Great grandpa who took up croquet at age 79 becomes world's oldest player at 101
A great grandpa who didn’t take up croquet until he was 79 has gone on to become the world’s oldest player.
Neville Sandiford (New Zealand) officially broke the record for oldest competitive croquet player (male) at the age of 101 years 262 days when he played in an 80+ Golf Croquet tournament in Paraparaumu, Wellington, last August.
The event was organized by the Waikanae Croquet Club and officially sanctioned by Croquet New Zealand, with qualified referees officiating and independent witnesses present throughout.
Reacting to his new record title, Neville told us: “It’s something I’m very proud of. I never thought that I’d still be bettering myself into this great age.
“I’m delighted that my family, friends, croquet club colleagues, and actually everyone that knows me, gets to celebrate this achievement with me.”
Neville, who welcomed three kids, eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren with his beloved late wife Joan, started playing croquet in 2002 when he was 79.
It had actually been Joan’s suggestion that he give it a go.
“[She] read an advertisement in the newspaper that the Wellington club was giving free lessons,” he explained. “So we went along. As soon as I took hold of a mallet and hit one ball I knew that was for me.
“The game we played was Association Croquet and I found myself winning club competitions right from the very first year.
“Later on, in 2005, I joined the Paraparaumu club and took up Golf Croquet as well. I played club competitions and interclub for both codes over many years.
“My mallet is my lucky charm. It was made to measure by an expert in Hawke's Bay.”
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Before finding his love for croquet, Neville served in the military then got a job working on the railways, before buying a small supermarket to run with his wife.
Neville and Joan always did their best to keep fit, enjoying going on long walks together and playing bowls before croquet became his game of choice.
These days, he usually plays three days a week, but he’s less worried about improving his handicaps and more focussed on just having fun.
He said: “The game in itself is much to my liking. I like the physical effort and the strategic thinking that you have to apply to beat your opponent. I also love the ability to challenge myself to do better, and the better I became at it, the more I liked the game.”
When asked what advice he’d give to someone else looking to give croquet a go, Neville said: “It is never too late to try if you are physically fit, especially Golf Croquet, as it is more of a social game than Association Croquet.”
He added: “I remember when I started out as a new player, there was so much to learn – how to hold the mallet, how to strike the ball, and all the rules connected with the two codes. And even at that time, as a junior, I was very competitive and needed to see myself improving.
“It was due to the endless support and encouragement of the club members that kept me going. Without that I wouldn’t have got so much enjoyment from the sport, and I definitely wouldn’t be celebrating this achievement.
“A big thank you to the Paraparaumu Croquet Club and Croquet NZ for sponsoring my Guinness World Records application.”
The oldest competitive croquet player (female) is Jean Farguson (UK) who was 98 years 327 days, when she set the record in Lodsworth, West Sussex, UK.