Croquet Victoria
Advancing Croquet in Victoria

2017 Golf Croquet World Championships

Golf Croquet World Championship

5 March 2017

After nine long days of competition, and a final lasting nearly six hours, Reg Bamford of South Africa is the new Golf Croquet World Champion.

Bamford holds his trophy high
Reg Bamford, 2017 Golf Croquet World Champion

The final was a long see-sawing match with great roquets and positional shots by both Reg and his opponent Ahmed Nasr of Egypt. In the end Reg was victorious 7:6, 5:7, 7:4, 3:7, 7:4.

At the presentation by WCF President Amir Ramsis, bronze medals went to Hami Erian (Egypt) and Felix Webby (NZ). The Shield was won by Duncan Dixon (NZ), beating England's John Paul Moberly, and an all-Australian Bowl final saw Greg Fletcher beat Kevin Beard. Winner of the Plate was George Coulter (NZ) with Geoff Jamieson (Australia) runner up.

See Croquetscores for detailed results of all games, and for commentary on the semi-finals and final by Jenny Clarke and Lester Hughes. The Croquet Victoria Facebook page includes pictures and links to some live-stream video of the final (thanks, Pete Landrebe).

The championship was notable for the number of young players, particularly from New Zealand, several of whom did extremely well.

Geoff Coulter, Felix Webby, Duncan Dixon
From left: Geoff Coulter, Felix Webby, Duncan Dixon

Congratulations to all the players, and thanks to the officials and volunteers at all the venues, Cairnlea, Williamstown, Essendon, Geelong Belmont, and Ballarat Alexandra. The event was much appreciated by the many members who came to watch throughout the week, and the final held the attention of a big crowd right to the end.

A spirited and positive event!

Under 21 World Championship

22 February 2017

In a gritty best of five final, Felix Webby (New Zealand) has decisively defeated compatriot George Coulter, 7:3, 7:6, 7:5.

Lester Hughes was watching and describes the games on Croquetscores.

U21 placegetters

The first game went to Felix. George was level at 3 all but unfortunately peeled Felix through hoops 7 and 8. From there Felix went on to win 7:3.

In the second game George went out to lead Felix 4:0, with a seven yard hoop, an in-off, a hoop from a clearance ball and another long hoop. Felix fought back strongly with some great position play and good clearances, and recovered from 5:6 down to win 7:6.

The final game also went to Felix, after a seesawing lead through the first eight hoops. At Hoop 12 it was all down to a clearance by George, playing black, but a miss left black and blue on the boundary and both red and yellow in running positions. Yellow scored and Felix is the new Under 21 World Champion. "Hugs all round on the lawn", says Lester. "Great play by both young men."

Equal third place in the championship went to Edward Wilson (South Australia) and Josh Freeth (New Zealand).

The picture above shows the four placegetters. From left: Edward Wilson, George Coulter, Felix Webby, Josh Freeth.
Pic: Andrea Wilson.

Well done to all the competitors in a great tournament.