[<<] [>>] by David Openshaw at Roehampton
6 May 2008 (GC)

Bill Arliss won the Roehampton Golf Croquet Championship held on 3-4 May.
A late entrant, Bill had not been sure he was yet fit enough after a problem knee, but he was hitting the ball as hard as ever and a lot more accurately. His opponent in the final was Carole Jackson (SA) whose quick fluent play and accurate hoop running had seen off David Openshaw and Don Beck.

The final looked as though it would be very quick. Carole was 5-0 up after 10 minutes! Bill showed his great determination and won the second and third games to take the title.

The event was played as a seven round Swiss with the top eight going into a knock out. Miroslav was the surprise, gaining a place in the Knock Out after winning a play off against David Hopkins. Miroslav owns a 3 star hotel in the Spa Resort of Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) about 80 miles from Prague. It has two three-quarter size lawns and he makes all croquet players a great offer: see www.hotelstarymlyn.cz. In addition, if you go there and beat him he will give you a free large glass of Becherovka. You will not win the second game!

There was an entry of twelve with quite an international flavour with three overseas entries; Carole Jackson, President of the South African Croquet Association, Don Heerens who plays his croquet in Central Park, New York and Miroslav Pazdora from the Czech Republic.

Well played Bill!

KO Results

Last 8 (one 19 point game)
Beck bt Pazdora 10-7
Jackson bt Openshaw 10-9
Arliss bt Dymock 10-8
Thompson bt Mackenzie Ross 10-7

Semi Finals

Jackson bt Beck 6-7 7-5 7-6
Arliss bt Thompson 7-4 5-7 7-4

Final

Arliss bt Jackson 2-7 7-3 7-5

Plate Winner

David Mooney