Golf croquet is a bit like playing a large game of chess on a lawn, says St Paul’s Collegiate year 11 student Hemi McLaren-Mellars.
McLaren-Mellars, 15, is making his mark in New Zealand golf croquet with top placing in eight competitions this year and an aim for selection as a member of the 2013/14 Croquet New Zealand National Youth Development Squad in September.
From Morrinsville, McLarenMellars thanks his nanny for introducing him to the less-usual sport at the age of 8.
A member of the Morrinsville Croquet Club and the New Zealand junior youth squad, McLaren-Mellars is about to begin his second year with the national youth development squad.
The squad trains in Christchurch under coaches Greg Bryant and Jarrod Coutts. Coutts was a member of the New Zealand national squad that competed in the world croquet championships in Cairo in April.
The enthusiast is also up for Croquet New Zealand’s Most Improved Player award in October following his success in this year’s tournaments.
McLaren-Mellars said that he was nominated and awarded the Most Improved Player award at Morrinsville Croquet Club and has since been nominated for the national title by fellow club member John Christie, and his club.
‘‘It is a real privilege to be nominated. There are some great players in New Zealand across a wide age-group who are all deserving of the award,’’ he said.
McLaren-Mellars has been involved in the sport for seven years but has competed for just over two years. He recently moved from a seven to a three handicap after taking part in the National Youth Development Training Squad in November 2012.
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By GEOFF LEWIS
Enthusiast: Rising golf croquet star Hemi McLaren-Mellars.
Photo: SHANE MORTON
Golf croquet is a bit like playing a large game of chess on a lawn, says St Paul’s Collegiate year 11 student Hemi McLaren-Mellars.
McLaren-Mellars, 15, is making his mark in New Zealand golf croquet with top placing in eight competitions this year and an aim for selection as a member of the 2013/14 Croquet New Zealand National Youth Development Squad in September.
From Morrinsville, McLarenMellars thanks his nanny for introducing him to the less-usual sport at the age of 8.
A member of the Morrinsville Croquet Club and the New Zealand junior youth squad, McLaren-Mellars is about to begin his second year with the national youth development squad.
The squad trains in Christchurch under coaches Greg Bryant and Jarrod Coutts. Coutts was a member of the New Zealand national squad that competed in the world croquet championships in Cairo in April.
The enthusiast is also up for Croquet New Zealand’s Most Improved Player award in October following his success in this year’s tournaments.
McLaren-Mellars said that he was nominated and awarded the Most Improved Player award at Morrinsville Croquet Club and has since been nominated for the national title by fellow club member John Christie, and his club.
‘‘It is a real privilege to be nominated. There are some great players in New Zealand across a wide age-group who are all deserving of the award,’’ he said.
McLaren-Mellars has been involved in the sport for seven years but has competed for just over two years. He recently moved from a seven to a three handicap after taking part in the National Youth Development Training Squad in November 2012.
‘‘Part of the improvement in my handicap was as a result of taking part in the National Youth Development Training Squad in November 2012, which meant that I was on form for the nationals in January. The other thing I learned at the National Youth Development Training Squad was to control my mental game,’’ McLaren-Mellars said.
He explained that he learned a number of techniques which had improved his game including relaxing and staying calm under pressure.
‘‘A lot of it is about the people you are up against and the strategies of playing the game.
You have to think four or five steps ahead of your opponents or you’ll get slain.’’ Hemi has his eyes in taking part in the U-21 world championships in 2015 – which hopefully will be held in New Zealand.
Hemi McLaren-Mellars 2013 achievements include: National Golf Croquet Tournament (Pukekohe, Auckland) – Limited Singles Winner. Hamilton East Tournament – Winner. Claudelands Tournament – Winner. Gordon Smith Invitational Tournament (Nelson) – Winner. National Golf Croquet Secondary Schools Teams Tournament (Palmerston North) (represented St Paul’s Collegiate with Sam Trellor) – Sectional Winner and Third Place. Morrinsville Croquet Club Premier Singles (Association Croquet) – Runner-up Morrinsville Croquet Club C Grade Championships Singles (Golf Croquet) – Winner.
Morrinsville Croquet Club Most Improved Player Golf Croquet Men’s Handicap Singles Young Trophy 2012/13 – Plate Winner.
