Broadwas ‘Newcomer’ Reaches C-Level Final

Billy hoops his blue at the fifth hoop during the C-Level final.

In only his first away competition, Billy Cooke reached the 2024 Open GC C-Level (7+) Series Tournament final at Watford last week.

As most Broadwas members will know, Billy only took up Golf Croquet in the middle of the 2023 season and yet reached the final at Watford (Cassiobury) Croquet Club on Friday.

Sixteen competitors played in glorious sunshine on the picturesque Watford courts which are surrounded by stunning parkland.

Billy narrowly misses hooping with his black at the 12th hoop during the final.

To reach the semi’s, Billy beat his female block opponents Veronica Savill 7-1, Sebnem Kaye 7-3, and Carol Huntingdon 7-5.

In the knockout stage, Billy narrowly beat 10-handicapper Georgie Jones 7-6, before seeing off winner of the 2023 tournament, Mike Grossmith, in the semi-final, 7-5.

In a gripping final, which saw the competitors battle out the second hoop over 15 minutes, John Hutchinson of Ealing Croquet Club narrowly beat Billy 7-5.

Consolation to Billy came in the news that his handicap went down from seven to six.

Billy magnanimously poses for a selfie with an obsessive fan before play begins.

The only other Broadwas competitor in the tournament disgraced the club by coming 16^th. Having said that, he DID loan Billy a couple of ball markers early in the morning, so in a way, contributed massively to Billy’s success.

Runner-up Billy congratulates John Hutchinson on his win, pictured with tournament manager Simon Hathrell.

Paul Felton