Less than two months after making his debut at the Openshaw Shield in Tasmania, Christchurch’s Levi Franks has capped off a stunning season by claiming the Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship title.
Representing the Cashmere Croquet Club, Franks travelled to Florida for the international event, joining fellow New Zealanders Jessica Bullen (Wellington), Mattie Clarkson (Counties Manukau), Luke Francis (Manawatū-Wanganui) and Callum McKinnon (Wellington).
All five Kiwis progressed through the tournament’s initial block stage – a significant feat in itself – with Franks the only one to make it through to the second round of the Championship knockout.
While his teammates dropped into the Bowl event, Jessica Bullen had a strong showing, reaching the final after impressive wins against players from Egypt and the Czech Republic.
She was narrowly beaten in the final by Egypt’s Jana Mohammed Saaid, with the game going down to the 13th hoop in the second set.
Meanwhile, Franks found his groove in the Championship draw.
After early wins over Egypt’s Jana Saaid and Spain’s Eduardo Nuñez, he faced the tournament’s top-ranked player, England’s Jack Good, in the semifinal.
Franks stunned Good with a strong performance, winning the best-of-five match 3-1, including a nerve-wracking 13th hoop decider in the fourth game to book his place in the final.
In the other semifinal, Egypt’s Fawzy Helmy – a finalist at the 2023 U21 world champs – overcame the reigning GC World Champion Blake Fields (USA) to secure his spot in the final against Franks.
Despite Helmy’s strong record and status as favourite, Franks entered the match with precision and confidence.
He won the first game 7-2, then held off Helmy to take the second 7-5. In a tightly contested third game, both players were locked at 6-all before Franks edged ahead, taking the decisive 13th hoop to clinch the championship 3-0.
With the win, Franks becomes the fifth New Zealander to claim the U21 Golf Croquet World Championship title – and the first since the tournament’s seventh edition.
