Young has a new national sporting champion.
Young’s Doug Leabeater has taken his place on the national stage recording his biggest success in croquet.
Doug recently took out the major prize in doubles at Australian National Golf Croquet Handicap tournament held at Deniliquin in southern NSW.
Doug partnered with Peter Moffat of Albury to take out the Australian title.
More than 50 players competed in the championships travelling from Queensland, the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania and from throughout NSW to compete.
Tournament referee John Tainsh said the standard at this year’s titles were of the highest standard he has seen.
After the elimination rounds Doug and Peter took out the final winning the best of three rounds by seven games to five and seven games to six against Darren McLachlan of Deniliquin and Kaye Moffat of Albury seven games to four.
Doug and Peter will share the winners shield for the next 12 months.
The later Mrs Beryl McDonald of Young partnered with Tony Hall of Canberra in 2007 and 2008 to win the same event.
Doug said all Young members would recall her being overjoyed to win the event and he hopes another Young member is able to defend the title next year.
Doug has attended the nationals for the past 10 years with success also coming in past appearances.
He was partnered by Edna Kelly in 2010 when they won the doubles plate in Perth and in 2015 he won the Singles Plate section.
Prior to his recent prestigious win Doug took out the NSW Doubles with partner Paul Makin of Canberra in 2014.
In the same year he finished runner up in the Singles in the NSW championships.
Doug’s success follows appearance at various carnival by Young Croquet Club members over recent months.
The carnival appearances have allowed the local members to develop their skills and learn more about the game while playing stronger players.
The Young Croquet Club meets at the Jack Bond Field, 5 Binalong Street, Young.
