MEDIA RELEASE

Jamie Gumbrell wins the Women’s Golf Croquet Championship

Left to right: Judith Hanekom (South Africa - Bowl), Jamie Gumbrell (Aust - Champion), Perihen Elwy (Egypt - Shield) and Jessica Bullen (NZ - Plate).

Twenty-three-year-old Jamie Gumbrell has won the seventh Golf Croquet Women’s World Championship held in England competing against 55 other players representing 17 countries, defeating the European Champion, Rachel Gee from the UK. The tournament was held between the 7 and 14 August hosted by the Sussex County Croquet Club in West Sussex.

To reach the Round of 32, Jamie played 15 games losing only three of them. In the knockout she won 11 of her games with one loss. In the final, her impeccable ability shone through dominating the first two games, losing the third but showing remarkable reliance with a comeback to win the fourth in a best-of-five game series. Jamie is one of the youngest women to win the event and just the second Australian – Alix Verge won the coveted trophy in 2009.

Jamie said “It was an amazing experience just to be part of, but to come out from the competition having just won feels surreal. It was also really nice to have so many people watching me [on live-streaming] and supporting me through it.”

In all, five Australian women competed, three of whom are members of the Canberra Croquet Club – Kate McLoughlin, Gerda Lambeck as well as Jamie.

Fellow club member, Kate McLoughlin said “Jamie’s performance was extraordinary: so consistent and skilful. It is a great example of the high-quality competitive croquet we aspire to, and a pleasure to be there to see!”

Photo: Jamie Gumbrell @ Worlds

“Our members are so proud and in awe of Jamie’s grace and poise, mental strength and determination in dominating the world stage in our sport.” stated the President of the Canberra Croquet Club, Kerri-Ann Organ.

Playing since the age of 15, Jamie holds the Australian title in women’s golf croquet which she won last year.

To compete in the Golf Croquet Women’s World Championship was a first for Jamie and to be comping home triumphant shows the skill of Canberra’s latest world champion.

For more information please contact: Kerri-Ann Organ, President Canberra Croquet Club president@canberracroquet.org.au or 0409 033 304

<WCF GC WC Jamie Gumbrell.pdf>