Claire is a hot shot
MICHELE ONG
QUEEN OF HOOPS: Claire Robertson, 90, plays a mean game of associated croquet and is as spritely as a 60-year-old, a fellow player says.
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CLAIRE ROBERTSON is a winner. The 90-year-old croquet champion and her team-mate Keith Ebden, a comparative youngster at 55, scooped first prize at the recent Faithfulls Annual Croquet Tournament, held at the Orewa Croquet Club.
Fellow club member Kathy Dennett says coming first for Claire is no mean feat.
"The competition started at 9.30am and did not finish till 4pm. For many of us, it was a long day under the very hot sun."
She says Claire is as "as spritely as any other 60-year-old".
"Looking and listening to her, I have some trouble believing she's 90. She is just inspirational."
Claire says she discovered the game of croquet when she moved to Orewa about 10 years ago.
"There was a have-a-go day at the Whangaparaoa Plaza and they had a couple of people demonstrating the game.
"I'd not played any other sort of game before this, so I thought I might just give it a go."
However, when she started playing croquet, she just "wanted to resign every time after a game".
"But I took a bit from everybody, and tried hard."
Orewa Croquet Club president Kath Slaughter says Claire plays a "mean game of associated croquet, which is more challenging than golf croquet".
"Associated croquet requires a lot more thinking, and can go for as long as three hours. Golf croquet is a much quicker, shorter game.
"Claire plays her grade very well. When I was umpiring last year, she told me she likes nothing better than a good game."
Claire says croquet is a very satisfying game and it helps her to keep her brain active.
"It's a strategy game, which requires thinking. I enjoy the game, even if I don't win.
"I'm here just to play croquet, and as far as health goes, I try to look after myself," Claire says.
She says she was never a fan of takeaways and would always prepare herself home-cooked food, but "nothing fancy".
The croquet club has very good members, Claire says, and they also have a lot of new ones joining them.
If you are interested in learning to play croquet, call and leave a message on (09) 4263506 and a committee member will be in contact.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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