Monday, Nov. 28th, 2011 NZ Wrap-up

Hello,

The last few days have been a whirlwind and I haven't been connected to the internet because of traveling and they don't have free wireless here (which I take for granted in the US).  So now it is time to do some updating.

Sat. 11/26 - I had a little bit of time before the women's final and since I had packed my tennis racquet too, I went over to the tennis club and played in a round robin.  It was really fun and I got to play on the astrocourts which play like clay but have great footing and the ball stays a bit lower.  Had a great time.

The women's croquet final lasted 6 hours with the 22 year old Brit, Rachel Rowe outlasting Jenny Clarke of NZ in 5 games.  Rachel had such terrific placement on her shots, that Jenny had to keep trying to knock her out of position from incredible distances.  The concentration and mental endurance was remarkable, not to mention that it continued to be incredibly windy as it had been the entire tournament.

The Egyptian Team watching the finals.

Right after the final, everyone rushed back to get changed for the Closing Ceremony and Awards Banquet.  We each received a medal for competing and a gift of a beautiful paperweight with a New Zealand symbol inside of it.  I had an early flight to Auckland to catch in the morning, so I had to say my goodbyes and go back to pack.  After spending more than a week together, our entire group from the referees, to the volunteers, to the players had formed a really neat bond.

The Aussie team heading into the Awards Banquet

Amir Ramsis, the WCF President announced that the next Women's Worlds will be held in Cairo, Egypt (I believe it will be in 2013).

Sunday, 11/27/11 - Instead of taking the bus back to Auckland which would have been a 3 1/2 hour trip, I took a flight from Tauranga to Auckland (just 35 minutes) and it was very scenic.

Auckland is an awesome city!  It is modern and clean and the harbor is just beautiful.  After finding a place to stow my things, I roamed around the city for hours.  It was an absolutely beautiful day and they were also having their Christmas parade down Queen's Street, the main street in the city.  Interestingly, throughout the country I didn't see a lot of Christmas decorations like I would in the US.  The parade was really the only thing that made me realize we are in the holiday season.

Downtown Auckland

These girls were so cute hanging out down at the port.

That evening, I took a ferry across the harbor to Devonport, which is a very cute little town.  I met up with Emily and Paul (friends of friends of mine from Vermont) who are now permanent residents in NZ.  

The next day Emily took me on a tour and a little hike to see the sights.

Paul and Emily

Beautiful beach in Devonport.

Monday, Nov. 28th - Flew from Auckland to Los Angeles and have a red-eye tonight to Fort Lauderdale.  Because of crossing the international date line, I get to live Monday twice (just like the movie Groundhog's day).

It has been an amazing trip!

Friday, Nov. 25th Semi-final day

Hello,

It was an exciting day of semi-final action.  Rachel Rowe (age 22) of England defeated Rosie Graham of Australia 3 games to 0.  Then Jenny Clarke (age 40) of New Zealand defeated Marwa Moustafa Youssef of Egypt 3 games to 1.

Tomorrow is the last day of the tournament with the Plate and Consolation Finals, 3rd and 4th place playoff, and the Final.  Then everything will come to a close at the Croquet Dinner Banquet.

In between matches, one of the members of the club struck up a conversation with me and my new friend, Jola from Scotland.  Turns out, he is a terrific lawn bowler so he gave us a lesson in "bowls."  I always love to learn a new sport!

Me with coach, Norm.

Sunday morning I head back up to Auckland and Monday night fly back to the US.  I've opted to take a short 35 minute flight from Tauranga to Auckland rather than a 3 1/2 hour bus ride.  The views should be nice too.

Bye for now.

Happy Thanksgiving! 11/24/11

Hello,

It was another great day of croquet but started out cold, rainy and windy.  Even so, we all had to play in the rain.  It has been incredibly windy almost every single day, such that your mallet sways as you are trying to set up for your shot.  This morning was probably the toughest conditions of the entire tournament.  Thankfully, the sun came out this afternoon.

I played at Tauranga for the first time which was just about 10 minutes from Mt. Maunganui.  I have to say that at every location I've played at, the volunteers and officials are absolutely wonderful.  They make homemade food for the players, always have tea and coffee ready along with cookies and fruit.  It was especially nice to arrive this morning and have a nice cup of tea before hitting the croquet lawn.

Also, the spirit of cooperativeness among everyone involved in hosting the tournament has been unbelievable.  It's a finely tuned machine and in that it is the first time they've hosted a tournament of this calibre, I am so impressed.  They are absolutely, amazing and wonderful people and put in long, long days.

(Unfortunately, my card reader for my camera is not working, so I have no photos to post today).

Each of us played 5 matches today in the Plate and I was fortunate to win 2 of those 7-6.  In fact, in my last match of the tournament, my opponent and I were tied 6-6 and I was lined up perfectly for a jump shot.  The thought that came to my mind was, "Go Big or Go Home!  It's your last shot in New Zealand," so I went for it and made the jump shot and won the match!  What an exciting moment - and it was captured on video by one of the officials who said it will be posted on the tournament website.

Needless to say, I came back to the headquarters at Mt. Maunganui and had a beer to celebrate.  In total, I've played 17 matches, won 4, and played some of the best croquet I've ever played.

Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day of semi-finals.  The first match is Rosie Graham (Australia) vs. Rachel Rowe (England) and Marwa Moustafa (Egypt) vs. Jenny Clarke (New Zealand).  Everyone is buzzing because only one Egyptian got through to the semis.  (Of note, I played Rosie in the Block play at the start of the tournament and lost to her 7-6, 7-6).  Needless to say, she has picked up her game tremendously to reach the semis.  She's a terrific gal too.  I hope she does well.  Also, the semis will be the best of 5 games which, if the games are close, a match could last 5-6 hours.

Tonight I've been invited by the Aussies for dinner - should be a lot of fun!

I am so thankful and grateful to be here!  Thank you to everyone who made it possible.

Cheryl

I won 2 matches today!!

Hello,

It was an early start to the day as half of us in the block play travelled to KatiKati to play.

My first match was against Ros Johnstone of Australia who had been my practice partner on the very first day.  I lost to her 7-4 and thought that I was completely eliminated from the "Plate" and was so bummed out, but then was told that I would play 5 more matches today.  Yahoo!

I ended up winning 2 of the next 5 matches and lost a close one 7-6 to the 17 year old player from NZ, Jasmine Rule.  She's got a great future ahead.  

Tomorrow, I will head to Tauranga to play again.

Interestingly, today we had to double up on a lawn which is known as "double banking."  Another test of concentration.  Also, for the first time, instead of using the blue/red/black/yellow balls, I had to play with the secondary colors of green, pink, brown, and white.  I had never done that before and was frantically trying to memorize the order of play.  A couple of the ladies gave me some tips to remember them - "Good (green) People (pink) Bring (brown) Wine (white) and also, green/brown (boys' colors and pink/white (girls' colors).  Believe it or not, that was one of the matches I won!

Tonight I've been invited for "Tea" which is also considered dinner in NZ at the tournament director's house.

In the Knock Out which is the main draw, two of the Egyptian players lost today and there are still matches going on now.  It's getting really exciting.

Stay tuned...

Tuesday 11-22-11 Part II

Hello,

Forgot to enclose one photo from this morning from the top of the Mount.

This afternoon they held the draw for the main event known as the "Knock Out."  The top 32 players will play 2 out of 3 games and whoever loses is knocked out round by round until they reach the finals on Saturday.

Tomorrow I will be heading back to Katikati for the "Plate" play which will consist of 1-game elimination matches.

Bye for now.

Tuesday, Nov. 22nd Part I

Hello,

It felt good to have the morning off so that I could do a little exploring.  I hopped the bus into town - it's a nice quick ride.  Walked along the beach and then hiked to the top of the Mount or "Mauao" as it is traditionally named.

It's a neat little town at the base of the Mount with a port on one side, the bay/ocean on the other side, a long stretch of beach, and a hillside filled with grazing sheep.  The hike took about 40 minutes to the top, it was steep and along the way there were 460 steps.  There were a few people who were running up and down it.  Crazy - it made me realize I'm not 20 anymore.

Monday, 11/21/11 Wrap Up

Hello,

It was another fun day on the croquet lawns.  I played my final two matches of block play (round robin).

My first match was against a Kiwi, Noeline Posselt.  She was very steady and took a nice lead in the first game while I struggled to find my form.  She took the first game 7-3.  The second game went a little better for me and I developed a 5-4 lead.  We went the distance and at 6-6 and I had a ball in perfect scoring position but unfortunately I missed a 6-7 ft. roquet which would have cleared her ball and left me to score for the game.  I ended up losing that game and the match at 7-6.  I would have loved to have played a third game against her.

My afternoon match was against Helena Fensome of Finland.  She was a terrific shotmaker and made some spectacular hoops.  She won the match 7-3, 7-4 but we really had a nice time playing against each other.

Helena Fensome of Finland.  

As you can tell we are bundled up as it has been very breezy and cool the past few days.

I have a bye tomorrow which will give me the opportunity to go into town and explore.  Then it's on to "Plate" play on Wed. and Thur.  which is a consolation tourney for the 24 players who did not qualify for the top 32 Knockout.

Basic Stats to Date

• Total Matches Played in Block Play: 6    Wins - 0
• Total Games Played: 14    Games won: 2.  Additionally, 3 games went to 6-6.
• Total Number of Hoops won in 6 matches:  62!!  An average of 10 per match.  Now that's something to celebrate.

Baskets of Kiwifruit are on each of the tables in the croquet center.

Just cut off the top and scoop out the insides like ice cream.  Very refreshing after a long match.

Above, Hemmat Moustafa of Egypt gives Erica Stephens of NZ a lesson on how to wrap a head scarf.

Until tomorrow...over and out.

Sunday Results 11-20-11

Hello,

It was an incredibly long day of matches for me today.  I only played two matches but they each lasted
3 1/2 hours - a total of 7 hours of match time!  It really is a test of concentration and you consistently have to shoot well or they will knock you away.  The only break you get is 5 minutes between the second and third game.  Other than that it is continuous play.  They also tighten the wickets after each match and I can tell you these are the tightest wickets I've ever played.  No excuses though, I'm having an amazing experience and am playing some phenomenal croquet or "croqie" as they like to call it.

My first match this morning was against Aussie, Pam Gentle.  I won the first game 7-6 and then she won the next two 7-3 and 7-5.  This was a very close match and although I certainly would have loved to win it,  I was really pleased with how I played.  We started at 11:00 a.m., finished at 2:30 p.m. and then my next match started at 3:00 p.m.

My afternoon opponent was Phyllis Young of New Zealand.  I made 3 jump shots during this match but she was incredibly tough on long roquets and was constantly knocking me out of position.  She sank an 80 foot shot between the 1st and 2nd wicket - it was unbelievable.  Needless to say we both were going for it.

I won the first game 7-6, then she got the next one 7-5 and then held on to win 7-2 in the third and final game.  I definitely had nothing left in the tank after that one.

Two more matches tomorrow.  Then, depending on the final results, I will either go into the main draw or into consolation.  I'm going to continue to give it my best.

Tune in tomorrow...

Sat. 11-19-11 First Day of Competition

Hello,

It was a great day of croquet.  Our group headed out to the KatiKati Croquet Club (KKCC) early this morning for a 40 minute drive out into the country.  Just 3 years ago this club was a cow pasture!  Thanks to a small group of croquet enthusiasts in the community they now have 5 lawns in a beautiful, peaceful setting.  Their membership dues are $160 per year.

Each of our individual matches had its own referee and scorekeeper.  I had two matches today and will play two again on Sunday and Monday and then I have a bye on Tuesday.

My first match was against an Aussie, Rosie Graham.  She couldn't have been nicer and we had a very close match.  In the end I lost 7-6, 7-6 but felt good playing that well against a player seeded in the top 16 of the tournament.

My first "hoop" scored in the match was a JUMP Shot!!

Next, I played Hemmat Mustafa.  She is currently the top women's player in Egypt and one of the top 8 seeds in the tourney.  In 2007, she placed third in the world championships.  Amazingly, I didn't feel nervous and had a nice match with her losing 7-2, 7-3.  (Phew, at least it wasn't 7-0).

Interestingly, three of the NZ players include a grandmother, her daughter and granddaughter.  Three generations of players.

Time for a little rest and relaxation so that I am fresh and focused for tomorrow's matches.

Gidday from NZ!

Cheryl

Opening Ceremonies 11-18-11

Hello,

I have to say this is pretty cool.  The opening ceremonies began with a group of Maori dancers in traditional dress.

Then there was the parade of the 11 nations who are participating.  It was a bit breezy as you can tell.

Hanging out with other "single" players, i.e., the only representatives from our countries - Ireland, Scotland, Finland, and Canada.  Not pictured, Wales.

The two gentleman pictured here are from Egypt.  The man on the right is Amir Ramsis Naguib who is the President of the World Croquet Federation.

Tomorrow is gonna be another big day!

Friday Afternoon 11/18/11

Hello,

Pictured above are a few quick shots. It's a sunny day but cool and breezy.  Had a nice couple practice games with the woman in the photo above - Ros Johnstone of Sydney, Australia.  She was recently ranked in the top 200 in the world and I was able to hang right in there with here, losing by 7-5 and 7-4. Fortunately that was just practice and I was able to work out a few kinks.  The wickets are very tight here - you really have to hit it just right for them to go through.  The lawns are in beautiful shape.  Very nice to play on.

I have two matches tomorrow at Katikati and then the rest of my matches will be at Mt. Maunganui.

Off to the players' meeting and opening ceremonies.

More later...

Practice Day - Friday, Nov. 18th

Hello,

Yesterday I had a 3 1/2 hour bus ride from Auckland to Mount Maunganui.  Very lush farmland and rolling hills and, as we got nearer to the coast, there were more mountains and streams.  Reminded me a lot of Wisconsin, Tennessee and Vermont.

The woman I sat next to on the bus is a native of New Zealand but now lives in Northern Australia.  It was fun to chat with her and she was so excited to be back by the ocean as she lives inland where it's brown and very dry.

The area I am in is the Bay of Plenty and is known for its wineries and kiwifruit.  Along the way I saw lots of vineyards and farms growing kiwifruit.

Went for a walk around to get my bearings and locate the croquet center.  This is definitely an athlete's paradise.  Since it is the beginning of the summer here and it stays light until after 8:00 p.m. there were lots of people out and about.

I am staying near Blake park which has several rugby fields with a few games going on, there is a "rustic" but homey tennis center with 24 courts (18 hard courts and 6 that are astrocourt - a coarser material than har-tru).  And yes, I did pack my racquet in case I have some time to play.

Next, I walked by the indoor squash club, the cricket fields where practice was just wrapping up, and an incredible outdoor field hockey club with 6-8 lawns all full of players both men and women.

And, yes, I did locate the Croquet Club.  This is a brand new, state-of-the-art facility with 6 croquet lawns and lawn bowling areas too.  It has a beautiful viewing deck, restaurant and bar, meeting facilities, etc.  The other venues are located in Tauranga (15-20 minutes away) and KatiKati (40 minutes away).  Needless to say, when I get my schedule, I am hoping to play in Mt. Maunganui if at all possible since I don't have a car and am not sure about driving on the opposite side of the road anyway.

Today, I will take my camera along and get some photos.

Off to practice.

Cheryl

Heading to Bay of Plenty today

Hello,

Travel day today heading to Mount Maunganui where the tournament will be held.

Today's blog is just some trivia and history:

The owners of the hotel where I am currently staying are originally from Fiji.  They have lived in NZ for the past 10 years and love it.  I didn't realize this, but Fiji is just a 3-hour flight from here.  Tempting...

Brief History of New Zealand:

• The original inhabitants of NZ are the Maori and are thought to have arrived around 1,000 years ago after traveling by canoe from a South Pacific homeland known as Hawaiki.  
• They named their new home, "Aotearoa", Land of the Long White Cloud.
• They developed a thriving successful society raising sweet potatoes and gathering birds, fish, and shellfish
• The first European to discover NZ was Abel Talsman, a Dutch explorer, in 1642.
• In 1769, British Captain James Cook circumnavigated and mapped the country.
• In 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi (its founding document) was signed with Maori chiefs giving Britain sovereignty.
• 1947 Independence from Britain was formally proclaimed.
• Between 1970 - 1990, there were large numbers of Pacific Island and Asian immigrants who settled in NZ.
• New Zealand today has its own culture - a mix of those who have settled in the country.

Bye for now.

I made it!

Hello from New Zealand!

It's Wednesday morning here and Tuesday back home.

Wow, I cannot believe I am here.  The flight on Air New Zealand was incredible.  Comfortable seating - I had my only little pod/cocoon and could really stretch out and relax.  Everything was very high tech, great selections for movies and music, good food and incredibly polite service.

The most difficult acrobatic maneuver I had to make was to crawl over the 6'3" gentleman sitting in the aisle seat so that I could use the restroom.  Good thing I'm still a bit flexible.  I don't think he woke up either time.  If he had, he would have been surprised to see me hovering over him.

Sunrise in the Southern Hemisphere from the airplane.

When we landed in Auckland, it felt like was in Scotland or Maine.  Very wet and damp and chilly.

Time for a rest and then the exploring begins.  Tomorrow I have a 3 1/2 hour bus ride down to Mount Maunganui where the tournament is being held.

Cheryl

Last Post in US

Hi -

Getting ready to head to LAX for my flight to Auckland.  Did some sightseeing in Santa Monica today.

Big Day Today!

Hi,

Made it into Los Angeles late last night (12 midnight in LA, but 3:00 a.m. Florida time).  Needless to say I slept well.

Today I have a little time to relax, get some fresh air and exercise and then I head to Auckland tonight.

More later...

Thank you to everyone for your encouragement to do this!

Below, is the iconic structure at LAX.

Cheryl

Practice Session with John Osborn 11-2-11

John Osborn is a legend in the croquet world as a renowned player, author, instructor, and tournament director. My husband Bill and I consider John one of our mentors and are thrilled to have him as a friend too.  John came to the Hillsboro Club on a recent Wednesday morning to practice with me and offer some advice on facing some of the best women players in the world.

A very special Thank You to Bill for encouraging me to take this trip and for being my sparring partner on a daily basis on the croquet lawn.  We both love the game!

Less Than a Week to Departure

Hello,

This is my first foray into the blogging world, so bear with me as I learn the ropes.

6 days and counting until I begin my adventure to New Zealand to play in the Women's World Golf Croquet Championships...

Cheryl