Find out how Charlie Went From Apartment Balcony to Club President

For many new retirees, the daily routine is different, more relaxed. There is no work to rush off to. For Charlie Ernst, it meant more time for a morning coffee on his apartment balcony, overlooking the lush green courts of the Southport Croquet Club.

Day after day, he'd watch the players in white moving across the lawn hitting brightly coloured balls. But the more he watched, the more frustrated he became.

"I could see what they were trying to do, but they weren't doing it the way I thought they should."

That curiosity led him to croquet.

From Balcony to Club President

Charlie quickly discovered croquet was more than hitting a ball through a hoop. The tactical depth of the game hooked him.

As he became more involved in croquet, Charlie saw an opportunity to use the skills he'd honed throughout his professional career. He had a background in management, and he could see ways to help the club run more smoothly and make the experience even better for members. He put his hand up and, in September 2023, became the club president.

"It is always satisfying to see new members come into the club and develop their skills and improve their game," he says.