Congratulations to Robert Fulford - 2023 AC World Champion
The 2023 WCF AC World Championship was held between 15th and 23rd July 2023. The event was sponsored by Rockwell Hurlingham Waterfront developments, Howard Sosin and the Hurlingham Club. 18 countries were represented, coincidentally matching the 18th time this event has been held. There were 9 competitors who had played in the first Championship in 1989, also based at Hurlingham, a testament to the evergreen qualities of croquet players.
For the 18th event, it was good to see it return to London where the first championship was held back in 1989.
The 2023 final saw a repeat of the 2022 Golf Croquet final with Matthew Essick versus Robert Fulford. That these players reached the final in both codes is a testament to their skill and commitment to the sport. This time Robert Fulford was triumphant and won the Wimbledon Cup for the 6th time.
Congratulations also go to James Death, winner of the Shield, Debbie Lines, winner of the Bowl, Robin Brown, who won the Plate and Sandy Greig, who won the Manager's Invitational.
The WCF would like to thank all the organisations, clubs and volunteers who helped to make this event run so smoothly.
Jamie Gumbrell is the 2023 GC Women’s World Champion
The 6th Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship was held in Brighton, England in early August. Competitors from 16 countries competed. After the traditional parade of flags and welcome speeches, the event was formally opened by celebrity Mary Berry with the cutting of a special ‘croquet and flag’ themed cake.
Jamie Gumbrell from Australia beat Rachel Gee (2011 Champion) in the final, with a display of technical excellence. Her shooting and hoop running was almost faultless throughout the match. Commiserations to Rachel on a hard fought tournament, and congratulations to Jamie.
Congratulations also to Perihan Elwy, winner of the Shield, Judith Hanekom winner of the Bowl and Jessica Bullen who won the Plate.
Thank you to all those who helped to run this event, the WCF appreciate that without the tireless efforts of Clubs and their volunteers, we could not run these events.
Coming up soon!
The 2023 retraVision GC Over 50’s World Championship will take place in Bunbury, Western Australia, between 14-21 October. Keep an eye out on both the WCF Website and the Event website for more information about the players, the draw and of course, live-streaming!
We are pleased to announce that the Australian Croquet Association have secured retraVision as main sponsors for this event.
This will be the last Over 50’s event following a recent decision that in future the minimum age will increase to 60.
New WCF President – nominations due by 31st October
Ian Burridge, our current President, will finish his four-year term at the end of this year. Ian has indicated that he does not intend to stand for a second term. The Management Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his hard work over the past few years. His time in office has been strongly influenced by the epidemic and the need to delay and reschedule all our Championships, and he helped to guide us through these difficult times extremely well.
We are therefore inviting nominations. The WCF President is the outward, most senior face, of the WCF. The President is responsible for helping to set the forward Business Plan and then in steering the Management Committee towards its delivery. He or she chairs our meetings and leads our strategic and policy discussions. Presidents are elected for a four-year term and may stand for a second term if they wish.
Nominations are open now and will close on 31st October. If on that date, we have more than one candidate, we will move to a Member vote.
Two positions on Management Committee – nominations due by 31st October
As well as a new President, two members of the Management Committee finish their terms at the end of this year: Samir Patel and Hal Denton. They may choose to stand again, however, we would encourage new candidates to make themselves available.
The Nomination Process
All nominations, whether for President or the Management Committee, must be made via the Member Organising body to the Secretary-General and may be submitted by Full or Associate Members. Nominees may come from a Recognised Croquet Organisation (RCO) but must be nominated by a Member.
All nominations for these positions must be authorised in writing or by email by the candidate and by an appropriate officer of the nominating Member. Nominations must be accompanied by a brief résumé of the candidate’s personal details and their objectives as President or MC Member. They must be received by the Secretary-General no later than the 31st October 2023. A headshot photo would also be appreciated.
Note: Election – if there are more candidates than open positions, there will be a Council Election. The process for this will be circulated should it become necessary.
Nominations for President should also indicate whether the person wishes to stand for election to the Management Committee, should they be unsuccessful as President.
For more information, please contact the Secretary-General or ask any of the existing Management Committee.
EUROPE NEWS
England win the European Teams Championship.
9 countries gathered at Cheltenham, England for 4 days of mixed AC and GC matches. Each team had one AC player and 2 GC players in a format designed to test both versions of our sport.
Thank you to the Cheltenham Club for hosting and to all the volunteers and officials who organised the event. Congratulations to the English team, comprising Euan Burridge, Aston Wade and Stuart Smith, who beat Wales 3:0 in the Final.
Aston Wade wins the European Under 21 Golf Croquet Championship
The 2023 GC Under 21 European Championship was held between 17 - 20 August 2023 at the Ikskile Croquet Club (main venue with 3 courts) and Sigulda Croquet Club (one court) in Latvia. 28 competitors from 7 countries competed in the event.
Aston Wade representing England, beat Alfonso Morales from Spain, 2 to 1, in the final.
European Golf Croquet Club League
This exciting new event is designed to give club players throughout Europe the opportunity to play abroad and also to find the Champion club team in Europe.
Three further heats have now been held, these being at Ikskile in Latvia, CERN in Switzerland and Dulwich in England. For tournament reports and results, visit the event webpage: European GC Club League Page
Dulwich, Ealing, Roehampton (ENG), Ikskile (LAT), CERN (CHE) and Sherry (ESP) compete in the 'Grand Final' to be held at the prestigious Roehampton Club, London (England) 13-15th October 2023.
Swedish Referees Course held 5th June
The WCF should like to thank Stephen Mulliner for flying to Sweden earlier this year to provide them with a Referees Course. He had a busy time of it, with 9 people attending the GC course and 6 the AC course. Well done to all those who attended and who are now able to use their skills to support play in Sweden.
ams competing were the Czech Republic, Iran, Mexico and Portugal.
Congratulations to Begoña Elzaburu, from Spain, winner of the 2022 European Women's GC Championship.
The WCF is pleased to announce that the management committee has been joined by Mohamed Raslan from Egypt who successfully won the election that closed on 20th March 2022. He will serve until 31 December 2025.
The Management Committee are pleased to announce that Richard Bilton has taken over from Stephen Mulliner as Golf Croquet Ranking Officer. Our thanks go to Stephen Mulliner for his many years of hard work.
On first January the Management Committee welcomed three new team members – Peter Payne as Treasurer and Begoña Elzaburu and Graeme Roberts as general committee members. We welcome them to the team.
The WCF statutes now provide for the creation of a European Regional Committee (ERC) that will, once fully functional, take care of European croquet affairs, and among other matters, will run the European Championships.
The 2021 trial was extremely well received and as a result this new variant has been added to the draft 6th edition of the GC Rules.
The WCF is pleased to announce that Chris Clarke has been elected as the new WCF Treasurer.
