Croquet took centre stage at Marks Park Sports Club on September 19, as the community gathered for an open day aimed at introducing newcomers to a sport built around strategy, problem-solving and having fun outdoors.

Maria Watermeyer, co-chairperson of the Croquet Club at Marks Park, said the event was about giving people an opportunity to experience the game for themselves and enjoy a day outside with others.

Read more: Croquet on Marks Park Sport Club greens

Watermeyer described croquet as a combination of strategic thinking found in chess and the precision associated with snooker or pool, played outdoors. “I use my brain, I make decisions, and I have fun.”

She said one of the attractions of the sport was that no two games are the same, with players constantly having to solve problems and make decisions. The club offers both singles and doubles, with different formats requiring players to approach the game in different ways.

Watermeyer said the club also competes nationally, with the nationals scheduled to take place at Auckland Park Country Club in November. She said the tournament comes to Johannesburg roughly once every five years and that the club was fortunate to host it this year.

Also read: Croquet tournament brings friends together to remember past players.

For those curious about the sport, Watermeyer said there was no substitute for trying it. “In anything you do in life, you cannot experience anything until you actually do it,” she said, encouraging people to spend just over an hour on the court to see whether they enjoy it.

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