2011 Ken Wheeler Shield

Nick Archer in action

This tournament was the inaugural Golf Croquet team competition between the six counties comprising the East Anglian Croquet Federation. The teams from Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk – plus a team of players nominated as EACF Select, as unfortunately Cambridge was not able to field a team – were competing for the 'Ken Wheeler Shield' donated by the President of Hunstanton CC who also acted as the Tournament Manager. There were four players per team and the total aggregate handicap for each team was not less than 8 at the time of team entry. Ken Wheeler organised the competition to take place over a single day and included singles and doubles games for all players. All games were level play.

The competition format was that each team played a match against each other over the first five rounds with a match comprising two singles games and one doubles. In the first round the team captains could elect to allocate players in any role (singles or doubles) irrespective of handicap. In the second round the singles/doubles roles were reversed, and in round three roles reverted to those of the first round. This continued until all five rounds had been played. The three leading teams then qualified for a "Gold Medal Round" and played two doubles games each – using different pairs to round one if desired. The GMR teams carried forward a point for each of their games won in the first block, and were awarded two points for a win in the GMR. The winners would be the team with the most points. This all looked somewhat complicated at first glance, but it soon became clear after Ken Wheeler's briefing, and all players soon understood and took to the format well – remarking on its obvious success at the end of the day.

The Hunstanton lawns were in immaculate condition and the weather was sunny if a little chilly, but the promised rain kept away. The first three rounds took from 10.00am until lunch and it soon became apparent that the team on excellent form was Hertfordshire, closely matched by the EACF and Suffolk teams. In the afternoon session these three teams consolidated their positions and finished the block by winning four games for Hertfordshire, with EACF and Suffolk taking three. The other three teams certainly didn't give away points easily – a large percentage of the games went to the 13th hoop and could have gone either way. Essex were fourth, pipping Bedfordshire on game wins, and Norfolk were sixth. All members gave their utmost for their county.

Nick Mounfield in action

The winning Herts team are presented
the new trophy by Ken Wheeler.
L-R: Nick Archer, Ken Wheeler,
Nick Mounfield, Ian Mantle, Duncan Hector

So, after a short break the GMR started with all three teams playing their two doubles pairings. Hertfordshire now moved up a gear and the pairings of Duncan Hector/Nick Mounfield and Ian Mantle/Nick Archer won convincing games against the EACF and Suffolk, whilst Suffolk beat the EACF – so the overall result was a win for Hertfordshire, with Suffolk second and the EACF third. The force behind the idea of this tournament – Terrey Sparks (EACF Secretary) – expressed his thanks to all who made the day such a success – the Team Captains and players, the members of Hunstanton CC who worked hard all day, the catering ladies, and Hunstanton President Ken Wheeler for conceiving the format, managing the day – and finally presenting the fine shield plus commemorative plaques to the successful Hertfordshire team led by Letchworth's Nick Mounfield – supported by Duncan Hector and Ian Mantle from Letchworth, and Watford's Nick Archer.

All in all a very successful inaugural tournament – possibly the first such GC event organised by any Federation. The whole day was played with a fine and fair competitive spirit by all teams with very little work for the referee. Congratulations to all concerned. No doubt we will all be back for revenge next season so watch out Hertfordshire!