10.10.21 Presentation of Awards Sunday 17 October at 3.30pm. Please note that the End of Season Social due to be held on 15 October has been cancelled. The awards will now be presented to winners at the Club during the club afternoon session.
04.10.21 Final Summer Club Competitions All the competitions have now been completed in good time prior to the presentation of awards on 15 October. Congratulations to the following winners and runners up:
EARS: Winner Ian T, runner up Iain R
GC Summer Handicap League: John B, runner up Ian T
GC Evening Summer Handicap League: Andrew J, runner up Phil T
GC Level Play League: Winner Peter A, runner up Mike H
26.09.21 2021 Summer Club Competitions Results are starting to come through for our summer competitions. Congratulations to the following winners and runners up:
Association Knockout: Winner Peter A, no runner up as he also won both semi-finals
Pat’s Plate: Winner Peter A, runner up Ian F
JAWS: Winners: John B & Iain R, runners up Peter G & Phil D who also played the winning pair in one of the semi-finals
03.09.21 CARA Cup The two-day GC A-Level tournament attracted 14 competitors and was won by Peter Balchin (Glamorgan). Neil Humphreys (Sussex County) the previous holder was runner up.
27.08.21 Murphy Shield Semi-final against Hurlingham Mike reports:
“The Murphy Shield campaign is over for this year. Having reached the semi-final, we hosted Hurlingham. A narrow loss in the doubles (golden hoop in the third game), meant we went to lunch 2-1 down instead of 2-1 up. That made things a bit easier for Hurlingham, who then only had to share the four afternoon singles. After 3 matches finished, they had won 2 and lost 1, putting them in an unassailable lead of 4-2. It was decided to share the final rubber, which was standing at 1 game all. So the final result was GGCC 2.5 Hurlingham 4.5
Well; there’s always next year… We had a good run, spent a pleasant day with some likeable people and had a lovely lunch provided by the catering team (for which many thanks).Thank you to the people who played in the various rounds – Julie Tremble, Peter Adams, Jan Honeysett, Andrew Jackson and Mike Huxley.”
Match result: GGCC 2.5 Hurlingham 4.5
11.08.21 SECF U League The team finished the season on a high with a home win against Purley Bury. Ian comments:
“A good win for GGCC, especially considering the number of bisques GGCC were giving. The decision of who played in the GGCC Doubles proved to be successful allowing Stephen to get his eye in despite the number of bisques he gave his opponent in the morning. A warm and sunny day with a fine lunch provided by Marjorie C & Sue T”.
Match result: GGCC 5 Purley Bury 2
08.08.21 SECF GC Teams Day Singles and Doubles – GGCC undeterred by the weather Hilary reports:
“Five plucky members, Peter Adams, Hilary Bird, John Bryson, Peter Gill and Andrew Jackson, braved the positively vile conditions at Southwick today (monsoon like rain and hurricane like winds……) to play in the SECF GC Teams day. The morning was pretty ghastly, with lengthy sit outs and a whole round of games being delayed to the afternoon. When we eventually returned to the lawns we did battle with flocks of seagulls, enjoying the squelchy terrain. (Hilary even kept her shoes on all day and now thinks she’s got trench foot!). Yet more changes to the schedule, and reduced playing time, with no extra time allowed for stoppages, and a plea from the organiser to abandon the 8 turns after time if the result was already conclusive.
Imagine our astonishment when it turned out that we had won the singles tournament! Andrew was definitely man of the match, winning all his games. The weather did improve (no rain but still windy) and we finished relatively dry, as the sun came out. A memorable day, with a fantastic result……well done team! PS in 2019 we came second, so this was even better!”
07.08.21 MARE Cup The GC One-Day B-Level tournament, a qualifying tournament for the CA GC B-level series, was won by Glynis Davies (Northampton). Runner up was Ian Rees (Cheam). (Link to CA tournament report)
05.08.21 SECF GC Handicap League Team A GGCC Team A played its final match of the season beating Cheney in the away match. Team A closes the season having won 3 matches and lost 1.
Match Result: GGCC 6 Cheyney 3
03.08.21 SECF GC Handicap League Teams Results Congratulations to both Team A and Team B on winning their recent matches against Dogmersfield and Sussex County respectively. Team A had a decisive win while Team B had a closely contested match against a strong team at Southwick. Team A has one final match to play against Cheyney on 5 August; Team B has now concluded a very successful season.
Hilary reports on team B’s success “GC Team B won their final match today, against Sussex County, at Southwick. This means that we have won all three matches played, plus receiving a walk-over for the fourth match, which puts us in contention to win the league. Today’s match was very exciting, all hinging on the result of the final game. After Rounds 1 and 2 we stopped for lunch, 2-4 down. Going into the afternoon we faced the challenge of winning all 3 matches. Peter Adams and Robert Bateson won their doubles, and both Hilary Bird and Ian Taylor won their singles, thus securing our overall win (we didn’t tell Ian that his success was crucial!). Well done team!”
Match result Team A: GGCC 8 Dogmersfield 1
Match result Team B: GGCC 5 Sussex County 4
29.07.21 SECF U League The AC team were unable to sustain Monday’s performance in the SECF away match at Rother Valley. With just 2 wins for John and a couple of fairly close results it was a clear victory for the home team. Rother Valley has a beautiful setting and the team were able to enjoy their picnics looking over the South Downs at lunchtime. After an enjoyable day’s play there was time for tea and cakes before the journey home.
Match result: GGCC 2 Rother Valley 5
26.07.21 Success for home team in AC friendly match GGCC hosted Watford on the final day of Watford’s annual AC tour. Watford fielded a strong team of 5 with handicaps ranging from -1.5 to 6 in contrast to GGCC whose handicaps ranged from 5 to 9. Playing handicap croquet GGCC needed to play their bisques effectively and maintain their breaks and in this they succeeded. The weather was fine and the atmosphere competitive but relaxed. A big thank you to Hilary who stood in at the last minute to cater for the match and provided a buffet greatly appreciated by both the visiting and home team. Thank you also to former member Chris making a guest appearance as fifth man.
Match result: GGCC 7 Watford 3
21.07.21 Murphy Shield Quarter Final vs Cheam GGCC, playing at home, beat Cheam in the quarter final. The team now goes through to the semi-final when they will play the winner of the Hurlingham v East Dorset quarter final.
Match result: GGCC 5 Cheam 2
19.07.20 SECF GC Handicap League Team B In their second match of the season the team played West Chiltington at home and beat the visiting team. Having recorded 2 wins and a walkover Team B has just one more league match to play which will be an away match to Sussex County in August.
Match result: GGCC 7 West Chiltington 2
14.07.21 SECF Ladies GC Team Day Hilary reports “Wednesday 14th July saw GGCC Ladies, Lynn Edge, Sue Taylor, Roseann Sullivan and Hilary Bird, having an awayday to Southwick, to compete in the SECF Ladies Day. Much to our surprise we were the runners up, winning 5 out of our 6 matches, only pipped to the post by Surbiton, also with 5 wins, but with a total of 13 games won as opposed to our tally of 11. This was the second time we were runners up, however this time we managed to beat Reigate Priory who came 3rd, and who had pipped us to the post in 2019! It was a most enjoyable day and special congratulations go to Sue Taylor, who was brave enough to play in her first tournament, with commendable results!”
14.07.21 Longman Cup Sussex County go through to the next round of this AC inter-club tournament having beaten GGCC in the second round. Games were closely contested with all but one game being determined on time with Sussex County ahead on hoops scored. John is to be congrtulated on being the only player to peg out!
Match result: GGCC 2 Susex County 5
11.07.21 Frank Rendall Trophy Congratulations to Thomas Cullis winner of the B-level Advanced AC weekend tournament.
02.07.21 SECF GC Handicap League Team B The team’s first match of the season was against Lodsworth; having lost twice before in their encounters in 2018 and 2019 it was third time lucky. The team of John B, Robert B, Roseann S and Hilary B travelled to Lodsworth, described by Hilary as ‘their lovely location in deepest Sussex’. Well done, team.
Match result: GGCC 6 Lodsworth 3
28.06.21 SECF GC Handicap League Team A GGCC hosted Chichester in their second match in the Handicap league with GGCC winning the match by 3 games. The team’s third match will again be at home, this time to Dogmersfield on 2 August.
Match result: GGCC 6 Chichester 3
28.06.21 SECF U League match vs Ealing – A day of two halves Stephen reports that despite the forecast for rain at Ealing all matches were played in good weather. At lunch time the team was 2 games up but in the afternoon it was a different story with Ealing winning all 4 games. Relaxing over a good lunch provided by Ealing may have ben the team’s undoing.
Match result: GGCC 2 Ealing 5
26.06.21 MaD Cup Congratulations to Sue Nicholas (Cheam) on winning the GC One-day C-level Series Tournament. Runner up was Mark Green (Roehampton) while Lynn Edge (GGCC) was placed third.
19.06.21 PJ’s Pot Congratulations to Philip Tremble on winning the GC One-day Handicap Tournament. At close of play four competitors each had four wins with the outcome being determined on net points.
11.06.21 SECF GC Handicap League Team A The first match of the season was away to Rother Valley with the match being lost to our hosts by one game. Team A’s next match is at home to Chichester on 28 June.
Match result: GGCC 4 Rother Valley 5
11.06.21 Murphy Shield vs Sussex County Mike reports on the Round 1 match we hosted against Sussex County CC on Friday 11th June.
Sussex were 2-1 up at lunch having won the doubles and one of the singles (all matches best of 3). After an al fresco lunch provided by Marjorie and Sue (much enjoyed by both teams) GGCC took all 4 afternoon singles matches to win the tie by 5 matches to 2. Very enjoyable day with lovely people from Sussex
Match result: GGCC 5 Sussex County 2
Team: Mike H, Julie T, Peter A and Jan H
05.06.21 The Doubles Dish 14 pairs competed in the inaugural Golf Croquet One-day Handicap Doubles Tournament on Saturday. Matches were closely contested as was the final match with Ian and Jean Cobbold just ahead of their opponents as time called so winning the match and thus the tournament.
02.06.21 SECF U League vs Surbiton A good start put GGCC one game ahead at lunchtime though Surbiton had clearly displayed their tactical skills which later bore fruit. Only one game going to peg perhaps demonstrated the nature of the tactical play rather than tight hoops or fast lawns. Ian and Barry Holland’s game was the last to finish with Barry closing on Ian’s narrow lead in the final moments of the game to draw even as the bell sounded and then scoring the golden hoop to win the match for Surbiton.
Match result: GGCC 3 Surbiton 4
31.05.21 Success for Andrea H at Ramsgate Ladies’ Open Golf Croquet Championship It was a successful weekend for Andrea in Ramsgate. She won the 2-day Ramsgate Ladies’ Open Golf Croquet Championship, beating her friend and long-time doubles partner, Louise Taylor 2-1 in the semi-final and Ann Brookes (Colchester) 2-0 in the final.
28.05.21 GC All England Handicap Qualifier All matches were hotly contested throughout the day with 2 places in the regional final at stake. The results were so close that the final placings were decided on net hoops. Sarah P came first, Roseann S was second with Jan H in third place. Sarah and Jan go forward to the regional final as Roseann is not available on the date.
23.05.21 Murphy Shield Rescheduled The first round match against Sussex County will now be played at home on Friday 11 June 2021.
22.05.21 Applewood Bowl Association Players competing in the Applewood Bowl started the day by playing 2 games of One-ball which were then followed by 2 games of 14 point Advanced Handicap. The strong winds and torrential downpours of the previous two days had given way to a light breeze so the players were able to enjoy uninterrupted play and lunch outside. Congratulations to Peter G on winning the competition. Peter will now go forward to the All England AC Handicap area final to be held at Surbiton on 21 & 22 August. Our thanks to Arthur L who originally designed the competition and made the trophy and also to Ian F for organising and managing the day.
21.05.21 Murphy Shield The first round match against Sussex County was postponed because of the weather.
18.05.21 Longman Cup Round One – GGCC is through to round two having beaten Woking 4:3 at Woking. Congratulations to the team who will meet either Sussex County or Compton (Eastbourne) in the next round.
Ian F reports “Two good wins in the morning in the doubles and by John in the singles had us ahead at the lunch break. Fortunately, John had another good win in the afternoon and aided by a close win on time by Andrew thus secured our victory. Robert chased his opponent to close the lead with an impressive three ball break in the final moments of the afternoon singles. An intense downpour with hail in the afternoon created challenging and soggy conditions for all players.”.
Match result: GGCC 4 Woking 3
11.05.21 Advanced Open Weekend 8-9 May Congratulations to Samir Patel on winning The Guildford & Godalming Open Challenge Cup at the weekend. Jamie Burch, the previous holder from 2019, was runner up. Our thanks to Stephen Mulliner, tournament manager.
09.05.21 SECF AC Team Doubles Win Many congratulations to our AC players on winning the team doubles competition this weekend. Whilst it is our 4th win in this competition it is much appreciated as it is 10 years since we last won it. Details of the weekend’s play and tense wait for confirmation of the result are in the team captain’s report. Only 3 members of the team were available for the presentation and the photo pictures them with the trophy. The next fixture for our AC players is the Longman Cup at Woking on 18 May.
04.05.21 Croquet Academy courses 2021 The Academy, based at Sussex County Croquet Club, has recently published a revised programme of courses including some new courses for 2021. Details of the courses can be found by following the link to: thecroquetacademy.com
10.04.21 One-ball Charity Qualifier Congratulations to Stephen Mulliner on winning the GGCC qualifying competition. Thank you to Mike Huxley who managed the event and to all competitors who braved the chilly conditions and raised £110 for this year’s charity the British Heart Foundation.
1/03/21 Dates for your diary
Saturday 10 April – One-ball Charity Qualifier
Wednesday 26 May – GC All England Handicap Qualifier
23/03/21 Fundraising auction of hand turned wooden objects Arthur has used the recent lockdown to hand craft a number of turned wooden objects using wood sourced primarily from his garden and nearby. He has marked each piece in his signature style. Funds raised from the auction of these pieces will go towards the club’s irrigation project – a project close to Arthur’s heart. A brochure showcasing the pieces and explaining how the auction will operate has been emailed to all members. The auction starts on Saturday 27 March and will end at 6 pm on Monday 5 April. Pieces will be available to view at roll up sessions. This auction is open to all GGCC members, their family and friends. Please feel free to pass the brochure on to anyone you think might be interested. Should you not have received the brochure then please contact Julie.
22/03/21 Coronavirus Update Andrea has issued the following statement regarding the re-opening of the club when lockdown restrictions are eased:
In line with Government and CA advice the club will reopen to members on Monday 29th March.
Members should be aware that up to 6 people may play on one lawn and that lawns must be pre booked via the booking system.
The anti-Covid precautions re cleaning equipment remain in place. Unfortunately, the use of the club house, other than the toilet, is not permitted.
Roll-ups will re-commence on Tuesday 30 March from 1.30. Co-ordinators are in place for the first few roll up sessions but if you are able to volunteer for a future date, please contact Hilary.
21/03/21 G&G AGM 21 March 2021 5pm Committee Changes The AGM was held via Zoom. Mike Huxley stood down as Chairman and as an elected member of the Committee and was thanked for his services over the years. All other Committee members were re-elected and were joined by Ian Taylor. Andrea Huxley took over as ‘Chair’ of the Club and announced that the Committee was co-opting Mike Huxley on to the Committee in view of the many services he would continue to provide for the Club.
27/02/21 CA Tournaments – On-line entry to CA 2021 Tournaments will open on Monday 1 March 2021. Either go to the CA website direct or use the red button link on our home page.
05/01/21 Coronavirus Update With effect from 5 January the Club is closed until further notice.