2025 Croquet News Volume 1: Fletcher Wins US Open GC

CroquetNews

LOVE AT FIRST STRIKE

When you see the two immaculately manicured croquet lawns at the heart of Peachtree Hills Place, it’s easy to understand why croquet enthusiasts love this luxury Life Plan community in the heart of Atlanta.

Here you’ll find elegant homes, upscale dining, attentive staff, fitness center with resort-style pool, and an onsite Wellness Center...all in an historic Buckhead neighborhood. Visit us to meet a lively group of friends you can don your whites with every day.

New Event Kicks Off 2025

The 2025 croquet year is off to a shining start with the inaugural U.S. Open GC attracting an elite field of players. The ProAm was enjoyed by all participants and was a splendid opportunity for USCA Members to experience “in-game” elite play while also supporting the U.S. Open GC. Thank you to all who participated for your support.

The high expectations of first-class competition were met. Many members traveled to watch in person, and those members unable to be present were able to access the action of the knockout rounds, semifinals and finals on the USCA YouTube channel. I encourage you to view these fine players exhibiting their skills. The 2026 event is scheduled for February 9-14, 2026.

Congratulations to Robert Fletcher (Australia), the 2025 U.S. Open GC Champion. The placings of the top 10 were:

1. Robert Fletcher (Australia)

2. Malcolm Fletcher (Australia)

3. Matthew Essick (U.S.)

4. Kyle Maloof (U.S.)

5. Tom Balding (U.S.)

6. Greg Fletcher (Australia)

7. Danny Huneycutt (U.S.)

7. Zack Watson (U.S.)

9. Euan Burridge (England)

10. Harry Dodge (England)

The 2025 USCA calendar has been established and published on the website and the 2026 calendar is being prepared. As soon as it is complete, we will publish to allow your advance planning.

The United States Croquet Association and the Sarasota County Croquet Club are hosts to the upcoming World Croquet Federation U21 GC Championship, April 14-18, 2025, in Venice, Fla. We invite all those nearby to take advantage of this event and enjoy the upcoming talent in the game.

Thank you for your support through your USCA membership. Invite your friends to enjoy this fun game and join the USCA. It is through building our membership that we can meet our mission of promoting and developing this great game.

Damon Bidencope

Proud USCA Member / USCA President President@croquetamerica.com / www.croquetamerica.com

Management Committee

President Damon Bidencope president@uscroquet.com

First Vice President

Michael Albert firstvp@uscroquet.com

Second Vice President Carla Rueck secondvp@uscroquet.com

Treasurer

Douglas Moore treasurer@uscroquet.com

Secretary Beverley Cardo secretary@uscroquet.com

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

Florida

Bill Simmons floridarvp@uscroquet.com

Mid-Atlantic

Chris Morris midatlanticrvp@uscroquet.com

Midwest John Brown midwestrvp@uscroquet.com

Northeast Preston Stuart northeastrvp@uscroquet.com

Southeast Linda Trifone southeastrvp@uscroquet.com

Western Patrick Sweeney westernrvp@uscroquet.com

USCA STAFF

Office Manager

Ursula Peck membership@uscroquet.com

Tournament & Schools Johnny Mitchell tournament@uscroquet.com

Membership Coordinator Stephanie Lutge croquetoffice@uscroquet.com

United States Croquet Association

700 Florida Mango Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406

Tel. (561) 478-0760 Fax (561) 686-5507

CroquetNews

Departments

Ranked

The Sarasota County Croquet Club shows off their holiday spirit at GC Club teams where they claimed the 2024 D1 title.

Publisher Dylan Goodwin | croquetnetwork@gmail.com

Managing

Submissions

Submit inquiries and articles to uscacroquetnews@yahoo.com. Text should be submitted as a Microsoft Word file and photos should be high resolution (300 dpi). All content may be edited for length and photos will be adjusted appropriately. Croquet News is produced four times per year and is distributed as a benefit to USCA membership. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. Views expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USCA.

Association

theclubhouse

USCA ANNOUNCES 2025

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT NOMINATIONS

The United States Croquet Association (USCA) has officially announced the nominations for three Regional Vice President (RVP) positions, which are up for election at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM). Each position carries a two-year term and plays a vital role in representing and supporting croquet activities within their respective regions.

The following Regional Vice President positions will be elected at the AGM:

• Mid-Atlantic Regional Vice President

• Northeast Regional Vice President

• Southeast Regional Vice President

The USCA Nominating Committee has selected the following individuals for the 2025 slate of nominees:

• Mid-Atlantic RVP: Christopher Morris

• Northeast RVP (Re-election): Preston Stuart

• Southeast RVP (Re-election): Linda Trifone

The names of the nominated individuals will appear on the ballot, which will be presented to USCA members for voting during the AGM. Members are encouraged to participate in this important election process to help shape the leadership and direction of the USCA. Stay tuned for additional details about the AGM and voting procedures.

For more information, please contact the USCA at admin@uscroquet.com.

2025 AC Worlds Return to the US

The World Croquet Federation has announced the 2025 Association Croquet World Championship will be held at the world-renowned National Croquet Center (NCC) in West Palm Beach, Fla., October 18-26, 2025. This marks the NCC’s third time hosting the prestigious event, reflecting its status as a world-class croquet venue. The event will utilize 12 lawns at the NCC and two additional lawns at The Beach Club, with a player capacity of 64 participants.

Partnership and Organization

The United States Croquet Association (USCA) is collaborating with the World Croquet Federation (WCF) to bring this championship back to Florida. The championship will feature a qualifying competition October 14-16, 2025, where 24 spots will be contested. The top four finishers will secure places in the main event.

Entry Fees and Qualification Details

The entry fee for the main event is £189 per player, calculated at £21 per day over the nine-day championship. For those seeking to qualify, details on entering the qualifying competition will be published on the USCA website. Key dates include:

• Response Date: February 28, 2025

• Allocation Date: March 14, 2025

• Announcement Date: March 28, 2025

• Entry Fee Due Date: May 30, 2025

• Qualifier Allocation Date: July 14, 2025

• Qualifier Closing Date: September 29, 2025

• Main Event Cut-Off Date: September 2, 2025

Accommodation and Travel

Players are encouraged to fly into Miami International Airport. West Palm Beach offers a variety of accommodations, including hotels, motels and holiday rentals available via platforms like VRBO and Airbnb.

PASSAGES

Joanne Corcoran .................................................... Sarasota County Croquet Club

David La Cagnina ...................................................... Highlands Falls Country Club Dianne Lozier ......................................................... Sarasota County Croquet Club

Ben Morehead Greenwich Croquet Club, Naples Croquet Club of Florida and Sarasota County Croquet Club

Franklin Naifeh ................................................................. ScissorTail Croquet Club

2025 WCF U21 WORLD GC CHAMPIONSHIP

UPDATED PLAYER LIST

The 2025 Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship will take place at Sarasota Croquet Club in Florida, April 14-18, 2025.

Ranking Places

Name Country MaxDG

Jack Good England 2613

Fawzy Helmy Egypt 2545

Levi Franks New Zealand 2416

Eduardo Nunez Spain 2341

Blake Fields USA 2307

Jana Mohamed Saaid Egypt 2296

Sam Cuthbert England 2225

Abdalla Khaled Egypt 2208

Saif Hatem Egypt 2160

Inigo Morenes Spain 2075

Ethan Gumbrell Australia 2053

Mohsen Elyamany Egypt 2038

Member Places

Name Country MaxDG

Jessica Bullen New Zealand 2021

Callum McKinnon New Zealand 1999

Alfonso Morales Spain 1959

Ivo Bozevnieks Latvia 1951

Vojtech Dusek Czech Republic 1849

Asher Scantlin USA 1679

Luka Nettleton USA 1589

Simon Dentchev USA 1297

Lane Wyatt USA 1540*

Declan Macphee England 1463*

Karen Hernandez Mexico 1452*

*Grade (not MaxDG)

Replacement Ranking Places

Name Country MaxDG

Luke Francis New Zealand 1921

Mattie Clarkson New Zealand 1745

Jan Dolejs Czech Republic 1653

Mathilda Saewert Germany 1506

Replacement Place Awarded

Name Country MaxDG

Krystof Dusek Czech Republic 1366

PFC Mallets Golf Croquet WTC: The Openshaw Shield

The WCF PFC Mallets GC World Team Championship: The Openshaw Shield is set for February 17-23, 2025, at the Northern Tasmanian Croquet Centre in St. Leonards, Tasmania. This marks the fourth occurrence of this prestigious competition. Eight teams, each comprising four players, will compete for the coveted Openshaw Shield on eight full-sized courts at the picturesque Tasmanian venue.

Block play for the event will be held February 17-19. The Championship Knockout and the Plate will start on February 20 and conclude on February 23.

The championship will feature live score updates on CroquetScores.com, and efforts are underway to provide live streaming for select matches. Dedicated social media accounts and an event-specific website will offer updates, highlights and behind-thescenes content.

The Openshaw Shield promises to deliver thrilling croquet action and an unmatched showcase of international talent. Fans worldwide are encouraged to follow the event online and join the excitement.

For more information about the 2025 event, visit the official website at www.gcworldteamstasmania2025.com.au.

PFC MALLETS GCWTC ROSTERS

Egypt (#1)

Mohamed Nasr (Captain)

Khaled Kamel

Mohamed Taha

Mohamed Walid

Yasser Sayed

England (#2)

Aston Wade (Captain)

Euan Burridge

Jack Good

Jamei Burch

Reserves:

Callum Johnson

James Death

Team Manager:

Chris Clarke

New Zealand (#3)

Felix Webby (Captain)

Edmund Fordyce

Levi Franks

Logan McCorkindale

Reserve:

Jenny Clarke

Team Manager:

Nelson Morrow USA (#4)

Tom Balding

Matthew Essick

Blake Fields

Stephen Morgan

Ben Rothman

Australia (#5)

Robert Fletcher (Captain)

Ed Wilson

Greg Fletcher

Malcolm Fletcher

Reserves:

Pete Landrebe

Gary Phipps

Spain (#6)

Nicolas Denizot (Captain)

Begoña Elzaburu

Juan Ojeda

Julian Gutierrez

Reserves:

Iñigo Castañon

Africa Romero

South Africa (#7)

Reg Bamford (Captain)

Andrew Hobbs

Judith Hanekom

William Louw

Ireland (#8)

Mark Stephens (Captain)

Alan Looney

Kieran Murphy

Evan Newell

Rob O’Donoghue

Simon Williams

(#) Country ranking as of September 30, 2024.

2025 Solomon Trophy: Team USA Prepares to Defend Title

After a decisive 14-7 victory in the 2023 Solomon Trophy at the Sarasota County Croquet Club, Team USA is gearing up for another high-stakes challenge. Croquet England has announced plans to assemble a formidable Great Britain team to reclaim the trophy. Team USA is determined to retain its title and build momentum for the next edition of the MacRobertson Shield.

The 2025 Solomon Trophy will take place August 7-12 in Budleigh-Salterton, located in the picturesque southwest of England, south of Wales. The historic venue will host an intense six-day competition as the teams face off in this international croquet rivalry.

The United States Croquet Association (USCA) is counting on its best players to step forward for selection. Fundraising efforts, including contributions to the Lee Olsen Fund, have been instrumental in supporting the six-player team. The USCA extends its gratitude to everyone who contributed and participated in various fundraising initiatives over the past year.

Players interested in representing Team USA are encouraged to notify the USCA Selection Committee of their availability. The deadline for availability submissions is January 31, with final team selections announced on February 7.

This event promises to be another thrilling chapter in the long-standing rivalry between Team USA and Great Britain, showcasing the skill, strategy and sportsmanship that define international croquet.

USCA ANNOUNCES 2025 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The USCA has announced the dates and locations for four of the 2025 National Championships.

Association Laws National Championship

• March 17-23, 2025

• National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, Florida

Golf Croquet National Championship

• May 18-May 24, 2025

• National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, Florida

9-Wicket National Championship

• May 29 to June 1, 2025

• Indian Trails Sports Complex Palm Coast, Florida

A6W National Championship

• November 16-22, 2025

• Mission Hills Country Club Rancho Mirage, California

Celebrate National Croquet Day on June 7

The USCA is excited to announce National Croquet Day is set for Saturday, June 7, 2025. This annual event is a celebration of croquet and is an opportunity to showcase the sport’s charm, strategy and accessibility to communities across the country.

Croquet clubs nationwide are encouraged to participate by hosting promotional events designed to introduce new players to the game. Whether it’s an open house, instructional clinics, friendly matches or creativelythemed tournaments, clubs can inspire newcomers and highlight the fun and social benefits of croquet.

The USCA also invites clubs to share their National Croquet Day celebrations through photos and videos on social media, using the hashtag #NationalCroquetDay. This is a chance to promote the sport and foster a sense of community among croquet enthusiasts. Select submissions will be featured on the USCA’s official channels to spotlight the day's success.

How to Get Involved:

1. Plan an event for June 7 that showcases croquet’s inclusivity and excitement.

2. Promote your event locally to draw participant and spectators.

3. Share highlights of your celebration on social media, tagging the USCA and using the #NationalCroquetDay hashtag.

National Croquet Day is an opportunity to introduce the joy of croquet to new audiences and grow the sport’s reach. Let’s make June 7, 2025, a day to remember!

For more information and updates on National Croquet Day, visit www.croquetamerica.com.

NEW MEMBERS membersclubs

CALIFORNIA

Rancho Mirage – Mission Hills Croquet Club

John Bugalla

Marsha Bugalla

Carol Kaas

Lissy Mandel

Larry Mandel

Zane Pollard

Joy Ransom

Inga Simon

Jeff Sosnick

Jeremy Wingerter

FLORIDA

Atlantic Beach – Fleet Landing Croquet Club

Ernest Bio

John Neyhart

Bonita Springs – Bonita Bay Club

Robert Krimsier

Naples – At Large Member

James Laffey

Naples – Audubon Croquet Association

Daniel Larkin

Christine Larkin

Naples – Naples Croquet Club of Florida

Colette Diegel

Tim Diegel

Newberry – At Large Member

Adrian Louw

Nokomis – Sarasota County Croquet Club

Juli Burke

Julie Doric

Joyce Fairbanks

Marion Hall

Barbara Hutton

Jean Mabardi

Linda Monda

Edward Pearl

Kit Plosica

Terri Reynolds

Carol Tuck

Hazen Tuck

Osprey – The Oaks Club

Frank Conway

Ponte Vedra Beach – Ponte Vedra Croquet Club

Brett Fullerton

Sewall's Point – Sailfish Point

Frederick Blount

The Villages – The Villages Croquet Club

Merle White

NEW CLUB Flat River Croquet Society

Vero Beach – John's Island Croquet Club

Rosemary Cournoyer

Robert Hale

Vero Beach – The Moorings Club

Kimberly Standish

Richard Standish

West Palm Beach – National Croquet Club

Dottie Anthony

Marvin Anthony

Paul Berson

Donn Hamilton

Laleeta Hill

Timothy Hill

Andrea Howard

Greg Howard

Polly Joa

Karen Jones

Scott Jones

Debbie Kosiak

Matthew Kosiak

Jason McAlister

Scott Miller

Cristina Montana

Lucia Morales-Halaby

Michele Morin-Hamilton

Adam Peck

Caroline Robinson

Eleanor Taft

Kenneth Weiss

GEORGIA

Sky Valley – Sky Valley Club, Inc.

David Goodrow

MARYLAND

Annapolis – Ginger Cove Croquet Club

Donald Yearwood

MICHIGAN

Lowell – Flat River Croquet Society

Ryne Clarke

Kristine Clarke

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Nashua – At Large Member

John Strand

Lowell, Michigan

NORTH CAROLINA

Cashiers – Trillium Links and Lake Club

Barbara Coon

Pinehurst – Pinehurst Croquet Club

Lana Duncan

Mira Reynolds

TEXAS

College Station – Texas A&M University

Taylor Melikan

VERMONT

Lincoln – At Large Member

Fred Danforth

VIRGINIA

Arlington – At Large Member

Trevor Head

INTERNATIONAL

AUSTRALIA

Robert Fletcher

Malcolm Fletcher

CANADA, BC

Saturna, British Columbia – At Large Member

James White

EGYPT

Aly Radwan

GERMANY

Greg Fletcher

SPAIN

Rafael Hernandez Alcala

UNITED KINGDOM

Euan Burridge

Guy Scurfield

TheInbox

Cracking the Code: Understanding the Golf Croquet Dynamic Grade System

By Michael E. Kolowich

If you’ve ever played tournament croquet, you’ve probably come across the Dynamic Grade (DGrade) system. Maybe you’ve checked your DGrade after a match and wondered, “Why did my score change that way?” Or maybe you’ve heard rumors that the system is impossibly complex, based on mysterious formulas known only to a secret society of croquet statisticians.

Good news: it’s simpler than you think. Once you understand the basics, you’ll see it’s a logical and adaptable way to measure skill. Let’s break it down so you can focus on what matters: playing great croquet.

What Is a Dynamic Grade?

Your DGrade is a number that reflects your skill as a croquet player. It adjusts after every match based on whether you win or lose and the relative strength of your opponent. The system works like this:

• Win a match: Your DGrade goes up.

• Lose a match: Your DGrade goes down.

The amount of change depends on your opponent’s DGrade compared to yours. Beating a stronger opponent boosts your DGrade more, while losing to a weaker player costs you more points. Matches against players close to your skill level lead to smaller adjustments.

(For simplicity, we’ll treat all matches the same, even though some higher-stake matches, like World Championship knockouts, are given higher weight.)

How Points Move Between Players

Every match is a tug of war for points. Let’s say your DGrade is 1650, and your opponent’s is 1550 — a difference of 100 points. The system predicts that you’ll win 66 percent of the time. If you meet that expectation and win:

• Your DGrade might increase by 8 points

• Your opponent’s DGrade would drop by the same 8 points If you lose, the system assumes an upset occurred:

• Your DGrade might drop by 12 points, while your opponent gains 12 points.

The exact adjustment depends on the difference in grades and how surprising the result was. It’s a balancing act that rewards stronger performances and recognizes unexpected wins, striving to reflect skill levels accurately.

A Win Is a Win, and a Loss Is a Loss

Here’s a key point: the score doesn’t matter. Whether you scrape by 7-6 or dominate 7-0, your DGrade adjusts the same way. A win is a win. Similarly, a loss is a loss, no matter how close the match.

This keeps the system simple. Whether you take your opponent to the 13th wicket or lose in straight hoops, the effect on your DGrade is identical.

What About New Players?

New players are assigned a provisional grade when they enter the system. This starting grade is usually set by a tournament professional or through a basic skills assessment. While it’s an educated guess, it’s not perfect, especially if the new player turns out to be significantly stronger or weaker than their initial grade.

Here’s where the system shines: a new player’s provisional grade is temporary. After their first 20 matches, the system evaluates their actual performance and recalibrates their grade to reflect their true skill. Their starting grade is thrown out, and their DGrade becomes based entirely on their results in those 20 games.

This recalibration can also indirectly impact you. If you’ve played against a new player who started with a low provisional grade but later proves to be a strong competitor, the impact of that match on your DGrade will be recalculated using their updated grade. This adjustment doesn’t change your historical DGrade directly but ensures that your overall record remains reflective of your true performance.

Why the System Strives for Fairness

The DGrade system is designed to track performance and adjust over time. While no system is perfect, it strives to:

• Reward improvement: Beating stronger players results in bigger DGrade gains, while losing to weaker ones incurs greater penalties.

• Adapt to change: Adjustments for new players ensure that their grades — and their opponents’ grades — become accurate over time.

• Simplify rankings: All matches are treated equally, and only wins and losses matter, keeping the process straightforward.

By focusing on win-loss outcomes and recalibrating provisional grades, the system seeks to provide an accurate and evolving reflection of player skill.

Tips for Improving Your DGrade

If you’re aiming to climb the ranks, here are some tips:

1. Challenge stronger opponents: Upset wins against higherranked opponents are the fastest way to boost your DGrade.

2. Stay sharp against weaker players: Losses to lower-ranked players hurt the most.

3. Play consistently: DGrade changes happen gradually, so focus on steady improvement over time.

4. Don’t obsess over the numbers: Your DGrade will follow your play. Focus on your game, not your grade.

The Takeaway

The Dynamic Grade system is a methodical way of ranking players that strives to reflect skill and provide a framework for improvement. It’s not flawless, but it adjusts for variables like new players and unexpected match outcomes to better align grades with performance.

Most importantly, it’s a tool, not a scoreboard. A win is a win, and a loss is a loss. Let your DGrade track your journey while you focus on enjoying the game. After all, croquet is about more than just numbers — it’s about strategy, camaraderie and the pure joy of play.

Michael Kolowich is a member of the Bonita Bay Club and a (mostly) retired former tech entrepreneur. A Harvard-educated engineer and Emmy-winning TV news reporter, Michael is passionate about explaining science and technology topics in plain English.

Jiminy Wicket 2024: A Year of Growth, Inclusion and Joy

See Part I from the 2024 Croquet News Volume 1 issue:

https://bit.ly/JiminyWicketMomentumPT1

Special Olympics North America Leadership Conference: The team introduced croquet to 450+ representatives from as many as 23 countries, sparking interest in incorporating croquet into Unified Champion Schools® and community-based programs, especially those with access to artificial turf playing surfaces. Special Olympics serves more than half a million athletes across North America. About 10 chapters expressed interest in bringing croquet to their states, further validating the possibilities for croquet within this community. Momentum and Opportunity Part II

The Jiminy Wicket organization, founded by James Creasey, made remarkable strides in 2024, expanding its mission of promoting inclusion, joy and friendship through the game of croquet. The year was marked by milestones, collaborations and transformative events, showcasing the way that croquet can bring people together across all ages and abilities.

Creating Connection and Friendships

Through

the Power of Play

Fun was had by everyone at the 2nd Jiminy Wicket Special Olympics Florida Croquet Invitational, held in November at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. More than 50 participants gathered for a day filled with camaraderie and competition. Cheryl Bromley, U.S. Women’s Team member and Croquet Hall of Fame inductee, notes, “I walked out onto that beautiful verandah at NCC and heard the laughter and cheering. The love, excitement and encouragement were all so palpable.”

The Jiminy Wicket programs often blend joy with simple acts of kindness. In Aurora, Colo., a student named Matthew volunteered to assist a peer, Jose, in playing his first croquet game from a wheelchair. The experience exemplified the spirit of inclusion that defines the organization.

Expanding Horizons

This year saw Jiminy Wicket forge new relationships and expand its reach:

The 2nd Jiminy Wicket Special Olympics Florida Croquet Invitational at the NCC

New Bedford, Mass.: Jiminy Wicket hosted its first inter-school croquet tournament, bringing together students from two independent, tuition-free schools for economically challenged families.

Connecticut and Rhode Island: In September, joined by Jiminy Wicket’s director of partner development, Sally Carruthers, Creasey volunteered for the third time with Bobbi Shorthouse and Stephen Morgan at the Ocean House hotel in Westerly, R.I., for the Special Olympics Connecticut and Special Olympics Rhode Island annual croquet tournament. Shorthouse instigated that croquet program 12 years ago and has been a source of inspiration and support to Jiminy Wicket over the years.

Southport, N.C.: James Creasey held clinics and played in an exhibition match at the St. James Croquet Association, paving the way for a new program for students with intellectual disabilities at Brunswick Community College in 2025.

Achievements and Recognition

Jiminy Wicket’s work earned national recognition in 2024. At the USCA Awards Dinner in March, James Creasey received the 2023 President’s Award and, for the second time in 10 years, the Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Outreach for Croquet.

In addition, a successful fundraising campaign secured $102,450 to support equipment, training, curriculum development and program expansion.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The organization has ambitious plans for the upcoming year: Expanding Programs: Growing its footprint in Florida and Colorado while introducing programs in three to four additional states.

Major Events: Participating in the Special Olympics Colorado Summer Games and hosting croquet demos for students with special needs in Birmingham, Ala.

Succession Planning: Building a robust team to ensure sustainability and continued growth.

A Mission Rooted in Smiles

Since its founding in 2010, Jiminy Wicket has transformed lives through the game of croquet, from running weekly sessions for the Alzheimer’s Association to training thousands of students to play alongside individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Their 7 Skills to Play Like a Champion clinics for croquet clubs and their five-star luxury Castles & Croquet trips in the United Kingdom are two of the ways they help fund this mission.

Reflecting on the year, Creasey shares, “Play is our passion, croquet is our game. We’ve seen time and again how this simple sport creates inclusion, joy and friendships. Our momentum is strong, and we’re excited to continue growing in 2025. Buckle up America, here we come!”

For more information about Jiminy Wicket’s mission and upcoming initiatives, visit jiminywicket.org.

Inclusion, kindness and playfulness create joy in Florida, Colorado and the U.K.

2025 US Open GC: Fletcher Brothers Dominate

By Bill Simmons

The USCA held the inaugural U.S. Open GC at the National Croquet Center (NCC) January 6-11, 2025. The international event began on January 6 with the ProAm doubles event. The Open started on January 7 with the semifinals and finals live-streamed. The Australian Fletcher brothers, Robert and Malcolm, prevailed over players from eight other countries to compete in the final against each other. Robert Fletcher, the number one ranked GC player in the world, is the first U.S. Open GC champion.

The concept for the new event took form a year ago when Bill Simmons, Regional Vice President of Florida, pledged to create a new winter competition for top players who were no longer eligible for the Florida Regional Golf Croquet Championship due to a rule change. Simmons pitched the idea to David McCoy, chairman of the Croquet Foundation of America. McCoy was immediately on board. Simmons then pitched the idea to Damon Bidencope, President of the USCA, and Bidencope in return asked Simmons to present it to the USCA Management Committee, who unanimously approved it, birthing the U.S. Open GC. The Open is a partnership between the USCA and CFA, underwritten by a fiveyear agreement to have the event at the NCC. With a lot of hard work, the next 12 months ensued and the rest, as they say, is history.

The first day ProAm was a fundraiser for the event. Sponsors paired up with top players from around the world to play in a doubles Swiss Tournament. For anyone who might think they are too old or too young, concerned about playing as a female versus a male or too new to croquet and reluctant to play in the ProAm, please reconsider for next year. Trevor Head, just nine years old and having just one year of experience in the sport, played with Edmund Fordyce, the third-ranked GC player in the world. Head shot the winning hoop in his last game. John Curington and David Maloof, the 10th-ranked player in the U.S., have known each other for years. They finished tied for third showing what older players can do. Eight of the 16 sponsors were women. Matthew Essick ranked first in the U.S. and seventh in the world, partnered with Bev Cardo and won the ProAm. Kyle Maloof, the eighthranked player in the U.S., partnered with Mary Galasso to place second in the ProAm. Lucia Halaby, playing croquet for less than a year, partnered with Stephen Morgan. The event finished with a delicious banquet dinner and awards. Pros and amateurs alike had a great day and many plan to play next year.

The ProAm competition was tough. Harry Dodge and Tate Russack, third seed, lost a tiebreaker to Matthew Essick and Bev Cardo, the first seed. One wicket separated them from being the Champion. Robert Fletcher and Bill Simmons, the second seed, came out on the wrong side of three tiebreakers ending their chance to play the first seed. Every team scored a win in this fun event.

Eight countries were represented in the U.S. Open GC. Flags from Australia, Canada, Egypt, England, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain and the U.S. were flown over the lawns. The first, third and seventh-ranked players in the world participated. Four of the first-ranked players in their countries competed. Fifteen of the players were ranked 10th or higher in their countries. It was a very competitive field.

The U.S. Open GC began block play on January 7. The top four players from each block advanced to the championship knockout playoff. The bottom four players competed in the plate. Block play was largely straightforward, with only a few closely contested exceptions. Brian Lozano won a playoff against Kent Lovvorn for fourth place in Block B. In Block C, Shane Hettler edged out Randy Cardo for fourth place in a tiebreaker. Matthew Essick was the only player to go undefeated in block play. Robert Fletcher, Zack Watson, Kyle Maloof,

The Fletcher brothers from Australia had a strong event: Robert Fletcher (first place), Malcom Fletcher (second place) and Greg Fletcher (sixth place)

Tom Balding and Euan Burridge all suffered just one loss in their blocks. Five of these six players would advance to the quarterfinal. In the Championship knockout, eight of the 16 to qualify were Americans. Unfortunately, Tamer Hatata and Danny Huneycutt had to play each other, and David and Kyle Maloof had to play each other so only six could advance to the quarterfinal. Hatata and David Maloof were knocked out.

In the quarterfinal, Robert Fletcher retired Danny Huneycutt decisively. Kyle Maloof retired Greg Fletcher in game three on a tiebreaker. Tom Balding was knocked out by Malcolm Fletcher losing two tiebreaker games. Mathew Essick took Zack Watson out in three games. Up to this point, Watson and Balding had only lost three games. Both are young U.S. stars who continue to improve.

The semifinal was played as a best-of-five match. Kyle Maloof and Robert Fletcher went four games, one of which Maloof lost on a tiebreaker. Fletcher prevailed 3-1. Prior to the match, Maloof had only lost two games in the tournament. He is another rising young U.S. star.

Matthew Essick and Malcolm Fletcher went four games, one of which was a tiebreaker. Coming into the match, Essick had only lost one game. Essick got off to a slow start losing game 1. In game 2 he lost on a tiebreaker, but his play was improving. He won game 3 decisively 7-2, but Fletcher prevailed in game 4.

That meant the first U.S. Open GC final would feature the Fletcher brothers from Australia. Earlier in the event, Malcolm beat Robert in block play giving Robert his only loss. But in the final, Robert took the best-of-five match with three decisive wins 7-3, 7-4, 7-5. He methodically played his game of clearing and edging closer to the wicket before shooting. He rarely took a long, risky shot unless he had no choice. By contrast, Malcolm shot several long, risky hoops in an attempt to catch up or move ahead of Robert. Robert is the first name on the U.S. Open GC tournament perpetual trophy, and he won the $2,000 prize for first place.

While the championship knockout was in play, three other competition playoffs also took place. The plate for the bottom 16 was hard-fought as well. Randy Cardo, U.S., came out of block play with eight wins to face Rafael Hernandez-Alcala, Spain, with seven victories in the block. Hernandez-Alcala beat Cardo 7-4, 7-5 to claim the Plate. The Shield is a playoff for the losers of

The Americans swept the ProAm with Matthew Essick and Bev Cardo taking first place and Kyle Maloof and Mary Galasso claiming second place

Trevor Head (age 9) with his ProAm partner Edmund Fordyce

ProAm partners John Curington and David Maloof

U.S. Open GC ProAm group photo

U.S. Open GC group photo

the Championship quarterfinal. Tom Balding, U.S., played Greg Fletcher, Australia. Balding won the Shield 3-1 dropping one game on a tiebreaker with Fletcher (7-1, 6-7, 7-4, 7-3).

The Bowl is the playoff for the losers of the first-round Championship knockout. The final featured England’s Euan Burridge and Harry Dodge. Dodge took game one, but Burridge came back in games two and three to win the Bowl, 4-7, 7-5, 7-5.

YouTube live streaming of the event was the result of the work of many people. The player commentators did a great job. Russ Dilley expertly steers the effort assisted by the cameramen, Brian Hovis and John Graney. In the first four days, we had more than 8,000 views.

The U.S. Open GC will be the second week of February for the next four years at the NCC with next year’s being played February 9-14, 2026. For anyone who considered playing in the ProAm this year, now they know what was missed. Players are reserving spots now to play in this popular one-day event. It is a chance to play with the best. The National Croquet Center has a restaurant open to the public. Plan on coming next year for a day or a week to cheer on the American team. The Indian River Estates Croquet Club brought 15 of their players down to watch championship-level play and have lunch. Pete Anderson, from Shell Pointe Community in Fort Meyers, brought a bus load for the day to watch the tournament. Bring family, friends or clubs next year to watch. Join the USCA and get the latest news and opportunities on this event.

2025 USCA OPEN GC CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

Awards recognized winners and the runner up for the Championship, Shield, Bowl and Plate

ProAm partners Robert Fletcher and Bill Simmons

ProAm partners Lucia Morales-Halaby and Stephen Morgan

Sarasota County CROQUET CLUB Claims GC Club Teams D1 TITLE

By Johnny Mitchell

Where else can you find great weather and friendly competition other than Florida in December? That is where 72 players from 13 clubs showed up to play in the USCA Golf Croquet Club Teams Championship. This yearly event has grown since its inception in 2015 to become one of the more popular USCA events and is a testament to the growing enthusiasm for golf croquet. Not only were teams competing for the honor of winning their respective flights but they were also vying for the title of top club.

The Sarasota County Croquet Club won the GC Club teams D1 title

Held at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., play was divided into three flights with Championship and First Flight having two blocks of seven and Second Flight in a block of eight. As with most tournament formats, block play led to the knockout ladder with four advancing from each block of Championship and First Flight. The entire Second Flight block and competition was fierce with many close games that could have gone either way.

Teams advanced to the knockout based on victories and net points and the quality of play was exceptionable as the top five teams to make the knockout were only separated by one win. The number one seed was Sherif Abdelwahab and Julie Wright, representing Bonita Bay, who showed their skills by cruising through the knockout with dominant wins including a 7-0 victory in the semifinals and a 7-2 final win over Matt Griffith and Billie Ray from Sarasota County Croquet Club.

First Flight also saw several closely contested games and a tight block finish. Standing out was the team of Bruce Hindin and Neill Trimble from The Little Club who were the only undefeated team in First Flight block play. They managed to hold on to their undefeated status until they met the surging team of Caryl Firth and Mary Galasso in the semifinals and suffered their only defeat of the tournament. If you are going to lose a game, the knockout is not the place to do it. Firth and Galasso went on to win it all defeating Phil Emond and Alice Scanlon in a tight 7-6 victory. Good play did not stop there as many Second Flight teams appeared to be ready to move up to First Flight status. The top team appeared to be Robert Habgood and Gregg Wechsler, from the John’s Island Club, who had also gone undefeated in block play. They managed to keep their streak alive by advancing through the knockout and scoring a close onepoint victory over Thomas Lobsitz and Robert Smith, from Vero Beach Country Club, to win their flight and become the only undefeated team in the event.

TOP CLUBS

Division 1: Sarasota County Croquet Club

Division 2: John’s Island Club

Division 3: Vero Beach Country Club

Along with the pride of winning your flight, top honors for their club were also on the plate. After all, this is “Club Teams.” In an effort for fairness, a page was taken from the 6W Club Teams where clubs are put into three divisions depending on how many teams they had in the competition. This is so clubs that could field many teams wouldn’t dominate smaller clubs with only a few teams.

After it was all said and done, there were many smiles and accolades all around. It was a great way to end the year with the last USCA tournament on the calendar. We all look forward to what the new year will bring and hope to see everyone again soon.

Championship Flight winners Julie Wright and Sherif Abdelwahab

First Flight winners Mary Galasso and Caryl Firth

Second Flight winners Robert Habgood and Gregg Wechsler

FINAL ORDER

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT

01. Sherif Abdelwahab/Julie Wright

02. Matt Griffith/Billie Ray

03. Tate Russack/Cami Russack

03. Hans Peterson/Ellie Griffith

05. Cheryl Bromley/Debbie Davidoff

05. Bob Van Tassell/David McCoy

05. Todd Russell/Bill Simmons

05. Mike Hoggatt/Tim Wright

09. James Creasey/Ron Eccles

10. Cecil Creasey/Susan Creasey

11. Marc Stearns/MaryCarol Stearns

11. Curtis Drake/Wy Louw

13. Zack Watson/Gay Cinque

14. Tom Cooper/Jodie Rugart

FIRST FLIGHT

01. Caryl Firth/Mary Galasso

02. Phil Emond/Alice Scanlon

03. Bruce Hindin/Neill Trimble

03. Jay Carey/Kim Jones

05. John Grout/Michael Kolowich

05. Alex Galasso/Priscilla Flowers

05. Loretta Cooper/Vickie Johnston

05. Crayton Morrow/Natasha Kittrell

09. Chris Weihs/Karen Weihs

10. Conrad Rugart/Tim Bitting

11. John Dillon/Chris Ordway

12. John Joseph/Jicham Zaatini

13. Jack Rush/Patricia Kells

14. Tom Eggleston/Joyce Eggleston

SECOND FLIGHT

01. Robert Habgood/Gregg Wechsler

02. Thomas Lobsitz/Robert Smith

03. Susu Day/Frank Ferro

03. Geri O’Neill/Kathleen Skoog

05. Jennifer Joseph/Heidimarie Michitsch

05. Cindi Cooper/Barbara Knight

05. Bill Kuhn/Madeleine d’Ambrosio

05. Annette Geddes/Stuart Baker

2024 USCA GC Club Teams group

The John’s Island Club took the D2 title

The Vero Beach Country Club won the D3 division

Galasso AND Jamison Shine in Seniors Masters GC Debut

The National Croquet Center in Southern Florida welcomed 67 skilled players for the inaugural USCA Seniors Masters Golf Croquet Championships. The event brought together 16 Seniors (aged 60-69) and 51 Masters (aged 70 and above), setting the stage for a remarkable display of talent and camaraderie. The tournament included several players registered for their first USCA tournament. While other, more seasoned players, reunited after just seeing each other at recent tournaments, including the Worlds.

The action kicked off on Thursday with block play, featuring nine groups of seven or eight players. With unbalanced numbers in the two categories, all players were combined for this phase, ensuring everyone enjoyed maximum game time. Despite the brisk morning temperatures, at least by Floridian standards, enthusiasm remained high as players engaged in timed matches.

By Saturday, the competition intensified with the start of Knockout Rounds, where players were seeded into their respective Masters and Seniors categories and divided into flights:

Masters: Championship, First and Second Flights

Seniors: everyone played the first round, winners moved to Championships and the rest of the group moved into Plate.

Saturday morning began with a delightful treat: a delicious omelet breakfast, generously sponsored by Mary and Alex Galasso. As the Florida sun warmed up, so did the action on the courts, delivering thrilling games and nail-biting finishes.

Seniors Division Highlights

The Seniors Championship Final was a combination of experience and fresh talent. Seasoned Alex Galasso faced off against newcomer Rob Sinclair, who had entered the finals undefeated. In a closely fought game, Galasso claimed victory, 7-5.

In the Seniors Plate Final, it was an all-female showdown as Kathryn Robertson took on Linda Trifone. Robertson showcased her skills and composure, securing a convincing 7-2 win. Masters champion Jim Jamison with Seniors champion Alex Galasso

Masters Division Highlights

The Masters Second Flight Final featured two familiar faces from the National Croquet Club, with regular opponents Rich Rose and Richard Allen. In a game dominated by clearing shots, Rich Allen emerged victorious with a 7-4 victory. The First Flight Final brought together the calm and focused duo of Jose Benjumea and William Trower. Both players exhibited unwavering determination and concentration, but Benjumea edged out Trower with a tight 7-5 victory.

The grand finale, the Masters Championship Final, delivered a masterclass in croquet strategy and technique. Jim Jamison and Richard Brown battled fiercely, with Jamison ultimately clinching the title in a commanding 7-3 win.

A Memorable Weekend

From start to finish, the inaugural Seniors Masters GC Championships celebrated the spirit of competition, skill and community. The weekend showcased outstanding croquet, unforgettable moments and learnings toward a second edition of the Championship next year.

Masters First Flight champion Jose Benjumea with TD Franck Meunier

FINAL ORDER

SENIORS

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT SINGLES

01. Alex Galasso

02. Rob Sinclair

03. Conrad Rugart

03. Stephen Jackson

05. Cheryl Bromley

05. Kendall Hendrick

05. Ellie Griffith

05. Matt Griffith

SENIORS

FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES

01. Kat Robertson

02. Linda Trifone

03. Georgia McCravey

03. Glenn McAndrews

05. Richard Hayes

05. Ned Sperry

05. Mary Galasso

05. Barbara Jamison

MASTERS

CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES

01. Jim Jamison

02. Richard Brown

03. Bruce Hindin

03. Billy Harper

05. Mike Hoggatt

05. Mark Fields

05. John Shanholt

05. Marc Stearns

09. David Ekstrom

09. Gary Gamble

09. Lynda Sudderberg

09. Gregory Gonzales

09. Billie Ray

09. James Creasey

09. Christof Weihs

MASTERS

FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES

01. Jose Benjumea

02. Bill Trower

03. Priscilla Flowers

03. Gene Lockard

05. Lee Robinson

05. Michael Kolowich

05. John Grout

05. Brian Brittain

09. Karen Weihs

09. Kathie Gamble

09. Caryl Firth

09. Laura Hendrick

09. David Scott

09. MaryCarol Stearns

09. David McCoy

09. Alice Scanlon

17. Lynda Bjorklund

17. Suzanne Turner

17. Gail Kern

17. Arthur Ellis

17. John Dillon

17. Britt Bell

17. Jeffery Cohen

17. Nicholas Capobianco

MASTERS SECOND FLIGHT SINGLES

01. Richard Allen

02. Rich Rose

03. Jane Louise Smith

03. Bob Smith

05. Peter Markarian

05. Bob Phillips

05. Gregory Presley

05. Geoffrey Johnson

09. Luke Sand

09. Ned Fleming

09. Pam Groh

09. Calvert Chaney

USCA Seniors Masters group

Seniors First Flight champion Kat Robertson with TD Franck Meunier

Masters Second Flight champion Richard Allen with TD Franck Meunier

Beyond the Court

Four Issues to Engage and Expand Your Audience

The USCA’s full-color Croquet News magazine is now quarterly with all four issues released in print + the interactive digital edition. Since the Croquet News digital magazine was launched, it continues to set new standards for reader engagement and advertiser click-throughs. Plus, the digital edition goes beyond the USCA membership and offers a global reach of more than 4,000 total readers per issue for the print + digital editions.

Each issue of the magazine includes tactics columns, tournament dates, news, results, national event coverage and features full of the best croquet photography. The print version of the Croquet News is a core attraction for USCA members and still boasts a print circulation of roughly 2,000 copies per issue and reaches over 3,000 croquet players and fans.

Get Started

For a Croquet News media kit, contact Dylan Goodwin at croquetnetwork@gmail.com

Upcoming Ad/Copy Deadlines

2025 May Issue (Summer) – 4/18/25

2025 August Issue (Fall) – 7/18/25

2025 November Issue (Winter) – 10/24/25

Upsets and Overtimes at the 2024 Seniors Masters

By Douglas P. Moore

Forty-two players in three flights competed in singles and doubles this year in sunny South Florida at the National Croquet Center (NCC) at the 2024 USCA Seniors Masters for American Six Wicket. Players came from all over the country to compete in six flights of singles and three flights of doubles. It’s quite likely the players would say that block play throughout the week went smoothly. From the Tournament Directors’ point of view, not so smoothly. On November 7 at 9:00 a.m. (first match of the day), Larry Lynch squared off against his doubles partner Stephen Grassbaugh in a schedule-wrecking 11 rounds of last rotations. I kept looking over at court three and wondering to myself, “How is this possible?”

CAPTIONS

ABOVE: Seniors Masters Group

LEFT: Seniors Championship Flight winner George Cochran

MIDDLE: Seniors First Flight Champion Greg Clouse

RIGHT: Seniors Second Flight Champion Glenn McAndrews (TD Douglas Moore presents

in the lower photos)

I started scrambling to move games around to relieve the scheduling log jam that was ensuing. Larry Lynch did end up eeking out the victory 22-19, after all the spectators fell asleep. Everyone survived the day, and the tournament actually did get relatively back on track by the last round.

But, you won’t believe this ... it happened again. Friday morning was beautiful, and I was my usual optimistic self about the day until Jan Fisher and Pat Spratt tried to break the overtime mark set by Lynch and Grassbaugh the day before. They almost pulled it off. Fisher and Spratt’s morning match made it to 10 overtime rounds. I couldn’t believe this was happening again ... ugh. Fisher ended up winning that marathon game 14-13. More scrambling ensued. Because I had some practice from the day before, I knew what had to be done. Again, everyone survived, and the game delays did not cause a single fatality. Phew. The tournament got back on schedule and back to business as usual.

As often is the case in this crazy sport of croquet, the unexpected does happen. Ask Larry Lynch and Mark Ski, who were number one in their playoff brackets and both lost in the first round to the highest seed. It didn’t end there. Ron Millican was the last player qualified for the eight-player playoffs in his flight. He went on to upset Lynch in the first round, Stephen Grassbaugh in the second round and Jan Fisher in the finals to complete the sweep and win

FINAL ORDER

SENIORS

CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES

01. George Cochran

02. Randy Cardo

03. John Osborn

03. Steve Scalpone

05. Don Parker

06. Jodie Rugart

07. Bob Gannon

08. Kat Robertson

SENIORS

FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES

01. Greg Clouse

02. Anne Carr

03. Mark Ski

04. Rick Hayes

SENIORS

SECOND FLIGHT SINGLES

01. Glenn McAndrews

02. Alex Galasso

MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES

01. Bob Van Tassell

02. Lynda Sudderberg

03. Dick Sullivan

03. David Ekstrom

05. Missy Ramey

06. Bill Trower

07. David McCoy

08. Mary Rodeberg

09. Jeff Morrison

10. Ron Eccles

11. John Curington

MASTERS FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES

01. Ron Millican

02. Jan Fisher

03. Carl Archiniaco

03. Stephen Grassbaugh

05. Larry Lynch

06. Christine Smith

07. David Spivey

08. Deborah Millican

09. David Kepner

10. Pat Spratt

the honor of 2024 First Flight Singles Champion in the Masters Division. It was impressive to watch.

One final note: Ron Eccles and Pat Spratt had a total of ONE win between the two of them in block play singles, but together, they were unstoppable. They certainly had some chemistry as they went on to win the First Flight Doubles title against Missy Ramey and Jan Fisher 12-9.

With the dust settled from all the overtime games and upsets, the results follow. I hope everyone had fun and I’ll see everyone next year.

MASTERS SECOND FLIGHT SINGLES

01. Jeffrey Cohen

02. Priscilla Flowers

03. James Peasley

04. Fei Fei Williams

SENIORS/MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES

01. Randy Cardo/David Ekstrom

02. Jodie Rugart/Lynda Sudderberg

03. Bob Van Tassell/Dick Sullivan

03. George Cochran/ Steve Scalpone

05. Don Parker/Mark Ski

05. Bill Trower/David Spivey

07. David McCoy/Mike Gibbons

08. Jeff Morrison/Mary Rodeberg

09. Kat Robertson/David Kepner

SENIORS/MASTERS FIRST FLIGHT DOUBLES

01. Ron Eccles/Pat Spratt

02. Missy Ramey/Jan Fisher

03. Greg Clouse/Ron Millican

04. Stephen Grassbaugh/ Larry Lynch

05. Deborah Millican/Bob Gannon

SENIORS/MASTERS SECOND FLIGHT DOUBLES

01. Randall McAndrews/ Glenn McAndrews

02. Alex Galasso/Priscilla Flowers

03. Christine Smith/Jeffrey Cohen

04. Rick Hayes/James Peasley

05. Carl Archiniaco/Fei Fei Williams

Masters Championship Flight winner Bob Van Tassell with TD Doug Moore (R)

Bob Chilton Grand Master Award: David Ekstrom with TD Doug Moore (R)

Masters First Flight champion Ron Millican with TD Doug Moore (L)

Championship Flight Doubles runner up team of Jodie Rugart and Lynda Sudderberg with champions David Ekstrom and Randy Cardo

First Flight Doubles runner up duo of Jan Fisher and Missy Ramey with champions Pat Spratt and Ron Eccles

Second Flight Doubles finalists: Glenn McAndrews, Alex Galasso, Priscilla Flowers and Randall McAndrews

Masters Second Flight champion Jeffrey Cohen with TD Doug Moore (L)

2025 USCA CLUB DIRECTORY

Croquet News is pleased to present our sixth edition of the USCA Club Directory with the goal of showcasing the clubs across the association that are key to growing the sport. Please email any changes or corrections to croquetoffice@uscroquet.com.

ALABAMA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Arthur Bagby III

BIRMINGHAM

Mountain Brook Croquet Club (205) 967-3301

EUFAULA

Eufaula Country Club-Croquet Club (334) 695-3520

FAIRHOPE

The Lakewood Club (251) 990-4268

LOXLEY

Steelwood Croquet Association (251) 964-5308

MOBILE

Country Club of Mobile (251) 342-7400

ALASKA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Gary L. Anderson

GIRDWOOD

Creaux Crique Croquet Club (907) 382-0099

ARIZONA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Paul T. Bennett

SCOTTSDALE

Arizona Croquet Club (602) 686-3941

Mountain Mallets (480) 595-4346

ARKANSAS

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: John Brown

BERMUDA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: John Young III

CALIFORNIA

DISTRICT PRESIDENTS: Northern-Michael Orgill, Southern-Mary Rodeberg

OAKLAND

Oakland Croquet Club (415) 342-9289

PASADENA

Pasadena Croquet Club (626) 794-8675

RANCHO MIRAGE

Mission Hills Croquet Club (316) 761-0838

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco Croquet Club (415) 342-9289

SAN MARINO

Zamalek West Croquet Club (626) 737-1671

ST. HELENA

Meadowood Mallet Club (800) 458-8080

WINDSOR

Sonoma Croquet Club (707) 547-7146

COLORADO

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Ronald L. Eccles

BOULDER

Boulder LongGrass Croquet (303) 817-1074

DENVER

Denver Croquet Club (303) 520-9023

Colorado Croquet (720) 937-2056

CONNECTICUT

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Sarah Persons

GREENWICH

Greenwich Croquet Club (203) 789-2434

HAMDEN

Special Olympics Connecticut (203) 230-1201

DELAWARE

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Karin Karel

FLORIDA

DISTRICT PRESIDENTS: Northeast-Clint Dawkins, Southeastern-Alex Galasso, Southwest-Jennifer Joseph, Treasure Coast-Bo Prillaman West and Central-Bill Simmons

ATLANTIC BEACH

Fleet Landing Croquet Club (386) 793-3944

BELLEAIR

Belleair Country Club Croquet (727) 461-7171

BOCA GRANDE

Boca Grande Croquet (978) 929-9000

Gasparilla Inn Mallet Club (941) 964-2201

BONITA SPRINGS

Bonita Bay Club (239) 495-0200

DELRAY BEACH

St. Andrews Club (561) 243-0557

FT LAUDERDALE

Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward Cnty (954) 537-1010

GULF STREAM

The Little Club (561) 278-1010

HIGHLAND BEACH

Boca Raton Croquet Club (818) 383-4847

HILLSBORO BEACH

Hillsboro Club, Inc. (954) 941-2220

HOBE SOUND

Jupiter Island Club-Croquet Club (772) 545-9474

KEY LARGO

Key Largo Anglers Club (520) 665-8194

Ocean Reef Club (505) 352-4095

LAKE WALES

Mountain Lake Croquet Club (863) 676-3494

LAKE WORTH

Special Olympics PBCty Croquet Club (561) 312- 4956

NAPLES

The Club at the Strand (239) 592-9944

The Club Pelican Bay (239) 597-1183

Wilderness Country Club (239) 261-6060

Wyndemere Country Club (239) 263-1700

Naples Croquet Club of Florida (239) 405-4143

Grey Oaks Country Club (305) 778-1996

Audubon Croquet Association (239) 566-9800

ORLANDO

The Country Club of Orlando (407) 849-0990

OSPREY

The Oaks Club (941) 966-2161

PALM BEACH

Everglades Club, Inc. (561) 655-7810

The Beach Club, Inc. (561) 842-4874

PALM BEACH GARDENS

Croquet Club at PGA National (860) 810-7055

Devonshire at PGA National (561) 227-2446

PALM COAST

Grand Haven Croquet Club (703) 727-6971

Hammock Dunes Croquet Association (386) 446-4655

PONTE VEDRA BEACH

Ponte Vedra Croquet Club (904) 273-0806

Northeast Florida Croquet Club LLC (908) 625-9189

The Plantation of Ponte Vedra (904) 544-2702

SAINT AUGUSTINE

St. Johns Croquet Club, Inc. (904) 679-5190

SEWALL’S POINT

Sailfish Point (772) 225-1000

STUART

Mariner Sands Country Club (772) 631-2181

THE VILLAGES

The Villages Croquet Club (413) 281-8620

VENICE

Sarasota County Croquet Club (978) 929-9000

VERO BEACH

John’s Island Club (772) 231-1220

Riomar Country Club (772) 231-6426

The Windsor Club (772) 388-0757

The Moorings Club (772) 569-9402

Vero Beach Country Club (772) 316-0342

Oak Harbor Club (772) 562-3808

VILLAGE OF GOLF

The Country Club of Florida (561) 732-9771

WELLINGTON

Palm Beach Polo Golf & Country Club (561) 862-8660

WEST PALM BEACH

National Croquet Club (561) 478-2300

WINTER PARK

Winter Park Croquet Club (561) 789-2858

Interlachen Country Club (407) 657-0850

GEORGIA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Kent Lovvorn

ATLANTA

Peachtree Hills Place Croquet Club (828) 329-3125

Lenbrook (404) 233-3000

CAROLLTON

Carroll County Croquet Players (770) 832-6272

JEKYLL ISLAND

Jekyll Island Croquet Club (479) 685-6847

JOHNS CREEK

Atlanta Athletic Club (770) 368-7740

SKY VALLEY

Sky Valley Club, Inc. (706) 746-5302

HAWAII

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Bruno Amby

IDAHO

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Patrick Sweeney

ILLINOIS

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Jeff Lee

CHICAGO

Chicago Croquet Club (630) 291-3377

GLENCOE

Village of Glencoe Croquet Club (312) 659-7572

LAKE FOREST

Onwentsia Club (847) 234-0120

MANHATTAN

Prairie Lights Croquet Club (815) 478-4172

INDIANA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: John Brown

IOWA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Deborah Millican

KANSAS

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Dylan Goodwin

KENTUCKY

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Brian D. Hovis

LOUISVILLE

Derby City Croquet (585) 474-3753

LOUISIANA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: George Cochran

BATON ROUGE

Red Stick Croquet Club (225) 926-0428

SHREVEPORT

Cajun Croquet Club (318) 865-4848

MAINE

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Preston Stuart

ELLSWORTH

Woodlawn Croquet Program (207) 667-8671

MARYLAND

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Rodney Calver

ANNAPOLIS

Ginger Cove Croquet Club (410) 919-3177

EDGEWATER

West River Wickets (410) 693-7035

GIBSON ISLAND

Gibson Island Club (410) 255-1414

MYERSVILLE

Six Wicket Vineyards Croquet Club (410) 598-1600

TOWSON

Blakehurst Croquet Club (410) 494-1125

MASSACHUSETTS

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Courtney Green

BREWSTER

Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club (774) 323-6220

EAST SANDWICH

Sandwich Croquet Club (617) 835-5527

EDGARTOWN

Edgartown Croquet Club (508) 693-7056

LENOX

Lenox Croquet Club (646) 483-3000

MARION

Marion Mallet Club Inc. (978) 697-9496

NANTUCKET

The Westmoor Club (508) 228-9494

MICHIGAN

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: David Theiste

BYRON CENTER

Heatherwood Hills Croquet Club (616) 784-4438

HARBOR SPRINGS

Wequetonsing Croquet Club (734) 665-6456

LOWELL

Flat River Croquet Society (616) 263-7209

SOUTHFIELD

Oakland County Women’s Croquet Club (313) 229-9918

MINNESOTA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: John Brown

BRAINERD

Madden Brother’s, Inc. (218) 829-2811

MINNEAPOLIS

City of Lakes Croquet Club (612-618-5733)

MISSISSIPPI

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Mark Fields

DIAMONDHEAD

The Club at Diamondhead (228) 255-1900

JACKSON

Highlands Mallet Club (601) 949-3103

Pocahontas Mallet Club (601) 672-7423

The Country Club of Jackson (601) 956-1411

7 Skills to Play Like a Champion

TM Basic GC Clinic

Ways to Play Better Croquet

TM Advanced GC Clinic 21

INSTRUCTOR: JAMES CREASEY

The 7 Skills to Play Like a ChampionTM clinic will improve your game and enable you to track your progress. Learn 5 Strategies to devastate your opponents, and 5 Tactics to win your games. Play with clearer strategic insights and hit the ball with deeper self-confidence. Go home with the handbook and the drills to develop & hone your skills.

The 21 Ways to Play Better CroquetTM is our advanced clinic and will further improve your strategy, skills and tactics. You will learn what you need to know about the 7 most common faults and how to avoid them.

Our 3-hour clinics are ideal for clubs without an on-site pro. Enjoy evenings of tabletop & glow-in-the-dark croquet! We offer 2 clinics per day for up to 5 consecutive days with 8 persons maximum per clinic. Only $125 per person per clinic - includes course materials and handbooks. All proceeds support our mission.

For more information: info@JiminyWicket.org

©2025 Jiminy Wicket LLC

Glow-in-the-Dark Croquet

Tabletop Croquet

James is the Founder/CEO of Jiminy Wicket; Champion: National GC8s 2022; Mid-West Regional GC 2022; Recipient: USCA President’s Award 2023

2025 USCA CLUB DIRECTORY

MISSOURI

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Deborah Millican

KANSAS CITY

Kansas City Croquet Club (913) 636-7231

PARKVILLE

Kactus Creek Croquet Club (816) 891-6762

ST. LOUIS

Tiger Croquet Club (314) 406-4455

Decker Lawn Croquet (314) 406-0987

MONTANA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Patrick Sweeney

NEBRASKA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Deborah Millican

NEVADA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Ronald L. Eccles

NEW HAMPSHIRE

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: James McLaughlin

BENNINGTON

Bennington Croquet Club (603) 588-2106

RYE

Strawbery Banke Croquet Club (603) 433-5382

NEW JERSEY

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Pat Richmond

MANTOLOKING

Mantoloking Yacht Club (732) 892-6281

MONROE TOWNSHIP

Rossmoor Croquet Club (609) 235-4367

RUMSON

Rumson Country Club (742) 842 3333

SEA GIRT

Green Gables Croquet Club (732) 532-7567

NEW MEXICO

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Paul T. Bennett

NEW YORK

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: New York and E. Long Island-Chris Morris, Western-Robert Gannon

BRIDGEHAMPTON

The Bridgehampton Club (631) 537-7399

BUFFALO

Buffalo Croquet Club (716) 432-1500

CAMILLUS

West Hill Golf & Croquet Club (315) 672-3540

HILTON

Rochester Croquet Club

@ G&T SportsPark (585) 287-4531

LOCUST VALLEY

The Creek Club (516) 676-1405 ext 2721

Piping Rock Club (516) 676-0379

NEW YORK

New York Croquet Club (917) 494-8827

Empire State Croquet Foundation (862) 222-0381

PAWLING

Quaker Hill Country Club (845) 855-1070

QUOGUE

Quogue Field Club (631) 653-9890

SARATOGA SPRINGS

AIM for Saratoga Croquet Club (518) 587-3208

TUXEDO PARK

Pine Court (914) 351-2547

WESTHAMPTON

Westhampton Mallet Club (516) 480 9930

NORTH CAROLINA

DISTRICT PRESIDENTS: Eastern-Mike Taylor, Western-Lynda Bjorklund

ASHVILLE

Deerfield Croquet Club (828) 232-7102

BALD HEAD ISLAND

Bald Head Island Croquet Club (919) 673-6776

BELVIDERE

Albemarle Croquet Club (252) 326-1231

BLACK MOUNTAIN

Black Mountain Croquet Club (828) 669-2281

BLOWING ROCK

Blowing Rock Country Club (828) 295-3171

CASHIERS

The Chattooga Club (828) 743-3640

Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club (828) 743-4707

High Hampton (800) 334-2551

Trillium Links and Lake Club (828) 743-6161

The Country Club of Sapphire Valley (828) 743-2462

HIGHLANDS

VZ Top Croquet Club (404) 229-7052

Cullasaja Club (828) 526-3531

Highlands Falls Country Club (828) 526-4118

Highlands Strikers Croquet Club (828) 526-0501

Wildcat Cliffs Country Club, Inc (828) 526-5850

LAKE TOXAWAY

Lake Toxaway Mallet Club (864) 205-7375

LINVILLE

Linville Ridge Croquet Club (828) 742-4140

Grandfather Golf & Country Club (828) 898-4635

Linville Golf Club (828) 733-4311

PINEHURST

Pinehurst Croquet Club (910) 986-3164

PITTSBORO

Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club (817) 565-8145

ROARING GAP

Roaring Gap Club (336) 363-9169

SAPPHIRE

Burlingame Country Club (828) 966-9200

SOUTHPORT

The Clubs at St James (910) 477-8500 x 200

WINSTON SALEM

Arbor Acres Croquet (336) 724-7921

NORTH DAKOTA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Deborah Millican

OHIO

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Jennifer Joseph

CINCINNATI

Cincinnati Country Club (513) 533-5200

NEW ALBANY

New Albany Country Club (614) 488-0890

OKLAHOMA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Bob Baker

NICHOLS HILLS

ScissorTail Croquet Club (405) 590-7264

TULSA

Tulsa Croquet Club (918) 688-7777

OREGON

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Steve Scalpone

KING CITY

King City Croquet Club n/a

PORTLAND

Portland Croquet Club (503) 244-2080

PENNSYLVANIA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Chris Morris

DALTON

Manataka Mallet Club (570) 510-8446

GREENSBURG

Westmoreland Croquet Club (724) 836-1000

HAVERFORD

Merion Cricket Club (610) 642-5800

HERSHEY

THRIVE for Life Foundation (717) 602-6783

LANSDALE

Harleysville Croquet Club (610) 633-9999

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY

New London Croquet Club (202) 210-3812

PHILADELPHIA

The Croquet Club at Philadelphia Cricket (215) 643-9222

RHODE ISLAND

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Sean Hartley

NEWPORT

Newport Croquet Club (610) 348-0926

WATCH HILL

Ocean House Mallet Club (860) 227-7297

WESTERLY

Weekapaug Croquet Club (401) 339-6258

SOUTH CAROLINA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Charles Hayes

AIKEN

Green Boundary Croquet Club (781) 706-1468

BLUFFTON

Belfair (843) 757-0701

Sun City Croquet Club (843) 637-2150

CHARLESTON

St. James Croquet Club (843) 277-2765

Bishop Gadsden (843) 864-4365

Daniel Island Golf Club, LLC (843) 971-3555

DATAW ISLAND

Croquet Club of Dataw Island (843) 838-3401

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Wexford (843) 686-8828

OKATIE

Spring Island Croquet Club (843) 987-2003

TEGA CAY

Tega Cay Croquet Club 803 295-3071

WEST COLUMBIA

Susan Boyd Croquet Court & Pavilion (910) 367-9711

SOUTH DAKOTA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Deborah Millican

TENNESSEE

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Linda Trifone

CHATTANOOGA

Lookout Battleground Croquet Club (423) 602-3101

MEMPHIS

University Club of Memphis (901) 722-3700

NASHVILLE

Cottonwood Bocce & Croquet Club (615) 943-5671

TEXAS

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: John O. Brown

HOUSTON

Houston Croquet Association (713) 876-1508

Bayou Club of Houston (713) 686-4000

UTAH

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Ronald L. Eccles

US VIRGIN ISLANDS

ST. CROIX

Bombay Mallet & Wicket Croquet Club (340) 690-6577

VERMONT

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Ephraim E. Shulman

DORSET

Dorset Field Club (802) 867-4002

MANCHESTER

Ekwanok Country Club (802) 362-2220

WOODSTOCK

Croquet Club of Vermont (802) 230-8386

VIRGINIA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Bo Prillaman

HARTFIELD

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club (804) 694-9771

HIGHLAND SPRINGS

The Springs Croquet Club (804) 516-5386

TIMBERVILLE

North Mountain Croquet & Tennis Club (540) 470-2468

WASHINGTON

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Gary L. Anderson

SEATTLE

Woodland Park Lawn Bowling Club (206) 694-9065

WASHINGTON, DC

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Rodney Calver

WEST VIRGINIA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Merle Berkshire

WISCONSIN

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Cheryl Bromley

MILWAUKEE

Milwaukee Croquet Club (414) 405-5468

WYOMING

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Ronald L. Eccles

INTERNATIONAL

BERMUDA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: John Young III

SOMERSET BRIDGE

Croquet Club of Bermuda (441) 238-7308

CANADA - EASTERN

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Adam Barr

QUEBEC

RIQAUD

Mount Royal Croquet Club (450) 451-9989

ONTARIO

ST. CATHARINES

Royal St. Catharines Croquet Club (905) 685-6939

STONEY CREEK

Northern Lights Croquet Club (905) 643-4545

TORONTO

North Toronto Croquet Club (647) 267-5656

Kew Beach Croquet Club (416) 483-2800

CANADA - WESTERN

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Patrick Sweeney

MEXICO

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Paul T. Bennett

SCHOOLS

CALIFORNIA

RANCHO MIRAGE

Palm Valley School (818) 585-3385

FLORIDA

DELAND

Stetson University (386) 822-7182

LAKE WALES

Edward W. Bok Academy (863) 638-1010

WEST PALM BEACH

Palm Beach Atlantic University (561) 803-2328

MAINE

ISLE AU HAUT

Isle Au Haut School House (207) 335-2521

ISLESBORO

Islesboro School (207) 734-2251

ISLESFORD

Islesford (207) 244-7377

MATINICUS

Matinicus Elementary School (207) 366-3695

MONHEGAN

Monhegan Island School (207) 594-5895

NORTH HAVEN

North Haven Community School (207) 867-4707

ROCKPORT

The Riley School

SWANS ISLAND

Frenchboro School

Swan’s Island School

VINALHAVEN

Vinalhaven School

MARYLAND

ANNAPOLIS

St. Johns College

United States Naval Academy

SPARKS GLENCOE

Sparks Elementary School

MASSACHUSETTS

CAMBRIDGE

Harvard College

MISSISSIPPI

GAUTIER

Mississippi State Croquet Club at MISSOURI

WARRENSBURG

University Central Missouri

NEW JERSEY

SOMERSET

Rutgers Preparatory School

WEST LONG BRANCH

Monmouth University

NEW YORK

BRONX

NY Maritime College (347) 541-1031

NEW PALTZ

State University of NY at New Paltz (516) 708-3623

NORTH CAROLINA

GREENSBORO

Bennett College (919) 323-2350

NORTH DAKOTA

FARGO

Fargo South High School (701) 446-2000

OKLAHOMA

BARTLESVILLE

Oklahoma Wesleyan University (918) 440-4848

PENNSYLVANIA

UNIVERSITY PARK

Penn State University (814) 865-9202

TEXAS

COLLEGE STATION

Texas A&M University (817) 514-6554

DALLAS

SMU Flying Wickets (214) 768-2760

UTAH

LEHI

Lehi High School (801) 318-4902

VERMONT

MARLBORO

Marlboro College (802) 579-8238

Basic Two-Ball Tactics: Part 2

By Jeff Soo

Abbreviations used: blUe, Red, blacK, Yellow

For Part 1, see the Croquet News 2024 Winter Issue.

Figure 1 shows a Second Flight game that is just getting started. A short spell of out-game play allowed K to score 2 while Y was still in position at 1. Y entered the game and shot at R (U was at 2 and Y hoped for a 3-ball break) but missed. U then joined K on the boundary near 3 and it is R to play.

In Part 1 we looked at the trade-off between efficiency and safety when setting up two-ball breaks (2BB). For RY, the efficient play is for R to set Y for a rush to 2. Think a few turns ahead before deciding if this is a good choice for RY. That is, evaluate the rotational tactics of the situation.

Re-read Part 1 for a description of the three types of risk involved in two-ball tactics. If R sets for Y, Y’s chance of scoring 2 should be high and the risk of deadness low. A successful attack from K (including K clearing itself at 3) looks unlikely as it is too difficult at this level. So far, so good.

The problem is the third type of risk: giving the opponent a free three-ball break (3BB). U plays after Y and is also for 2. If Y rushes R to 2 and then leaves R there, U will have an easy start to a 3BB. Having scored 2, Y would have three reasonable options to deny U the break: scatter-shot R (i.e., cut-rush R so that both balls leave the court), rush R to 3 and score it or attack U and K. None of these options are reliable for a Second Flight player; each of them depends on running 2 with control and then playing one or more challenging shots afterward.

(And, if Y is willing to attack, a better time to do so is at the start of Y’s turn: rush R to 3, take off to K, croquet it into the court a bit while getting position for the rush on U, rush U to 2 and score, and now Y is set for a three- or four-ball break. A great play, well worth practicing, but a tall order for most Second Flight players.)

This is why stalemates are so common in the opening (see “The Stalemate at 2,” Croquet News 2023 Spring Issue). With all balls clean and for the same wicket, every ball faces the same dilemma: the first player who attempts to score risks giving a free 3BB to the opponent (or a free four-ball break if the wicket shot fails). But in Figure 1 not all balls are for 2. If RY waits for half a rotation, so that R is the ball scoring 2, this risk disappears: R can leave Y at 2 without giving up a 3BB, because K is for a different wicket. So, R should pass or move closer to Y: this is a case where safety is more important than scoring as quickly as possible.

The takeaway: when both your balls are alive on partner, giving you a choice of which ball to use for your next 2BB, check if either ball is immediately followed by a live opponent ball for the same wicket: the rotational trap. (Y faces just such a trap at the end of Part 1.)

Rotational traps can also occur when the opponent is one wicket behind. If that opponent ball is set up with a rush to its wicket, leaving a ball at the next wicket cedes the opponent a potential three-ball break.

Now, put yourself in UK’s shoes. If R stays on the boundary next to Y, should K set a rush for U to 2? No, for the same reason R didn’t set a rush for Y: U faces a rotational trap if it attempts to score 2. K should stay on the boundary close to U (or move to the east boundary to discourage a possible attack). Figure 2 shows the position one rotation (four turns) after Figure 1.

FIGURE 1: R to play, no deadness, K for 3 and all others for 2.

And Figure 3 shows the position after R has just scored 2, with numbered positions showing some options for R’s continuation shot.

(An option not shown is for R to roquet Y. The best play after roqueting Y would be to take off to U and K, hoping to get close enough to roquet K first, then rush U to 3. But, as with Y in Figure 1, if R wants to attack U and K it would have been better to have done so at the start of the turn.)

With no useful rush on Y, what should R do? To answer that question, we will again rate our options by comparing efficiency and risk.

Position 1, joining Y at 2, is the most efficient, if UK chooses to leave R and Y alone, because Y would be able to score immediately. But leaving both balls on court is always risky when the opponent is joined and has no deadness, and, in this case, K would have some

good attack options. Unless UK is an exceedingly cautious player, R should play to the boundary instead.

RY’s clips are on 2 and 3, so R should play to the boundary near one or both of those wickets. Point 2 is the least vulnerable to attack. It is also a good position for scoring again reasonably quickly. Y joins R, R sets a rush and Y rushes to 2 and scores. When you must separate from your partner ball, this is the quickest way to be reasonably sure of setting up an easy rush from the boundary: shoot out near your partner ball’s wicket, join and set the rush. On the downside, Y will be faced with a rotational trap here because U is also for 2.

K is about to score 3, so R will probably not be faced with a rotational trap at that wicket, and RY should focus on setting up a play for R. Point 3 is a good position if RY has the skills to play a line rush. Y would join R on the boundary, and R would then cut-rush Y to 3. Very efficient if RY is comfortable with that shot, but starting a 2BB from a line rush is more of a First or Championship Flight play.

That leaves two points that are reasonably close to 3 without being so close to K that it will be tempted to try to roquet R directly. Point 5 is a little safer, simply by being on a different boundary to K. Point 4 is playable, though. It has the advantage of being about equally close to both of RY’s wickets, although that advantage is mainly theoretical in this case, due to the rotational trap at 2.

FIGURE 2: R and K passed; Y set a rush for R and U set a rush for K.

FIGURE 3: R has just scored 2 and has a continuation shot.

Risk vs. Reward

By Cheryl Bromley

There is much more to the golf croquet than many people realize. Not only does it involve a variety of skills to execute particular shots, but it also requires learning about the characteristics of the lawn, figuring out the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and determining the risk and reward of the tactics to use in a particular game. It’s this last component that we’ll focus on for this article.

In any given match, the game can play out in several ways. For example, you might get off to a quick start and take an early lead or maybe you exchange hoops back and forth with your opponent and the match stays close. Or, perhaps you have a come-frombehind surge to finish out the game.

Regardless of the situation, you will have times when more than a couple of shot choices are available. This is when it’s particularly important to consider the percentages of making the shots you’re attempting. Here’s an example: let’s say you’ve taken an early lead of 4-1 and at the sixth hoop you have a 10-foot straight hoop shot with Black, even though your opponent’s Yellow is three feet from the hoop on a slight angle.

Ask yourself, “How many times out of 10 do I think I can make this hoop?” versus “How many times out of 10 can I clear Yellow and stay relevant near the hoop?”

If you’re feeling confident in your hoop shooting and the 10-foot shot is one you feel you can make a good percentage of the time, why not take the shot? You’re ahead 4-1, after all. Whatever you decide, be sure you commit to the shot, go through your pre-shot routine and take your time executing the shot. The final thought to have as you take your shot is a positive one of the ball going through the hoop.

A higher-risk shot that is successful obviously feels great and, often, offers a bigger payout, but the lesson here is to take a moment to be clear on your decision. Also, times will occur when you have no other good choice and you will have to go for it.

Now, let’s turn that example around with you trailing in the game with a score of 1-4. Prior to this hoop, you’ve missed a couple of hoop attempts and now feel your hoop shooting from this distance is at about 50 percent. In this scenario, you might also feel more pressure because if you do not make the hoop and Yellow does, you’ll be behind 1-5, leaving a lot of work to catch up and stay in the game.

This is when it might be more prudent to clear Yellow with Black where, hopefully, the percentage or odds of making that shot are better. The process is still the same: commit to the clearing shot, go through your pre-shot routine and take your time executing the shot. Think positive.

In a number of situations, it is often considered smarter to play the higher percentage shot rather than taking a riskier shot, as this will increase your chances of success. There are multiple factors to consider in that decision, and these can change throughout the course of a game. These include the score, time remaining, confidence in and probability of your shot and an opponent’s abilities. Play smart!

It is Black to play.

1. Consider the percentages of executing each option.

2. Take into account the game situation

3. Commit to the shot you choose.

Total

Total

Total

eventresults

The Beach Club GC Invitational

December 13-15, 2024

The Beach Club

Palm Beach, Florida

Championship Singles

01. Tate Russack

02. Mike Hoggatt

03. Priscilla Flowers

03. Kendall Hendrick

05. Jodie Rugart

05. Chris Morris

05. Cami Russack

05. Stephen Tasker

09. Randy Cardo

09. Conrad Rugart

11. Brett Stovall

11. Bo Prillaman

13. Bruce Hindin

13. Sandra Knuth

15. Alex Galasso

15. Charlie Stovall

First Flight Singles

01. George Claffey

02. Joe Harris

03. Violet Frizzell

03. Laura Hendrick

05. John Grabow

05. Joe Moore

05. Caryl Firth

05. Neill Trimble

09. Gregory Presley

09. Thomas Tribby

09. Gay Cinque

09. Jacquie Harris

Holiday Invitational

December 13-15, 2024

Sarasota County Croquet Club

Venice, Florida

Championship Singles

01. Gene Raymond

02. Lynda Sudderberg

03. Stephen Errickson

03. John Donohue

05. Brian Zindel

05. Ron Eccles

07. Quinn Reinhardt

07. Mark Campbell

09. Stephen Grassbaugh

10. Roger Vorraber

First Flight

01. George Quallich

02. Mervyn Harvey

03. Jim Watrous

03. Teressa Errickson

05. Ken Deason

05. Christof Weihs

07. John Joseph

08. Marsha Cargill

Second Flight

01. Karen Weihs

02. Stephen Walden

03. John Ayers

03. Pauline Harvey

05. Kathie Hart

06. Bill Simmons

DNF Jennifer Joseph

Third Flight

01. Amy Bothwell

02. Alex Feinstein

03.Debbie Martin

03. Christopher Darton

05. Jeffery Cohen

06. Jason Collins

07. Toni Marie Gelineau

Shark Tooth Open

November 15-17, 2024

Sarasota County Croquet Club

Venice, Florida

Championship Singles

01. Ellie Griffith

02. Russ Cuccia

03. Matt Griffith

03. Tate Russack

05. Scott Spoerl

06. Todd Russell

07. Kendall Hendrick

08. J. Billie Ray

First Flight Singles

01. Mike Hoggatt

02. Gene Raymond

03. Chris Weihs

03. Teressa Errickson

05. Jose Benjumea

06. Chris Morris

07. Stephen Errickson

08. Joe Fairbanks

Second Flight Singles

01. Alex Galasso

02. Cami Russack

03. Jim Watrous

03. Melvyn Harvey

05. Bob Gelineau

06. Ellen Nielsen

07. Doug Ledgett

08. Bill Simmons

Third Flight Singles

01. Rusty Rose

02. Roger Vorraber

03. Laura Hendrick

03. Jake Walter

05. Priscilla Flowers

06. Mary Galasso

07. Caryl Firth

08. Michael Kolowich

Fourth Flight Singles

01. Carlos Ayala-Pagan

02. Simon Dentchev

03. Karen Weihs

03. Lee Robinson

05. Chris Smith

06. Angela Pittman

07. Suzanne Turner

08. Lyudmila Kiseleva

Fifth Flight Singles

01. Jon Ayers

02. Trudy Crowetz

03. Kathie Hart

03. Alex Feinstein

05. Matthew St. Hilaire

06. Gregory Presley

07. Pan Groh

08. John E. Walker

Sixth Flight Singles

01. Ronald Taylor

02. Ellyn McColgan

03. Jason Collins

03. Theresa Chick

05. Mike Carroll

06. Thomas Brown

07. Julie Doric

08. Linda Kemerer

Green Boundary Invitational

November 8-10, 2024

Green Boundary Croquet Club

Aiken, South Carolina

Championship Doubles

01. Nancy Hart/Gene Raymond

02. Kendall Hendrick/Laura Hendrick

03. Robb Turner/Sybil Turner

04. Scott Brown/Kathy Brown

05. Robert Hamilton/Mary Anne Hamilton

06. Jim Podraza/Judy Murray

07. Janet Anthos/Amy Hempt

08. Richard Watson/Charley Hayes

First Flight Doubles

01. Mark Visk/Kris Visk

02. Angie Willie/Slant Willie

03. Rocky Smith/Elaine Smith

04. Lou Hethington/Mary-Stewart Regensburg

05. Dan Phelan/Elizabeth Phelan

06. Mark Tatusko/John Harte

07. Bill Lichtenberger/Maryann Lichtenberger

08. George Enochs/Elsa McDowell

Houston Invitational

November 7-10, 2024

Houston Croquet Association

Houston, Texas

Championship Singles

01. John Brown

02. Bob Pulitzer

03. John Watson

04. Stuart Coco

05. Scott Kennedy

06. George Peterkin III

07. Britt Ruby

First Flight Singles

01. Charlotte Pulitzer

02. Bass Wallace

03. Joe Leary

04. Lee Hamel

05. Mary Craddock

06. Donna Hamel

Championship Doubles

01. John Watson/George Peterkin III

02. Bob Pulitzer/Scott Kennedy

03. Britt Ruby/Stuart Coco

First Flight Doubles

01. Charlotte Pulitzer/Donna Hamel

02. Mary Craddock/Joe Leary

03. Lee Hamel/Bass Wallace

Castles & Croquet

6 days/5 nights

May 19 - 24 July 21- 26

$9,950

Stay in the Elizabethan splendour of the Gravetye Manor with their Michelin Star restaurant and the outrageous, palatial elegance of Cliveden House. Play at 650yr old Hever Castle and Penshurst Place, visit Sir Winston Churchill’s country home then play on his croquet lawn. Compete in our international Tell ‘em that the Yanks are Coming tournament with the Royal Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club and much more!

Learn the 7 Skills to Play Like a Champion as taught by Jiminy Wicket® and the 21 Ways to Play Better Croquet. Celebrate your wins with a Roaring ’20s awards dinner (stripey blazers, bow ties, flapper dresses and fascinators). And all this with door-to-door transport by legendary and luxurious Land Rover. All proceeds support our mission. Limit 4 - 8 guests.

To register or for more information: info@JiminyWicket.org

NCC Club GC Doubles

November 1-3, 2024

National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, Florida

Championship Doubles

01. Tom Cooper/David Ekstrom

02. Bob Van Tassell/David McCoy

03. Jodie Rugart/Conrad Rugert

03. Ned Fleming/Bill Trower

05. Jay Carey/Kim Jones

05. Trudy Crowetz/Lois Clay

05. Pam Groh/Suzanne Turner

05. Rick Hayes/Tom Lindley

First Flight Doubles

01. Susan Langston/Scott Langston

02. Rich Rose/Diane Rose

03. Jane Louis Smith/Bob Smith

03. Lou Tyrrell/Lucia MoralesHalaby

05. Lynn Epstein/Michael Miller

05. Damon Hagan/Kimberly Hagan

05. Nancy Sansalone/Lynn Foley

Chesapeake Bay CC Fall GC Challenge

October 1 - November 30, 2024

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, Virginia

Final Order

01. Michael Heath

02. Sarah Persons

03. Jeff Taylor

04. Doug Murphy

05. John Woods

06. Bill James

07. Russ Brudnicki

08. Penn Pendleton

09. Buck Brewer

10. Kimberly Leedy

Loggerhead GC Tournament September 27-29, 2024

Grand Haven Croquet Club Palm Coast, Florida

Final Order

01. Edmund Giancola

02. Peter Gordon

03. Dave Paukovich

03. Howard Chodak

05. Lisa Chodak

05. Billy Roche

05. Carmen Roche

05. Mike Debitetto

09. Jane Stanton

©2025 Jiminy Wicket

Cliveden House

The Gravetye Manor

uscaevents

February

2/4/25 - 2/5/25

USCA GC School

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

2/13/25 - 2/16/25

USCA FL Regional

GC Championship

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

2/17/25 - 2/23/25

WCF PFC Mallets GC World Teams Championship Tasmania

2/20/25 - 2/23/25

St. Croix Invitational

St Croix, USVI

Douglas P Moore | 646-322-1742 douglaspmoore@gmail.com

2/24/25 - 3/1/25

Mission Hills Country Club Invitational

Mission Hills Country Club

Rancho Mirage, CA

Nicholas Gray | 760-770-2052 nickgray723@comcast.net

2/26/25 - 3/2/25

Steuber Classic 6W & GC

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

2/28/25

Hall of Fame Induction

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

March

3/4/25 - 2/6/25

USCA American 6W School

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

3/4/25 - 2/5/25

USCA GC School

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

3/6/25 - 3/9/25

Blaine Davis Invitational 6W

Gasparilla Mallet Club

Boca Grande, FL

Bob Worrell | 402-677-2683 rgworrell@hotmail.com

3/7/25 - 3/9/25

USCA Croquet Week GC Tournament

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

3/7/25 - 4/30/25

Dogwood Spring 6W Challenge

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, VA

Macey W White | 804-694-9771 maceywhite@gmail.com

3/13/25 - 3/16/25

USCA Club Teams 6W

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

3/17/25 - 2/23/25

USCA Association Laws

National Championship

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

3/20/25 - 3/23/25

WGCA Women’s International Friendship Cup GC

Ponte Vedra Croquet Club

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Marc H Stearns | 562-762-5400 mstearns2@bellsouth.net

3/27/25 - 3/30/25

Sarasota Open AC

Sarasota County Croquet Club Venice, FL

Nancy Hart | 803-530-2035 nh13sc@gmail.com

3/29/25 - 3/30/25

Florida SE District GC Tournament

National Croquet Center, WPB, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

April

4/11/25 - 4/13/25

USCA Florida Treasure Coast

District GC Tournament

The Moorings Vero Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

4/14/25 - 4/18/25

WCF Under 21 GC Championship

Sarasota County Croquet Club

Venice, FL

Jeff Soo | 919-419-3165 jeff@ipsedixit.net

4/15/25 - 4/16/25

USCA GC School

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

4/24/25 - 4/27/25

Country Club of Jackson Invitational 6W Country Club of Jackson

Jackson, MS

Mark Fields | 601-918-2704 mfields5@gmail.com

4/24/25 - 4/27/25

Albemarle Croquet Club GC Open

Albemarle Croquet Club Belvidere, NC

Adam Lassiter | 252-326-1231 adamllassiter@gmail.com

4/24/25 - 4/27/25

The Grand Cup (GC)

The Lakewood Club Fairhope, AL Larkin Harris | 251-209-9787 Larkin.Harris@grand1847.com

May

5/1/25 - 5/4/25

USCA SE Regional 6W Championship Albemarle Croquet Club Belvidere, NC

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

4/4/25 - 4/6/25

Palmetto Invitational 6W

Green Boundary Croquet Club Aiken, SC

Marc Blumberg | 404-229-7052 ppimab@aol.com

4/4/25 - 4/6/25

USCA FL Central GC Tournament

Belleair Country Club

Belleair, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

4/4/25 - 4/6/25

National Croquet Centerlub GC Singles

National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, FL

4/10/25 - 4/12/25

USCA FL SW District GC

Bonita Bay Croquet Club

Bonita Springs, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

5/7/25 - 6/30/25

Stingray Golf Croquet Challenge Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, VA

Macey W White | 804-694-9771 maceywhite@gmail.com

5/8/25 - 5/11/25

NC Open AC Pinehurst Croquet Club Pinehurst, NC

Mike Taylor | 910-986-3343 mrtaylor1022@gmail.com

5/18/25 - 5/24/25

USCA GC National Championship National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

5/29/25 - 6/1/25

NC GC State Championship Albemarle Croquet Club Belvidere, NC

Adam Lassiter | 252-326-1231 adamllassiter@gmail.com

June

6/7/25 - 6/7/25

National Croquet Day

Ursula Peck | 561-478-0760 membership@uscroquet.com

6/19/25 - 6/22/25

Woodlawn Invitational 6W

Woodlawn Croquet Ellsworth, ME

Perry A Mattson | 207-667-9335 newburyneckshore@gmail.com

6/27/25 - 6/29/25

New York Golf Croquet Championship NY Croquet Club New York, NY

Douglas P Moore | 646-322-1742 douglaspmoore@gmail.com

July

7/3/25 - 7/6/25

Rockfish GC Tournament

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hertfield, VA

Macey W White | 804-694-9771 maceywhite@gmail.com

7/28/25 - 7/31/25

US Team Carter Cup

Carrickmines Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club

Damon C Bidencope | 704-488-7915 president@uscroquet.com

August

8/7/25 - 8/10/25

Solomon Trophy

Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club

Budleigh Salterton, Devon

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

8/7/25 - 8/10/25

Vacationland GC Tournament

Woodlawn Croquet

Ellsworth, ME

Timothy McCormick | 207-329-5343 tmccorm1@gmail.com

8/8/25 - 8/10/25

Rochester Invitational 6W Rochester, NY

Denise M Ireland | 585-287-4531 hutchisondenise@gmail.com

September

9/3/25 - 9/7/25

Woodlawn Big Lobster 6W & 9W Woodlawn Croquet Ellsworth, ME

Perry A Mattson | 207-667-9335 newburyneckshore@gmail.com

9/11/25 - 9/14/25

Southeast GC Regional

Bald Head Island Croquet Club

Bald Head Island, NC

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

INQUIRIES AND SUBMISSIONS

Submit all inquiries and stories to uscacroquetnews@yahoo.com

Articles and reports should be submitted as Microsoft Word files and photos should be full resolution (300 dpi). The best approach when writing a press release or story is to keep it simple, short and to the point. Start with the most important news, as opposed to who announced it.

A good first paragraph answers the key questions: What? When? Where? Why? Who? How? The idea is to anticipate the questions a reader might have. Or, think of what you would want to know. For the title, the goal is to capture the reader’s attention, but keep it brief and the message clear. Double-check all details to ensure accuracy before submitting the press release. Please remember that all content may be edited for length and photos will be adjusted appropriately. If you want a byline, please include one at the beginning of the article.

Provide photos by using a filesharing service like Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer or Box. Pick your best photos – eight to 12 good photos is enough. Twenty photos maximum. If you are unsure if your photos are high enough resolution to print, check the file size. Generally, we can make files above 1 MB work. Files under 500 KB are in the danger zone, but we will do our best to salvage them. Captions are important. The best option is create a caption key at the end of your article. If photo credits are needed, make sure they are part of the caption.

eventresults

September (continued)

9/11/25 - 9/14/25

Osborn Cup 6W

Central Park

New York, NY

Douglas P Moore | 646-322-1742 douglaspmoore@gmail.com

9/11/25 - 9/14/25

Blue Crab 6W Tournament

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, VA

Macey W White | 804-694-9771 maceywhite@gmail.com

9/16/25 - 9/17/25

USCA Association Laws School

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

9/18/25 - 9/21/25

USCA GC Eights

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

9/24/25 - 9/28/25

Pinehurst Invitational 6W

Pinehurst Country Club

Pinehurst, NC

Elaine Moody | 910-986-3164 halliburton_2@msn.com

October

10/1/25 - 11/30/25

Autumn Leaves GC Challenge

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, VA

Macey W White | 804-694-9771 maceywhite@gmail.com

10/2/25 - 10/5/25

USCA Selection Eights AC

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

10/7/25 - 10/8/25

USCA GC School

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

10/9/25 - 10/12/25

Big Oyster GC Tournament

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, VA

Macey W White | 804-694-9771 maceywhite@gmail.com

10/13 - 10/16/25

WCF Association Laws World Qualifier

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

10/18 - 10/26/25

2025 WCF Association Laws World Championship

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

10/28 - 10/30/25

USCA American 6W School

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

November

11/5/25 - 11/9/25

USCA Seniors Masters 6W

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

11/16 - 11/22/25

USCA 6W National Championship

Mission Hills Country Club Croquet Club, Rancho MIrage, CA

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

11/20 - 11/23/25

USCA GC Seniors/Masters

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

December

12/2/25 - 12/3/25

USCA GC School

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

12/5/25 - 12/7/25

USCA GC Club Teams

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

PFC HOOP MAKER CUSTOM MALLETS

Perfectly balanced, accurate and reliable, PFC Hoop Maker Mallets are made of aluminum alloy and carbon fiber to deliver more power with less effort.

Choose from:

• Head length options: 11” or 9-⅝”

• Overall weight choices: 2 lb.14 oz., 2 lb.11 oz., or 2 lb. 6 oz.

• 3 Face Plate options

• 4 Grips, 6 Colors, Solid or Travel Shaft

USCA SCHOOLS

Our schools are taught by top USCA-certified instructors who are qualified and experienced players selected by our staff because of their croquet expertise and ability to communicate to those who wish to learn to play the game correctly. Students will have the opportunity to play croquet in a structured environment. Classes are small (8:1 or less student-to-teacher ratio) and are tailored to the specific playing levels of the participants.

AMERICAN 6W (3 days)

March 4-6, 2025

October 28-30, 2025

GOLF CROQUET (2 days)

February 4-5, 2025

March 4-5, 2025

April 15-16, 2025

October 7-8, 2025

Dec 2-3, 2025

ASSOCIATION (2 days) October 16-17, 2025

5 hours/day of on-court instruction

Use of equipment

Official Rulebook (New A6W or GC members

USCA Shot-making Manual (1st time A6W) Daily Continental Breakfast and Lunches Certificate of Completion & Photograph Wine and Cheese Graduation Party.

United States Croquet Association