Normal operations have resumed at the Port Alfred Bowling & Croquet Club after its hosting of a highly successful national croquet tournament featuring the best players from SA, the Ndlambe region and a few from abroad.
The UK’s Jim Field, secured a hat-trick of titles, winning all his sections – the handicap doubles (with Caroline Denny), level doubles (with Caroline Denny) and the marquee final, the level singles played on Saturday.
The restricted handicap doubles award went to Pat Cronin and Les Weiss, the restricted handicap singles to Pat Cronin and the handicap singles to JJ McHardy.
The event hit off on Monday November 17 with 48 bowlers participating in various sections over six days on four immaculate greens culminating in Saturday’s level singles final.
The event demanded slick organisation – and the PABCC certainly came to the party with organising committee chair, Trevor Welbourne and his team, from caterers, ground staff, kitchen staff, meal planners and bar assistants all coming to the party for an impressive hosting.
In fact, the playing contingent heaped praise on the hospitality and organisation along with the near- perfect weather that prevailed throughout.
“I thank the bowlers for their co-operation and assistance throughout the week,” said Welbourne during his prize-giving address. “And for those croquet players who weren’t playing and assisted; it helped a lot in making this a successful tournament.
“Dee Slade has done a magnificent job with the catering … thank you to the helpers and everyone who assisted even those washing dishes in the kitchen, to Roger (Darkes) our green keeper. And finally, to Cathy who sat in the corner scoring … she ran a darn good tournmanent,” Welbourne said to applause.
The final between Field and Neil McHardy (Rondebosch) attracted an appreciative crowd who had a perfect vantage point of the green from the clubhouse seats.
Field tried hard to stay humble in victory but three finals in one day – and winning them all, is quite the achievement.
“All my opponents across all my (three) finals today were pretty tough. There are many people who played here who are much better than me. I no longer play on a regular basis; I played only two tournaments this year, one in May and one in August in Somerset West.
“So it’s been gratifying actually coming here feeling very rusty and still being able to compete.”
He praised the playing surfaces and hospitality.
“The greens here are lovely. The greens, clubhouses, the facilities you guys are so lucky … you really are lucky … you have fantastic facilities. These greens would be the envy of many clubs in the UK.
“We had a nice Air B&B with a balcony right on the coast … you guys should feel lucky you’re living in a place like this.
“What I like about croquet is that I can go anywhere in the world … and I have travelled many continents … and I can pitch up at any croquet club, and people are always friendly and welcoming. “Croquet is an international community – normally sweet, kind, very generous people. One always feels welcome, like I did here in Port Alfred.”
Another player, Colin Beckett, from Brisbane, Australia also known as the Sunshine Coast, said the PABCC could be proud of a well-run tournament.
“It was well run, different to what we do in Australia but was just as enjoyable … it was very friendly. “The play was good … and the competition was very good.
“I was very pleased with my form and I can brag and go home and tell everyone that I made the semi-finals of the SA croquet nationals; there’s certainly no one in my club who can claim anything like that.”
Welbourne said it was a great feeling to have some feet-up and know that the tournament had been hailed as successful.
“We had 48 guests coming here from around the country and around the world, Australia and England. So just to have attracted them was a very good thing in itself and for them to say that they competed in a tournament that compares to any they have played in, is quite an accolade.
“It’s the nitty gritties, like people making sandwiches and running around getting meals ready that are important and, if those work well, then everything goes off smoothly. Fortunately, we have very willing and able club members who are prepared to volunteer, which means the load becomes smaller for everyone and we achieve a lot more.
“I have to thank green keepers Roger Darkes and Jaco van Rensburg … the greens were in great shape and have been playing true.
Welbourne, who fell out in the quarterfinals, was high in his praise of Field’s achievement.
“I played against Jim Field at last year’s nationals; he plays in UK and SA – so his got international experience. This tournament suited his play … to win all three finals in one day it’s a heck of an effort. He played at 11am this morning and finished just after 5pm … the concentration required and the physical demands to get every shot right, is quite an achievement.”
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This article was first published in Talk of the Town, November 27, 2025. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays
