Wow! What an afternoon! Nearly 70 members turned up for the Southport Charity One Ball event to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, who are celebrating their 60^th anniversary.  The larger than expected attendance tested the organisation plan to the limit, but with players wearing articles of red clothing to match the Heart Foundation house colour and to the background sound of the Rave Music Festival in the Park next door, a great atmosphere was enjoyed by everyone.  Beginners and experienced players had a great deal of fun on our beautiful lawns as twenty minute, One Ball and Golf Croquet games kept everyone on their toes. 

We even had some extraordinary prizes for ‘hoop of the day’, ‘shot of the day’, ‘blob of the day’, etc, and eventually the mathematical skills (don’t ask!) of the scorekeepers produced an overall winner for the afternoon.  Step forward Sue Wilkie whose accurate shot in a final ‘Shoot Out’ gained her the prestigious trophy, presented to her by Club President Brian Lewis. Afternoon Tea was fantastic as the table sagged under the feast of food donated by members, trade was brisk on the Refreshment Table, the Tombola Table had an array of ‘quality’ gifts and when added to the Donation Bucket, we raised £600 for the British Heart Foundation. A great achievement by everyone.

May AC Hcp Tournament for the Carol Lewis Trophy 15 May 2021 at Southport & Birkdale Croquet Club

Southport held their first Croquet tournament of the season yesterday in a day of two halves – west weather gear being needed in the morning followed by bursts of glorious sunshine in the afternoon. This popular AC Handicap tournament is usually held over a weekend each May, but in these Covid safety times, the event was restricted to one day and only eight competitors.

The event attracted players with a handicaps ranging from -1.5 to +24, including rising star Jack Good from Bury alongside the experienced Alan Pidcock and Don Williamson from Southport. Southport also provided the defending champion Peter Williams and the field was completed with Sue Pritchard and Neil Adams from Westmorland and brothers Richard and David Harding from Llanfairfechan. Interestingly Richard is a former member of Southport and planning to make a very welcome return to the game.

The Trophy was decided via a ‘knock-out’ format over three rounds, Neil, Jack, Don and Alan winning through to the second round, on lawns that played well but could be variable in places. The lawns have only opened in the last ten days and still showed evidence of the maintenance contractors efforts.

The final was an interesting battle between experience and brilliant young skills, as Alan and Jack produced a match which kept the watching spectators enthralled. The trophy went to Jack Good who completed the day unbeaten and earned handicap reduction from 16 to 14.

The defending champion, Peter came close, only losing one match, as did Alan and Neil.

The trophy was presented by Brian Lewis and the event was very ably managed by Don and Diana Williamson.