CROQUET NEWS:  From a Hit to Star Act

3 March 2005
Shepparton News, Shepparton, Australia
story by Tim Rowe
photo by Julie Mercer

Fully focused: Youngster Peter Nightingale is rapt to be playing croquet.

Youngster Peter Nightingale's chance hit of croquet has turned into a passion.

Nightingale, 14, only took up the sport last year after experiencing a night of Aussie Croquet at Shepparton Croquet Club last year.

"I've been playing for about a year," Nightingale said.

"I came along to one of the Aussie Croquets and it went from there really."

The Wanganui Park Secondary College Year 9 student won the Grace Edwards Trophy on Sunday.

"It was an open tournament at the Shepparton Croquet Club," he said.

"I had to win about five matches to qualify for the final."

Nightingale said the game provided a challenge for all participants.

"It's a combination between lawn bowls, golf and snooker," he said.

"It's pretty difficult and a very tactical game."

While Nightingale said the average age of croquet players at his club was about 50, he encouraged more people to give the game a go.

"There's two juniors at the club, the first ever," he said.

"My friend Michael Fordyce plays.

"Not many people try it, but they should just go out and have a hit."

The croquet pennant season does not kick off until the spring, but that will not stop Nightingale from swinging the club during the colder months.

"The club's got tournaments on during the winter and I'll continue playing."

Like Nightingale, Shepparton croquet enthusiast Elva Gunnell hopes more youngsters will experience Aussie Croquet on a Monday evening.

"We are averaging between 50 and 60 people on a night," Gunnell said.

"We play from 7 pm to 10.30 pm, so it's not a late night."