2021 Croquet News Volume 3: On The Road Again

2021 Volume 3

CroquetNews The Official Magazine

of the United States Croquet Association

on the road again Finding a Gem in Buckhead

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES | NATIONAL CROQUET DAY | GC EIGHTS SOUTHEAST REGIONALS| FLORIDA GC REGIONAL | DAN PAILAS

NATIONAL CROQUET CENTER PRO SHOP

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Visit our Pro Shop Website for All Things Croquet www.nationalcroquetcenterproshop.com 561-478-2300 ext 5

CroquetNews 2021 Volume 3

Features 09 | USCA On the Road Again 14 | 2021 Hall of Fame Inductees 19 | 2021 Southeast Regionals 22 | 2021 Golf Croquet Eights 26 | 2021 Florida GC Regional 32 | National Croquet Day 34 | Member Profile: Dan Pailas

Departments 03 | Courtside with Damon Bidencope 04 | The Clubhouse 05 | Who Am I? 36 | Let's Talk Tactics 37 | GC America 38 | 9W Roundup 41 | Event Results 43 | New Membership 44 | Grand Prix Standings 45 | Events Calendar

On The Cover

Damon Bidencope took this photo of the Peachtree Hills Place courts from from a guest suite balcony while visiting for a travelling instructional session.

Publisher

Dylan Goodwin | croquetnetwork@gmail.com

Managing Editor

Julie Jantzer-Ward | uscacroquetnews@yahoo.com

Art Director

Brandy Ferguson | www.wildfirecreativeco.com

Inquiries

Please submit all inquiries and stories to uscacroquetnews@yahoo.com.

Text should be submitted as a Microsoft Word file and photos need to be FULL 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 expressed permission of the publisher. Views expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USCA. © 2021 United States Croquet Association

courtside

Reaching Out, Touching You This may sound like a rearrangement of the well-known Neil Diamond 1969 song “Sweet Caroline.” It is however apropos of efforts being made by many of your fellow dedicated members, volunteers and your association.

The song reflects on lonesomeness that loosely parallels the recent period of limited activity with COVID-19 and the longing for the normal fellowship and camaraderie we share within our croquet community. The good news: we are writing new verses and bouncing back.

Our USCA titled events are attracting keen interest and strong fields. Upcoming USCA Regionals and National Championships offer an opportunity to reconnect with friends, learn through competition or, for the recently converted croquet players, learn by observing the top players.

These upcoming top events include: • Mid-Atlantic Regional (6W): August 27-29 at Green Gables Croquet Club, NJ • National Championship (GC): September 1-5 at CBCC, Hartfield, VA • Midwest Regional (6W): September 3-6 at Tulsa Croquet Club, OK • National Championship (6W): October 10-16 at NCC West Palm Beach, FL • Selection Eights (AC): October 28-31 at NCC West Palm Beach, FL • Seniors/Masters (6W): November 10-14 at NCC West Palm Beach, FL • Club Teams GC: December 3-5 at NCC West Palm Beach, FL While the above events may be the focus of the seasoned and aspiring competitors, opportunities for increasing your croquet knowledge, skill and enjoyment do not, however, require you to travel. We are reaching out across the US and offering instructional school programs at your lawn in all games of croquet with a team of our top-level instructors. So, if you have a half dozen croquet enthusiasts wanting to learn more, contact the USCA’s friendly office staff and we will provide the details. Some glimpses into what this program can provide are included in the "On the Road Again" article included in this issue that features a look at a new croquet gem in the middle of Buckhead, Atlanta.

I am delighted to be part of the team moving your association and croquet forward in all its types (6W, AC, GC, 9W) and looking to achieve more than just reaching out. We want to connect and to enrich your croquet experience at your lawn.

Sincerely,

Damon Bidencope

Proud USCA Member / USCA President President@uscroquet.com / croquetamerica.com croquetamerica.com | 3

TheClubhouse WCF ANNOUNCES CHANGES FOR 2022 CHAMPIONSHIPS In consideration of recent COVID-19 outbreaks and restrictions for both Australia, the World Croquet Federation (WCF) has announced changes for the three world championships that had been slated for early 2022. The WCF Management Committee have considered each event separately and have announced the following approach for the events: Women’s AC World Championship: This will no longer be held in January 2022 in Christchurch, New Zealand. The WCF and Croquet New Zealand are in discussions to select a future year for the event to be held in New Zealand.

Under 21 GC World Championship: This will no longer be held in February 2022 in Hamilton, New Zealand. The WCF and Croquet New Zealand are in discussions regarding the possibility of moving it to either later in the year or to January-February 2023.

GC World Championship: This event will no longer be held in February 2022 in Mount Manganui, New Zealand. The WCF is considering other venues for 2022 with England mentioned as a potential candidate.

The changes were made after discussions between Croquet New Zealand and the WCF in light of the recent outbreaks in the region that have led to lockdowns in both Australia and New Zealand. Travel into New Zealand currently requires an expensive two-week isolation in a hotel and little indication is known of when this requirement might be lifted. Additionally, the WCF says a clear risk of further lockdowns may be imposed in either country.

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NEW WCF TREASURER ANNOUNCED In May, the WCF announced the election of Chris Clarke to the position of WCF treasurer. Clarke won the election with 37 votes from Tarek Abdou, who received eight votes and Jose-Maria Alonso-Gamo who received nine votes. Clarke’s experience includes a career in financial management and logistics before moving to New Zealand. He has many decades of experience in croquet administration, having supported croquet at both club, regional and national levels. As an UK citizen, with permanent residence in New Zealand, he understands the workings of the WCF, having previously acted as Secretary-General.

On the court, he has won two AC World Championship titles and is a winner of more than 50 national titles. He has been inducted into both the WCF Hall of Fame and the Croquet New Zealand Hall of Fame.

USCA 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 David Isaacs treasurer@uscroquet.com Secretary Rob Byrd secretary@uscroquet.com

WHO AM I? I was part of collegiate croquet history in 1982.

I am a Brewer and a Hurricane. No, I am not a bartender.

I am negative on American Rules (or A6W) Croquet, but in a good way.

I also had a rather good run in Association Croquet (AC).

I once was president of the USCA. My presidential status made international croquet history in 1997.

As the photo suggests, I have owned a red coat since 2011.

I have been holding for 15 years and I know the real thing when I see it.

Can you guess, Who am I?

United States Croquet Association (USCA) 700 Florida Mango Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406 Tel. (561) 478-0760 Fax (561) 686-5507 Email: usca@msn.com Website: www.croquetamerica.com ________________________ REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS Florida Gene Raymond floridarvp@uscroquet.com Mid-Atlantic Timothy Rapuano midatlanticrvp@uscroquet.com Midwest Russell S. Dilley midwestrvp@uscroquet.com

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Northeast Preston Stuart northeastrvp@uscroquet.com Southeast Macey White southeastrvp@uscroquet.com Western Rory Kelley westernrvp@uscroquet.com ________________________ USCA STAFF Membership Coordinator Ursula Peck membership@uscroquet.com Tournament & Schools Johnny Mitchell tournament@uscroquet.com www.CroquetAmerica.com croquetamerica.com | 5

theclubhouse Croquet Organizations: Who’s Who

“WHO AM I?” ANSWER I am . . . Dan Mahoney.

Mahoney went to Vassar College for his undergraduate degree in political science. In 1982, he was on the Vassar College croquet team, which played in the inaugural National Intercollegiate Croquet Championship.

Mahoney graduated from Vassar in 1982. He went on to receive an MBA from the University of Miami (Florida) in 1986. Vassar athletes are known as Brewers and Miami athletes as Hurricanes.

Mahoney is no longer an active croquet player, but in his day, he was quite good. For example, in 1997, Mahoney beat Jeff Soo in the finals of the Canadian Open (A6W). He ended his playing days with a -0.5 handicap in American Six-Wicket Croquet.

Mahoney was rather good in AC too, as demonstrated by his playing in the World Croquet Championships in Sonoma in 1999 and his selection as a member of the US team that competed against Ireland in the Carter Cup in 2001.

From 1997 through 2001, Mahoney was president of the USCA. His presidential status allowed him to make international croquet history in 1997, when he became the first sitting USCA president to play in the Canadian Open.

When Mahoney beat Jeff Soo in the final of that event, he donated his $500 prize money to Croquet Canada, the national governing body of croquet in Canada.

In 2011, Mahoney was inducted into the US Croquet Hall of Fame, along with Dick Brackett (left) and Rich Curtis (middle), with whom Mahoney (right) is pictured in the photo.

For the past 15 years, Mahoney has been a real estate broker and owner of a real estate investment holdings company.

The UNITED STATES CROQUET ASSOCIATION (USCA) was formed in 1977, and is the US National Governing Body for sport. It is the originating entity for the growth of croquet in the US. The USCA is a founding member of the World Croquet Federation. It is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that promotes the awareness, development and enjoyment of croquet in America, providing resources and governance for the sport at all levels. It is a membership organization, with nearly 300 member clubs and 3,000 members. The USCA has an elected board of Officers and Directors (representative of the six regions). The USCA stages the National Championships in each version of the game. The USCA sanctions hundreds of tournaments (local, regional, national and international) each year, provides handicapping, ranking services, instruction and referee certifications. Through its many volunteer committees, it provides assistance, guidance and resources for all facets of the sport. In addition to managing all forms of the sport in the US, the USCA establishes the official rules for two of the four most popular forms of the sport (American 9-Wicket “backyard croquet” and American 6-Wicket Croquet) and collaborates with other national governing bodies on changes and updates to Golf Croquet and Association Croquet.

Croquet Foundation of America (CFA ): a 501(c)(3) not-forprofit sports organization, managed by a self-electing Board and Executive Committee. Owns and operates the National Croquet Center (NCC), including the Pro Shop, the courts and the Croquet Museum; sponsors three benefit tournaments at the NCC (Snowbirds versus Flamingos, The Steuber Classic and The Palm Beach County Summer Golf Croquet League); rents space at the NCC to the USCA (offices and courts for tournaments and schools); rents offices and kitchen to Sandy James Fine Food & Productions, Inc.; manages the US Croquet Hall of Fame, in association with the USCA; host and home of the Palm Beach County Special Olympics Croquet Club and a venue for other charitable, croquet-related programs; offers free lessons and a game of golf croquet to the general public every Saturday morning; rents out its facility and courts for corporate, government, private and not-for-profit events – usually involving croquet, with instruction, to promote the sport and help support the facility.

Maybe one day he will return to croquet …

National Croquet Center (NCC): The largest and finest dedicated croquet center in the world, owned and operated by the CFA.

Errata

National Croquet Club: A 501(c)(7), non-profit, social membership club, resident and operating exclusively at the National Croquet Center under a Space Sharing Agreement with the CFA.

The 2021 Volume 2 Issue of the Croquet News included an incorrect header for the Golf Croquet Grand Prix. It should have been noted as 2021 instead of 2020.

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SandyJames Fine Food & Productions, Inc.: In-house, exclusive caterer for the NCC.; James Bartle, Owner/ Operator. Caters to all surrounding counties using office and kitchen space at the NCC rented to them by the CFA. Best caterer around town!

ALBERT R. DILLEY Albert R. Dilley passed away peacefully in the presence of family and in the care of Emmanuel Hospice at Porter Hills Village in Grand Rapids, Mich., on the evening of June 1, 2021. His age was 100.

He was born June 28, 1920, in Grand Rapids, Mich., the son of Abner D. Dilley and Francis Westbrook Dilley. Albert was raised in the home of his father and stepmother, Faye Doddridge Dilley, with his older brother, Robert, younger brother, Donald, and younger half-sister, Dorothy (Elwood). After graduation from Ottawa Hills High School, he attended Grand Rapids Junior College and then the University of Michigan. His education was interrupted when he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942, six months after Pearl Harbor. He was very proud of his aviation achievements as a naval aviator. Following the war, he entered the University of Michigan Law School. After receiving his law degree and being admitted to the practice of law, he joined his father and older brother, Robert, in the law firm of Dilley & Dilley where he was later joined by his younger brother, Donald, his son, Fred, his daughter, Nancy, and his nephew, Thomas R. Dilley. He was also very proud to welcome the fifth-generation of Dilley lawyers with his grandson, Benjamin C. Dilley, who practices with the law firm of Mika Meyers. He pursued an active and successful legal career until his retirement in 1999.

He married Muriel Schurman Ellefson in the Methodist Chapel in Ann Arbor, Mich., on the evening of the Ohio State football game, November 20, 1947 (Michigan won, 21-0, for a perfect 9-0 season). Albert and Muriel celebrated their wedding anniversary every year thereafter on the day of the Ohio StateMichigan game until her death in 2003. He was a lifelong member of the Victors Club.

1920-2021

country with Albert in the left hand seat of his beloved V-tail Beechcraft Bonanza.

Never shy about speaking truth to power, he frequently authored letters to elected officials challenging or commending their actions and providing critical thought and evaluation on a host of legal and social issues. He was a regular contributor of letters to the editor and other op-ed pieces for the Grand Rapids Press and later the Palm Beach Post.

He was a proud recipient of the Champion of Justice Award from the State Bar of Michigan in 1999. The established criteria for the award are “extraordinary professional accomplishments benefitting our nation, state or community and a career which reflects superior professional competence and integrity.” He will be remembered for his fierce devotion to human rights and civil rights and his advocacy for the rule of law. To his family, clients and many friends, he was truly a Champion of Justice.

He and Muriel moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., in 1999 where they enjoyed an active and satisfying retirement. Their location at PGA National Resort was in large measure to pursue his interest in croquet at the championship flight level, which he did enthusiastically nearly every day until he ceased competitive play at age 95.

He is survived by his four children and their families, all living in Grand Rapids: Frederick Dilley (Elizabeth); Mary Dilley; Marcia Dilley Allen (Peter); Nancy Dilley Rominger (Charles), three grandchildren, Katherine Dilley Wright (Jeff); Benjamin C. Dilley; and Christopher C. Rominger. Also, three great-grandchildren, Hazel, Jack and Harry Wright of Charlestown, Mass.

He was an accomplished and enthusiastic private pilot as was Muriel and their son. The family made many memorable trips all over the

The family would be appreciative of donations to Emmanuel Hospice of Grand Rapids. Information at: https://emmanuelhospice.org/.

PASSAGES Jack Barlow, Grand Haven Croquet Club Bob Crouch, Sarasota County Croquet Club &

Grand Haven Croquet Club

Albert R. Dilley, Croquet Club at PGA National Orin Kaufman, Grand Haven Croquet Club Joe S. Payne, Cullasaja Club

Betty Brown Williams, Houston Croquet Association Bonnie Ruggles, Belleair Country Club Croquet Robert F. Young, At Large Member

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theinbox TEGA CAY HOLDS JUNIOR/PARENT GC EVENT

For National Croquet Day, the Tega Cay Croquet Club took the opportunity to feature our Junior members in a Singles Golf Croquet Tournament. Eight players participated in this single-elimination tournament on a warm Saturday afternoon. Photos by Terry Hunt and Gloria Bensch.

T

he Tega Cay Croquet Club, located in Tega Cay, S.C., held its annual Junior/Parent Golf Tournament on April 25, 2021, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. This tournament occurs each year to help the parents get familiar with the game of croquet and to thank them for transporting their juniors to the junior sessions and events. Eight of the junior members participated.

They were teamed with a parent of their choice in this Swissformatted event. Each team played three games against a different team each round. The juniors coached their parents on the rules and strategies of Golf Croquet (GC). Every team played well, and many exceptional shots were made by both the juniors and parents. Emma Lenhard hit one amazing jump shot just one foot from the wicket that cleared two other balls and scored the wicket. On another shot, Lauren Fredenberg scored the first and second wickets in one shot. In croquet terminology, this rare shot is called a Chernobyl.

To celebrate National Croquet Day, the players were asked to wear colorful outfits instead of traditional white clothing.

Lauren Fredenberg (right) was given a prize for the most original outfit.

Most of the 12 games played were closely contested. Five of the games went to a tie-breaker shoot-out at the end of the 30-minute time limit. At the start of the third round, the teams of Katherine and Frank Smith and Catherine and Andrew Simpson were undefeated with two victories and played for first place in Round 3.

Also, three teams could finish with two victories and possibly finish in second place based on the results of Round 3. Second place was based on the number of wins and the number of net points.

At the end of the third round, the Smith team finished in first place and remained undefeated. The team of Kinsley and Lane Young finished in second place with two wins and with a +4 net points score. Trophies and prizes were awarded to the first and second place teams. The theme of the tournament was springtime, so the trophies contained an umbrella for April showers and May flowers.

The Tournament Director, Terry Hunt, would like to thank the following for helping with the tournament: Referees: Wendy Hope, Susan Maher, Gloria Bensch and Alan Offen.

Refreshments: Sue Offen Trophies: George Fiegel Clean up: Most of those listed above and Frank Smith (a parent)

Caroline Mandon (left) and Katherine Smith (right)

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And most of all, the Players: Katherine and Frank Smith, Kinsley and Lane Young, Emma and Teri Lenhard, Catherine and Andrew Simpson, Caroline and Ben Mandon, Lauren and Bob Fredenberg, Ivy and Lindsey Babuder and Laylah Blair and Hallie Carey

USCA TRAVELLING INSTRUCTIONAL SCHOOL

on the road again Finding a Gem in Buckhead

BY DAMON BIDENCOPE

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USCA TRAVELLING INSTRUCTIONAL SCHOOL

Damon Bidencope leads an instructional session for the Peachtree Hills Place players.

Our experiences with croquet and how it enriches our lives varies in as many ways as we have members. It is a lifelong and healthy pursuit.

My journey with croquet has spanned my entire adult life. From the first introduction in dubious and sometimes rowdy college croquet games, on less than perfect lawns with a less-than-perfect understanding of rules at St. Paul’s College, Sydney University, in 1978, I have been fortunate to cover some ground and experience the sport in many locations around the world. These experiences to date, which I hope are only a portion my life’s croquet allotment, have been punctuated with some outstanding and serendipitous occasions. I would like to share some past and recent moments.

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Andy Isakson, the Isakson family and Isakson Living Team with Peachtree Hills Place, had, in fact, delivered not just the first but two regulation-size courts in a most fabulous residential courtyard setting in the heart of Buckhead.

Early experiences include: Playing and instructing members on the perfect lawn at Birnam Wood Croquet Club in Montecito, Calif., where at first glance the inlaid white marble court boundaries on the lawn appeared rather extravagant until Forrest Tucker pointed out they had not been touched since they were laid so it was, in fact, a most economical solution. In contrast, playing a mid-winter early morning game on Stan Patmor’s court in Phoenix, shaded by Oleander and frost crackling under foot; or huddling in the hut at Ren Kraft’s court in Paradise Valley and meeting Archie and Betty Burchfield for the first time with their genuine warmth that I will never forget; or the enthusiasm shared while playing full-moon croquet with Tom and Jane (Lufkin) McDonnell in Santa Rosa, Calif. Further, in the early 90s, I was fortunate to be asked by Walt Janitz, Midwest RVP at the time, if I would participate in a USCA teaching loop through the Midwest (St. Louis, Mo., Minneapolis, Minn., Tulsa, Okla., Detroit, Mich., Lewiston, Mich., Rockford, Ill., Akron, Ohio).

All were unique and special unexpected moments to treasure.

The only difference between then and now is not enthusiasm and interest but that I currently do not wear shorts with a 32-inch waist (perhaps enough self-reflection here).

The recent journey I wish to share began with early rumblings a couple of years ago that Atlanta, Ga., was going to see its first full-size championship facility. Like any good skeptic, hearing a developer’s claim of “championship-level facilities” conjured images that span from my early college experience to scattered hoops on a rolling field. Then the pandemic hit and delayed everything until … at last the COVID-19 fog began to lift and following the NC Open at Pinehurst in early May, I ventured to Atlanta to what I was told was an enthusiastic croquet group at Peachtree Hills Place.

It did not disappoint. Andy Isakson, the Isakson family and Isakson Living Team with Peachtree Hills Place, had, in fact, delivered not just the first but two regulation-size courts in a most fabulous residential courtyard setting in the heart of croquetamerica.com | 11

USCA TRAVELLING INSTRUCTIONAL SCHOOL

View from the interior at Peachtree Hills Place

Buckhead. Early planning ideas included large reflection pools in the courtyards, however the installation of the croquet courts provides both an aesthetic quality and an active element that adds to the facility’s mix of amenities. Croquet lawns and their settings are, however, physical elements and without an active and engaged membership, they remain static. It takes people to make them work. The enthusiasm and engagement of the resident members with the game was impressive. This is the part that made the experience special and profound. Some Peachtree Hills Place Residents like USCA member Dick Boger, who already I consider a croquet fanatic, down to the croquet crested slippers, clearly are on the more serious end of the scale while other residents are experiencing the game for the first time. The residents’ energy for the game was strong. I do suspect that in the mornings if all I needed to do was grab my cup of coffee, suitable attire, shut the door and walk 30 feet onto two championship courts, I would also be similarly enthusiastic, as every day I will have found a gem.

The first two days were structured with beginner, intermediate and rules and etiquette clinics. The remaining time was used for small

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private small group/couples’ lessons. The real benefit was that these croquet players could participate conveniently from their home court with no travel involved (not a car was started).

Established in 1977, the USCA has always been the key resource in developing the community network and communication across the country for croquet. Past efforts have included helping clubs and members grow through high-level content, instructor training, education, strategy, rules, handicaps and national member communications.

Years ago, I enjoyed the same enthusiasm while on the Midwest tour devised by Walt Janitz in the early 90s. Before that, Teddy Prentis had made similar tour excursions. Over the years, seasoned instructors such as Johnny Osborn and Bob Kroeger have provided instruction across a broad swathe of the US. My experience at Peachtree Hills Place in Buckhead confirmed and reinforced that providing this service to our members is a most worthwhile endeavor and promotes activity literally at the grassroots level.

The USCA is now reaching out further with this key resource of providing travelling instructional schools.

So, if you and a group of friends are interested in having a top-level USCA instructor come to your lawn, your town, your state, more detailed information is available and arrangements can be made through the USCA office at membership@uscroquet.com. The USCA is committed to helping all our clubs further develop as the gems they are.

Bidencope demonstrates a roquet and grip to the group

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SPONSORED CONTENT – The Croquet Foundation of America, a separate 501(c)(3), not-for-profit corporation, is a contributing sponsor of the USCA and Croquet News.

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On

November 12, 2021, the Croquet Foundation of America (CFA), in association with the United States Croquet Association (USCA), will induct 2021 honorees Jim Bast and Dr. Mohammad Kamal into the United States Croquet Hall of Fame. Their biographies and photos are to follow.

Masters Nationals at the beautiful Charles P. Steuber National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. The CFA Officers and the Directors of the CFA and USCA encourage their friends, guests and all croquet enthusiasts to join them in paying tribute to these esteemed members of our croquet family as we enthusiastically acknowledge their accomplishments in great style.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Induction ceremony was postponed until November 12, 2021, so 2020 Honorees Rory J. Kelley and Sherif Abdelwahab will also be inducted on November 12.

Please visit https://bit.ly/CFAHOF2020 to see the Croquet News article with their biographies and photos.

All government health guidelines will be followed at this event to ensure a safe gathering. Invitations to the dinner will be mailed to all USCA members in early fall. Proceeds from the Gala help support the Croquet Foundation of America’s National Croquet Center and its croquet-related charitable programs.

Tickets are $235 per person but are discounted to $160 for croquet players in the concurrent Senior Masters Tournament. For information or to make reservations, call Marie Sweetser at (561) 478-2300, Ext. 3.

This year’s Induction Ceremony will be preceded by a cocktail reception followed by a candlelight dinner. They will take place during the week of the Seniors

Hall of Fame Gala Committee Members: Standing: Johnny Mitchell, Thomas Tribby, David McCoy, Scott Reiser. Seated in front: Joan Parker, Bob Chilton. Seated in back: Marie Sweetser, Nanci Hunt, Suzanne Turner, Missy Chilton. Not pictured: Damon Bidencope, Ursula Peck, Carla Rueck, Ruth Summers

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JIM BAST With competitive fire, Jim Bast set lofty goals for United States Croquet and his skills helped achieve them. He was a leader during a critical time in the history of our sport when the USA was first seeking and obtaining international recognition. Decades later, he is still setting the bar high and making history, both at home and abroad. Notably, he was part of the first USA Team to win the prestigious international Association-Rules Solomon Trophy.

An avid 9-wicket player in the Kansas City area throughout the 1970’s, Bast was introduced to the American 6-wicket game in Phoenix in 1981 when he joined the US Croquet Association (USCA) and the Arizona Croquet Club. His talent was promptly apparent as he was named the USCA’s Rookie of the Year in 1982.

Then in 1984, he won both the Singles and Doubles in the American-Rules National Championship in NYC’s Central Park, landing a front-page picture in the New York Times. He was the first USCA National Champion not from the Eastern Seaboard, reflecting the growth of croquet “Out West” during that decade.

As an early member of the Arizona Croquet Club, Bast was a leader of the vanguard of players that helped reshape and define the way that American-Rules croquet was played. Bast then turned his attention to helping USCA founder Jack Osborn to achieve his goal of establishing international recognition for American Croquet and having the USA accepted as the fourth member country for the MacRobertson Shield competition, the pinnacle of international competition. Bast was part of the original Team USA selected to compete in the International Challenge Cup in 1982 and 1983. This event promoted both American Six Wicket and Association Croquet Laws, giving the USA opportunities to play against countries like South Africa, Scotland and Ireland here on American soil. In 1985, he joined Team USA to compete in the USCA National Team Great Britain Tour, the first test match.

Before triple peels were commonplace, it is significant that Bast was the first American to record a triple in tournament competition and in an international competition during the inaugural USA versus Great Britain Test Match in 1985. After 10 years of the USA’s striving to improve its game and stature, the USA was admitted as the fourth country for the MacRobertson Shield. Bast humbly admits that he was the first and only American to defeat the legendary John Solomon in tournament competition. He was also the first American to reach the finals of the Sonoma-Cutrer World Croquet Championship, narrowly losing to David Maugham in 1991.

Striving to promote the game in these early years, he introduced innumerable high-achieving players to the game. He mentored them through pro-am competitions and instructing at the Arizona Croquet

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Club. His students included Hall-of-Famer Jerry Stark and National and World Champion Jacques Fournier. Bast also served as an instructor in USCA instructional schools and helped publicize the game when he was featured in domestic and international media coverage.

When Bast moved to Austin, Texas, in 1995, a city without a croquet court or club, he essentially retired from competitive croquet to raise a family with his wife Cynthia. In 2003, inspired by visiting his croquet friends who were playing in the MacRobertson Shield in Florida, Bast knew he wanted to play competitively again. He then set his sights high, intending to qualify once again to play on USA international teams. This goal was realized with his selection as an alternate for the Solomon Trophy team in 2008, and ultimately as a member of the 2009 team, the first USA victory. Subsequently he was chosen for the 2010 MacRobertson Shield team. His comeback was all the more remarkable since his nearest practice facility was more than three hours from home. Since his return to competition, Bast has once again been a stout competitor in domestic and international events, as shown by the various championships listed below. In addition, Jim has contributed to the USCA by serving on the International Committee and writing columns for USCA publications. He currently serves on the USCA Nominating Committee under Rich Curtis.

In a croquet career spanning 40 years, some of Bast’s accomplishments include: • USCA Southwestern Regional Champion (American Rules) 1996 • Member of 12 USCA National Teams ʺ International Challenge Cup 1982, 1983 ʺ National Team Great Britain Tour 1985 ʺ Solomon Trophy 1991, 2008 (reserve), 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016 (reserve) ʺ MacRobertson Shield 1993, 2010, 2014 • Canadian National Champion 2009, 2012 • USCA Eights Co-Champion 2010, 2013 • USCA Western Regional Champion (Association Croquet Laws) 2015 • Multiple Arizona Open titles, including the first Arizona Open Champion • USCA National Doubles Champion Association Croquet Laws 2016 • Bast has competed in eight Sonoma-Cutrer World Croquet Championships, including the first seven events, five WCF World Croquet championships and numerous Calzona competitions.

SPONSORED CONTENT – The Croquet Foundation of America, a separate 501(c)(3), not-for-profit corporation, is a contributing sponsor of the USCA and Croquet News.

In summary, Jim Bast is a man who has successfully played croquet at the highest level, in both the Association Rules version and in American Six Wicket. He epitomizes enthusiasm, bonhomie and camaraderie. He has traveled widely in the pursuit of his sport and represented his country with distinction and honor. The pleasure he takes in warmly greeting fellow croquet players whenever the opportunity arises makes him a special ambassador for American croquet wherever he travels, abroad or in the US. Above all, he has been a huge credit to the game as a player and exemplar, a most welcome addition to the United States Croquet Hall of Fame.

MOHAMMAD KAMAL, M.D. Mohammad Kamal is known to many as the “Father of Golf Croquet” in the United States. Arguably the first great golf croquet (GC) player in this country, he was a pioneer of GC in the US before it became popular. Although many croquet players know him from his superior level of GC play, many more have come to know him through his countless contributions to GC in this country…as a club builder, promoter, teacher, ambassador and tireless advocate of this sport. In that sense, the current popularity of GC in the US can be traced back to his efforts.

For more than 20 years, he has been a dominant GC player in the United States.

He won the inaugural US National GC Singles championship in 1999, and later won two other National Singles titles in 2007 and 2009. He also represented the US with distinction in the World Croquet Federation (WCF) GC World Championships in 1997, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2011 and 2017. In 2012, he was one of only four Americans selected for the US team participating in the inaugural WCF GC World Team Championship, an event many consider comparable to the MacRobertson Shield in Association Rules.

Finally, from 2000 to 2010, a time when GC play in the US was embryonic, Kamal held the following world Golf Croquet rankings: 7th in 2000; 10th in 2002; 14th in 2006; 19th in 2007 and 2009; and 20th in 2010. Very few Americans have ever held a top-20 ranking, and only two other Americans have ever been ranked in the top seven of GC in the world (Ben Rothman and Sherif Abdelwahab).

Perhaps more importantly, his countless contributions off the court have been crucial to the popularity of GC in the United States, which facilitated the growth of croquet in this country.

For example, he was the president of the Beverly Hills Croquet Club (BHCC) from 1999-2000. In 2007, he and three others founded the Pasadena Croquet Club. He was a member of the WCF GC Rules Committee, which established the first codified set of GC Rules for worldwide use. When the USCA’s

GC Committee was first established in approximately 2002, he served as a member for several years thereafter.

Kamal has worked hard to publicize the sport and to promote it regionally and nationally. He starred in “Kamal v. Rothman: the Pasadena Play-Off,” an exhibition GC event between him and Rothman that was made into a DVD and has been sold by the USCA to the public since 2011. While participating in several WCF GC championships, he wrote articles about them for Croquet World Online Magazine.

In 1999, he organized and ran the Beverly Hills International GC tournament, which was the first international GC event played in the North America. In 2000 and 2001, he coordinated top-ranked Egyptian players to play in major US events. In 2011, he ran the Palm Beach Polo Club GC event, which featured world-class GC players from throughout the world competing against top American croquet players. And in 2015, he put on a GC clinic in connection with an event in North Carolina, which focused on higher-level strategy for established players trying to make the US national team.

Kamal also promotes the game through a vast network of important social relationships. Examples are his long-standing friendships with Khalid Younis and Salah Hassan, both former GC world champions from Egypt, which inspired so many great Egyptian players to showcase their skills in this country.

He also maintains close relationships with Stephen Mulliner, the current WCF Secretary-General, as well as former WCF Presidents Amir Ramsis Naguib, David Openshaw and Tony Hall.

Now 55 years old and living in South Pasadena, Calif., Kamal is married and has three adult children. He is a boardcertified medical pathologist, licensed to practice in several states. He runs his own private pathology laboratory in Pasadena and serves as the medical director of several labs in California. He is widely known for his numerous efforts to serve his community. In response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, he developed with his team a coronavirus test and is currently offering it to the community. He was also a volunteer associate clinical professor of pathology at the University of California in Los Angeles. An active member of the USCA since 1991, he is also a member of the following croquet clubs: Pasadena Croquet Club; Mission Hills Croquet Club (Rancho Mirage); Gizera Club (Cairo, Egypt) and a country member of Dulwich Croquet Club (London, England). He is still an active croquet player and competitor in croquet tournaments.

Kamal has at all times exhibited exemplary sportsmanship and has been a consummate gentleman on and off the courts. His manner has reflected positively on the US and demonstrates that he is an excellent ambassador for the United States Croquet Hall of Fame.

SPONSORED CONTENT – The Croquet Foundation of America, a separate 501(c)(3), not-for-profit corporation, is a contributing sponsor of the USCA and Croquet News.

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UNITED STATES CROQUET HALL OF FAME The Croquet Foundation of America (CFA) is now accepting nominations for the 2022 United States Croquet Hall of Fame. The deadline for filing a nomination is December 31, 2021.

POLICY AND NOMINATING GUIDELINES FOR ELECTION TO THE UNITED STATES CROQUET HALL OF FAME The Croquet Foundation of America, Inc. (CFA), in conjunction with the United States Croquet Association, Inc. (USCA), seeks to honor individuals who have made prolonged, outstanding contributions to the sport of croquet. Such contributions may take the form of either extraordinary skill and achievement in the sport at the highest level over an extended period; or other personal actions having a widely-recognized, lasting impact on the sport; or very extensive service in developing, managing or promoting the sport of croquet, or its charitable and educational croquet programs, in America.

This document explains the nomination process and gives guidance as to the qualifications that will be considered for election to the United States Croquet Hall of Fame. This process is designed to maintain election to the Hall of Fame as a high honor for the inductees and one that reflects credit on the individuals involved in electing them.

I. NOMINATING PROCEDURE A. A notice shall be published yearly in the fall edition of the USCA’s Croquet News stating that the Foundation will accept nominations to the United States Croquet Hall of Fame until December 31 of the current year, for induction in the following calendar year.

B. The published notice shall state that (i.) any USCA member in good standing may nominate an individual, (ii.) nominees are considered on an individual basis only, and (iii.) the nominee does not have to be a member of the USCA. C. The nominator must submit a completed application on or before the December 31 deadline.

D. It must include the following: 1. Nominator’s name and relationship, if any, to the nominee – business, friendship, etc.; 2. Written permission of the individual to be nominated and his or her agreement to participate in the induction ceremony (excludes nominations for posthumous recognition); 3. A brief biographical sketch of the nominee, which may include such things as age, family status, address; highlights of past or present occupation(s); charitable and civic involvements; and other matters of general interest unrelated to croquet; and 4. A detailed croquet biography, including number of years of participation, the croquet clubs of which the nominee is or has been a member, the year the nominee joined the USCA and whether still active and details of all croquet-related achievements.

There is no official application form. Plain 8 ½” x 11” letter size paper should be used. The completed application, including any and all supporting letters, must be sent to and received by the Croquet Foundation of America, Inc., Attention: Ruth Summers, Chair, Hall of Fame Validation Committee, 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406, on or before December 31 of the year preceding the year for which the nominee is proposed.

II. QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES Above all, candidates must display personal behavior that demonstrates high regard for the spirit and etiquette of the game which results in greater enjoyment for all – actions that would entitle the nominee to be considered an “ambassador” for croquet as well as a Hall of Fame member. They should be further evaluated based on their achievements and contributions to the sport as follows: A. ACHIEVEMENTS are defined as highly significant performances in sanctioned or titled USCA events; and/or international competitions sponsored by a member association of the World Croquet Federation (WCF). This can involve Six-Wicket American or Association Rules Croquet, Nine-Wicket Croquet or Golf Croquet.

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B. CONTRIBUTIONS are defined as actions off the croquet court that promote or enhance the sport. Contributions are normally volunteer efforts and may include: 1. Introducing others to the game; 2. Starting, leading or sustaining a local club or clubs; 3. Promoting clubs and events regionally or nationally; 4. Working with an organizational division of the USCA as established on the state, regional and national levels either as an officer or other capacity; 5. Creating favorable media recognition or otherwise promoting the game through such efforts as writing or instruction; 6. Contributing significant financial or in-kind resources in a way that enables the CFA and the USCA to pursue their mission; 7. Promoting the game through social affairs resulting in new friendships and greater camaraderie among players.

Nota Bene 1. The above portion of the application is the advocacy section. The nominator must make the case as convincingly and compelling as possible. Board members are not responsible for seconding a nomination nor adding favorable material and may, in fact, introduce or request information that may disqualify a candidate.

2. A nominee may earn income from the game as a professional or some other paid capacity, but his or her financial ties to the game must be stated on the application.

3. Achievements and contributions must be over an extended period time.

III. ANNUAL LIMITATION ON INDUCTIONS Given 1. The desire to maintain the highest standards for election to The United States Croquet Hall of Fame; 2. The relatively limited size of the croquet-player population; and 3. The desire to have significant time to focus on the individual(s) at the ceremony; The Approved Policy Guideline is that the number of living inductees shall be limited to two per year. Posthumous inductees are limited to one inductee per year in addition to the living inductees, for an overall limitation of three.

In rare cases, these limitations are subject to upward revision to no more than three living inductees and one posthumous inductee, or four inductees in total, if two thirds of the Electors decide that exceptional circumstances warrant such a revision. This is the Approved Policy Limit.

SPONSORED CONTENT – The Croquet Foundation of America, a separate 501(c)(3), not-for-profit corporation, is a contributing sponsor of the USCA and Croquet News.

2021 USCA Southeast Regional (American Six Wicket Rules) June 10-13, 2021 | Pinehurst, North Carolina

Cardo Wins

USCA SE Regional American Six Wicket Regional

By Macey White

T

he 2021 Southeast Regional American 6-Wicket Croquet Tournament was held June 10-13, 2021, at the beautiful Pinehurst Resort. The courts were in good shape and players of all flights came ready to play high-level croquet.

Cloudy skies prevailed through the tournament with occasional showers, but that did not disrupt play enough to get the tournament off of its heavy-play schedule. Forty-three players vied for championships in singles and doubles on four courts over four days. Play started each day at 8:00 a.m., and on some days, didn’t end until 7:00 p.m.

The doubles championship was contested on Thursday with 11 teams in Championship Flight and 10 teams in First Flight. Play was single elimination with consolation games for those who got bumped out early.

When the dust settled, Becky Essick and Danna Huneycutt edged out Randy Reid and Brian Zindel 13-12 in a nail biter that went down to the wire. Nail biters were the order of the day for winners Essick and Huneycutt, as they won their three games with a total of four net points. On the championship side, Bev Cardo carried her husband, Randy, to a four-point victory over the hometown hotshots, Bill Daigle and John Knott.

Singles play was divided into three flights with round-robin play on Friday and Saturday, and everyone went to the singles playoffs on Sunday.

In Second Flight, Terry Hunt lost to Karen Heckman in the round-robin but pulled out a well-fought victory in the playoff finals, winning 16-8.

In First Flight, Brett Stovall was a steamroller, winning all five games in the block and four games in the playoffs with only one close game (a one-point victory over Steve Thurston). Stovall won the finals against Elaine Moody 17-11. At the awards ceremony, someone in the crowd made a cry to put Stovall in Championship Flight. He will be in Championship Flight from now on!

Championship Flight was very strong in this tournament with 12 players having handicaps below zero. Handicaps in C Flight ranged from -0.5 to -4.0. Macey White and Mike Taylor both went undefeated in their flights but neither one made it to the playoff finals. The championship finals were a great back-and-forth slugfest between two of the best American 6-Wicket players in the country, Danny Huneycutt and Randy Cardo. Both players had great opportunities to run clean breaks and win, only to have misfortune intervene with missed hoop shots. The game ended with multiple overtimes tied at 11-11 highlighted with a number of failed, longish hoops shots. The game was won with a great strategic push at the end by Cardo who carved out a 12-11 victory.

Regional tournaments are not just a time for the best players to battle it out. They are also a great way for up-and-coming players to hone their skills and learn new strategies and techniques. The following players distinguished themselves with above-grade play, and as a result, their handicaps have gone down.

• Rob Byrd went down to a -1.0 • Brett Stovall went to a 0.0 • Linda Trifone went to a 4.5 • Steve Thurston went to a 5 • Linda Pike went to a 10 • Susan Creasey went to a 10 • Teresa Errickson went to a 10 • Rene White went to a 1

When you see these players, please congratulate them on their performances! All game results can be found on www.croquetscores.com. croquetamerica.com | 19

USCA SE American Six Wicket Regional Trophy Winners picture: Left to right, Elaine Moody, Brett Stovall, Terry hunt, Karen Heckman, Randy Reid, Bill Daigle, John Knott, Bev Cardo, Randy Cardo, Becky Essick, Danna Huneycutt and Danny Huneycutt.

SINGLES RESULTS CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT

FIRST FLIGHT

SECOND FLIGHT

01. Randy Cardo 02. Danny Huneycutt 03. Mike Taylor 03. Rob Byrd 05. Bev Cardo 05. Macey White 05. Jim Spoonhour 05. Bill Daigle 09. Edward S. Roberts 09. Mark Fields 09. Rodney Lassiter 09. John Knott

01. Brett Stovall 02. Elaine Moody 03. Jeanne Branthover 03. Rich Watson 05. Randy Reid 05. Jim Watrous 05. Steve Thurston 05. Steve Errickson 09. John Donohue 09. Rick Alderson 09. Linda Trifone 09. Vickie Johnston 09. Danna Huneycutt 09. John L. Schoo 09. Brian Zindel 09. John Joseph 17. Becky Essick 17. Neville Boschert

01. Terry Hunt 02. Karen Heckman 03. Linda Pike 03. Norm Pike 05. Cecil Creasey 05. Tim Williams 05. Jennifer Joseph 05. Susan Creasey 09. Teresa Errickson 09. Rene White 09. Louise Mercuro

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USCA Southeast Regional American Six Wicket Tournament Participants

DOUBLES RESULTS CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT

FIRST FLIGHT DOUBLES

01. Randy Cardo/Bev Cardo 02. Danny Huneycutt/Rodney Lassiter 03. James Spoonhour/Mike Taylor 03. Bill Daigle/John Knott 05. Elaine Moody/Ed Roberts 05. Rob Byrd/John L. Schoo 05. Macey White/Steve Thurston 05. John Donohue/Brett Stovall 09. Mark Fields/Linda Trifone 09. Rich Watson/Rick Alderson 09. Jeanne Branthover/Vickie Johnston

01. Becky Essick/Danna Huneycutt 02. Brian Zindel/Randy Reid 03. Neville Boschert/Jim Watrous 03. Karen Heckman/Tim Williams 05. Jennifer Joseph/John Joseph 05. Terry Hunt/Norm Pike 05. Stephen Errickson/Teresa Errickson 05. Louise Mercuro/Rene White 09. Cecil Creasey/Susan Creasey 09. Linda Pike/George Fiegel

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2021 USCA Golf Croquet Eights May 20-23, 2021 | Western North Carolina (Chattooga, Highlands Falls, Lake Toxaway)

KAMAL CLAIMS

GC EIGHTS

TITLE

By Jeff Soo

T

The USCA Golf Croquet Eights started in 2017, making it the newest major tournament on the USCA calendar. For its first three years, the event was held in Florida. As with so many other tournaments, 2020 was a lost year due to COVID-19. The 2021 event, well-timed to coincide with the lifting of most COVID-19 restrictions, was held in Western North Carolina, the hotbed of golf croquet in the USA. Unfortunately, Canada had not yet lifted its quarantine requirement for returning travelers, effectively preventing participation from Canadian players.

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The Eights has an unusual format: the field is ranked top-tobottom and divided into groups of eight, and each eight plays in a round-robin format over three-and-a-half days. No playoffs or final occurs—just the block—making every game count. The First Eight (and, in some years, the Second Eight) plays a roundrobin of best-of-three-games matches. Each other eight plays a double round-robin of single-game matches. Either way, it is a full schedule of play.

Three two-lawn venues were available: The Chattooga Club, Highlands Falls Country Club and Lake Toxaway Country Club. With some creative scheduling, this allowed four eights to compete. All three venues provided the lawns free of charge to the USCA. This generous offer was a key element to make the tournament accessible for all players—entry filled quickly, and the waiting list was long. The outstanding hospitality, beautiful surroundings and excellent fast-playing conditions were much appreciated by the players and guests.

Matches in the first eight were untimed. Games in the other three eights used an 80-minute time limit, with two rotations after time was called. Only three of the 168 timed games ended with a winning score lower than seven, evidence of a good pace of play all around. In all, 233 games were played with 2,592 hoops scored.

Mohammad Kamal - Winner of the First Eight

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Jim Jamison, Ken Scoggins and Gary Gamble (L to R)

Eileen Soo presents to Jochen Lucke

Local “Plateau” players won the second, third and fourth eights and also took most of the second- and third-place finishes in those eights. Dallas Denny (Highlands), playing in just his second ranking tournament, took the lead in the fourth eight on day two.

He retained the lead despite losing his first match of the third day to Billie Ray (Highlands Falls) and won his next three matches to finish the day one game ahead of Ray and two ahead of Dennis Howard (Cullasaja). Denny won his final two games on Sunday to make it five victories in a row, winning the eight with a final tally of 12 wins in 14 games.

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The third eight was neck-and-neck from the get-go. Jim Jamison (Trillium) and visiting player Bill Simmons (The Plantation of Ponte Vedra) tied for the day one lead. Ken Scoggins (Sky Valley) moved into a first-place tie with Simmons by the end of day two.

Gary Gamble (Trillium) won four in a row on the third day to move into a three-way tie with Scoggins and Jamison. Scoggins and Jamison each won their final two games on Sunday, Scoggins winning the eight on net points. Interestingly, they had split their two games against each other by the same score, 7-4 and 4-7.

Jochen Lucke (Sapphire Valley, Chattooga) was the fourth seed in the second eight, but played like he belonged in the first. He had a few close games but many that weren’t, and he won the eight with a perfect 14-0 record, with +44 net hoops. Rich Dell (Wildcat Cliffs), Helen Covington (Florida Yacht Club) and Billy Harper

(at-large member from Florida) tied for second place at 8-6.

In the first eight, Mohammad Kamal (Pasadena), Jimmy Huff (Carrol County) and Matt Griffith (Kactus Creek and Sarasota) won both their day one matches for the early lead. On day two, Kamal was undefeated again, while Huff lost to Brian Lozano (Mission Hills) to drop into a second-place tie with Jeff Soo (Stoneridge, Highlands Falls, Sarasota). Kamal survived an epic battle with Griffith on day three, 7-6, 7-6, then beat Huff to remain the clear favorite, while Soo likewise beat Huff and Griffith to retain second place, one match behind Kamal. Sunday’s matchup between Kamal and Soo was thus a final of sorts, Kamal winning 7-6, 7-5 to win the eight 7-0 on matches, 14-1 on games. Having lost to the top two seeds on the first day, Lozano finished out with five straight wins for third place.

Michael Albert and Eileen Soo volunteered their time as Assistant Tournament Directors, corralling the players, refereeing and posting live updates to Croquet Scores throughout each day’s play. Highlands Falls member Linda Fuchs organized a team of volunteer scorekeepers to cover every match at that venue. Highlands Falls had just debuted its new electronic scoreboards, giving a clear view of the scores of all four matches not just to the players and spectators at the venue, but also to remote spectators watching via webcam on the HFCC website. A tournament held at multiple clubs is a logistical challenge for players and organizers alike, but “the Plateau,” with its tremendous concentration of clubs and players playing golf croquet, was an outstanding venue for this event.

Eileen Soo presents to Dallas Denny

FIRST EIGHT

SECOND EIGHT

THIRD EIGHT

FOURTH EIGHT

01. Mohammad Kamal 02. Jeff Soo 03. Brian Lozano 04. Jim Teel 05. Matt Griffith 06. Jimmy Huff 07. Dick Boger 08. Cheryl Bromley

01. Jochen Lucke 02. Rich Dell 03. Helen Covington 04. Billy Harper 05. James Creasey 06. Stephen Jackson 07. Bo Prillaman 08. Gil Flowers

01. Ken Scoggins 02. Jim Jamison 03. Gary Gamble 04. Bill Simmons 05. Clint Dawkins 06. Jim Podraza 07. Pat Cunningham 08. Geoff Parker

01. Dallas Denny 02. Billie Ray 03. Dennis Howard 04. Ray Barrett 05. Patrick Dugan 06. Kathie Gamble 07. Candra Seley 08. Tom Bown croquetamerica.com | 25

1 2 0 2 , 5 2 2 APRIL 2 T E U Q O R C F L O G USCA FLORIDA T N E M A N R U O T REGIONAL

DA I R O L F , H C A E WEST PALM B

D R O REC

Y R T EN

T N E V E C G A D FOR FLORI BROMLEY

BY CHERYL

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his popular Florida Golf Croquet event went through a number of changes during the planning stages, including being delayed from its regular dates in early January, to a change of venue and to finally finding its place at the National Croquet Center (NCC) in late April.

The 8th annual USCA Florida Golf Croquet Regional registration filled up quickly as many players were eager to get back onto the GC tournament circuit. Between doubles and singles, a record 52 players participated and the weather, along with the competition, was sensational.

The tournament had a noticeable groundswell of up-and-coming players whose games are rapidly improving and challenging anyone who dares to get in their way.

The first day of the event featured a Doubles Knockout and Compass Consolation in Championship and First Flight. The next three days were filled with singles matches as players were grouped into six blocks of eight players in three flights. After players played each person in their respective blocks, the top four

players from each block moved into the Quarterfinals Knockout and the remaining players in the blocks moved into the Plate competition.

For the first time in a GC Regional, four of the eight players who battled in the Championship Flight Knockout were women.

Congrats ladies!

Courtesy of Tate and Cami Russack, a brand new custom Russack Mallet was auctioned off, along with various items from the USCA and NCC, with the proceeds going toward the new perpetual Florida GC Regional trophy. A special thank you also to George Fiegel for creating the tournament awards for this year’s winners.

James Creasey of Jiminy Wickets provided additional awards to new tournament players, and this year a new Sportsmanship award category was created.

Congratulations to tournament Sportswoman, Sheila Peterson, and Sportsman, Tom Bown!

Complete results may be found on www.croquetscores.com.

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Cheryl Bromley (Tournament Director), Macey White, John Warlick and David Isaacs, USCA Treasurer

Plate Winner Bo Prillaman

CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES

FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES

SECOND FLIGHT SINGLES

01. Macey White 02. Billy Harper 03. Jim Teel 03. Helen Covington 05. Sherif Abdelwahab 05. Cheryl Bromley 05. Lynda Sudderberg 05. Debbie Davidoff 09. Bo Prillaman 10. Rich Dell 11. James Creasey 11. Bill Simmons 13. Bill Trower 13. Steve Jackson 13. Ron Eccles 13. John Warlick

01. Clint Dawkins 02. Vicky Naranjo 03. Phil Emond 03. Jeff Morrison 05. Tate Russack 05. Tom Hankey 05. J. Billie Ray 05. Paul Fecteau 09. Priscilla Flowers 10. Thomas Howell 11. Tim Cavers 11. Mike Sexton 13. Gail Warlick 13. Clint Fowlkes 13. Hal Denton 13. Victor Fransen

01. Alex Galasso 02. Kendall Hendrick 03. Dennis Howard 03. Laura Hendrick 05. Rosemarie Maccario 05. Mary Galasso 05. Cami Russack 05. Pam Heyer 09. Caryl Firth 10. Bill Walker 11. Debra Bradley 11. Earle Mauldin 13. Sheila Peterson 13. Tom Bown 13. Sue Emond 13. Sandy Howard

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Billy Harper and Macey White "drinking"

Caryl Firth, Priscilla Flowers, Cheryl Bromley and David Isaacs

Billy Harper and Macey White

Cheryl Bromley, Priscilla Flowers and David Isaacs

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CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES 01. Sherif Abdelwahab/Hal Denton 02. Macey White/John Warlick 03. Cheryl Bromley/Steve Jackson 04. David McCoy/Tim Cavers 05. Jim Teel/Rich Dell 06. Clint Dawkins/Victor Fransen 07. Paul Fecteau/Tom Hankey 08. Helen Covington/Bill Simmons 09. Ron Eccles/James Creasey 10. Gail Warlick/Mike Sexton 11. Bill Trower/Lynda Sudderberg 12. Bo Prillaman/Billy Harper 13. Debie Davidoff/Earle Mauldin Hal Denton, Sherif Abdelwahab and David Isaacs

Alex Galasso

Vicky Naranjo and Clint Dawkins

David Isaacs, Clint Dawkins and Cheryl Bromley

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Rich Dell and Bo Prillaman

Sheila Peterson (Sportswoman Award)

FIRST FLIGHT DOUBLES 01. Jeff Morrison/Clint Fowlkes 02. Priscilla Flowers/Caryl Firth 03. Vicky Naranjo/Pam Heyer 04. Tom Bown/Rosemarie Maccario 05. Phil Emond/Sue Emond 06. Tate Russack/Cami Russack 07. Bill Walker/Laura Walker 08. Dennis Howard/Sandy Howard 09. Kendall Hendrick/Laura Hendrick 10. Alex Galasso/Mary Galasso 11. Thomas Howell/Cindy Howell 12. Debra Bradley/Allison Worthington

Jeff Morrison, Clint Fowlkes and David Isaacs

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NATIONAL CROQUET DAY June 5, 2021 USCA Club Winner

Non-USCA Group Winner

Sky Valley Club Sky Valley, Ga.

Sunset Lawn Croquet Club Austin, Texas

Winners of our #justplaycroquet social media challenge: Ddebartole, Annerobinson9163 32 | croquetamerica.com

NATIONAL CROQUET DAY CATEGORY WINNERS These will receive a medal with their winning category on it 1. Spirit of this Year’s Theme – “Just Play Croquet” – Austin, TX 2. Most Extreme Conditions – Austin, TX – Rain, No Problem (USCA FB) Honorable Mention – Mike Gratzer – Germantown, TN Croquet Club (this picture was not taken on June 5) 3. Most New/First Time Players – Howard Becket – Monroe Golf & Country Club – 30 new players (USCA FB) 4. Best Ceremony – Onifer Wilmoth – Highlands Fall Country Club – Bag Pipes (USCA FB)

6. Cutest Croquet Kid – Justin Berbig (USCA FB) 7. Largest Overall Celebration – John Goldener – Sarasota County Croquet Club – 55 Participants 8. Prettiest Setting – David Hawley – Lookout Battleground Croquet Club (USCA FB) 9. Most Creative – Mary Shields – Soccer Ball Croquet (USCA FB) 10. Best Outfits – The Club at the Strand -LisaReedFitness (Instagram)

5. Cutest Croquet Couple – Karen Weihs – Happy National Croquet Day (USCA FB)

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memberprofile

Daniel Pailas Age: 58

Pop culture favorites: Grateful Dead, jazz, bluegrass, classic rock

Home base: Denver, Colorado

Favorite book: “Power of Now,” by Eckhart Tolle

Home club: Denver Croquet Club

What is the best thing the USCA has done for croquet? Promote the sport and facilitate tournaments.

Grip: Standard Mallet: Trimmer Mallet; 11” head and 38” shaft Years playing croquet: 8 Favorite croquet venue: Sarasota County Croquet Club Favorite tournament: AC Nationals Croquet highlights/tournament wins: October 2014: USA Selection 8s 6th Group January 2015: USA Desert Classic Challenger December 2015: USA NCC Boxing Day Open August 2017: USA National Plate March 2019: USA National Plate November 2020: USA National Championship Plate October 2020: USA Carambola Cup March 2021: USA Sarasota Tumbler Open

What is the USCA’s greatest weakness? Youth outreach.

What would you like to see happen in the sport over the next 10 years? I’d love to see larger numbers of newcomers getting into the sport. It would be fantastic if a higher percentage of golf players took up the AC and American rules games. I’d also like to see first and second flight competitors using bisques in tournaments as I feel it is a more efficient path to reaching the goal of building and running breaks. As well, I feel bisque use should be heavily incorporated into coaching developing players.

What have you learned from croquet? I’ve learned how to coach aspiring players quite effectively. I’ve learned that coaching brings me a lot of joy. Having and creating fun with students as they improve is immensely rewarding for me. Knowing that I have an ability to inspire avidity in the community through coaching and that that then becomes a mechanism in which to influence the growth of the number of aspiring competitors feels like a valuable contribution as well.

Additionally, I love to learn from others. It helps me to grow in How did you get into the game? An acquaintance informed me of a a way other than how I would normally proceed within my own lawn in Washington Park in Denver where open play was available mental, psychological and physical framework. Everyone has valuable insights about how they approach their development at a croquet club on Monday evenings. Having played backyard with this incredible sport. I love getting glimpses into other’s croquet as a kid with my twin brother and others, I had fond perspectives as that always helps me learn and grow. memories of sending opponent balls down the street into a gutter using “poison.” In the summer of 2013, I got hooked Quick croquet tip: A slow, measured exhalation when taking again, starting with golf croquet at the Denver Croquet Club. croquet, or running a hoop, or attempting a hit in, etc., may Then, a few senior members encouraged me to begin learning offer benefit, It may be impossible to think our way out of stress.

American and AC rules. That’s when I became totally addicted. I Conversely, thinking may increase stress. Conscious breathing commenced competing immediately and sought coaching. (a slowed down, intentional inhalation and exhalation) may be Do you play other sports? I snowboard, body surf, swim, SCUBA the perfect antidote as it inherently quiets the mind simply by doing it. That then causes some relaxation and builds toward and play hockey, volleyball, soccer and ultimate frisbee. “presence.” Ideally, this results in a clear, quiet awareness and this then may aid in facilitating single-pointed attention. Hopefully, Favorite sports teams? US Croquet Team this helps move us toward effortless mastery.

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croquetamerica.com | 35

let’stalktactics

3BB From Atypical Positions

By Bob Kroeger and John C. Osborn In this column, we show two examples of creating a 3 Ball Break (3BB) from non-traditional ball positions. Diagrams 1 - 4 and 5 - 8 show the two different starting places. In both examples, Blue is the striker ball going for Wicket #5 and is alive on all balls. The key to being successful when trying these plays is to know where to rush the ball you will use as a pioneer ball (the ball sent ahead to the wicket you’ll be for after scoring your current wicket).

Diagrams 5 - 8 show this play from a more challenging position. When practicing scenarios like this, it’s best to redo any shot that do not turn out well. It takes discipline and desire to keep going no matter how the balls landed. Learning 3BB and 4BB will give you a strong capability to win more games, but please know it takes patient, effective practice and a desire to do it.

In the first example (Diagrams 1 - 4), Blue rushes Black to a place where a reliable stop shot, or drive shot, can be used to send Black as a pioneer to #6 as Blue gets a good rush on Red to #5.

It’s understanding the spatial relationship necessary to create these reliable shots that must be learned.

Here is wishing you have that desire! Good luck and have fun!

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For those wishing to view a very comprehensive video on Croquet Shots, the USCA sells “Bob and Ted’s Mastering Croquet Shots” on DVD.

gcamerica

Clear or Shoot?

The Spider Web Scenario

By Cheryl Bromley

If you are unhappy with the placement of your first ball to the hoop…don’t worry.

You can use it to set up Spider Web to defend the hoop.

When should I clear an opponent's ball and when should I shoot the hoop?

In the first example (Diagram 1), be patient. Clear Yellow with a stop shot, which will keep your Black ball in scoring position. Blue will shoot before Red and clear it away, leaving the next hoop shot open for you.

In the second scenario (Diagram 2), the Blue partner ball is too far away to be of much help. Although it is a bit of a risk, it is a higher percentage play for Black to shoot the hoop, than it is that its partner will be able to clear the Red ball.

If an opponent's ball is already in proximity to the hoop, avoid entering the Spider Web.

;#;

Diagram 1 - Black to play Ahh, I feel safer here!

Diagram 2 - Black to play

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9wroundup

Long Grass and Nine Wicket – New Nine Rules

By Paul Bennett Long-grass croquet is alive and well, or so I am told by Don Oakley. He reports good sales of croquet sets and has seen a particular uptake in business since the pandemic began. His customers are interested in buying good, quality equipment that will survive past one summer of play.

Errata In last quarter’s issue, I incorrectly stated that the foot shot was no longer allowed in the rules (“Placing your foot on the ball is no longer considered a legal shot in any game of croquet.”). I apologize to those that still employ this shot. It is indeed still in our Official USCA 9-Wicket Rulebook (last update 2020).

The foot shot is also called the tight shot because it can be done by holding the striker’s ball either by the foot or by the hand. In researching this issue, I could find no discussion as to management or lawyer involvement in removing this rule. I am sure I was thinking about the Kentucky clay court 9-wicket rules, which in 1935 only allowed the “hand-tight” rule. This makes sense because of the nature of the clay court and how easily a foot shot could leave an imprint on the court.

Let me pull from “Queen of Games - The History of Croquet” where I found a few dates of interest concerning the foot-shot research: 1867 - First major official tournament, later called The Open Championships (now known as the British Open Championships) 1870 - Wimbledon opened as a ground for the All England Croquet Club at Worple Road.

1870 - Tight Croquet (placing a foot on the striker’s ball) was banned.

1899 - The end faces of mallets were to be parallel and of the same size and shape.

The only mention as to why the foot shot was removed from the game was mentioned in the third chapter, “The Ladies Game:” “It was by no means unusual to see a player, generally a lady, in endeavoring to execute this stroke miss the ball altogether, bring her mallet with an audible whack into contact with her ankle. She would then drop the mallet and spin round the lawn in an agony of pain and lamentation.”

Local Rules Many clubs that survive past a season or two find it necessary to agree to a set of rules for their local clubs.

Fortunately, the USCA 9-wicket and long-grass committee have written down a set of rules that cover the basic rules along with many commonly adopted options. One can print out these rules and then circle the adopted options. Everyone should know the rules before starting to play the game in any serious manner.

Even still, some clubs are inventive by nature and experiment with their sets of rules. Here is one such club’s detailed set of rules.

A new way to play 9-wicket croquet on long grass is described.

This was received from a Northeastern player, Ford Fay, who, with his fellow club members of Norwich, Conn., has been developing this version of the game for the past few years. I thank him for his submission of this version of the game.

New 9 Game Stepping from the “backyard” game of 9-wicket croquet to the sport of four-ball, long-grass 9-wicket croquet ...

Welcome to the new 9-wicket four-ball game of croquet.

This is a quick synopsis of the New 9 Game: (a) Your ball is not in the game until it clears the first two wickets. (b) After all balls clear the first two wickets in sequence order, the order of play is non-sequence and you may play either ball. (c) When any ball goes out of bounds, turn over and all balls come in on the boundary line. (d) After all balls clear the first two wickets and a ball becomes “wicketed,” it is safe inside the jaws of the wicket and cannot be hit by the opponent side on the next turn. If you hit a wicketed ball, all balls are returned, the striker’s turn is over and that side loses its next turn. This is a double penalty. (e) When a ball hits the turn stake on the next turn of the opposite side, the player may pick up one of the other balls and place it a mallet-head distance from where the striker’s ball came to rest and then take the turn. All the other basic rules are in play, i.e., rover ball and timed games.

This is a challenging game where all skills and strategies will come into play.

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SHOP

USCA

Object and Equipment of the Game The object of the game is to advance your ball through the course scoring points for each wicket and stake in the correct order and direction. The winner is the first side to score 14 wicket points and 2 stake points for each of its balls, 32 points total. When the time expires, the team with the most points wins.

The court is a rectangle and may be adjusted to fit the size and shape of the space available. The standard court size is 50 feet by 100 feet with marked string or chalk boundaries. Side wickets come in from the boundary lines six feet. The court is played on long grass—about two inches or less is best.

Wickets are gaped four inches wide and 12 inches high above ground. Two stakes show the order of play: blue, red, black, yellow. The balls are 3.5 inches in diameter and weigh 10 ounces.

Wicket clips are used to mark a ball’s next wicket or stake. The clip is picked up when a wicket is scored, then placed on the ball’s next wicket at the end of the turn.

Mallets. The mallet ends are both the same. Only the striking face may be used to strike a ball and not the sides.

Rules Rule 1. Start of Game: The side winning the coin toss has the choice of playing blue/black or red/yellow. The opening sequence of play is blue, red, black and yellow. On each subsequent turn, the striker is alive on all balls and may play either of the two balls. The player must continue to play that one ball during that turn.

When you hit a ball, you become “dead” on that ball and must clear your next wicket before hitting it again on that turn.

At the beginning of your turn, you are “alive” on all balls.

Rule 2. Opening Turn: The game begins with each ball placed on the ground, the striker’s mallet head distance from the first wicket.

Your ball is “not in the game” until it clears the first two wickets.

Your ball cannot hit or be hit, for extra points, by another ball until it clears the first two wickets. Once your ball clears the first two wickets, it can hit and be hit by any other ball that is in the game. Any ball that fails to score the first two wickets and becomes an obstruction for other players entering the game is marked and picked up to allow other players into the game.

Rule 3. Clearing wickets: Each wicket scored in the proper order counts as one point. Each ball can score 16 points for its side; 14 wicket points and 2 stake points for a total of 32 points. You score points only by going through a wicket or hitting a stake in the proper order and direction. A ball caused to score its wicket or stake during another ball’s turn earns the point for its side, but no bonus shot is earned as a result.

A ball scores one wicket point when it comes to rest clear of the playing side of the wicket. If a ball passes through a wicket but rolls back, it has not scored the wicket.

Whatever the occasion think USCA for those special gifts Books

Croquet the Sport - By Jack Osborn (Hard Cover) ............................................................$24.95 Croquet the Sport - By Jack Osborn (Paperback)...............................................................$15.95 Croquet - By J.W. Solomon....................................................................................................... $25.00 It’s a Wicket Kitchen Cookbook................................................................................................ $12.00 Monograph Series On Club Building Vol.1, 2 or 3 @$9.95 or all three for $25.00.......................................................................... $25.00 USCA Croquet Shot-Making Manual.........................................................................................$15.95 USCA Rulebook (revised 2013 edition)....................................................................................$ 7.00 International Rules -The Laws of Association Croquet.................................................... $12.00 Golf Croquet Rulebook.................................................................................................................$7.00 A Guide to Croquet Court Planning, Building & Maintenance.........................................$39.95

CD’s

Bob & Ted’s Strategy CD & Bound Books (Beg/Interm/Adv)....................................................................................$124.95 Bob & Ted’s Strategy CD & Unbound Books (Beg/Interm/Adv)..........................................................................................$72.95 Bob & Ted’s Strategy CD (Advanced)......................................................................................$29.95 Bob & Ted’s Strategy CD (Beg/Interm)...................................................................................$29.95 Bob & Ted’s Strategy CD (Beg/Interm/Advanced)...............................................................$39.95 Bob & Ted’s “Know the Rules” CD Understanding the USCA Rules ..............................................................................................$24.95

DVD’s

2004 USCA National Singles Final DVD..................................................................................$10.00 Bob & Ted’s “Mastering Croquet Shots” DVD.......................................................................$29.95 Bob & Ted’s “Excellent Croquet” DVD.....................................................................................$49.95 Bob & Ted’s “Most Wanted Croquet Strategy” 2 Disc DVD................................................$64.95 Bob & Ted’s “Break Play - What You Need to Know” DVD.................................................$29.95 Bob & Ted’s “Staying Alive” DVD - Winning Croquet Tactics............................................$39.95 Bob & Ted’s “You Make the Call” DVD.....................................................................................$29.95 Bob & Ted’s “Excellent” & “Most Wanted” DVD set.............................................................$99.95 Bob & Ted’s “Staying Alive” and “You Make the Call” DVD set...................................... $64.90 Bob & Ted’s “Excellent”, “Most Wanted”,“Staying Alive” 3 DVD set............................$140.95 Bob & Ted’s Four DVD set.........................................................................................................$170.00 Bob & Ted’s Five DVD set..........................................................................................................$185.00 Kamal vs Rothman - GC Pasadena Playoff.............................................................................$19.95 USCA Historical Video DVD.........................................................................................................$15.95

CDs & DVDs are not returnable.

Defective disks may be replaced within 2 weeks of purchase.

Clothing

USCA Logo Hats - Brim: S/M L/XL Baseball: One Size....................................................... $20.00 USCA Jacket with Logo on front............................................................................................$80.00 USCA Shirts (USCA Logo or Croquet Week).........................................................................$40.00 USCA Logo Long-Sleeve Shirts................................................................................................$50.00 USCA logo Ladies Sweater....................................................................................................... $70.00

Misc.

Large Mallet Cover with USCA Logo..........................................Up to 12” mallet head – $52.95 Small Mallet Cover with USCA Logo...........................................Up to 9” mallet head – $49.95 Note Cards or Croquet Party Invitations (10/pk)..................................................................$5.00 Croquet Paper Placemats (24/pk)...........................................................................................$10.00 USCA Patch Small...........................................................................................................................$5.00 USCA Ballmarkers (dozen)............................................................................................................$1.00 USCA Cufflinks (USCA shield)...................................................................................................$29.95

Prices subject to change

Contact the USCA at 561-478-0760; fax: 561-686-5507; email usca@msn.com or mail to

USCA, 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406

croquetamerica.com | 39

If a ball travels backward through its wicket to get position, it must be clear of the non-playing side to then score the wicket in the correct direction.

Rule 4. Bonus strokes: The striker earns one bonus stroke for clearing a wicket or hitting the turning stake. The striker earns two bonus strokes for hitting another ball (a “roquet”).

Conversely, if the striker ball scores the seventh wicket and hits the turning stake in the same shot, two bonus strokes are earned.

When two bonus strokes are scored by striking another ball, the first of these two strokes may be taken in any of four ways: 1. From a mallet-head distance or less away from the ball that was hit (“taking a mallet-head”).

2. From a position in contact with the ball that was hit, with the striker ball held steady by the striker’s foot or hand (a “foot shot” or “hand shot”).

3. From a position in contact with the ball that was hit, with the striker ball not held by foot or hand (a “croquet shot”).

4. From where the striker ball stopped after the roquet.

The second bonus stroke, called a “continuation stroke,” after a roquet, is an ordinary shot played from where the striker ball came to rest.

Upon scoring a wicket, hitting the turning stake or roqueting another ball, bonus strokes are earned in the order of the incident.

For example, if on a turn, the striker roquets a ball (first incident)

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HERE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD FOR FREE (YOU BET - FREE!) TWO OF THE 12 VIDEOS IN THE SERIES IN ADDITION TO THE FREE PDF USER GUIDE WHICH SHOWS THE SETUP FOR EACH VIDEO.

40 | croquetamerica.com

and then hits another ball, the second ball hit is not a roquet and remains where it comes to rest (with no deadness incurred on that ball). The first incident counts and the striker takes two bonus strokes from the first ball hit.

If the striker takes a swing at the ball and misses it entirely, (hitting the ground) the miss counts as a stroke and the turn ends, unless the striker had a second bonus stroke.

If the striker’s mallet accidentally hits another ball other than the striker ball, the shot must be replayed, but with no loss of turn.

If you hit a ball you are dead on, there is no penalty and all balls remain where they came to rest except for a wicketed ball. See rule 6.

If the striker uses a hand or foot shot and the striker’s ball moves from under foot, the turn is over.

Rule 5. Out of Bounds: This occurs when the striker sends any ball out of bounds; the turn is over and all balls are brought inbounds and placed on the inside boundary line.

Rule 6. Wicketed Ball: After all players are in the game, having cleared the first two wickets, and the striker’s ball becomes wicketed, (stuck in the arch of a wicket), the opponent side may not hit that ball on the next turn. The wicketed ball is safe. If an opponent’s ball roquets a wicketed ball, it’s a turnover and the next turn is lost. The balls are replaced to their original positions.

This is a double penalty. The opponent side may try a jump shot or cannon the other side’s ball to clear the wicketed ball without a penalty, but if the opponent’s striker ball hits the wicketed ball in the process, the next turn is lost and all balls are returned to their original positions.

Rule 7. Turning Stake: When a ball hits the turning stake, the adversary side, on the next turn, may pick up one of their balls (ball in hand) and place it a mallet head (9 inches) in any direction from the ball that hit the turning stake and take the turn.

Rule 8. Rover ball is a ball that has completed the entire course except for striking the finishing stake. Rovers may be staked out—driven into the finishing stake with any legal stroke by any player. Rovers can roquet other balls once in a turn and receive two continuation strokes. Once the rover ball has been staked out, the rover ball is removed from the game and the partners play the remaining ball in rotation.

Rule 9. Game Time is 45 minutes. When time expires the game is over and proceeds to “sudden death.” If the score is tied, each player in the order of play, at the start of the game, gets a chance to clear its next wicket for the victory. The first to do it is the winner.

Rules by Ford Fay of Norwich, Conn. | All rights reserved, 2021 Paul Bennett is the Long-Grass and 9-Wicket Committee Chairperson

eventresults Lake Carroll Independence Day Shootout July 1-4, 2021 Huff Court Carrollton, Georgia Championship Flight Singles 01. Jimmy Huff 02. Kent Lovvorn 03. Roy Gee 04. Todd Russell 05. Gil Flowers 06. Dick Boger

03. Deborah Millican 04. William Whitman Second Flight 01. Fred Beck 02. Barbara Entzminger 03. Tina Hinckley 04. Penny Curtis

Texas State Championship June 10-13, 2021 Houston Croquet Association Houston, Texas

First Flight Singles

Championship Singles

01. Allen Griffin 02. Bill Simmons 03. Ben deGaris 04. Michael Seale 05. John Scudder

01. George Cochran 02. Bob Hafner 03. Britt Ruby 04. John Brown 05. Joe Yoder 06. George Peterkin, III 07. John Watson 08. Scott Kennedy

Greenwich Invitational June 22-27, 2021 Greenwich Croquet Club Greenwich, Connecticut Championship Singles 01. Arthur Olsen 02. Bill Miller 03. George Peterkin, III 03. Ron Millican 05. Deborah Millican 06. Quinn Reinhardt 07. Lloyd Hadden 08. Gerry Dolezar First Flight Singles 01. John Craddock 02. Kit Detering 03. Georgia Carter 03. Mary Craddock 05. Denys Shorthouse 06. Carl Detering 07. Hilary Michaels 08. Patricia Wilde

Woodlawn Invitational June 17-20, 2021 Woodlawn Croquet Ellsworth, Maine Championship Flight 01. Webster Bull 02. Peter Grey 03. Mark Masselink 04. Don Parker 05. Bob Worrell 05. Neil Houghton 05. Perry Mattson First Flight 01. Ron Millican 02. Oakley Johnson

First Flight Singles 01. Harold Menzel 02. Rob Franks 03. Chris Helton 04. Stuart Coco 05. Penny Pressler 05. Ed McCullough 07. Georgia Carter 08. Debbie Hafner

Berkshire Invitational June 9-13, 2021 Lenox Croquet Club Lenox, Massachusetts Championship Singles 01. Stuart Lawrence 02. Webster Bull 03. David Ekstrom 03. David McCoy 05. Richard Carlson 05. Calvert Chaney 05. Lloyd Hadden 05. Preston Stuart First Flight Singles 01. Sally McGrath 02. Bill Miller 03. Courtney Green 03. Pat Spratt 05. Martie Ekstrom 05. David Kepner 05. Ed Gardella 05. Rita McNamara Second Flight Singles 01. Anne Licursi 02. Denys Shorthouse 03. Lester Taufen

03. Kathleen Green 05. John McGrath 05. Hilary Michaels 05. Katie Bull 05. Liddy Chaney Third Flight Singles 01. Karen Kay 02. John Welch 03. Michael Jeary 03. Jean Lynch 05. Douglas Greeff 05. Clint Holland 05. John Morgan 05. Mary Anne Taufen 05. Carol Stuart 05. George Claffey

Indian Territory Open May 29-31, 2021 Tulsa Croquet Club Tulsa, Oklahoma Championship Singles 01. Matt Smith 02. Scott Spradling 03. Matt Baird 03. Dylan Goodwin 05. Jodie Rugart 05. Joe Yoder 05. Kevin McQuigg 05. Wendall Thompson 09. Art Parsells 10. Ron Millican 11. Missy Ramey 12. Joe Steiner First Flight Singles 01. Dale Jordan 02. Deborah Millican 03. Greg Adams 03. Carl Archiniaco 05. Harold Menzel 05. Bob Baker 05. Greg Clouse 05. Suzanne Spradling 09. Joe Schulte 10. Jon Spaulding 11. Daniel Boldoc 12. Rob Franks 13. Jodi Adams 14. Ford Austin 15. Stuart Price 16. Jim Loftis Championship Doubles 01. Matt Baird/Kevin McQuigg 02. Joe Yoder/Wendall Thompson 03. Matt Smith/Art Parsells 03. Scott Spradling/ Suzanne Spradling 05. Dylan Goodwin/Greg Clouse

06. Jodie Rugart/Missy Ramey 07. Joe Steiner/Ron Millican First Flight Doubles 01. Greg Adams/Jodi Adams 02. Daniel Bolduc/Stuart Price 03. Dale Jordan/Jon Spaulding 03. Deborah Millican/Joe Schulte 05. Harold Menzel/Rob Franks

2021 Rockfish Golf Croquet Tournament May 20-23, 2021 Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, Virginia Knockout 01. Macey White 02. John Priest 03. Tim Hasty 03. Steve Thurston 05. Bill Nettles 05. Cecil Creasey 05. Marc Stearns 05. Tate Russack 09. Cindy Shepherd 09. Cami Russack 09. Thomas Howell 09. Bryan Christiansen 09. Freeman Turley 09. George Fiegel 09. Alex Galasso 09. Rick Darnell 19. Joe Ward 19. Wayne Maloney 19. Lisa Maloney 19. Jane Casey 19. Mary Galasso 19. Pam Viens 19. Conor Johnson 19. Penn Pendleton 19. Leo Viens 19. David Lewis 19. Susan Creasey 19. Carter Richardson 19. Pedro Rivera 19. Lyle Browning 19. Suzie Beer Waterford Doubles 01. Macey White 01. Suzie Beer 02. Rick Darnell 02. Lyle Browning 03. Alex Galasso 03. Conor Johnson 03. Cami Russack 03. Bill Nettles 05. Lisa Maloney 05. Marc Stearns 05. Leo Viens 05. Tim Hasty

croquetamerica.com | 41

05. Bryan Christiansen 05. Tate Russack 05. Steve Thurston 05. Patricia Richmond 05. Jane Casey 05. Penn Pendleton 05. Susan Creasey 05. Thomas Howell 10. Wayne Maloney 10. John Priest 10. George Fiegel 10. Pam Viens 10. Ken Kniceley 10. Carter Richardson 10. Freeman Turley 10. Cindy Shepherd 10. Joe Ward 10. Cindy Howell 10. Cecil Creasey 10. Mary Galasso 10 Pedro Rivera

The Falls Spring Open May 13-15, 2021 Highland Falls Country Club Highlands, North Carolina Championship Doubles 01. Roy Gee/Kent Lovvorn 02. Jimmy Huff/Todd Russell 03. Gary Gamble/Jeff Baillis 04. Onifer Wilmoth/Mike Zuro 05. Dick Boger/Jim Teel 06. Chris Barley/Gail Barley First Flight Doubles 01. Don Eastman/Billie Ray 02. Tom Guffey/Bill Walker 03. Jack Howard/ Mary Carol Howard 04. Dennis Howard/Sandy Howard 05. Clint Dawkins/Dallas Denny 06. Kathie Gamble/Barbara Jamison Championship Singles 01. Roy Gee 02. Kent Lovvorn 03. Chris Barley 04. Todd Russell 05. Dick Boger 06. Jimmy Huff 07. Billie Ray 08. Jim Teel 08. Gary Gamble 08. Mike Zuro 11. Jeff Baillis 11. Don Eastman (DNF) First Flight Singles 01. Clint Dawkins 02. Geoff Hargadon 03. Onifer Wilmoth 04. Barbara Jamison 04. Diane Walker 06. Jack Howard

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07. Jim Jamison 07. Dennis Howard 09. Dallas Denny 10. John Walker 11. Gail Barley 12. Kathie Gamble

USCA Florida Golf Croquet Regional April 22-25, 2021 National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, Florida Championship Singles 01. Macey White 02. Billy Harper 03. Jim Teel 04. Helen Covington 05. Sherif Abdelwahab 05. Cheryl Bromley 05. Lynda Sudderberg 05. Debbie Davidoff 09. Bo Prillaman 10. Rich Dell 11. James Creasey 11. Bill Simmons 13. Bill Trower 13. Steve Jackson 13. Ron Eccles 13. John Warlick First Flight Singles 01. Clint Dawkins 02. Vicky Naranjo 03. Phil Emond 03. Jeff Morrison 05. Tate Russack 05. Tom Hankey 05. Paul Fecteau 09. Priscilla Flowers 10. Thomas Howell 11. Tim Cavers 11. Mike Sexton 13. Gail Warlick 13. Clint Fowlkes 13. Hal Denton 13. Victor Fransen Second Flight Singles 01. Alex Galasso 02. Kendall Hendrick 03. Dennis Howard 03. Laura Hendrick 05. Rosemarie Maccario 05. Mary Galasso 05. Cami Russack 05. Pam Heyer 09. Caryl Firth 10. Bill Walker 11. Debra Bradley 11. Earle Mauldin 13. Sheila Peterson 13. Tom Bown 13. Sue Emond 13. Sandy Howard

Championship Doubles

Championship Singles Plate

01. Sherif Abdelwahab/Hal Denton 02. Macey White/John Warlick 03. Cheryl Bromley/Steve Jackson 04. David McCoy/Tim Cavers 05. Jim Teel/Rich Dell 06. Clint Dawkins/Victor Fransen 07. Paul Fecteau/Tom Hankey 08. Helen Covington/Bill Simmons 09. Ron Eccles/James Creasey 10. Gail Warlick/Mike Sexton 11. Bill Trower/Lynda Sudderberg 12. Bo Prillaman/Billy Harper 13. Debie Davidoff/Earle Mauldin

01. Blake Fields 02. Daniel Pailas 03. Chris Barley 03. Damon Bidencope 05. Macey White 05. Danny Huneycutt 05. Kyle Maloof 08. Mike Todorovich 09. Rob Byrd 10. Webster Bull 11. Paul Neubecker 12. Matt Griffith 13. Merle Berkshire 14. Tom Cooper 15. Sandy Knuth 16. Roger Vorraber 17. Randy Reid

First Flight Doubles 01. Jeff Morrison/Clint Fowlkes 02. Priscilla Flowers/Caryl Firth 03. Vicky Naranjo/Pam Heyer 04. Tom Bown/Rosemarie Maccario 05. Phil Emond/Sue Emond 06. Tate Russack/Cami Russack 07. Bill Walker/Laura Walker 08. Dennis Howard/Sandy Howard 09. Kendall Hendrick/ Laura Hendrick 10. Alex Galasso/Mary Galasso 11. Thomas Howell/Cindy Howell 12. Debra Bradley/ Allison Worthington

USCA Association Laws National Championship April 11-17, 2021 Sarasota County Croquet Club Venice & Boca Grande, Florida Championship Singles 01. Jeff Soo 02. Stephen Morgan 03. Matthew Essick 04. Tom Balding 05. David Maloof 05. Shane Hettler 05. Charles Xavier 05. Sherif Abdelwahab 09. Damon Bidencope 10. Chris Barley 11. Macey White 12. Danny Huneycutt 13. Michael Albert 14. Randy Cardo 15. Blake Fields 16. Daniel Pailas 17. Kyle Maloof 18. Mike Taylor 19. Matt Griffith 20. Paul Neubecker 21. Merle Berkshire 22. Tom Cooper 23. Gene Raymond 24. Mike Todorovich 25. Rob Byrd 26. Sandy Knuth 27. Randy Reid 28. Roger Vorraber

Championship Doubles 01. Matthew Essick/Charles Xavier 02. Sherif Abdelwahab/ Stephen Morgan 03. Tom Balding/Damon Bidencope 03. Blake Fields/Matt Griffith 05. Randy Cardo/Danny Huneycutt 05. Merle Berkshire/Macey White 05. Jeff Soo/Mike Taylor 08. Sam Collins/Shane Hettler 08. Rob Byrd/Roger Vorraber 08. Chris Barley/Daniel Pailas 08. David Maloof/Kyle Maloof 08. Michael Albert/Sandy Knuth 08. Paul Neubecker/Randy Reid 08. Tom Cooper/Gene Raymond First Flight Singles 01. Jodie Rugart 02. Lynda Sudderberg 03. Ron Eccles 04. Arthur Olsen 05. Mary Rodeberg 06. Donna Dixon 07. Sam Collins 08. Rita McNamara 09. Lee Anderson 10. Bob Merritt 11. Jane Koziol 12. Chris Smith First Flight Singles Plate 01. Bob Merritt 02. Rita McNamara 03. Chris Smith 04. Jane Koziol First Flight Doubles 01. Ron Eccles/Rita McNamara 02. Jodie Rugart/Lynda Sudderberg 03. Donna Dixon/Mary Rodeberg 04. Lee Anderson/Chris Smith 05. Jane Koziol/Arthur Olsen

newmembers ALABAMA

Birmingham – At-Large Member

James Davis Michael Seale Mt. Brook – Mountain Brook Croquet Club

Edwin Greenhalgh Key Hudson

ARIZONA

Phoenix – At-Large Member

LaShon Colter Scottsdale – Mountain Mallets

David Larsen

CONNECTICUT

Hamden – Special Olympics Connecticut

Sara Pierson

FLORIDA

Atlantic Beach – Fleet Landing Croquet Club

Richard Titus Susan Titus Boca Grande – Gasparilla Inn Mallet Club

Carole Hochman Robert Levine Susan Richardson Delray Beach – St. Andrews Club

John Newberry Lake Wales – Mountain Lake Croquet Club

Alan Blanchard Ann Blanchard Georgia McCravey Michael McGowan Clare Swift Miami Beach – Indian Creek Country Club

Betty Fleming Joseph Fleming Naples – Wilderness Country Club

Sue Duchene Margaret Lavender Palm Beach Gardens – Croquet Club at PGA National

Todd Hanson Bill Nealon Palm Coast – Grand Haven Croquet Club

Cheryl Adamonis Richard Adamonis Harriet Kennedy Engle George Sachs Marcia Ann Stamboulian Ponte Vedra Beach – Plantation of Ponte Vedra, The

West Palm Beach – National Croquet Club

Jerry Colletti Milan Hugeston Dennis Miller Marie Rittman Philip Robinson Janice Schwartz Nancy Van Deuren Michele Vogel Winter Park – Interlachen Country Club

William Manuel Becky Manuel Atlanta – Lenbrook

Felecia Sveda Atlanta – Peachtree Hills Place Croquet Club

Cheryl Gosa Beth Gustafson John Strickler Anita Strickler

ILLINOIS

Chicago – At-Large Member

Thomas Wilson

INDIANA

Bloomington – At-Large Member

R. Scott Colglazier

LOUISIANA

Baton Rouge – Red Stick Croquet Club

Melinda Collins

MARYLAND

Frederick – Mid Atlantic Croquet Club

Cynthia Shepherd Galesville – West River Wickets

Anne Barnett Bob Gallagher Cheryl Kaminska Dennis McClain Wendy Opel Buz Winchester

Cashiers – Chattooga Club, The

Brian Greig Nat Turner Cashiers – High Hampton

Vicki Hare Cashiers – Trillium Links and Lake Club

Lynda Bjorklund Charlotte – At-Large Member

Michael Bidencope Highlands – Highlands Strikers Croquet Club

John Dobson Leigh Green

Linville – Eseeola Croquet Club

MICHIGAN

Linville – Grandfather Golf & Country Club

James Tuttle

Pinehurst – Pinehurst Croquet Club

Ann Arbor – At-Large Member

MINNESOTA

Chaska – At-Large Member

Peterborough – Northeast - At-Large

Catherine Harding

David Weir

Venice – Sarasota County Croquet Club

NEW JERSEY

Stuart Bowie Bonnie Bowie

Tom Antalik Tippi Antalik Matthew Gillilan Rachel Gillilan Hollie Hart Jeffrey Hart Sally Johnston Tom Johnston Linda Locke Thomas Locke Jeff Parker Susie Parker Peter Wirth Karen Wirth

Julie Drake W. Patrick Lentell

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Vero Beach – Moorings Club, The

Bald Head Island – Bald Head Island Croquet Club

Loretta Tarver

East Sandwich – Sandwich Croquet Club

Ponte Vedra Beach – Ponte Vedra Croquet Club

Suzanne Roff

NORTH CAROLINA

MASSACHUSETTS

Beverly Holt Jon Holt

Vero Beach – Florida - At-Large

Croquet Mexico.....................................................Ensenada, Mexico Eufaula Country Club (ECC)................................... Eufaula, Alabama Wilderness Country Club........................................... Naples, Florida The Little Club....................................................Gulf Stream, Florida Lenbrook..................................................................Atlanta, Georgia Mississippi State Croquet Club.......................... Guatier, Mississippi

GEORGIA

Sue Huang John Osborn

Carl Caruso Mark Klein Mary Anne Taufen

NEW CLUBS

James Emmanuel Ikeita Cantu Audrey Dunstan Kaz Dunstan Carmen Guzman Earlene Hite Julane Whipple Pittsboro – Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club

Frank Huisking

PENNSYLVANIA

Haverford – Merion Cricket Club

R. Barrett Noone

SOUTH CAROLINA

Okatie – Spring Island Croquet Club

Arlene Flick Robert Flick Bruce Macgregor Elizabeth Macgregor

TENNESSEE

Jackson – At-Large Member

William Nettles

TEXAS

Houston – Houston Croquet Association

Barbara Collie Robert Collie Jr Gideon Hixon Sarita Hixon JB Jones Marie Jones Runnells Kathryn Smyth Bob Kerr Mimi Kerr Betty Palmquist Bob Palmquist Brandt Payne Gail Payne Gay Wickham Anna Wilson Robert Wilson

VIRGINIA

Hartfield – Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club

Joseph Ward

WASHINGTON

Gig Harbor – At-Large Member

Jeff Harnly

WISCONSON

Sheboygan – At-Large Member

Donald (Don) Miech Mary Miech

Winston-Salem – Arbor Acres Croquet

INTERNATIONAL

Spring Lake – Green Gables Croquet Club

Angela Pittman

LUXEMBOURG

Linda Brooks James Daniels

NEW YORK

Quogue – At-Large Member

Nancy Jennings

OKLAHOMA

Luxembourg City – At-Large Member

Tulsa – Tulsa Croquet Club

Christian Thalacker

Jane Bolduc Daniel Bolduc

MEXICO

Ensenada – Croquet Mexico

Giancarlo Ruiz

croquetamerica.com | 43

grandprixstandings 2021 US OVERALL GRAND PRIX TOP 60 # Player Singles Doubles Total 01 Randy Cardo 7880 7326 15206 02 Beverley Cardo 1440 6486 7926 03 Derek Wassink 3400 2805 6205 04 Webster Bull 5380 210 5590 05 Jodie Rugart 2620 2905 5525 06 John O. Brown 560 4590 5150 07 David Ekstrom 4700 382 5082 08 Danny Huneycutt 3120 1642 4762 09 Robert Pulitzer 0 4590 4590 10 David McCoy 2900 1642 4542 11 Sherif Abdelwahab 1500 2805 4305 12 Daniel W. Pailas 2000 1820 3820 13 Chris Barley 3000 560 3560 14 Scott Spradling 1560 1802 3362 15 Mike Taylor 2040 1260 3300 16 Patrick Sweeney 2800 360 3160 17 Stuart Lawrence 3000 0 3000 18 Paul T. Bennett 2600 360 2960 19 Bill Daigle 840 2016 2856 20 Stewart Jackson 0 2805 2805 21 Rob Byrd 2040 504 2544 22 Macey W. White 2240 288 2528 23 Matt B. Smith 2040 400 2440 24 Matt Baird 1020 1400 2420 25 Matthew Griffith 1400 980 2380 26 Richard Sullivan 1300 982 2282 27 John Knott 240 2016 2256 28 George Cochran 2100 0 2100 29 James M. Spoonhour 840 1260 2100 30 Cameron Evans 416 1560 1976 31 Stephen P. Grassbaugh 430 1402 1832 32 Russ Cuccia 0 1820 1820 33 Kevin McQuigg 420 1400 1820 34 Jeanne Branthover 861 910 1771 35 Arthur Olsen 1150 592 1742 36 Curtis Toops 128 1560 1688 37 Richard Sheely 800 840 1640 38 Joe Yoder 840 800 1640 39 Brett Stovall 1392 168 1560 40 Yen Sullivan 125 1402 1527 41 Lucus Van Alen 125 1402 1527 42 Rodney Lassiter 240 1260 1500 43 David Isaacs 0 1402 1402 44 Peter Timmins 0 1402 1402 45 Robert Van Tassell 0 1402 1402 46 Bob Hafner 1400 0 1400 47 Peter Grey 1360 0 1360 48 Bob Chilton 900 382 1282 49 Elaine Moody 720 504 1224 50 Dylan Goodwin 1020 200 1220 51 Wendell Thompson 420 800 1220 52 Merle Berkshire 200 980 1180 53 Mark Ski 960 180 1140 54 Courtney Green 480 600 1080 55 Anne Licursi 90 954 1044 56 Brian Zindel 656 338 994 57 Don C. Parker 910 0 910 58 Patrick Dugan 32 840 872 59 Ron Millican 770 100 870 60 Jim Watrous 510 353 863 All Grand Prix points standings updated July 20, 2021

44 | croquetamerica.com

2021 GOLF CROQUET OVERALL GRAND PRIX TOP 30 # Player Singles Doubles Total 01 Macey White 2588 1324 3912 02 Cami Russack 1549 1291 2840 03 Tate Russack 1651 1063 2714 04 Alex Galasso 1427 910 2337 05 Jim Teel 1760 570 2330 06 Rich Dell 1685 364 2049 07 Clint Dawkins 1564 373 1937 08 Billy Harper 1720 207 1927 09 Helen Covington 1586 227 1813 10 Roy Gee 1186 535 1721 11 Bill Simmons 1556 93 1649 12 Sherif Abdelwahab 556 956 1512 13 Kent Lovvorn 971 535 1506 14 J. Billie Ray 1198 296 1494 15 Jimmy Huff 1137 315 1452 16 Jim Jamison 1378 0 1378 17 Bo Prillaman 978 330 1308 18 Mary Galasso 793 514 1307 19 Hal Denton 106 1187 1293 20 Brian Lozano 978 313 1291 21 James Creasey 679 501 1180 22 Timothy Rapuano 688 474 1162 23 Cheryl Bromley 651 504 1155 24 Mohammad Kamal 1144 0 1144 25 Jeff Morrison 460 672 1132 26 Marcus Stearns 797 288 1085 27 John Priest 887 177 1064 28 Timothy Hasty 752 288 1040 29 Steve Thurston 752 288 1040 30 Gary Gamble 812 220 1032 2021 AC OVERALL GRAND PRIX TOP 30 # Player Singles Doubles Total 01 Matthew Essick 2729 1612 4341 02 Stephen Morgan 2722 1075 3797 03 Jeff Soo 3014 635 3649 04 Charles Xavier 1472 1612 3084 05 Damon Bidencope 2102 863 2965 06 Sherif Abdelwahab 1472 1075 2547 07 Blake Fields 1682 863 2545 08 Thomas C. Balding 1606 863 2469 09 Danny Huneycutt 1631 635 2266 10 Macey W. White 1388 635 2023 11 Chris Barley 1573 415 1988 12 Shane Hettler 1472 415 1887 13 David Maloof 1472 415 1887 14 Daniel W. Pailas 1329 415 1744 15 Mathew Griffith 698 863 1561 16 Mike Taylor 893 635 1528 17 Kyle Maloof 1037 415 1452 18 Randy Cardo 812 635 1447 19 Michael Albert 870 415 1285 20 Merle Berkshire 563 635 1198 21 Rob Byrd 772 415 1187 22 Paul Neubecker 672 415 1087 23 Thomas Cooper 484 415 899 24 Gene Raymond 320 415 735 25 Jodie Rugart 567 168 735 26 Randy W. Reid 252 415 667 27 Sandra Knuth 247 415 662 28 Michael Todorovich 655 0 655 29 Ronald L. Eccles 293 297 590 30 Samual Collins 148 415 563

USCA 2021-2022 Sanctioned Events DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, the tournment calendar is rapidly changing. For the most up-to-date event listings, please check www.croquetamerica.com/calendar/tournaments/.

Entry forms to USCA events will now be emailed to members and can also be found on the USCA website at: www.croquetamerica.com/members/forms/ or call the USCA office (561) 478-0760 for a copy.

August

October

8/13/21 - 8/15/21

10/1/21 - 10/3/21

Rochester Croquet Club | Rochester, NY Sue Sherer | 585-474-3753 | sue.e.sherer@gmail.com

National Croquet Club | West Palm Beach, FL Tim McCormick | (207) 329-5343 | tmccorm1@gmail.com Singles Only

8 Annual Rochester Invitational | US th

8/27/2021 - 8/29/2021

USCA Mid-Atlantic Regional | US

Green Gables Croquet Club | Sea Girt, NJ Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

NCC Club Singles Golf Croquet | GC

10/5/21 - 10/7/21

USCA American Rules School | US

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

September

10/7/21 - 10/10/21

9/1/21 - 9/5/21

Bald Head Island | Bald Head Island, NC Mike Taylor | 910-986-3343 | Taylor1022@gmail.com

USCA Golf Croquet National Championship | GC

NC State Golf Croquet Open Championship | GC

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club | Tulsa, OK Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

10/10/21 - 10/16/21

9/3/21-9/6/21

National Croquet Club | West Palm Beach, FL Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

USCA Midwest Regional | US & GC

USCA American Rules National Championship | US

Tulsa Croquet Club | Hartfield, VA Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

10/13/21 - 10/15/21

9/8/21- 9/12/21

Pinehurst Countey Club | Pinehurst, NC Elaine Moody | 910-986-3164 | haliburton_2@msn.com

Woodlawn Big Lobster | US & 9W

Pinehurst Club Singles Championship | US

Woodlawn Croquet Program | Ellsworth, ME Perry Mattson | 207-667-9335 |newburyneckshore@gmail.com

9/9/21 - 9/12/21

NC State Singles Championship | US

Pinehurst Countey Club | Pinehurst, NC Mike Taylor | 910-986-3343 | mrtaylor1022@msn.com

9/16/21 - 9/19/21

ScissorTail Oklahoma Championship | US

Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club | Nichols Hills, OK Suzanne Spradling | 405-590-7264 | sshawsprad@cox.net

9/17/21 - 9/19/21

Turkey Trot Double Digit Handicap | US

Lenox Croquet Club | Lenox, MA David R. Ekstrom | 413-230-6122 | drekstrom@hotmail.com

9/22/21 - 9/26/21

31st Pinehurst Invitational | US

Pinehurst Countey Club | Pinehurst, NC Elaine Moody | 910-986-3164 | haliburton_2@msn.com

9/23/2021-9/26/2021

Whether buying or selling, trust the largest transaction of your life to a proven professional.

Linda Grady, PA 561-512-0852

lindagradyrealtor@gmail.com

The Osborn Cup | US

New York Croquet Club | New York, NY Peter Timmins | nycroquetclub@yahoo.com

09/24/21 -9/26/2021

Maryland Senior Olympics | US

Ginger Cove Croquet Club/West River Wickets | Maryland Special Event

9/25/21

NE/FCC Fall AR Open | US

Ponte Verda Croquet Club | Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Bill J Simmons | 908-625-9189 | nefloridacroquetclub@gmail.com

9/30/21 - 10/3/21

Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab | US

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club | Hartfield, VA Macey White | 804-694-9771 | maceywhite@gmail.com

croquetamerica.com | 45

10/15/21 - 10/17/21

11/5/21 - 11/7/21

Ponte Verda Croquet Club | Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Bill J Simmons | 908-625-9189 | nefloridacroquetclub@gmail.com

Plantation Commons/Plantation Circle | Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Lynn McCann | 904-834-2229 | thefarm@atlantic.net

NEFCC Fall GC Open | GC

Plantation Foundation GC Benefit Open | GC

10/21/21 - 10/24/21

11/10/21 - 11/14/21

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club | Hartfield, VA Macey White | 804-694-9771 | maceywhite@gmail.com

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

10/21/21 - 10/24/21

11/19/21 - 11/21/21

Houston Croquet Association | Houston, TX John O Brown | 713-876-1508 | johnobrown76@gmail.com

Sarasota County Croquet Club | Venice, FL Nancy Hart | 803-530-2035 |nh13sc@gmail.com

10/26/21 - 10/27/21

11/30/21 - 12/4/21

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

Mission Hills Country Club | Rancho Mirage, CA Rory Kelley | 602-686-3941 | rory.kelley43@gmail.com

10/28/21 - 10/31/21

December

USCA Seniors Masters Championship | US

Women's Golf Croquet Open | GC

The Shark Tooth Open | GC

Houston Invitational | US

US Open | AC

USCA Association Laws School | AC

Selection Eights | AC

National Croquet Club | West Palm Beach, FL Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

12/1/21 - 12/2/21

November

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

USCA American Rules School | US

Golf Croquet Club Teams | GC

USCA Golf Croquet School | GC

11/2/21 - 11/4/21

12/3/21 - 12/5/21

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

11/5/21 - 11/7/21

12/10/21 - 12/12/21

Country Club of Jackson | Jackson, MS Mark Fields | 601-856-5059 | mfields5@gmail.com

National Croquet Club | West Palm Beach, FL Tim McCormick | (207) 329-5343 | tmccorm1@gmail.com Doubles Only

NCC Club Doubles American Rules | US

Country Club of Jackson 6W Invitational | US

Reach Your Target 2020

Volume 1

ews CroquetNews CroquetN The Official

EMEM

Magazine

BERIN

of the United

States Croquet

Association

2020 Volume 3

The Official Magazine

2019 Volume

of the United States Croquet Association

4

CroquetNews The Official

Magazine

of the United

States Croquet

Association

2020

Volume

2

CroquetN The Offic

ial Maga

zine

of the

Unite

d States

Croquet

ews

12/10/21 - 12/12/21

The Holiday Invitational | US

Sarasota County Croquet Club | Venice, FL Nancy Hart | 803-530-2035 |nh13sc@gmail.com

12/12/21

MacRobertson Shield Team Selection Availability Deadline | AC Special Day

Assoc

iation

G

R NES FRED JO

January

1/6/22 - 1/9/22 Fall Issue

Inductees | Bob Kroeger Croquet Day | Hall of Fame Courting Young Players | National Court Lighting Case Study Ponte Vedra Croquet Club |

World Cham pio

n

USCA Florida Regional Golf Croquet | GC

CRO IN T HE

QUE T

TIME

OF C OV

ID-1

9

2021 Per Issue Advertising Rates Inside Front Cover (8.5” W x 11” H)...................................$850 Inside Back Cover (8.5” W x 11” H)...................................$850 Full Page (8.5” W x 11” H)................................................$700 Half Horizontal Island (4.875” H x 7.38” W).............................$475 Quarter Page (3.62” W x 4.875” H)...................................$295 One Sixth Page (2.34” W x 4.875” H)................................$150

Upcoming Ad/Copy Deadlines

2021 November Issue (Winter) – 10/29/21 2022 February Issue (Spring) - 01/14/2022

For a full 2021 Croquet News media kit, contact Dylan Goodwin at croquetnetwork@gmail.com

46 | croquetamerica.com

Sarasota County Croquet Club | Venice, FL Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

1/14/22 - 1/16/22

NCC Club Singles Championship | US

National Croquet Club | West Palm Beach, FL Tim McCormick | (207) 329-5343 | tmccorm1@gmail.com

1/27/22 - 1/30/22

Jones Invitational | US

Sarasota County Croquet Club | Venice, FL Nancy Hart | 803-530-2035 |nh13sc@gmail.com

NEED HELP? LEARN FROM THE PROS Whether you are new to the game or just want to learn some of the finer points of the game

USCA CROQUET SCHOOLS

can add that extra boost to help get your game started the right way

Learn with USCA Certified Instructors

5 hours/day of on-court instruction Learn shotmaking skills and strategy tips Official USCA Rulebook (for new American Rules or Golf Croquet members) USCA Shot making manual (for first time American Rules students only)

Daily Continental Breakfast and Lunches Certificate of Completion and Class Photograph

USCA Schools are held at the National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, Florida

UPCOMING DATES American Rules October 5-7, 2021 November 2-4, 2021

Golf Croquet

December 1-2, 2021

Association Laws October 26-27, 2021

PRIVATE GROUP PROGRAM

Groups of 6 or more players (of the same level) may arrange for a date (dependent on court and instructor availability) that is convenient for group’s participants with special group rates

Registration is easy. Just go to our website www.croquetamerica.com and find the event on our calendar. Click on the event and it will take you to the registration link.

Contact the USCA office for more information 561-478-0760 or email tournament@uscroquet.com

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