Tournament competition keen

With the Remarkables in the distance, Wakatipu Croquet Club member Paul Frude strikes a shot, watched by treasurer Chris Donald (centre) and secretary Richard Seddon. Photo by Christina McDonald.

Nestled in a quiet spot at Kelvin Heights, theclub is a small but highly competitive group, especially where the Central Otago v coastal Otago and Otago v Southland tournaments are concerned.

Secretary Richard Seddon said the 20-year-old club was relatively self-sufficient, making enough money from members' fees and hiring out its clubroom to care for an essential part of the game.

''The maintenance of a lawn is one of the biggest expenses,'' Mr Seddon said.

''It's mown twice a week and has to be fertilised and chemically weeded.''

The club plays twice a week on Thursday and Saturdays from September until May and when the weather plays ball in the winter, games are held beneath the snowy Remarkables.

Despite having no sponsors at present, the club manages to keep healthy finances.

Mr Seddon said croquet was a sport for anyone but ''has the advantage that you can play to a good standard right into your 80s''.

''We have people who are in their 70s and 80s for whom it's a good social outlet.''

But the younger generation is being called upon to give the sport a go.

''The biggest problem is that there aren't enough young people playing.

''We would very much like to have a school involved but it's a bit too far away, geographically.''

Both association croquet and golf croquet are played at the club.

Annual fees are ''very modest'' compared with other sports and start at $45 for a first-year player.

The club plays at Jardine Park in Kelvin Heights and welcomes anyone to join.

• The Queenstown Times is running a weekly series profiling clubs in the Wakatipu. If you would like your club to feature, email: news@queenstowntimes.co.nz