Kevin Beard
5th March 2008

Tony Hall, Owen Edwards, John Levick and I have had a couple of days
practice at the supurb facilities at The Country Club Johannesburg. There
are 3 croquet courts nestled in amongst the lawns, the trees the gardens,
the bowling club, the cricket ground, the tennis courts, the pool, the
squash courts, etc. The venue is very much like Hurlingham in London.

Our hosts are Esther Jones and Chris Bennett who have done everything to
make us feel welcome. The warm up tournament hasn't eventuated. Jamieson
Walker from Scotland and Victor Dladla from South Africa are the only other
World Championship players. Victor is a black South African and is the
Catering Manager of the Croquet and Bowls clubs. He plays an impressive
game that features accurate hard hitting.

Esther and Chris have arranged an Australia versus South Africa "Test
Match" for tomorrow afternoon. The local croquet community have been
invited and a feature will be chance to mingle with everyone over dinner
and drinks.

Personally I have played lots of competetive games while I have been here.
My practice has been mainly on hitting harder while maintaining accuracy.
Long hoops have also featured. I can see a noticable improvement already
in both areas.

This morning we have hired a minibus and Esther will drive us through
Soweto and to various tourist destinations. A local historian/country club
member will join us.

Owen Edwards has conducted a couple of training sessions on the laws of
Golf and Association Croquet with local and visiting players. They have
been highly successful and Owen has been in his element.


Kevin