Organizado por la Greek Croquet Association, se celebrará del 4 al 13 de mayo próximo en el recientemente inaugurado Croquet Club of Corfu.
9-1-2016
1st GC Greek Open Championship
Corfu, 4th-13th May 2016
Programme and other information
Corfu
Corfu is an idyllic Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It has an area of 600 sq km and a population of 112,000. This lovely, green island, steeped in history and antiquities, has long been a popular holiday destination. The temperature in May will typically be mid twenties C.
Croquet in Greece
The Croquet Club of Corfu is the first croquet club in Greece and was set up in 2006 at Kontokali, 7km north of Corfu town. It is beside a marina and well positioned for hotels and restaurants. Key Members, with the vision to stage this event, are Rich & Karen Quilter and Janneke von Rosmalin.
The club now has three lawns, of a good standard, in idyllic settings. In 2007 the club held its first AC tournament. Sixteen Brits flew out to contest three events as part of a croquet-based holiday. AC events have been repeated several times since, with great success. More information on the club is available at their Website: www.corfucroquet.org.
Richard Thompson is managing the Corfu Croquet Holiday, incorporating the First Greek GC Championship in May 2016. You are invited to contact Richard to reserve places on this special holiday, tournament and croquet fun.
Tournament overview
We will accept a maximum of 24 players but will also welcome non-playing spouses, partners and friends. We have eight full days available and croquet will be scheduled for 6 of these days. The Croquet Programme is flexible and Richard is happy to respond to particular requests and suggestions from participants, to tailor the Programme and Schedule to guest's preferences. On the six Croquet Days, play will be organised from 10.00h to 17.00h: roughly one third of the time for the Championship (Level); one third Handicap or "Graded" Competition; one third Doubles, including local Corfu Club Members too. If there is demand, we will offer Coaching Clinics, Alternate Croquet Formats and individual matches, outside of these core times. Most people choose to play in "Whites", at the Corfu Club, but this is not, in any way, compulsory. Although we expect most players will choose to bring their own mallets, there are Club mallets, if required.
Provisional Programme
This will not just be a croquet tournament, it will be a croquet-based holiday with friends. In previous years, groups have got together to go on excursions, hire cars or even go scuba-diving for the day. In the evenings, we make up into ever-varying groups for dinner and all come together for the last night’s (inclusive) gala dinner.
Wednesday 4th May: Arrive at the hotel (remember the time difference). At 18.00h, there will be a welcoming party with drinks and canapés, and a briefing on activities and timetable.
Thursday 5th: Play begins with all-play-all GC Doubles, changing partners every game.
Friday 6th: Commencement of Singles Block, either Handicap play, or graded into smaller Blocks of similar standards.
Saturday 7th: A day off croquet. Included within the cost of the holiday, the Club has organised, exclusively for the croquet group, players and all non-players, a traditional Greek fishing boat to take us on a trip along the coast, stopping several times for swimming, a beach BBQ and to wander around a lovely village. This trip may be switched to Tuesday. For those wanting to maximise their lawn time, players are welcome to arrange their own matches, as an alternative.
Sunday 8th: The first rounds of the First Greek GC Championship, with half the field having a late start.
Monday 9th: Subsequent rounds of the First Greek GC Championship, with consolation events for those eliminated. Also Doubles play to include local GC local players joining us. As far as possible guests will be partnered with local Members.
Tuesday 10th: A second free day, to explore Corfu or perhaps to go shopping. Croquet play is still availab for those who choose. NOTE: Tuesday could be the Kaiki boat trip day, if it is switched from the Saturday.
Wednesday 11th: Latter stages of the First Greek GC Championship, with continuing play in the consolation events. Again opportunities for Doubles play with Corfu Club Members too.
Thursday 12th: Finals of all the ongoing competitions, including the final of the First Greek GC Championship. More optional Doubles for those not in the finals. In the evening, there will be a Gala Dinner and Prizegiving for all players and non-playing guests. In keeping with the informal nature of the holiday, there is no particular dress code for the Dinner.
Friday 13th: Fly home.
With the exception of the Gala Dinner and Prizegiving, there will be no organised events in the evenings. However, we tend to make up into groups to go to dinner and there is often bridge or other activities.
Travel
Travel arrangements are left to participants to arrange. Everybody should arrive in time for the Welcome Party, at 18.00h, on Wednesday, 4th May 2016, though individual briefings will be given to anyone whose travel plans make this timing impossible. There are many direct flights, including:
Easyjet – from Gatwick, Luton, Bristol, Manchester
Ryanair – from Stansted, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Glasgow
Monarch – from Gatwick, Luton, Birmingham, Manchester
Thomson – from Bournemouth and about a dozen other UK airports
British Airways - from Heathrow
Remember you can go out with one airline and back with another. And make sure you check the arrangements, and any extra costs, in respect of your mallet, with your preferred airline. Let us know which flight you are arriving on, so that we can provide assistance in getting to the hotel.
We can organise a minibus if a reasonable number (6+) are coming in at the same time at 10€ pp or taxis are usually about 25€ from the airport to the hotel. On the Friday return, back to the airport, we often organise a coach for everyone but again, this depends on how many people are flying back at around the same time.
Those wishing to add days to the beginning or end need to check hotel availability via Richard Thompson, who will contact the Club and Resort.
Accommodation
We are staying at the Kontokali Bay Hotel (www.kontokalibay.com), which has been so popular in previous years. This luxurious 5* hotel is three-quarters of a mile from the club (most walk but some hire a bike or car). It has its own beaches, pools, and spa, gym and tennis courts, all of which are free to us.
A number of rooms have been provisionally reserved for us for nine nights. The standard package price is for sharing a double room. A supplement, for single occupancy, is payable. Rooms with balconies and a bay view have been negotiated as standard for the croquet party.
A substantial and varied buffet breakfast in the hotel is included. Lunch may also be obtained from a couple of small cafes and tavernas around the adjacent marina and for dinner, there is a wide choice of fine restaurants in the marina and in Kontokali village, as well as Corfu town, just a short taxi ride away. Players from previous Croquet Holidays have prepared a Gourmet Guide to local cuisine, where prices are roughly half what we would pay in the UK. With the exception of the Gala Dinner and Prizegiving, there will be no organised events in the evenings. Guests have the option of arranging meals and activities in groups, or independently.
For players and non-playing partners, there is so much to do and see, both locally and further afield. There are wonderful beaches and many interesting places to visit. Previous participants have hired bikes and cars, and have gone on trips in boats, or on interesting hikes. There is a golf course on the island. Corfu town is a good place to shop, especially the small craft shops in the old town. Corfu actually has a Cricket Club, as well as the Croquet Club, so this presents an interesting opportunity for any intrepid explorers.
Prices
Based on two people sharing a double/twin room, the cost per person is 890 EUROS for the 9 nights, for a Double Bay View Room. There is a single person supplement of 200 EUROS. Cost for non-playing partners is 720 EUROS. Extra nights can be added at 54 EUROS per person per night or 70 EUROS per person per night, for single occupancy. This cost includes Breakfasts, Welcome Party, the Kaiki, the Gala Dinner, Prizes and all Croquet playing activities. Guests can also hire bikes, cars or go on various excursions, details of which the hotel reception can provide.
Booking
There are only 24 playing places available, so if you are interested you should book your place soon. We ask for a deposit of €200 per person, payable around the end of February 2016 (returnable only if we find replacement(s) in the event of withdrawal), with the balance due at the beginning of April 2016 (returnable on the same terms).
To reserve your place(s) you should let Richard know ASAP by EMail or telephone or in person. We are able to accept the deposit in UK pounds sterling, if preferred. We very strongly recommend that all participants have adequate travel insurance for protection against their need to cancel, flight problems, baggage loss, illness, etc.
Further information
If you have any further questions please contact:
Richard Thompson
Oak Cottage, Holmes Lane, Hanbury, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 4HH
Home Tel: 01527 821 821
Linda UK Mob: 07985 933 726
Richard UK Mob: 07985 93 44 94
EMail: r@rthomps.plus.com
