East Anglian Challenge Series 2026
East Anglian Challenge Series results to date .
18th July 2026 – (Association).
May June July Wins.
Gt. Dunham: 2 + 4 + 1 = 7.
Pinchbeck: 1 + 3 + 2 = 6.
Hunstanton: 2 + 0 + 4 = 6.
Downham: 3 + 1 + 1 = 5.
————————————————————————————————
19th July 2026 – (Golf Advantage).
May June July Wins.
Hunstanton 1: 6 + 7 + 8 = 21. (Bee Kind).
Hunstanton 2: 4 + 8 + 8 = 20. (Strangers).
Pinchbeck: 5 + 5 + 7 = 17.
Hunstanton 3: 4 + 6 + 6 = 16. (Wash Monsters).
Gt. Dunham 1: 8 + 3 + 4 = 15.
Hunstanton 4: 6 + 3 + 4 = 13. (Mad-Hatter’s).
Gt. Dunham 2: 4 + 6 + – = 10:
Downham: 3 + 2 + 4 = 9.
——————————————————————————————–
Terrey Sparks (Manager).
20/ 07/2026.
Annual Green Shutters Doubles Handicap Advantage Competition
CqE Hunstanton A Level (DG-2000)Series Tournament
Sixteen players from around the country gathered at the club over the weekend of 11th and 12th July to participate in the annual senior golf croquet tournament in which the current heat wave seemed to have abated within the confines of a mild north-easterly wind.
Split into two groups of eight, the first day consisted of 7 single 13 point games to determine who went through to the knock-out stage the following day under which play was keen and determined.
During the second day play was no less keen however, the sun at last made an appearance which made it more pleasurable. On arriving at the Semi-Finals the format change to that of best of three and stamina began to rear its head as the long period of heat over the country began to take its toll. The first semi contested by Andy Jones (Phyllis Court) and Martin Daniels (Bromley) went Andy’s way after two sets. Whilst in the other match between David Brammer (Branston) and Les Heard (Wrest Park) although always a close affair also went David’s way by only two sets.
The following final round proved to be a very precise and close game in which both players approached in a determined and disciplined way taking a very careful approach. With the first game going David’s way 7 – 3. The following second game went much the same way as the first and ended up at the 13th hoop in which David just managed to clinch the hoop to win the tournament.
The following awards went as follows:
Shield: Andy Sherwood – Nottingham.
Plate: Chris Higgins – Bishop Monkton.
Saucer: Marilyn Wood – Colchester.
Overall a very pleasant afternoon enjoyed by both the players and spectators alike and thanks must also go to visiting Referee Ruth Raunkiaer who willingly took up the Refereeing reigns and David Boxell for his computer skills updating Croquet Scores and for Ellie and her Catering and Cleaning Crew providing the necessary refreshments over the weekend and finally for those members who turned up early to prepare the club for the day with without these events would not exist.
Veterans 0ver 70’s Tournament
The over 70’s was a tight competition with 3 of the competitor each winning 5 of their 7 matches, the winner decided by head to head results. Gerry finished 3rd, Noelene 2nd and after beating both Gerry and Noelene Gren Perry was the deserved winner. Well done everyone who entered and help make the tournament a success.
Green Shutters Singles Handicap (Advantage) Tournament 2026
This year The Annual Green Shutters Singles (which is contested under the advantage code) attracted an entry of 10 club members slightly up from the previous year. Under ideal sunny conditions with a slight wind, the tournament came down to a final exciting round between Colin Spencer and Bev Runchman.
Split into two blocks of 5 which cross-blocked and due to the high levels of heat were timed, closely produced the two finalist after some serious close games particularly from Maria Crompton on 31/2 wins Richard Chipps, Gerry Byrne on 3 wins and Mary Core following closely on 21/2 wins.
Block A: Block B:
Colin Spencer: (2) Richard Chipps: (12)
Mary Core: (12) Gerry Byrne: (12)
Charlie MacKenzie: (12) Steve Runchman: (14)
Roz Metcalfe: (14) Bev Runchman: (14)
Ian Metcalfe: (14) Maria Crompton: (14)
The final round provided the biggest upset of the day in that although Colin the favourite was expected to win. Bev definitely raised her game and with a more direct professional approach which Colin had difficulty overcoming mainly because of the large advantage difference in hoops Bev ran out the winner by 5 hoops.
Thanks must go to all participants for turning up early to set the lawns, Ellie for providing the scrumptious selection of cakes and not least David Boxell for his refereeing and computer skills.
National Golf Croquet ‘C & B’ Level Series Tournaments 27th & 28th June 2026
Staged over a weekend of glorious sunny weather, both these annual events attracted a full entry of 16 on each day from around various clubs around the country. The lawns were in perfect condition and attracted many compliments from our visitors and proved later by the overall high standard of play. Due to the exceptional weather conditions the clubs Orange Squash reserves had to be replenished as the heat made the day only just playable.
Saturday – David Mattacks Memorial Salver – (C Level – +7 Series)
Although the overall temperature at the start of play was set at a reasonable level by mid-afternoon it had with the overall winds decreasing gradually increased and for some of the players reached an uncomfortable level causing 5 entrants to stand down. This meant that the programme needed a quick re-adjustment to the final rounds which, led to an exciting final round between Yvette Currie (Watford) and David Webb (Gainsborough) in which Yvette won with a 7-6 finish to lift the trophy. Likewise in the losing semi-finalist play-off Marcia Henderson (Auckland) narrowly beat Marian Hardy (Enfield) also 7-6 to take the 3rd place. Clare Rockall (Gainsborough) was awarded The Shield, Peter Seddon (Derby) The Plate and Janet Elgerton (Maldon) The Saucer.
Sunday – The Storey Cup – (B Level DG1700 Series)
Play on the Sunday became more agreeable as the overall temperature had reduced considerably and the over- hanging humidity had reduced to a more agreeable level. As the previous day we had attracted a full entry of 16 which meant the C.E. standard one-day playing format applied. And as expected overall play was of a high standard and the games progressed at a reasonable speed which meant an early lunch. However, after the lunch break play became not only more intense but slower.
In the first semi-final game between Paul Rockall (Gainsborough) and Local member Roddy Willett, Paul ran out the winner 7 – 4, whilst in the other game between last years, Runner Up Simon Draper (Norwich) and local member Gary Lewis Simon proved successful winning 7 – 5.
The following Final played over a 19 point game between Simon and Paul proved not only intense but, because of a long tiring day minor errors started to creep into the game which kept the spectators glued to their seats. However, Simon prevailed and eventually ran out this winner 10 – 6.
Loosing Semi Finalist Roddy Willett took 3rd Place and Gary Lewis 4th.
The following – Robert Munford (Ripon Spa) – Shield, Tim Barzycki-(Gosberton) – Plate and Pauline Donner (Hunstanton) – Saucer.
In presenting the cup Janet Kendal thanked all those supporting club members who had prepared and turned up at the club at odd times over the week-end to prepare the lawns and club house for play, kept the club tidy during the day and provided two delicious afternoon teas. Special thanks also went to David Boxell who provided computer support despite still being recovering from his recent medical episode.
Terrey Sparks
Tournament Manger
WORKING PARTY
WORKING PARTY
A massive thank you to everyone who came to help at the work party session. It was such a fun morning and many thanks to Ellie for the ice cream on such a hot day. Great to see new members learning some lawn setting skills – the whole club looks amazing.
‘Bright Shirts’Day 2026
Congratulations to Ian Metcalfe, worthy winner of Bright Shirts Day. Many thanks to June Critcher for judging the competion and for selling the raffle tickets to start the fundraising for this seasons chosen charity ‘Breast of Friends’ Thank you to everyone who took part!
HCC Golf Croquet Singles Tournament 4th June 2026
GC Grass Roots Competition 23rd May
The GC Grass Roots level play competition was won by Bev Runchman with an impressive 5 wins out of 6 games. Huge congratulations Bev.
7 club members contested this entry level tournament as a taster for the CqE D Level Series in August. Handicaps ranged from 12 – 16 and experience from complete beginners to seasoned club stalwarts.
The players were blessed with a wonderful Sunny Hunny day in an all-play-all format.
The full results are available on Croquet Scores at: https://croquetscores.com/2026/gc/hunstanton-grass-roots
It is to be hoped that more club members will consider entering this event next year.
David Boxell
Manager, Grass Roots, HCC 23/05/2026.
Left – Winner Bev Runchman being presented with the Grass Roots salver by Janet Kendal, Chair HCC.
Right – Back row left to right: Susan Statham, Richard Chipps, Charles Mackenzie, Steve Runchman, Madelaine Williams and Mary Core. Front Row: Bev Runchman and Janet Kendal
Golf Croquet Open Series Tournament 16th -17th May
(The Hampson Trophy)
16 and 17 May 2026
This year the first national Golf Croquet event staged by the club attracted 14 participants travelling from all over the country and as far as Switzerland and Wales. The clubs lawns had, as always been prepared to a very high standard by our Green Keeper Johnny Ives and received many complimentary comments from our visitors.
Under favourable weather conditions, play broken down into two blocks of seven, which on the first day each participant was required to play seven no time limit 13 point games in which the top four of each block would on the second day progress into a quarter final round consisting of one 19 point game each. The remaining six would continue to play each other in a block of five games each to determine the Plate Winner.
On the second day the eight Quarter-Finalists were required to play one round of nineteen point games in which the four winners would proceed into a Semi-Final Round of best of three Thirteen point games, which turned out to be Lionel Tibble (Northampton), Ian Lines (Peterborough), Debbie Lines (Peterborough) and Stephen Cornelius (Peterborough). In the following Semi-Finals Ian beat Lionel by two games to none and Debbie saw off Stephen also by two games without score leading to a three game final match between husband and wife.
In the final game which proved entertaining and exciting to watch by the spectators, Ian scored first blood beating Debbie 7 – 2. However, Debbie then made a spirited recovery wining the next two games 7 – 5 and 7 – 4 running out the overall deserved winner. Local member Colin Spencer took the Shield and Sarah Clements of (Chester) was the overall winner of the subsequent Plate Event.
Overall a very successful weekend and thanks go out to those members who voluntarily turned out to prepare the club and refreshments on each day in which a total of 80 games were played and successfully downloaded to Croquet England.
It should be mentioned that local club members Pauline Donner and Gary Lewis each managed to achieve a handicap drop of one to 4 and 5 respectively. Congratulations to them both.
Terrey Sparks
GC Course April -May
The fourth Introduction to GC course finished today, 5th May, with this year’s cohort being lucky enough to have sunshine in all four sessions (albeit very chilly for the first two). They were a lovely bunch and made excellent progress; we look forward to welcoming many of them as full members on club afternoons and then in competitions.
Robert Prichard AC tournament 2 – 4 May
Robert Prichard (AC) Weekend Tournament – (The Fermoy Cup)
The first national club tournament of the summer took place at the club over the 3 Day Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Due to the high standard of the lawns it attracted 19 entrants of a high prestigious standard ranging from International Standard down to Club Level. This event is one of the oldest AC tournaments and has been competed for annually since the 1930’s. The standard of play was of the highest calibre and as expected the winner was not determined until the final round when Ian Lines ended up the winner against Mark Avery, both highly regarded internationally players.
The weather, as is usually the case, was variable for the time of year and was a mixture of sun, windy conditions and chilly North Easterly winds which were borne with fortitude by all those present.
Overall, thanks must go to all those members behind the scenes which include Greenkeeper ‘Jonny’ plus the Hoop – Setters and those unseen club members who turned up voluntarily providing all the little luxuries such as delicious teas and club house cleaning without whom would make it impossible to run such a tournament which is of great benefit to the club finances and reputation.
Terrey Sparks
Club opening prep Thurs 9th April (reserve day Friday 10th)
Please could as many members as possible help with hoop setting ( 2 sets of hoop holes on all 5 lawns) and preparing the clubhouse ready to open Monday 13th to welcome the 2026 cohort of trainees to the first of their 4 morning training sessions. The club will then be open as usual for the first doubles afternoon of the season. Many hands make light work and there are jobs for all abilities- please help to share the workload!
Invitation Weekend 25/26th July
After a surge of entries, all places have been fillled for the weekend and there will be a waiting/reserve list in case of any dropouts. Allocation will be 1st May. We look forward to an enjoyable weekend of competition with friends old and new.
Coffee Morning Feb 23rd
How lovely to see so many members – existing and potential – at the coffee morning at Norfolk Lavender.
Happy New Year!
Welcome back everyone. It’s wet and cold and miserable today and balmy days on the croquet lawns still seem a long way off, but at least it is getting lighter.
Your Committee and volunteers have been hard at work planning for next season. Huge, heavy, replacement sleepers have been ordered, delivered and moved (in the cold and wet – thank you, Pete, Janet, Gwenda and Charlie) – part of ongoing maintenance and improvements to keep the club in good condition. Dan has been busy getting to grips with the finances and receiving your subs and 100 club money – please keep them coming in.
Social news – the coffee morning has been booked at Norfolk Lavender, Monday 23rd Feb, from 10-12. Come for the whole time, stay for lunch, or just pop in for a while. It was lovely to see so many of you (over 30) at the last one, hope you can come again. Norfolk Lavender is having another move around so I am not quite sure where we shall be exactly, but either ask the staff or follow the noise and you will find us.
There have been a few minor changes to the calendar since it was first uploaded. Do check the dates and plan your season. Entry forms and regulations for the Invitation Weekend (25/26 July)can be found under Tournaments. Allocation date is 1st May so please apply promptly to help Terrey plan.