Advanced Pendle Trophy Goes West (17 May 09) by Barbara Dutton and Peter Wilson

The CA Advanced ‘B’ Level Tournament took place on the John Beech Lawns at Earby over the wekend of 16th/17th May. This tournament drew competitors from clubs in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Tyneside, Crake Valley, Fylde, Southport, Guildford, Newport, Tunbridge Wells, Edgbaston, Shrewsbury, Liverpool and Pendle. Heavy rain preceded the start of the tournament preventing a final mowing and conditions were heavy for the first game but improved throughout the tournament as spells of sunshine warmed them. Special mention must go to Roger Schofield for his efforts in preparing the five lawns needed with freshly set hoops. He would later go on to run 2-back from about 10 feet East of the peg. A beautiful shot that took some wire.

Managed by Liz Wilson, the tournament was run Flexible Swiss style with players playing as much or as little as they wished and the winner determined on the percentage of games won. Lee Hartley was able to defend his trophy despite a recent handicap reduction to scratch by virtue of the entry conditions. Mike Porter took the lead in the second round by beating Lee. This prompted Lee to set off like a Hare to play as many games as he could in an effort to reduce the percentage loss and he eventually reached 6/7 (85.7%) which would have been enough to win the tournament had Mike Porter from Newport not won his last game giving him 5/5 (100%) and the trophy in an Aesop’s Fable sort of way.

Despite having to don the wetsuits and then strip off to shirt sleeves every half an hour everybody did report they were enjoying the tournament, the venue, the bar and the hospitality of the catering teams who provided elevenses, lunch and tea on both days.

There were three handicap reductions: Mike Porter to 1, Andrew Webb to 4.5 and Mark Godfrey to 5. CA Gold Merit Award to Lee Hartley on Sunday for beating third place finisher Alan Mayne with his first Triple Peel.

Pendle Trophy Goes to Ilkley by Barbara Dutton (19 Apr 09)

The Golf Croquet Tournament, a non CA event, took place over Saturday and Sunday 18/19th April. Saturday was bright and sunny, but with the bitterly cold wind to contend with. Sunday was sunny and warm, spectators sat out by the lawns instead of huddling under blankets.

Ten competitors took part, playing singles, all against all on the Saturday and then on Sunday doubles with the top 5 partnering the 5 lower scoring players from the singles. In the singles competition, Trevor Wood from Ilkley was First, Martin Wroughton from Ashby de-la-Zouche was second and Geoff Whitaker from Pendle was Third.

In the doubles: David Harkness (Ilkley) with Martin Wroughton(Ashby) were First, Jan McLardy (Pendle) with Trevor Wood (Ilkley) were Second, Dawn Speer and Geoff Whitaker both Pendle were Third and Maureen Whitaker (Pendle) and Hugh Armitage (Pendle & Ilkley) were Fourth.

Manager Abdul Ahmad was thanked for his excellent arrangements and the caterers for successfully feeding the competitors.

John Beech Trophy Crosses Border by Barbara Dutton (14 Apr 09)

The John Beech Handicap tournament is played at Easter. After the snow last year, this year’s competitors had an easier tournament weatherwise after Friday’s rain muddied the whites a bit. The next three days were fine and the competition went ahead at a cracking pace ably managed by James Hapgood from Edinburgh.

Twelve countrywide competitors battled it out with the following results:
Alice Fleck, Newcastle – Fastest game won in 79 minutes;
Betty Bates, Fylde – High bisque winner, handicap reduced to 16;
David Appleton, Tyneside – Most Games played;
David Walters, Bowdon – Low bisque winner:
Overall winner – James Hapgood, Edinburgh.