Hamilton East Croquet Club

HECC President’s Newsletter
December 2017

December is here and Christmas is upon us. I want to wish you all a very happy Christmas and to thank you all for working so hard and playing so well for our Club.

It has been a busy Spring, starting with 2 weeks at the beginning of October when we hosted the Year 11 boys from HBHS. For those interested in stats: there were 6 classes, or 180 boys, who came for 20 sessions, meaning we supervised 600 boys over the 2 weeks, for which we earned $1,600 for the Club. A big ‘thank you” to all who helped supervise! CWKC is organising a Secondary Schools’ Tournament on 19 March, at Matamata. We will be encouraging some of the HBHS boys to take part, especially Jayden and Cameron, who entered the NZ tournament in March this year. We will be hosting the Year 12 boys from 19 February to 16 March.

The wet Spring affected many Croquet events, especially our Labour Day Tournament. We had 36 entries which we divided into 3 sections, but the conditions meant we could only play 3 games, The Hamilton Hustlers have played 2 Midland League matches and have lost to Te Aroha and won against Thames. Tournament successes have been achieved by Vanessa and Margy who, with their partners, have won their sections at various tournaments. They both are improving their handicap rankings. Our reps for the silver Badge tournament, Graeme and Angela, failed to pull off any successes but represented the club well. Margy won our own Gold and Silver Stars handicap singles’ tournament and will go on to represent the club at the CWKC event on Sat, Feb 17, at Leamington.

We had a great Christmas luncheon at Matteblack, the St Andrews’ Golf Club restaurant, with many in attendance. Thanks, Judy, for organising this enjoyable occasion. We must also thank our hardworking secretary, Heather Nisbet, for all the organising she has done for hosting a Brownies group, BHS teachers, a University Communications group and the two recent AC Tournaments. Hosting various groups earns good money for the club.

We have employed Lawn and Turf to spray our lawns for weeds and insects and Pam and Ron have kindly spread fertilizer around, so the lawns should be of a good standard for the Summer. Recently we hosted the Northern AC Silver Badge Tournament in the Premier Grade and we needed to have the lawns up to a high standard for these elite players.

January events to note are: Tuesday at 3pm and Tuesday Twilight croquet at 5.30pm will continue for the remainder of the Summer to give all folk a chance to vary the times they play. On Thurs, Jan 18, it’s our Summer Handicap Doubles Tournament, sponsored by Craig Investments. Please plan to enter. We are hoping for a full card of players from other Clubs. Finally, there is a Mixed Club Day on Mon, Jan 22 at HE, which is a good chance to play folk from other clubs in a non-competitive environment.

Our Club Championship singles’ tournament will be held on Sat, Feb 10. We will have a shared lunch and competitions that day. Otherwise it is play as usual - every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, over the holiday period and for Summer.

We welcome our new and prospective members and hope they are enjoying the game of croquet. It is good to see Rod recovering well after his period of illness. Soon he will be like a two-year old running around the courts – with the tractor, that is. We were all sad to lose Shirley Campbell in September. At 92, she was a great example to us, always bright and cheerful and keen to play everyone and everywhere. I always tell new-comers that croquet keeps us fit and motivated and used to point to Shirley as an example.

Season’s Greetings to you all! Graeme Russell

January Thur 18 GC Summer Doubles Tournament @ HE
Mon 22 GC Mixed Club Day @ HE
February Sat 10 HE Club Champs – bring lunch
Mon 12 GC Midland League HE vs Matamata @ Claudelands
Sat 17 GC Gold & Silver Stars Final @ Leamington
Mon 19-Mar 16 Hosting HBHS Year 12
Mon 19 GC Mixed Club Day @ Te Kuiti. Please support the new club and Philip and Sheila
March Sat 3 GC CWKC Championship Finals @ Matamata
Mon 12 GC Mixed Club Day @ Te Awamutu
Mon 19 GC CWKC Secondary Schools’ Tournament @ Matamata
Mon 26 GC Midland League HE vs Waihi @ Waihi
Keep an eye on the notice board for Tournaments held at other clubs. There is a plethora of choice for playing out.

Come and join us - it is suitable for all levels of fitness.It is easy to learn AND above all - fun