Linda Sisson Trifone

Age: 69

Home base: Ridgeland, Miss. (Jackson Mississippi Area)

Home club: The Country Club of Jackson. I also play at Highlands Mallet Club, a private club at the home of Mike McRee in nearby Flora, Miss.

Grip: Solomon

Mallet: PFC Hoop Maker; 11” head with Zelatron ends; 2 lbs. 14 oz.; 34” shaft

Years playing croquet: Eight years

Favorite croquet venue: My home court at the Country Club of Jackson is my favorite venue. The groundskeepers do an excellent job of maintaining the courts.

Favorite tournament:

It’s a tie between the Pinehurst Invitational and the Beach Club Invitational (6W).

How did you get into the game?

My son and his wife had joined the Country Club of Jackson on a junior membership and asked me to join so I could play golf with my son. A year and a half later they announced they were moving to Dallas. I planned to quit the club. But one Sunday before they left town, I responded to an ad in the club’s newsletter that said to come join the fun on the croquet courts. Equipment and lessons would be provided. I showed up and was instantly hooked and have been playing avidly ever since. The structure of our croquet activity really suited my needs. It provides both a sport and a social life. I don’t need a tee time or to find a partner to play. Just show up on Sundays and Thursdays and you will have a game. I find this is true with many croquet clubs.

Do you play other sports?

I enjoy games, whether sports or cards or dominos. Before croquet, I was a golfer. In earlier years, I played a lot of tennis and now occasionally play pickleball. Throughout my life, I have exercised regularly.

Favorite sports teams?

I love college football, especially SEC football, and big rivalry games in other divisions. My two favorite college teams are Notre Dame and LSU.

Croquet highlights/tourney wins:

Last year, our American Six Wicket club championship competition was tough. I made it through block play and faced Ed Becker, one of the fellows who taught me how to play, in the semifinals. With some quality playing and good fortune, I made it to the finals to face another of my teachers and mentor, Mark Fields. I was partner dead and watching him run a break. I kept trying to decide which ball to clear. Fields got stuck in the rover wicket and I was able to make a break of it. Going in to last turn I was up 1413. Fields groomed the court to set a break for his partner ball. Unfortunately, he wired my balls, so I was able to scatter his balls and become the 2023 American Six Wicket club champion, ending Field’s four-year run. I am still thrilled!

Another memorable victory was playing in the 2023 Beach Club Invitational. I was paired with David Issacs. We squeaked by in block play and on to bracket play. In the semifinals, I went dead on partner to score wicket two. I felt I should do a roll shot to approach the wicket but chickened out and did a takeoff. It was unsuccessful and I had to get off the court. I was angry with myself for not having had the courage to try the roll shot. I hid behind the deadness board (at NCC) and was nearly in tears. Isaacs came over and told me a silly knock-knock joke. What a great partner! We won that game by one wicket. And went on to win the finals in a heavy, windy downpour. I learned a lot that day.

Pop culture favorites:

I’m a huge fan of audiobooks but still read hardback books. My favorite authors are Daniel Silva, Christopher Reich and David Baldacci. Other than those authors, I pick a book by its cover or its title and have had great success with that strategy.

Best thing the USCA has done for croquet?

The USCA provides a structure to advance the sport of croquet, through rule books, referee training and designations, croquet schools, talent development programs and the like. Individuals and member clubs can take advantage of these resources. Also, continuous learning opportunities are provided in the Weekly Break and the quarterly Croquet News

The USCA also schedules many tournaments throughout the year for individuals and club teams to socialize and compete. And it provides materials for clubs to host their own tournaments.

What is the USCA’s greatest weakness?

It takes a lot of time and energy to keep the USCA functioning smoothly, and a lot of the effort is done through volunteers. People have busy lives, so progress isn’t as timely as it sometimes could be.

What would you like to see happen in the sport over the next 10 years?

Croquet is such a fun sport and one that can be played with couples or families with older children or groups of friends. You don’t have to be particularly athletic or an exercise buff. And, in general, you can play it for the rest of your life. To me, the target market is empty nesters, or parents with teenagers or older children. The 40ish individuals/ couples who have more time on their hands and no children underfoot. I’d really like us to see growth in that age group, which could sustain the aging membership.

What have you learned from croquet?

Oh, I have learned so many countless things from croquet. First and foremost, I have learned to enjoy the time spent at cocktails after croquet. I had never been one to take time to sit and visit. We play croquet four times a week, then head to the Onyx for cocktails and maybe dinner. Croquet is the first time I have embraced postgame socialization. Through a lot of practice, I am learning to compete. Until croquet, my inner voice would say I choked under pressure in sports, but I am learning that I can make the winning wicket under pressure, and I can win games and tournaments. It has really boosted my confidence. And I love the challenge of the American Six Wicket strategy, particularly the deadness board and rotation. I continue to learn new strategies, which I feel are helping me to think and keep young.

Quick Croquet Tip:

Practice, play, practice, play. Then, be confident in your skills and let your muscle memory work for you during games.