Croquet chairman hopes for another good year

AUCKLAND PARK – The Country Club Johannesburg‘s croquet club is looking forward to yet another year of growth and success.

There are many croquet clubs in Johannesburg, however, only a few host the provincial and national championships as often as the Auckland Park-based club does. Chris Wakeham, the croquet club committee’s chairperson, said that in the last 15 years the sport has become more popular.

Wakeham is the current Gauteng croquet champion, chairman of Gauteng Croquet Association the previous national champion and previous president of the South African Croquet Association.

Early last year, the club hosted the provincial tournament where Wakeham took home the winning title.

At last year’s national croquet tournament, another member, Victor Dladla, became the national champion. The event was held in Port Alfred and saw Dladla, who also works at the club, winning three trophies, one of which was a double win with Thomas More, also from the club.

Looking forward to this year, the venue will once again host the provincial championship and next year will also host the nationals.

The Country Club Johannesburg was founded at the turn of the century and Wakeham said the croquet club has always been part of it.

“The sport is growing again. Although it is much bigger in other countries, South Africa has just under 1 000 handicapped players.”

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