|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
What began as accompanying her mum to croquet has sparked a love of the sport for Sarah Lin.
Lin and Scott Martin recently represented the Pukekohe Croquet Club at this year’s Ryman Levels Singles tournament at Howick Croquet Club. Lin won a runner-up title in her 7-16 handicap section. She has a handicap of nine, while Martin competed in the minus six to six handicap division.
The 48-year-old’s journey started when she decided to accompany her mother to the local croquet club last November.
“It’s a funny story. There was the [Franklin] Positive Aging Expo in Pukekohe last year. I went with my mum, who wanted to join some local clubs, just to keep herself entertained, and I tagged along.
“We both went to the open day at the Pukekohe Croquet Club and decided to join. I now play more often than my mum,” said Lin.
There is no age limit when it comes to enjoying croquet; everyone who wants to can take up the sport, she said.
“I’m the youngest, I’d say the majority are older than 65 or 70, there’s even a 92-year-old. It’s more about tactics and strategy than it is about strength.”
As well as being a top player, Lin 3D prints her own mallets, which she uses in competition.
She said that it can take a while to find the right mallet as depending on the person using it, as they can come in all different shapes, sizes, and weights.
“My current mallet has a wooden head from Terminator Mallet, a part fitting from an RPM broken mallet, and my own 3D printed handle fitted with a carbon fibre tube.
“This was my eighth version, after many trials and errors. I moved away from aluminium heads to wooden head mallets for a better weight. Many people have commented on how
special my mallets look, but what’s important is that they work well,” said Lin.
By making her own mallets, she feels that she has become a better croquet player.
She has also become a junior croquet umpire and will sit her exams next year to become a referee.
