The NSW Golf Croquet Division 3 Singles event is being held at the Lismore Croquet club, with players coming from all over NSW to compete.

The annual competition is played for three days at three clubs - Lismore, Ballina and Byron Bay.  

The heats are all played out, and the finals have been underway - one in Ballina and one in Byron. The plate final will be on in Lismore for the final day, today.

Speaking with Phyllis Water and Faye Ross, they are very pleased with the arrangements and competition at this level at the club.

“It’s really exciting, this means a lot to the club, because we are only just coming back after the floods. It has taken a while to recover, but our lawns look good,” says Phyllis.

“The number of people that walk by and stop to watch - it's a great way of promoting our club, croquet and Lismore,” adds Faye.

The competition is friendly, but definitely there when you speak to some of the players.

Rosemary Taylor has come all the way from Fingal Bay and plays at the Nelsons Bay Croquet club and she is disappointed with her game.

“I’m not going all that wonderfully. I’m happy with the way I played, it's just that the results don't reflect what I’d like them to.” 

Rosemary seems content to enjoy the people and atmosphere if not her score.

Part of the draw to play in this competition is to visit the Northern Rivers and Lismore. Virginia Hodge plays at the Southern Highlands Croquet Club.

“There are three of us that have come up to play. We have come up for a bit of sunshine,” Friday was a spectacular day on the lawn, “At this time of year we don’t get anything above 10 degrees.”

“I haven't been up here since I was 5, and my partner John hasn’t been up for 20 years. The place is looking really good, we are really enjoying it. Lismore has been through a lot in the last couple of years.”

The croquet club is at 163 Molesworth St and anyone is welcome to go and watch. The Plate Final is on, so it’s all about good cheer and sportsmanship. They will hit off at around 8am and go until play is finished at around 3pm.