Abdul Ahmad wins 2009 Millennium Golf (23 Aug 09)

Abdul Ahmad, representing Pendle and Craven, was undefeated in all 7 matches and won the trophy.  Catherine from Fylde, who had triggered down to handicap 10 in the previous day’s play at Chester, came second with 5 wins, triggering a handicap of 9.

Although a rainy day was forecast, 8 players were greeted in morning sunshine for a great day of Golf Croquet at Heaton Park. All played all, as the weather freshened with some short showers interspersed with sunshine. By the end of round 6, Abdul had won 6 matches and Catherine 5. The final match between the pair would decide the outcome of the tournament. The score was 5-3 in Abdul’s favour at hoop 9. Abdul scored the hoop and his ball ran some way to the left of Hoop 10. Catherine sent the yellow ball to the Hoop and using the last bisque, managed to place it into the jaws. With a tremendous shot, Abdul dislodged the ball. Catherine’s red ball had been sent earlier to the West boundary just in front of hoop 1. If she could miss the peg on the left there was a chance to get near to hoop 10. Disappointed at the wasted bisque with the yellow ball, she determinedly struck the ball diagonally across the lawn (just about 2 inches right of the peg) and incredibly lodged the red ball into the 10th hoop.

Abdul then played his shot as Catherine walked back across the lawn. Catherine played yellow then after some confusion over ball order, Abdul smashed his blue ball from the North boundary at the red ball. The blue hit the upright and Catherine successfully ran the 10th hoop. Some minutes later, Abul ran hoop 11 taking the match 7-4.