101-year-old New Zealand man named world's oldest croquet player

Neville Sandiford earned the Guinness World Record for the oldest competitive croquet player (male) when he participated in an August 2025 tournament at the age of 101 years and 262 days old. Photo courtesy of Guinness World Records

April 15 (UPI) -- A New Zealand man who took up the game of croquet at the age of 79 was named the world's oldest player by Guinness World Records at 101.

The record-keeping organization said Neville Sandiford was 101 years and 262 days old when he participated in an 80+ Golf Croquet tournament in Paraparaumu, Wellington, in August 2025.

His participation in the event earned him the Guinness World Record for the oldest competitive croquet player (male).

Sandiford, who has three children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, said he took up croquet at the age of 79 at the urging of his wife, Joan.

"[She] read an advertisement in the newspaper that the Wellington club was giving free lessons," he told Guinness World Records. "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."

Sandiford joined the Paraparaumu Croquet Club and started playing in tournaments for both Association Croquet and Golf Croquet.

"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," he said.

"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."