Extending the season

Once again Peter and I took part in the “Greek Open Croquet Tournament”. This is held in Corfu which is currently the only croquet club in Greece.

The event was organised this year by Chris Roberts and Frances Colman. There were around 20 players with handicaps ranging from 22 down to -2 so a lot of bisques were in evidence. It is advertised as a holiday with croquet. The lawns have improved year on year and we were all made to feel very welcome by the Corfu Croquet Club

It started off with handicap doubles where Chris had arranged the pairs to be as similar as possible – so the 22 played with the -2.. Unfortunately there was heavy downpours towards the end of the first three mornings so the doubles had to be brought to a rapid conclusion to allow the other events to take place. The main event was 26 point singles which was won in great style by Duncan Reeve. This was intertwined with a 14 point competition where the winner was the player with the highest percentage of wins subject to a minimum number of games. At the weekend there was a light hearted level play GC doubles event which included the WAGS and the Corfiots. There was no fixed pairing. I didn’t quite understand the rules but it was fun.

A boat trip to the North of the island had been planned. Each day it was delayed by another day because of the poor weather at the start of the holiday. It finally happened – we were provided with a plentiful supply of ouzo, wine and beer.

On the last night there was prize giving followed by an excellent meal at the Corfu Yacht Club.

This is the third year I have attended but I don’t expect it to be the last having met a lot of people I would like to see again.