Our visitors arrived with team handicaps of -1, 1, 1 and 3 (total 4). It seemed that G&G would be in for a tough fight, and so it proved. Despite many individual games being close (7-5 or 7-6), most of those were won by Tunbridge Wells, who ran out comfortable winners by 6 matches to 1. We did have a very agreeable day, though, with pleasant opponents and benefited from an excellent lunch conjured up by Marjorie. (MH) Match result: G&G 1: Tunbridge Wells 6
01/08/17 SECF GC Handicap League Team B v Reigate Priory A (Home) The scores for each game were much closer than the overall match result might suggest but Team B were outplayed on this occasion. Match result: G&G B 2: Reigate Priory A 7
26/07/17 SECF AC U League v Reigate Priory G&G faced tough opposition from Reigate Priory. Steady light rain during the morning with a dry afternoon except for about 15 minutes of rain and gusty wind; this was sufficient to snap guy ropes on the Gazebo which performed a triple somersault – by all accounts the most exciting event of the match. There was some remarkable play from our opponents who hardly seem to need their bisques! Match result: G&G 1: Reigate Priory A 6
SECF Golf Handicap League Team A v West Wittering Team A had a disappointing day losing at West Wittering. Match result: G&G A 3: West Wittering 6
21/07/17 SECF GC Level Play League v Merton G&G played its second league match of the season at home to Merton. Match result: G&G 3: Merton 4
16/07/17 AC B-level Advanced Open Weekend Congratulations to Craig Winfield from Cambridge on winning the Frank Rendall Trophy.
11/07/17 SECF AC U League v Sussex County G&G played a strong Sussex team at Southwick. Many thanks to Audrey Porter who responded to an early morning call to stand in and went on to win her morning singles match. Match result: G&G 2: Sussex County 5
07/07/17 SECF GC Level Play League v Sussex County A G&G faced a strong Sussex County A team at Southwick. Match result: G&G 1: Sussex County A 6
05/07/17 SECF Golf Handicap League Team B v Preston Manor Team B had a successful trip to Preston Manor for the second of their SECF Handicap League matches winning the match 5-4 despite having made fewer hoops than the opposition. Match result: G&G B 5: Preston Manor 4
30.06.17 Murphy Shield v Enfield If you just looked at the score, you might think that this was a comfortable victory for the G&G team of Chris Heath, Andrea Huxley, Mike Huxley and Julie Tremble, but you would be very wrong. A spirited Enfield team put up a tremendous fight and the outcome of the match was in doubt until, in the afternoon singles, two matches went to the 13th hoop in the third game, both being won by G&G. Congratulations to the G&G team who now go on to meet either Camerton & Peasedown or Watford in the semi-final. Match result: G&G 5: Enfield 2
28/06/17 SECF GC Handicap League Team A v Worthing Team A demonstrated their skills and adaptability to win the third of its four league matches. Match result: G&G A 6: Worthing 3
17/06/17 GC One-day Handicap Open PJ’s Pot The weather was scorching, and the competition was as hot as the weather. The lawns were in prime condition and the new clubhouse was open. Twelve players, with handicaps ranging from 2 to 11, assembled from as far away as Cambridge. The entrants were split into two all-play-all groups, with the winners of each group to meet in the final. In the blue group, Robert Cook (Cheam, 5) won all five games to top the group with ease, Richard Jenkins (5, Hamptworth) taking second spot with three wins. The red group though, was very different. Three players ended with three wins each and the rest had two wins. Net points were needed to determine a winner, who turned out to be Andrew Fall (7, Enfield), three net points ahead of Andrea Huxley (3, G&G). In the 3rd/4th place play-off, Andrea sneaked a win on hoop 13 with a clean shot from 4 to 5 yards that didn’t touch the sides. The final showed Andrew at his most dogged. He fought hard for a 3-0 lead, using no extra turns. Robert pegged him back to 4-2, but judicious use of his two extra turns at around the mid-point of the game took Andrew into a 6-2 lead, which he shortly after converted to a 7-2 win. Congratulations to both players for an absorbing final and to all the competitors for surviving the heatwave!
15/06/17 Longman Cup v Woking Our team faced on overwhelming defeat in their away match against Woking. The match was summarised: ‘Nice sunny day, friendly people, fast lawns, pity about the result.’ Match result: G&G 0: Woking 7
10/06/17 GC All England Handicap Qualifier Congratulations to Jan Honeysett and Ron Piper who go through to the regional finals later this year.
08/06/17 SECF GC Handicap League Team A v Littlehampton (Home) Match result: G&G A 8: Littlehampton 1
04/06/17 Opening of the new clubhouse On behalf of all members Mike Huxley, Club Chairman, welcomed local dignitaries and representatives of all the organisations which had so generously provided grants to enable the club to build its first clubhouse in the club’s 30 year history. After brief speeches the clubhouse was formally opened with the ribbon being cut by Stephen Mulliner and Jennifer Fugeman, former Club Chairman and Secretary respectively, who had been instrumental in seeing the project through from conception to completion. Members and guests then enjoyed a champagne buffet before an exhibition match between Stephen Mulliner and Harry Fisher. The match was an excellent demonstration of the skill of these two top class players and was a highlight for members and guests. The match also attracted members of the public who joined us for our National Croquet Day open afternoon when they also had the opportunity to try both association and golf croquet. It was a most successful day thanks to the efforts of the organisers and the contributions of the members who provided the buffet. (Photos 86-92a)
24/05/17 SECF Golf Handicap League Team A v Lodsworth (Home) Match result: G&G A 6: Lodsworth 3
22.05.17 Murphy Shield v Hamptworth The G&G team of Barry Gould, Andrea Huxley, Mike Huxley and Alan Miles won this Round 1 home match. In the first round the two singles matches were quite quickly finished with Mike and Alan each winning in two straight games. The doubles match was quite a tussle with G&G eventually prevailing 2 games to 1. In the second round the four singles matches were played resulting in three wins to one for the home team. Match result: G&G 6: Hamptworth 1
21/05/17 SECF AC Team Doubles G&G was one of the ten clubs competing at Southwick over the weekend. Teams comprising two pairs played 3 rounds on Saturday and 2 on Sunday, a total of 10 games over the weekend. Seven members represented the club over the two days with the team manager Mark Godfrey-James playing on both days. The team won 5 of its 10 matches.
19/05/17 SECF Golf Handicap League Team B v West Worthing Match result: G&G B 5: West Worthing 4
12/05/17 Golf Croquet Referee Congratulations to Andrea Huxley on qualifying as a GC Referee.
07/05/17 One-ball Charity Handicap Final. 39 players qualified for the final held at Surbiton and completed a marathon of 9 rounds. Stephen Stuart-Matthew’s was runner-up in a very strong field. Over £4,000 was raised for the annual charity Parkinson’s UK.
10/04/17 Hamptworth C-Level GC tournament Congratulations to Anne Buckingham on winning this event.
09/04/17 One-ball Charity Handicap Qualifier On an absolutely amazing spring day (23C and unbroken sunshine) seven members competed for the right to play in the annual Charity One-Ball final at Surbiton in a few weeks’ time. The competition was all-play-all so everyone played 6 games. Halfway through, there was no clear leader, with several players having won 2 games out of 3. The uncertainty continued through the afternoon’s play. With one game left to be played, Audrey Porter and Mike Thompson were tied on 4 wins out of 6. Crucially, Stephen Stuart-Matthews was sitting on a record of 4 wins out of 5 and was to feature in the final game, which he duly won to take the trophy for the 4th consecutive year. £65 was raised for Parkinson’s UK. (MH)
01/04/17 Applewood Bowl The new season began with what is rapidly becoming the traditional first competition of the season, the Applewood Bowl. This year the competition attracted 10 players for the competition which is an interesting mix of One-ball and 14-point Advanced Level Handicap. The lawns were in immaculate condition having been closely mown over the two previous days by Arthur Lindley with the original mowers. Stephen Stuart-Matthews took the trophy for the second year running and Iain Gaman was the runner up. This was the first competition when players were able to enjoy the facilities of the new clubhouse and members were able to have lunch and watch play from the comfort of its shelter. Our grateful thanks to Arthur for devising this competition, organising and managing it, preparing the lawns, baking for it, and making and presenting the trophy. Amazingly he also managed to play in it.
01/04/17 Winter GC Handicap League got off to an enthusiastic start and although enthusiasm waned as the weather became colder and wetter a fair number of competitors completed sufficient games to meet the threshold. Congratulations to Jan Honeysett who, in her first season, won the competition with an impressive percentage of games won.
22/01/17 Solar lighting for the clubhouse toilet. Work on installing a solar powered system to provide lighting for the accessible toilet was completed and tested today. The light is operated by a press button timer switch to ensure that there will be no drain on the battery by the light accidentally being left on. You have 5 minutes!!
