Unstoppable: Gumbrell is Women's GC World Champion
2023 GC Women’s World Champion Jamie Gumbrell During Block Play. Photo by Andrew Moss.
After eight days of intense competition from players across the world, Australia’s Jamie Gumbrell claimed the 2023 WCF Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship with a 7-3, 7-5, 5-7, 7-2 win over England’s Rachel Gee in yesterday’s final at the Sussex County Croquet Club in Southwick, England.
The loss ended Gee’s attempt to become the first to repeat as the Women’s GC World champion as was looking to add to the title she earned in 2011. In fact, only Iman El Faransawy (EGY), Jenny Clarke (NZL) and Gee have appeared in more than one final. El Faransawy has made a 1-2 record in her finals appearances.
As yesterday’s final got underway, Gumbrell was in clear control through games one and two pushing out to a 2-0 lead. However, after the lunch break, she did have a few misses and that opened the door for Gee as she came back 7-5. Based on the Sunday action, fans were thinking we might have another five-game epic, but Gumbrell left no doubt as she jumped out 6-1 to eventually win game four 7-2 for the 3-1 match win.
Thanks to live streaming, Gumbrell’s march to the championship dazzled croquet fans worldwide with her controlled, efficient swing and ultra-calm demeanor.
EVENT NOTES
Overall, Gumbrell was undefeated during the event in matches with an 11-0 record. Her game record for the event was 25-5 and she is 54-13 for 2023 overall. Her career record is 362-224 with a total of 586 games played.
Gumbrell is now 5-2 over Gee as the pair had also met in the Presidents Eights and the Nottingham Championship Series in 2019.
Gee is 55-22 in 2023 and had a 10-1 match record in the World Championship event. Her game record for the event was 23-6. She is 898-416 in her career with 1,314 games played.
Including the qualifier, which was held August 3-5 at the Compton Croquet Club in Eastbourne, the event had 76 players participate with 56 in the main event.
Perihan Elwy won the Shield with a 3-7, 7-6, 7-6 victory over Debbie Lines (ENG).
Judith Hanekom (ZAF) won the Bowl with a 7-6, 7-3 victory over Kate McLoughlin.
Jessica Bullen won the Plate with a 7-3, 6-7, 7-2 victory over Cheryl Bromley (USA).
Women’s Golf Croquet World Champions
2005: Nahed Hassan-Egypt
2007: Iman El Faransawy-Egypt
2009: Alix Verge-Australia
2011: Rachel Gee (Rowe)-England
2014: Judith Hanekom-South Africa
2019: Soha Mostafa-Egypt
2023: Jamie Gumbrell-Australia