2022 CROQUET NEWS VOLUME 1: GC CLUB TEAMS

2022 Volume 1

CroquetNews The Official Magazine

of the United States Croquet Association

GC CLUB TEAMS USCA'S BIGGEST 2021 EVENT

PLUS: SENIORS MASTERS | FLORIDA GC REGIONAL NINE WICKET NATIONALS | RYAN THOMPSON

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CroquetNews 2022 Volume 1

Features 10 | 2022 Florida GC Regional 14 | 2021 GC Club Teams 20 | 2021 Seniors Masters 26 | 2021 Nine Wicket Nationals 28 | Member Profile: Ryan Thompson

Departments 03 | Courtside with Damon Bidencope 04 | The Clubhouse 05 | Who Am I? 30 | Let’s Talk Tactics 32 | GC America 34 | 9W Roundup 36 | Event Results 38 | New Membership 39 | Grand Prix Standings 40 | Events Calendar

On The Cover

The top photo features the National Croquet Club as they claimed the Division I GC Club team championship. The Ocean Reef Croquet Club shown in the bottom left took the Division II title. And in the bottom right position, the Denver Croquet Club shows off the winning Club Teams socks.

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. © 2022 United States Croquet Association

courtside

New USCA Progams Launched The USCA (committee members, volunteers and clubs across the country) have been busy organizing and planning for 2022.

I am writing this column with anticipation of building on the momentum from strong tournament participation levels of 2021 and with hope that our clubs experience more normal croquet activity across the country for local club players as well as the stabilization of the World Croquet Federation events that allow our top players to measure their skills against the best.

Some exciting and positive developments are emerging from the 2021 planning phases as outlined below.

A USCA grant program is available (AC, GC, US6W, and 9W) for clubs and schools to promote new USCA member initiatives. The grant program details are available on our website www.croquetamerica.com.

Also emerging in 2022 is the USCA High Performance and Talent Development Program. This program targets, benefits, develops and prepares our top young talent with a goal of achieving the best results for the US in international events. Various USCA clubs have stepped forward and offered their facilities as hosts and several donors have contributed funds to underwrite expenses. We are very grateful for those that have contributed. More details are in the Clubhouse section of this issue.

With the transition to our new membership platform, USCA merchandise will now be exclusively available on our website. This allows ready access from anywhere at the click of the mouse.

Also new in 2022 are a series of primers for the different games of croquet played in the US. These have been designed as starter materials and can be used by clubs and venues for newcomers in their first contact with prospective croquet players and future members of their clubs and the USCA. These are some of the programs and efforts that are now surfacing for the benefit of our members. We have more coming and are working hard to continually improve and enhance your croquet experience. As we are still working through several other initiatives from our prior planning meetings, we are going to forego our annual planning meeting this year. I do invite and welcome anyone to submit specific thoughts and ideas.

We have a fabulous array of host sites for our National Championships this year.

Coming first on the calendar is the USCA GC Nationals (May 16-22) being played in the Cashiers/Highlands, N.C., area at the four stunning venues of High Hampton, Chattooga Club, Highlands Falls Country Club and the Country Club of Sapphire Valley. Second is the USCA AC Nationals (September 11-17) being played at the Chesapeake Croquet Club in Hartfield, Va., which typically provides a hard and true test for competitors. The USCA Six Wicket National Championship (December 11-17) is set for the beautiful lawns at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Thank you to these venues and their members for hosting our National Championships. With this wonderful selection of venues for our premier events, I expect I will see many of the aspiring national participants competing in our regional events to earn prequalification into the national fields.

I look forward to our 2022 croquet year. Let’s keep the ball rolling!

Damon Bidencope

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

TheClubhouse NEW USCA NEW GRANT PROGRAM The USCA Management Committee has approved a new grant program to clubs and schools to promote new USCA member initiatives. The program will offer up to $1,000 per applicant for promotion in one of the four croquet rule sets that we govern in America (US, AC, GC, 9W). Recipients will only receive one grant and in one rule set.

Applications should address the following criteria: • Which rule set will be used?

• Where will the event take place?

• How will funds be spent (estimated)?

• How many estimated participants will be involved?

• How many new USCA members can be generated?

• How much money is requested (max 1,000)?

DO YOU NEED IDEAS? Email our marketing team or contact our office. Funds can be used for various events with the goal of membership growth and development.

Ideas may include Croquet Day events, open houses or expos, just to name a few.

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• What is the overall event budget?

• How many members does your club or school have? How many of them are USCA members?

Applications will be evaluated and shortlisted by the appropriate committees for each rule set International (AC), Tournament (US), GC and 9W. Committees will perform the initial evaluation and recommend funding levels (full, partial, etc.). The USCA Management Committee will make the final funding decisions. If you would like to volunteer to help the committees in their evaluations, please reach out to Ursula in the USCA office.

We are currently accepting applications via email at info@croquetamerica.com. There is no standard form. Please write up

PRIZES The three clubs that generate the most new members to the USCA will win two entries (one team) into the Club Teams tournament, either GC or US rules, of their choice.

The club that generates the most new USCA members will win a visit from a USCA certified instructor, paid for by the USCA.

your plan, answer the questions above and submit it to us!

A USCA representative (any committee member or employee) must be on site for your events and there must be USCA membership materials available. These are meant to facilitate discussion about the USCA and encourage more participation and membership growth.

FUNDING The USCA has budgeted $15,000 for this initiative in 2022!

A final report of how funds were spent, people involved, lessons learned and overall performance must be submitted by November 15. Twenty percent (20%) of each grant will be held back until this report is provided.

If you would like to donate to increase the available funds, please let us know. It is only with support from our members and donors that we can create programs such as this. Let’s work together to grow croquet in America!

WCF Management Changes Following the retirement of Stephen Mulliner from the position of Secretary-General in August, Debbie Lines started her tenure as the new SecretaryGeneral on September 1, 2021. Lines shadowed Mulliner as his Deputy during the previous year.

The WCF has since then announced changes to the management committee that include newly elected members Begoña Elzaburu (Spain) and Graeme Roberts (New Zealand).

Roberts Stafeckis successfully stood for reelection and all three started their positions on the Management Committee on January 1, 2022, and are now serving four-year terms.

Peter Landrebe (Australia) and Geoff Young (New Zealand) finished their terms of office on December 31, 2021, after serving on the Management Committee for many years. We thank them for their contributions and hard work and wish them every success on and off the lawns.

In other moves, Peter Payne was elected as the new WCF Treasurer and Brian Havill was reappointed as Independent Examiner for 2022. He was re-elected with 42 votes out of a possible 60. No Members voted against Havill.

WHO AM I? My well-known father introduced me to the game at a young age.

I began playing when was five and by the age of six, had developed a mean backswing. The nickname of “Boom Boom” soon followed. In fact, the picture shows me during my backswing.

I attended Vassar College, where played croquet with a future USCA president and participated in the inaugural National Intercollegiate Croquet Championships.

I

?

I

By the time I graduated from college, I was one of the best croquet players in the country. I played on some national teams and won a record number of tournaments—including some national championships.

I have helped author both a book about croquet and a regular column within this magazine. I am a Class I act in credentials and remain a croquet TD, club pro and instructor.

For my efforts, I was voted a red jacket in 2005.

Perhaps I am most famous for once raffling off a croquet cummerbund while wearing little more than that auctioned item.

Can you guess, Who am I?

theclubhouse

USCA Management Committee ________________________

U S C A HIG H P E R F O R M A NC E A ND TAL E N T DE V E LOP M E N T P R O GR AM

President Damon Bidencope president@uscroquet.com

Success at the international level, development and the engagement of young players with the potential of long-playing careers are “trickle-down” drivers for the entire USCA membership. The USCA High Performance and Talent Development Program’s mission is to improve the performance of US representatives at international competitions. The program is focused on developing younger players but will include players who have demonstrated the talent and drive to succeed and further improve at the international level. The USCA, through this program, will organize opportunities/events with a structured environment that provides coaching, encouragement, peer support, assessment and team building. The events will be short in duration to enable full participation.

2022 SCHEDULE (AS OF 01/08/2022) February 11–13

Lake Wales, FL (GC)

September 3–4

Atlanta, GC (GC)

April 8–10

Rancho Mirage, CA (AC)

October 7–9

Venice, FL (AC)

June 25–26

Highlands/Cashiers, NC (GC)

The host venues, which are spread across the US, will provide observation and learning opportunities for the adjacent USCA membership as well as provide promotional opportunities for growing interest in the sport as these events showcase the game at the top level.

The USCA will promote the program through print and web-based platforms, solicit host venues, arrange fixtures, provide coordination, publish development efforts and provide competition opportunities.

Eligible players must demonstrate talent and skill in the internationally-contested games of GC (Golf Croquet) and AC (Association Croquet). They must exhibit drive and commitment to improving their knowledge and ability, commit to active participation in this program and commit to contributing as development team members. All coach and committee participation is provided without remuneration.

Program participants will be expected to attend as many events as possible.

Participation will require active engagement in all aspects of the events, coaching and peer discussions (on and off the lawn). The schedule will include both GC and AC events, helping to prepare this new crop of players for international competition at the highest level. Participation in other major USCA titled events will also be encouraged and expected for the selection process.

This is an important USCA initiative. Financial support is an essential part of the program. Given the need to bring players together from around the country, travel expenses are significant. Funding of travel and event expenses will be provided to keep participant costs low, especially for younger players participating in this program. We are actively seeking contributors/donations for this specific purpose. The USCA is a non-profit 501 (C) 3 organization and all donations are tax-deductible.

Visit www.croquetamerica.com for more news.

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 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 Northeast Preston Stuart northeastrvp@uscroquet.com Southeast 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

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

theclubhouse

“WHO AM I?” ANSWER I am . . . John C. Osborn, also known as Johnny Osborn.

Osborn’s father was Jack Osborn, the founder of the USCA and its first president.

Osborn’s father loomed large over American croquet in the 1970s and 80s.

Walt Whitman once advised those in the shadows of a famous parent to “keep your face toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.” Although it took a while for Osborn to do that, he eventually emerged from his father’s shadows in many profound ways. So much so that for many in the recent croquet generations, he is the Osborn that comes to mind.

Osborn was playing croquet by five years old. He reports by the age of six, his swing was mean enough to knock another child unconscious when he accidentally hit him during a backswing.

In fact, Osborn’s lightning-fast Solomon grip backswing earned him the nickname “Boom Boom.”

While at Vassar College, Osborn played on the college croquet team with future USCA president Dan Mahoney. Vassar finished runner-up in the collegiate team croquet championship, but Osborn won the singles title.

Osborn excelled in American Rules, the game his father invented. He won five USCA National Championships (three in American Rules singles, one in American Rules doubles and one in Golf Croquet doubles). He played on the US team in the inaugural Solomon Trophy in 1985 and on the US team in the 1996 MacRobertson International Croquet Shield.

He did so well in so many events that he won the US Grand Prix nine times.

Fittingly, he won the Osborn Cup 10 times, a New York Croquet Club event named in honor of his father.

Osborn co-wrote a seminal book with his father about croquet, “Croquet: the Sport.” He emerged from his father’s shadow not only by his play discussed above, but through his many contributions

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Photo courtesy of Rhys Thomas

to the sport. For example, Osborn previously wrote a regular column in this magazine with Bob Kroeger about American Rules tactics. He is a Class I referee, and he certifies many of those who apply to become a USCA-certified referee.

He also is a tournament director, croquet club professional and instructor.

For his excellent play and significant contributions to the sport, Osborn was inducted into the US Croquet Hall of Fame in 2005.

Perhaps the quintessential Osborn story is when he raised $1,900 auctioning off vintage croquet garb while wearing a tuxedo during a fundraiser. He tore off his bow tie and shirt to display the vintage USCA t-shirt for sale he was wearing underneath. He later took off his pants to reveal the other item to be auctioned, a cummerbund once owned by croquet legend John Young. That incident was covered with much gusto in a New York Times article. And there are photos . . .

PASSAGES

Frank Driscoll, Mountain Lake Croquet Club Mary Driscoll, Mountain Lake Croquet Club Martha Hunnewell, Newport Croquet Club Michael H. Kline, Belleair Country Club Croquet, Sarasota County Croquet Club

Henry Kraft, The Hillsboro Club Bill Stempfle, Carolina Meadows Croquet Club

Martha Sulzby Hunnewell

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Martha Sulzby (Clark) Hunnewell, age 77, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, in Newport, R.I. Martha was born in Birmingham, Ala., March 19, 1944, and is survived by her daughters, Alicia (“Lilie”) Clark Van Arsdall (Michael) of Washington, D.C., and Melissa Clark Slaughter (Hanson) of Birmingham, four grandchildren who affectionately referred to her as “Danny,” Elizabeth Van Arsdall, John Slaughter, William Van Arsdall, and Virginia Slaughter, her brother, James F. Sulzby, III (Robin) and niece, Jean Sulzby Jones (Drew), and their three children, Mae, Stuart, and Christopher.

She is also survived by her stepdaughter Sarah Hunnewell (Jimmy), stepson John Hunnewell (Susie), and step grandchildren Priscilla and Mark. Martha was predeceased by her husband, Richard F. Hunnewell, her father, James F. Sulzby, Jr., her mother, Martha Belle (Hilton) Sulzby, her nephew, James F. Sulzby, IV, and her former husband, Robert J. B. Clark.

Martha was a graduate of the Brooke Hill School in Birmingham and Mount Vernon College in Washington, D.C. Martha’s chic sense of style and spirited personality captivated all who knew her.

1944-2022

Her sense of adventure took her around the world numerous times and she was likewise at home in many places, maintaining residences in Birmingham, Newport and New York for many years.

Martha was a master croquet player, as well as an accomplished decorator and jewelry designer. She had a discerning eye for elegance, and enjoyed coupling beauty with whimsy.

Still, her passion was people. She was at her best cooking and entertaining a crowd, and had a memorable flair for making things beautiful, delicious and fun.

Martha was a member of the Spouting Rock Beach Association, Clambake Club, Newport Croquet Club and Trinity Church in Newport as well as the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham. She was previously a member of the Piping Rock Club in Locust Valley, N.Y., and the Mountain Brook Club in Birmingham.

A memorial service for Martha will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 19, at Trinity Church in Newport, with a graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham on Monday, February 21, at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be made to the Newport Hospital Foundation, 11 Friendship Street, Newport, RI 02840 (www.lifespan.org/NH-giving) or to a charity of your choosing.

INQUIRIES AND SUBMISSIONS Please submit all inquiries and stories to uscacroquetnews@yahoo.com. Articles and reports should be submitted as Microsoft Word files and photos should be full resolution (300 dpi). The best approach when writing a press release or story is to keep it simple, short and to the point. Start with the most important news, as opposed to who announced it.

A good first paragraph answers the key questions: What? When? Where? Why? Who? How? The idea is to anticipate the questions a reader might have. Or, think of what you would want to know. For the title, the goal is to capture the reader’s attention, but keep it brief and the message clear. Double-check all details to ensure accuracy before submitting the press release.

Please remember that all content may be edited for length and photos will be adjusted appropriately. Please email photos as attachments or send a filesharing link. Pick your best photos – six to 10 good photos is enough. If you are unsure if your photos are high enough resolution to print, check the file size. Generally, we can make files above 1 MB work. Files under 500 KB are in the danger zone, but we will do our best to salvage them. www.croquetamerica.com | 9

USCA Florida Regional Golf Croquet Tournament Sarasota County Croquet Club | Venice, Florida January 6-9, 2022

MALOOF

DOMINATION AT FLORIDA GC REGIONAL As the saying goes, nothing is more constant than change and that definitely proved to be the theme leading up to the start of the 9th annual Florida Golf Croquet Regional at the Sarasota County Croquet Club in January.

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WRITTEN BY CHERYL BROMLEY

Despite the withdrawal of eight players, including the tournament director, the event was fortunate to have been over-subscribed with a large waiting list of players hoping to be activated. Webster Bull answered the eleventh-hour call to step into the TD position, and the openings vacated by players were quickly filled on an ongoing basis right up to the start.

With the entire country experiencing record-low temperatures and snow in many parts, the lovely town of Venice Beach, Fla., was one spot where the weather was sunny, warm and perfect for croquet.

Day one featured knockout doubles matches in Championship and First Flight. Consolation and satellite matches also gave players a couple of extra rounds of play if eliminated early.

Heading into the semifinals, all four top seeds in each division advanced to face one another.

First Flight Singles Champion Tamer Hatata (L) with family and friends

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Top left: First Flight Doubles Champions Laura and Kendall Hendrick.

Photo by Nancy Hart Top right: Championship Flight Singles Runner up Billy Harper and winner Kyle Maloof Left: Second Flight Singles Runner up Tom Lindley and winner Laura Hendrick

completed on another day. The final result was a win for the Hendricks, 7-6, 4-7, 7-3.

In one championship flight doubles semifinal, the father-son duo of David and Kyle Maloof advanced past Jim Teel and Rich Dell in a solid two-game battle 7-4, 7-6. On the other side of the draw, Helen Covington and Macey White took out Leo McBride and Amr Hamdy 7-3, 7-5 to face the Maloofs in the final.

In a tough three-game final, David and Kyle Maloof emerged victorious to capture the 2022 Doubles title 7-4, 6-7, 7-4 over Covington and White.

First Flight Doubles Semifinals were both won by scores of 7-6 with Laura and Kendall Hendrick knocking out Priscilla Flowers and Bill Simmons while Cami and Tate Russack advanced with a victory over Barbara and Jim Jamison.

The First Flight Final between Laura and Kendall Hendrick and Cami and Tate Russack was split at one game each before darkness settled in and postponed the third game to be

Day Two saw the start of singles block play. The 48 players were placed into blocks of eight players each in three flights. Based on final win-loss results, the top four players earned a spot in the Singles Knockout, while the bottom four players in each block moved into the Plate Knockout.

With the first four rounds of seven complete, only four players survived the first rounds without encountering a loss. Heading into Saturday’s final rounds of block play, Matt Griffith was 4-0 in Championship Flight; Don Eastman was 4-0 in First Flight; and both Sue Emond and Tom Lindley had perfect 4-0 records in Second Flight. Each flight had tight races and it wasn’t until all the block matches were completed and the results were tallied that it finally became clear who would advance to the knockouts.

Not one player escaped at least one loss in block play.

In Championship Flight, David and Kyle Maloof faced off in a semifinal singles match that had the shot of the tournament. With the first game tied at 6-6 and Kyle’s ball in the jaws of Hoop #13, David hit a reverse backward jump www.croquetamerica.com | 11

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT SINGLES shot from the boundary, made the hoop but then realized he had caused court damage with his mallet and called the fault on himself. Kyle advanced to the final with a 7-6, 4-7, 7-0 victory. In the other semifinal, White and Billy Harper battled with Harper moving into the final with a 7-6, 7-3 victory. Kyle took care of business in the championship match and earned the 2022 Regional Singles title with a 7-4, 7-2 win over Harper. The Championship Plate winner was Hesham Elzoghby.

In the First Flight Knockout, Mark Kucharski edged past Tate Russack with a 7-6 semifinal win to earn his spot in the final. On the other half of the draw, Tamer Hatata took out Billie Ray in the semifinals with a 7-4 victory.

Hatata and Kucharski battled until the sun went down on Sunday and it was Hatata claiming the First Flight Regional title with a tight 7-6, 7-6 victory. The First Flight Plate winner was Thomas Howell.

01. Kyle Maloof

In Second Flight action, Laura Hendrick played solid throughout the entire tournament, dropping only two singles games and one doubles game. In the knockout semifinal, she took out Rick Alderson 7-3 while Tom Lindley got past Barbara Jamison with a 7-4 win. The Second Flight title went to Hendrick with a 7-2 win over Lindley to cap off a great weekend of capturing both the First Flight Doubles and Second Flight Singles Regional titles. The Second Flight Plate winner was Caryl Firth.

05. Rich Dell

FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES 01. Tamer Hatata 02. Mark Kucharski 03. Tate Russack 04. Billie Ray 05. Ellen Nielsen 05. Phil Emond 05. Doug Ledgett 05. Don Eastman 09. Thomas Howell 10. Cami Russack 11. Priscilla Flowers 11. Kendall Hendrick 13. Bill Simmons 13. Ellie Griffith 13. Alex Galasso 13. Christof Weihs

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Above: Florida GC Regional 2022 Right: Championship Doubles winners Kyle and David Maloof

02. Billy Harper 03. David Maloof 03. Macey White 05. Matt Griffith 05. Paul Fecteau 05. David Cornes 09. Hesham Elzoghby 10. Bo Prillaman 11. Neil Houghton 11. Jim Jamison 13. Debbie Davidoff 13. Amr Hamdy 13. Helen Covington

SECOND FLIGHT SINGLES 01. Laura Hendrick 02. Tom Lindley 03. Rick Alderson 04. Barbara Jamison 05. Earle Mauldin 05. Sandra Cornes 05. Devin Burress 05. Sue Emond 09. Caryl Firth 10. Karen Weihs 11. Trudy Crowetz 11. Pamela Groh 13. Ying Benns 13. Cindy Howell 13. Mary Galasso 13. John E Walker

FIRST FLIGHT DOUBLES

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT DOUBLES 01. David Maloof/Kyle Maloof 02. Helen Covington/Macey White 03. Jim Teel/Rich Dell 04. Leo McBride/Amr Hamdy 05. Billy Harper/Tamer Hatata 06. Matt Griffith/Bo Prillaman 07. Hesham Elzoghby/Rick Alderson 09. Ellen Nielsen/David Cornes 10. Debbie Davidoff/Earle Mauldin 11. Billie Ray/Don Eastman 12. Ellie Griffith/Doug Ledgett

01. L aura Hendrick/Kendall Hendrick 02. Cami Russack/Tate Russack 03. Priscilla Flowers/Bill Simmons 04. Barbara Jamison/Jim Jamison 05. Caryl Firth/Tom Lindley 06. Pamela Groh/Trudy Crowetz 07. Cindy Howell/Thomas Howell 08. Sue Emond/Phil Emond 09. Mary Galasso/Alex Galasso 10. Karen Weihs/Chris Weihs

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www.croquetamerica.com | 13

2021 USCA Golf Croquet Club Teams National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, Florida December 3-5, 2021

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C L U B

T E A M S :

USCA’s Biggest Event for 2021 With 108 players and another 15 on the waitlist, the 2021 Golf Croquet Club Teams Tournament registered the highest number of entries for a USCA-sanctioned event for 2021. The event featured 18 clubs teams from all over the United States.

The tournament had small club teams: eight teams had three or fewer players and were in Division III: Highlands Strikers – Captain: Brooklyn Ellenburg Indian Creek Croquet Club – Captain: Bob Harbaugh Lenox Croquet Club – Captain: David Ekstrom The Little Club – Captain: Bruce Hindin Mountain Brook – Captain: Lee Yeilding Palm Beach Polo – Captain: Sandy Knuth St. Andrews Club – Captain: Jan Fisher The Springs Croquet Club – Captain: Susan Creasey

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The tournament had medium-sized teams with four to nine players in Division II:

The tournament had four large club teams with 10 or more players in Division I:

Bonita Bay Club – Captain: Rich Dell Denver Croquet Club – Captain: James Creasey Mountain Lake – Captain: David Maloof Ocean Reef Club – Captain: Kendall Hendrick Plantation at Ponte Vedra – Captain: Bill Simmons Quogue Field Club – Captain: Dick Corey

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club – Captain: Steve Thurston Everglades Club – Captain: Tom Cooper National Croquet Club – Captain: Sherif Abdelwahab Wyndemere Country Club – Captain: John Joseph

GC Club Teams Participants

Lining it up

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Twelve teams brought team flags and several teams had uniforms. The Denver Croquet Club showed up in the winning Club Teams socks. Rich Dell, from Bonta Bay, was awarded the winning Club Team shirt. The Everglades Club had the winning Club Teams hats. And the Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club came flying the winning Club Teams flag.

Priscilla Flowers was the tournament social director and arranged some great games and competitions on Thursday evening. We played Mix and Mingle Scramble. It started with partnering up players who did not know each other. The games began as normal GC games, but periodically a whistle was blown and the players had to change balls (Blue now plays Red, Red plays Black, Black plays Yellow, Yellow plays Blue). Each wicket had a sample-sized bottle of an adult beverage attached to it and the person scoring the wicket claimed the bottle attached to the wicket. Forty-eight players participated and fun was had by all.

Clockwise from top left: Rich Dell from Bonta Bay sports the winning Club Team shirt; The Everglades Club had the winning hats; Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club flying the winning Club Teams flag; Denver Croquet Club shows off the winning Club Teams socks

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All the competitive play was doubles.

The doubles pairs were organized into three flights, Championship, First and Second, based on the players’ cumulative GC handicaps. Many players entered the tournament with no GC handicap and were assigned a provisional handicap by their club team captains for seeding purposes. It has been suggested that next year all players must have a USCA recognized GC Handicap before entering the event.

earned four points, fifth place earned two points and ninth place earned one point.

Each flight was split into three blocks of six doubles pairs. On Friday and Saturday, the doubles pairs played everyone in their block. Eight pairs from each flight were selected based on the win/loss record and net points.

These eight doubles pairs faced off in a single-elimination ladder on Sunday.

Points were totaled from the top 10 finishers on each Division I team, and the winning Division I team was the National Croquet Club.

To determine the 2021 Club Teams Winning Clubs, each player earned points based on his/her finish. Flight winners earned eight points, second place earned six points, third place

Points were totaled from the top two finishers on each Division III team, and the winning Division III team was the St. Andrews Croquet Club.

Points were totaled from the top four finishers on each Division II team, and the winning Division II team was the Ocean Reef Croquet Club.

Next year, the 2022 Golf Croquet Club Teams tournament is sure to fill up fast. Please register your teams as soon as the announcements come out.

Also, please work on getting all your club Golf Croquet players a USCA Golf Croquet handicap. Please contact the USCA office for details.

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT 01. Sherif Abdelwahab/Hal Denton, National Croquet Club 02. John Steninger/Ned Sperry, Denver Croquet Club 03. Macey White/Steve Thurston, Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club 03. Cheryl Bromley/Vernon Pierce, National Croquet Club 05. Tom Cooper/Conrad Rugart, The Everglades Club 05. Randy Cardo/Beverley Cardo, The Quogue Field Club 05. Clint Dawkins/Joe Carroll, Plantation at Ponte Vedra 05. David Maloof/John Wight, Mountain Lake 09. Bo Prillaman/Rick Sheely, Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club 09. James Creasey/Ron Eccles, Denver Croquet Club 09. Rich Dell/Corky Dell, Bonita Bay Club 09. Tate Russack/Tamer Hatata, National Croquet Club 09. Sandra Knuth/Tina Hinkley, Palm Beach Polo 09. Tim Cavers/Bill Simmons, Plantation at Ponte Vedra 09. Jeff Morrison/Clint Fowlkes, National Croquet Club 09. Miller Conaway/Lee Yeilding, Mountain Brook 09. Priscilla Flowers/Tom Tribby, National Croquet Club 09. Debbie Davidoff/Earle Mauldin, Plantation at Ponte Vedra

Hal Denton and Sherif Abdelwahab Champ Winners congratulated by Carla Rueck USCA 2nd VP

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John Joseph and Jicham Zaatini First Flight Winners congratulated by Preston Stuart NE RVP, Carla Rueck 2nd VP, and Macey White, TD

FIRST FLIGHT 01. John Joseph/Jicham Zaatini, Wyndemere Country Club 02. Kendall Hendrick/Laura Hendrick, Ocean Reef Club 03. Alan Thomson/Bill Hinkebein, Ocean Reef Club

09. Cecil Creasey/Susan Creasey, The Springs Croquet Club 09. Candice Kehoe/Kevin O’Driscoll, Wyndemere Country Club 09. Phil Emond/Sue Emond, Plantation at Ponte Vedra

03. Stuart Baker/Loretta Cooper, The Everglades Club 05. Jodie Rugart/Vickie Johnston, The Everglades Club 05. Lois Clay/Suzanne Turner, National Croquet Club 05. Bruce Hindin/Neill Trimble, The Little Club 05. Richard Corey/Christopher Morris, The Quogue Field Club

09. Tim Bitting/Reine Bitting, The Everglades Club 09. Jeanne Branthover/Anne Carr, National Croquet Club 09. Tom Lindley/Rita Ginsky, National Croquet Club 09. Bob Harbaugh/Joe Fleming, Indian Creek Croquet Club 09. Rita McNamara/Dorothea Endicott, Lenox and Chesapeake Bay

09. Cami Russack/Mel Eckhart, Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club 09. Lin Irey/Gerry Eubank, National Croquet Club

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Pamela Groh and Geri O'Neil Second Flight Winners congratulated by NE RVP Preston Stuart, 2nd VP Carla Rueck, and TD Macey White

SECOND FLIGHT 01. Geri O’Neill/Pamela Groh, National Croquet Club 02. Dennis Leddy/Michael McGowan, Mountain Lake 03. Shaun Henderson/Shari Gallucci, National Croquet Club 03. Jan Fisher/Ed Berge, St. Andrews Club 05. Anne Killilea/Fran Anthony, Wyndemere Country Club 05. Rodney Lassiter/Kathy Killmon, Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club 05. Patricia Duncan/Nancy Reynolds, The Everglades Club 05. David Ekstrom/Martie Ekstrom, Lenox Croquet Club 09. Franck Meunier/John Strasser, National Croquet Club 09. Holly Sperry/Morna Steninger, Denver Croquet Club

09. Brooklyn Ellenburg/Loretta Tarver, Highlands Strikers 09. John Grout/Lynette Grout, Bonita Bay Club 09. M ichael Hawke/Jennifer Joseph, Wyndemere Country Club 09. Imelda Mehlert/Bruce Morehead, Wyndemere Country Club 09. Alex Galasso/Mary Galasso, National Croquet Club 09. Kevin Killilea/Mike Anthony, Wyndemere Country Club 09. Janet Schwartz/Phil Robinson, National Croquet Club 09. Courtenay Rodonets/Jeanmarie Dellosso, Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club

www.croquetamerica.com | 19

USCA Seniors Masters National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, Florida November 10-14, 2021

Huneycutt CLAIMS SENIORS

SINGLES TITLE

Bob Van Tassell Takes the Masters 70-and-over Singles Victory

T

he 2021 USCA Seniors Masters tournament lived up to its stellar reputation. Sixty-two of the best players in America collected in West Palm Beach, Fla., at the National Croquet Center to renew old friendships and compete in one of the finest American Six Wicket tournaments held in the United States. In singles, 34 players who were 70 or older competed for the Masters championships in both Championship Flight and First Flight.

Twenty-three players who were between 60 and 70 played for the Championship and First Flight trophies in the Seniors division.

In doubles, 14 teams vied for the Masters trophies and 15 teams vied for the Seniors trophies. Teams in the Masters category had two players who were 70 or older and teams in the Seniors category had at least one player who was in their 60’s.

For several years there has been a special award given to the highest finishing player who is 80 or older. This has been called

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the Grand Master Trophy. Last year, Bob Chilton won the Grand Master, and this year the trophy has been renamed the Bob Chilton Grand Master Trophy in honor of the man who has given so much back to the game. The 2021 winner of the Bob Chilton Grand Master Trophy was David Ekstrom. Ekstrom won the Masters Doubles Championship Flight and placed second in the Masters Singles Championship Flight.

Another special award is Rookie of The Year. A lot of great rookies played this year and the winner was Ellie Griffith who won the Seniors Doubles First Flight.

The Masters Singles Championship Flight was won by long-time great player, Bob Van Tassell. Van Tassell defeated David Ekstrom in a tight finals match. Many younger players haven’t heard of Van Tassell as he doesn’t play in a lot of tournaments, but he is as skilled a player as anyone in the US.

Masters Singles First Flight was won by Hal Denton. While Denton qualifies for the Masters by being over 70, he is fairly new to American Six Wicket and is a testament that people of all ages can learn this sport and excel.

The Seniors Singles Championship Flight playoff could very well have been the National Championship. The players in this field are many of the same who compete for the National Championship each year. In the finals, long-time great Danny Huneycutt bested newbie Sherif Abdelwahab, who just qualified for the Seniors this year.

The Seniors Singles First Flight playoff was a match between two of the top female competitors in the country.

Debbie Millican edged out Linda Trifone for the title.

Mark your calendars for next year’s Senior Masters to be held November 9-13, 2022.

Seniors Championship Singles Winner Danny Huneycutt with runnerup Sherif Abdelwahab

www.croquetamerica.com | 21

Masters Championship Singles Runner-up David Ekstrom with winner Bob Van Tassell

SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES

Seniors First Flight Singles Winner Deborah Millican with runner-up Linda Trifone

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01. Danny Huneycutt 02. Sherif Abdelwahab 03. Randy Cardo 03. Rick Sheely 05. Jodie Rugart 05. Mark Fields 05. Matt Griffith 05. Robert Pulitzer 09. Chris Barley 09. Conrad Rugart 09. Donald Parker 09. Lynda Sudderberg 09. Yen Sullivan

Seniors Championship Doubles Winners Ellie Griffith and Deborah Millican with TD Macey White

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Masters First Flight Doubles winners Charles Alexander and Tim McCormick with TD Macey White (L)

Masters First Flight Singles Champion Hal Denton with runner-up Carl Archiniaco

SENIORS FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES

SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES

01. Deborah Millican 02. Linda Trifone 03. Doug Greeff 03. Briggs Kilborne 05. Steve Grassbaugh 05. Nancy Crouch 05. Jeff Morrison 05. Stuart Price 09. Alex Galasso 09. Ellie Griffith

01. Randy Cardo/Mark Fields 02. Matt Griffith/Jodie Rugart 03. Sherif Abdelwahab/Hal Denton 03. Danny Huneycutt/Linda Trifone 05. Rick Sheely/Lynda Sudderberg

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05. Carl Mabee/Donald Parker 05. Macey White/Doug Greeff 05. Chris Barley/John Curington 09. Thomas Cooper/Stephen Grassbaugh 09. Arthur Parsells/Stuart Price

SENIORS FIRST FLIGHT DOUBLES 01. Deborah Millican/Ellie Griffith 02. Robert Pulitzer/Briggs Kilborne 03. Jeff Morrison/Clint Fowlkes 03. Nancy Crouch/Mijai Pagano 05. Alex Galasso/Tom Lindley

MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES 01. Bob Van Tassell 02. David Ekstrom 03. Carl Mabee 03. Michael Todorovich 05. Leo McBride 05. Richard Sullivan 05. Walt Janitz 05. Bill Trower 09. Art Parsells 09. John Curington 09. Michael Gibbons 09. Mijai Pagano 09. Missy Ramey 09. Ron Millican 09. Ron Eccles 09. Steve Warner 09. David McCoy 09. Webster Bull

MASTERS FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES 01. Hal Denton 02. Carl Archiniaco 03. Clint Fowlkes 03. Jon Spaulding 05. Bill Sadowski 05. Christine Smith 05. Sandy Janitz 05. Tim McCormick 09. Christof Weihs 09. David Kepner 09. Jane Casey 09. John McGrath 09. Karen Weihs 09. Martie Ekstrom 09. Rosemarie Maccario 09. Tom Lindley

Masters Championship Flight Doubles winners David Ekstrom and Webster Bull

MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES

MASTERS FIRST FLIGHT DOUBLES

01. David Ekstrom/Webster Bull 02. Leo McBride/Bill Trower 03. Richard Sullivan/Bob Van Tassell 03. Missy Ramey/Marti Ekstrom 05. David McCoy/Mike Gibbons 05. Walt Janitz/Ron Eccles

01. Charles Alexander/Tim McCormick 02. Carl Archiniaco/David Kepner 03. Sandy Janitz/Christine Smith 03. Christof Weihs/Karen Weihs 05. Tina Hinckley/Hildegard Jones 05. Jane Casey/Rosemarie Maccario 05. Ron Millican/Jon Spaulding 05. Bob Duryea/John McGrath

THE BOB CHILTON GRAND MASTER David Ekstrom

www.croquetamerica.com | 25

USCA National Nine Wicket Championship National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, Florida November 5-7, 2021

2021 Nine Wicket National Tournament WRIT TEN BY JOHN WARLICK

T

he 13th annual USCA National Nine Wicket Championship was held November 5 - 7, 2021, at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. The backyard championship was hosted by the National Croquet Club (NCC) on six long-grass palm courts in the lower retention area of the NCC. Two flights for championship and first flight competed in both singles and doubles.

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A significant rainstorm washed out the Friday morning doubles play. James Bartle from SandyJames Fine Food (the NCC’s famous caterer) graciously provided a complimentary bacon, eggs and hash browns feast while players waited out the deluge. The skies brightened and afternoon doubles play commenced on three of the drier courts. Despite the rain, the tournament participants enjoyed an outstanding evening meal with cocktails at the Raindancer Steakhouse.

Singles block play and some of the postponed doubles games were completed Saturday. In the First Flight singles final, Glenn McAndrews defeated Gail Warlick for the win. The First Flight doubles final paid homage to the wisdom of never giving up.

Priscilla Flowers and Jeff Morrison came out of the block in the fourth position but were victorious against Glenn and Randall McAndrews in a tense semifinal and then continued their winning streak against Marianne Davidson and Gail Warlick to win First Flight doubles.

In the Championship singles playoff, Sherif Abdelwahab defeated Macey White in a hotly contested match. Although John Warlick outlasted Abdelwahab in block play, the championship singles final was a different story. Warlick took an aggressive start but was summarily shut down by Abdelwahab after Warlick rolled a split shot out of bounds next to one of Abdelwahab’s balls.

The Championship doubles final was a back-and-forth battle.

Macey White and John Warlick established an early lead before they found themselves stymied and six-ball dead. Sandra Knuth and Abdelwahab steadily caught up by keeping opponents off

CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES

FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES

01. Sherif Abdelwahab 02. John Warlick 03. Macey White 04. Jeff Morrison 05. David Ekstrom 06. Sandra Knuth 07. David McCoy 08. Thomas Tribby

01. Glenn McAndrews 02. Gail Warlick 03. Priscilla Flowers 04. Randall McAndrews

CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES 01. John Warlick/ Macey White 02. Sherif Abdelwahab/ Sandra Knuth 03. David Ekstrom/ Thomas Tribby

FIRST FLIGHT DOUBLES 01. Priscilla Flowers/ Jeff Morrison 02. Marianne Davidson/ Gail Warlick 03. Glenn McAndrews/ Randall McAndrews 04. David McCoy/ Suzanne Turner

their wickets. Later in the game, Knuth charged forward from the #5 elevated palm wicket; cleared the #8 and #9 wickets to take the lead, but allowed White to clear his ball (optional rule 1a). White then made a two-foot roquet peel of his partner ball and the fight was back on. Warlick missed a two-foot finesse shot at the notorious #5 wicket as White lamented that Abdelwahab was likely to 2-ball the remaining wickets. Warlick suggested an optimistic attitude as it was backyard croquet and anything could happen. Abdelwahab easily made the eighth and ninth wicket; however, his shot through #10 rocked back into the wicket. With less than two minutes to play, Warlick was able to make the palm hill wicket, hit his partner’s ball and roll up near #6. He then made #6 and #7, hit the peg and made #8. With 20 seconds left, he shot close to White’s ball. Knuth barely missed a difficult shot at Abdelwahab’s ball in the sloped #10 wicket as time ran out. White proceeded in his last turn to rush the partner ball and extract Abdelwahab’s ball from #10, foot shot him 25 feet and then hit Knuth’s ball. He used a huge croquet-out shot to set Knuth’s ball well behind the #3 wicket as he landed near #5.

Abdelwahab and Knuth tried to join and reclaim the game but there was too much distance to succeed.

Flowers was awarded the “Ball Buster” Trophy for breaking the turning peg with her ball during a tourney game. Ursula Peck of the USCA was awarded the “Good Sport” trophy for her outstanding support before and during the tournament.

SandyJames Fine Food was also awarded the “Good Sport” Trophy for its superb attention and excellent lunches.

Tournament Directors: John Warlick and Macey White

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memberprofile

Ryan Thompson Age: 44

Helping bring and establish six wicket croquet in Buffalo, particularly American Rules croquet. I feel strongly about our responsibility to our founders, as well as doing what we can to promote the American version of the sport. I consider the Buffalo Croquet Club receiving the USCA’s “New Club of the Year” award in 2017 the best trophy yet.

Home base: Buffalo, N.Y. Home club: Buffalo Croquet Club Grip: Solomon Mallet: Custom-made John Hobbs mallet crafted with Bocote wood and a narrower 2-inch-wide mallet head that is 11 inches long and weighs 2 pounds, 7 ounces. Total mallet is 2 pounds, 14.5 ounces and 36 inches long with a carbon fiber shaft.

Years playing croquet: 15

I also just annihilated Rich Curtis, Chris Patmore and Doug Grimsley at the Vuelta a España in our four-person fantasy cycling league.

Do you play other sports? As soon as the Buffalo American Six Wicket tournament is over, I put away my mallet and start training for cyclocross season.

Favorite croquet venue: The NYCC’s Central Park lawns. It doesn’t Favorite sports teams? Go Bills! The Buffalo Bills and Buffalo matter how much dirt or how many acorns there are, playing in Sabres are obviously very important to me, but I am a huge the middle of Central Park, in the middle of our nation’s greatest sports fan in general, and we have two TVs in our living room metropolis, is unrivaled. so that we can always watch sports – whether it be boxing, Favorite tournament: The Buffalo Croquet Club American MLB, cycling, NASCAR, golf, motocross, chess, NBA, surfing, Six Wicket Invitational, of course. With the help of some tennis or skateboarding. When the pandemic first hit and dear friends and colleagues, we started this tournament in 2016, and it has been a sellout success ever since. While I won’t be able to continue as the tournament manager any longer, I do hope to remain the tournament director.

Hopefully, I will see you all in August 2022.

How did you get into the game: I was out one night in Manhattan with incoming NYCC President Doug Moore, and he said he needed to wake up early in the morning to play croquet.

I said, “Who the #$@% plays croquet?” I was unwittingly made a member of NYCC soon thereafter, and it would be two years before I ever even played the game.

Croquet highlights: I had a recent 17-game win streak going in tournament singles games, and I was quite confident that I had secured my 18th game. I hit my balls into the corners for the last turn and went to congratulate my opponent on a valiant effort … only to discover that I had actually lost by one wicket. I think it’s a play like this that has earned me the nickname “Trainwreck.”

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Ryan Thompson, who began playing croquet with the NYCC when he was a newspaper editor in Brooklyn, routinely uses some of his media insights and connections to promote the Buffalo croquet tournaments, as seen here giving a television interview to Channel 4 News.

no sports were televised, I even got into competitive marble racing. It was actually pretty good, and I wish they would put that back on TV. What is the best thing the USCA has done for croquet? I love the USCA for what it has done to unify the croquet community (even with multiple versions of the sport) and instill a united governance with a handicap system, tournament calendar, national awards, regional competitions and hall of fame, as well as a central headquarters that we can all play at.

What would you like to see happen in the sport over the next 10 years? Return to the Olympics. I know that’s not realistic in the next decade, but I think that should be the end goal of our and future croquet generations. I think there should be a USCA Olympic Committee that has that sole mission, including identifying the target countries for adoption.

Even if consistently unsuccessful, the efforts, press and publicity caused by an unwavering push to return croquet to the Olympics would be beneficial to the marketing of the sport. And, if you need an idea for a symbol or logo for the campaign, just look at the four croquet balls in the Olympic rings.

Photo by Mark Mulville/The Buffalo News

What have you learned from croquet? Don’t ever underestimate what you can do. One time John Young III and I found a wild turkey out back in the trees behind the Central Park lawns – an actual, live wild turkey in the middle of Manhattan. Just imagine what that turkey had to go through to get there!

Croquet tips: (1) Don’t ever cheat. Call faults on yourself. Wins are short-lived, but people will always remember the honorable players and the cheaters for a lifetime. (That’s right, I know who you are!)

(2) I speak from years of failure and futility here when I say that if you are going to wait until it’s your turn to take your one-

back clearance, you must find a reliable reminder strategy. I have now started to untie my left shoelace. Let’s hope this works.

(3) Finally, stop worrying about the little things that your opponents do that may be against the rules, like taking more than 45 seconds or not moving their balls on take-offs. Let it go. The mental effort that you spend worrying about these things will hurt you more than your opponents. Johnny Osborn told me this the morning before my first playoff game (while drinking whiskey in the basement of Keens). It has stuck with me ever since, and more importantly, it has made the game more fun. After all, it’s just croquet. www.croquetamerica.com | 29

let’stalktactics

Asking the Right Questions

By Jeff Soo

Note: For ball colors, I use the abbreviations popularized by Keith Wylie’s Expert Croquet Tactics. The four balls are U, R, K and Y; the two sides are UK and RY. I thank my illustrious predecessors for entrusting me with this long-running column. Let’s dive right in.

U is to play and has no deadness. Each of the other three balls is partner dead. U and Y are for 2, R and K are for 3 and a lot of time is left in the game.

Note that U is about the same distance from each of the other three balls. Also note that K is in plausible scoring position (about 3 feet, moderately angled). R is about a yard from the boundary.

What shot would you take with U? Think through some options and decide on a play before reading on.

I can think of five plausible choices for U’s first shot: the three possible roquets, plus two defensive plays—guarding R’s shot (i.e., playing to the east boundary to “catch” R if it misses K) and guarding 2 from the west boundary. The variations multiply if U makes a roquet. Analyzing all these plays on paper is a useful exercise but is hardly possible within the time constraints of an actual game (nor within the space constraints of a magazine article).

And too many details can lead to decision paralysis. Start with the big picture: does UK face a problem here or an opportunity?

Nearly all positions are a mix of problems and opportunities (defensive and offensive considerations). Again: simplify. What’s the most obvious problem, and what’s the best opportunity?

The obvious problem is K is at R’s wicket; given R’s deadness, R would love to have a shot at K. The golden opportunity is Y is at U’s wicket, with U alive on all balls.

U’s shots are all shorter than R’s shot at K. U has a possible four-ball break, while R is only hoping for a single wicket. Both factors point the same way: this is an opportunity, not a problem, and UK should try to roquet something. Our quick analysis has answered the most

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important question: offense or defense? By narrowing our choice to a single category, not only do we remove some plays from consideration, but we also make it easier to compare the remaining plays.

Which ball should U shoot at? Again, we don’t have time to analyze each play in detail. We can hardly find a better model for keeping it simple than Sesame Street: “one of these things is not like the others.” Can you guess which one? The three shots are roughly the same length, but R is much closer to the boundary than the other two. U would have to shoot gently, reducing the odds of a roquet, and the downside of missing (or, worse, hitting R out) is severe.

Two options remain. One of the main reasons we picked offense over defense is that U has a potential four-ball break. The answer, then, is to pick the shot that gives U the best chance of making that break. U should shoot at K. Yes, that probably means spoiling K’s nice position as a pioneer and making a peel less likely. Better that, though, than breaking down at 2, which is a real risk if U hits Y first.

I’ll have much, much more to say about this in future columns.

Asking the right questions is the key to making good decisions quickly.

Reach Your Target

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gcamerica

The Golf Croquet Swing Check

By Cheryl Bromley Along with competing in golf croquet, organizing events and managing tournaments, one of my favorite things to do is travel to clubs across the country to teach croquet.

No matter the level of the players, I always start a lesson or clinic with a process I like to call the “Swing Check.” This is helpful from an instructor’s standpoint and is something that all players can easily and quickly do each time they pick up their mallets.

Equipment needed: • Croquet mallet • A line roughly 4-6 feet in length. This most often is a section of the sideline on a croquet court. Or it could be the tile line on the kitchen floor or a piece of tape laid out in the garage.

Step One – Set your mallet directly on the line so the sightline is straight.

Step Two – Place your feet on each side of the line and select your grip.

• Checkpoint: When using the Solomon or Standard grip, I recommend your toes be an inch or two behind your mallet head.

An easy way to check this is to bend over and have your nose touch the top of your mallet.

I find that many players are standing too far forward in their stance, which prevents freedom on the backswing. If using an Irish grip, the hands are typically lower on the shaft, so the toes will tend to align near the center of the mallet head.

• Checkpoint: Look to see whether your feet are equally spaced on each side of the line and use a stance that feels balanced but is not unnecessarily wide.

• Checkpoint: Look at your hand position on the mallet shaft.

Keeping in mind the goal is to have the mallet swing like a pendulum, I highly recommend that players limit the amount of space between their hands so that the grip works as one unit rather than both hands trying to dominate the swing. Quick fix: if you find it is most comfortable to have your bottom hand lower on the shaft, move your top hand down next to it.

Step Three – Begin swinging your mallet back and forth along the line using a continuous motion so that the mallet doesn’t stop for 7-10 swings as a warmup. Next, start swinging again and focus on the following things:

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• Focus: Relax your hands and let the mallet do its thing. Tune in to the weight of the mallet at the bottom of the mallet.

• Focus: Use a relaxed, slow tempo with a rhythm of “tick-tock.”

The goal is to have the backswing and follow-through balanced.

• Checkpoint: Watch as your mallet swings forward up the line and adjust as necessary to keep it swinging straight up the line.

Avoid using your wrists as you swing forward. For the Solomon and Standard grip, both wrists should be primarily behind the grip with the elbows comfortably tucked in. The wrists should be relatively “quiet” and uninvolved while the arms swing.

• Checkpoint: Notice where your hands are at the end of the follow-through – this is the visual image to capture because this is where you are naturally and comfortably swinging straight and everything is aligned. Many times, when a shot goes off target, it isn’t because of the initial alignment, but rather because of not completing the follow-through as was done in the swing check warm-up on the line.

Once you go through this process a few times, you will find that you can complete your swing check in under 90 seconds and it will work out some kinks along the way.

As always, “Don’t Walk Backward on the Court!”

Scenario: Deeming, Promoting and Blocking It is Red’s turn to play, and it is sitting slightly behind Hoop 5 protected from the Black ball by the hoop.

This is a good opportunity for Red to “Deem” (i.e., Pass) rather than setting up in front of the hoop where Black can clear it.

Black may set up in a scoring position hiding from Yellow, but now Yellow can promote Red into scoring position and block Blue from shooting at Red.

www.croquetamerica.com | 33

9wroundup

Hidden Nine Wicket Croquet

By Paul Bennett Have you ever heard of “hidden backyard croquet?” No? Perhaps it is a new term I have come up with to describe where I believe some players still reside in American croquet.

The USCA is an association of clubs and members with this interest in mind. When traveling, it is a great deal of fun learning about where and how others play croquet.

I have found through the grapevine, often during idle cocktail chats, when someone asks, “What do you do to have fun?” and I answer, “Play croquet.” They then relay a story about a friend they know or a place they have been where they have seen croquet played.

The issue I have found as a member of the Nine Wicket and Long-Grass committee is trying to “locate these hidden gems.”

As the conversation progresses, I generally determine whether they mean “competition croquet” or “backyard fun croquet.”

And, of course, I prod into the details when they seem to know what they are talking about.

Whether croquet is played in the backyard, park setting or one of the finer country clubs (defined as having a croquet lawn), serious croquet enthusiasts love to play the game on a regular basis in a competitive manner. They want to learn the rules of play and develop their skills at playing the game well.

I would like to learn more about the clubs and players that want to play croquet on a regular basis, who have a court or a place to play at, and who are not yet registered with the USCA. We would love to find you and make you part of our network. I would like to see the long-grass group of players grow in numbers.

When the numbers grow large enough in a particular area, then the parks and recreation managers take notice and are more easily persuaded to “provide improvements to your facility.”

There are several ways to make croquet fun and exciting, but you are the most important member we have. You keep the game alive and well – no matter where you play.

Have a Wonderful New Year and a lovely all-round break to the peg!

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Champions Tor Carlson and Karen Albert

2021 Useppa Beach Croquet Tournament

courts the day before the tournament. This year, we played on eight courts, which allowed us to play all 16 teams at the same time. Everyone played four games and prize “Mallets” were awarded to the winners in each quadrant.

A great example of “hidden croquet” occurs every December 30th since 1978, residents and members of the Useppa Island Club have gathered to play Nine Wicket croquet in a day-long, compassdraw tournament. Most years, this has drawn upward of 64 players, but this year’s event was limited to 32 players because of COVID-19 concerns. The only two times we have not played this tournament were in 2004 when the island was recovering from a direct hit from Hurricane Charlie that rendered more than two-thirds of the island unlivable and 2020 when the pandemic shut operations down around the world.

This year’s final match for the championship was contested between Michael Carmichael and partner Mark Goodman competing against Tor Carlson and partner Karen Connery-Albert. The last time Connery-Albert played this tournament was 13 years ago when her partner was once again Carlson, who was at that time halfway through the ninth grade.

The service department spends several days leading up to the 30th raking and leveling the beach before laying out the

Carmichael and Connery-Albert are teaching instructors and are helping to promote the development of our young up-and-coming international talent of players. Thanks for sharing your love of croquet.

This year’s matchup seems to have had all the stars aligned as Carlson and ConneryAlbert played a beautiful game and pegged out both balls a couple of wickets ahead of Carmichael and Goodman.

Beach croquet … how cool is that! When I visited Useppa, I heard about that event.

Hidden croquet, not in the backyard, but on the beach where they set up eight courts.

I haven’t asked, but they usually finish the final match on the island’s American six wicket grass court.

www.croquetamerica.com | 35

eventresults 2022 Desert Classic January 11-15, 2022 Mission Hills Croquet Club Rancho Mirage, California Championship Singles 01. Brian Cumming 02. Ben Rothman 03. Stuart Lawrence 03. Patrick Sweeney 05. Peter Bach 05. Blake Fields 05. Brian Lozano 05. Martyn Selman 09. Rory Kelley 09. Karl-Heinz Kempfer First Flight Singles

06. Jim Coling 07. Gene Raymond 08. Oakley Johnson Championship B 01. Nancy Crouch 02. Robert Brightman 03. Mijai Pagano 03. Brian Zindel 05. Bob Gelineau 06. John Joseph 07. Roger Vorraber 08. Mark Claff 09. Jim Watrous 10. Ellie Griffith 11. Christine Smith 12. Diane Walker

12. Peter Bach 12. Mohammad Kamal 15. Jim Hanks 15. Gene Raymond 17. Erv Peterson

Shark Tooth Open November 19-21, 2021 Sarasota County Croquet Club Venice, Florida

A Flight

01. Jeff Soo 02. Hammond Rauers 03. Eileen Soo 03. Vernon Pierce 05. Dick Boger 06. Rich Dell 07. James Creasey 08. Peter Carlin 09. Gene Raymond 10. Debbie Davidoff 11. David Cornes 12. Alex Galasso 13. Diane Walker 14. Roger Vorraber 15. Todd Russell 16. Jim Coling

01. Cameron Evans 02. Mike Orgill 03. Brian Lozano 04. Mary Rodeberg 04. Donna Dixon

Chesapeake Bay Fall GC Tournament October 8 – November 27, 2021 Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, Virginia

First Flight

Singles

National Croquet Club Doubles 6W December 10-12, 2021 National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, Florida

01. Marsha Cargill 02. Bill Todd 03. George Quallich 03. George Claffey 05. Jennifer Joseph 06. Chris Weihs 07. Ellen Goldener 08. Jeanette Hodgkins 09. Connie Coling 10. Jim McLaughlin

Championship Flight

Second Flight

01. Sherif Abdelwahab/Hal Denton 02. Jodie Rugart/Lynda Sudderberg 03. Randy Cardo/Beverley Cardo 03. Dick Sullivan/Norris Settlemyre 05. Derek Wassink/Bob Van Tassell 05. Bob Pulitzer/Lucus Van Alen 07. Preston Stuart/Carl Archiniaco

01. Gary Gamble 02. Jim Hester 03. Margaret Matuszak 04. John Welch 05. Kathie Gamble 06. Mark Klein 07. Steven Zoric 08. Karen Weihs 09. Les Taufen 10. Mary Anne Taufen

01. Macey White 02. Steve Thurston 03. Doug Murphy 04. Lisa Maloney 05. Cristian Miranda 06. Barbara Wallace 07. Wayne Maloney 08. Cecil Creasey 09. Roy Revels 10. Jeff Newsome 11. Pamela Darney 12. Diana Simmons 13. Dee Osborne 14. Suzie Beer 15. Mike Moore 16. Lyle Browning 17. Russ Brudnicki 18. Jill Murphy 19. Susan Creasey 20. Colleen Bartolini 21. Ric Bauer 22. Ken Truffer 23. David Bundy 24. Ken Kniceley 25. John Priest 26. Michael Heath 27. Doug Fowler 28. Sheila Outlaw 29. Sandra Bassett 30. Ann Evans 31. Edward O'Conner 32. Arthur Gravatt 33. Michelle Sullivan 34. Larry Bond 35. Cynthia Fowler 36. Carter Richardson 37. Sharon Baur

01. Ron Eccles 02. Cameron Evans 03. Mary Rodeberg 04. Donna Dixon 05. Patrick Dugan 05. Nick Gray 05. Kory Teoman

First Flight 01. Bill Trower/Steve Mednick 02. Larry Lynch/Jan Fisher 03. Steve Grassbaugh/Jeff Morrison 03. Mark Ski/Jeff Scholz 05. Missy Ramey/Bill Sadowski 05. David Kepner/Missy Chilton 05. John Grabow/Ellen Cornacchia 05. Anne Licursi/Bob Duryea 09. Tina Hinkley/Jane Casey

Sarasota Holiday Invitational December 10-12, 2021 Sarasota County Croquet Club Venice, Florida Championship A 01. Matt Griffith 02. Brett Stovall 03. Vickie Johnston 03. David Ekstrom 05. Chris Barley

36 | www.croquetamerica.com

US Open November 20 – December 4, 2021 Mission Hills Country Club Rancho Mirage, California Open Flight 01. Doug Grimsley 02. Stuart Lawrence 03. Brian Cumming 03. Dan Pailas 05. Paul Bennett 05. Patrick Sweeney 05. Michael Albert 05. Shane Hettler 09. Charlie Smith 09. Martyn Selman 09. Steve Scalpone 12. Karl-Heinz Kempfer

Championship Singles

First Flight Singles 01. Christof Weihs 02. Billie Ray 03. Dean Ricci 03. Priscilla Flowers 05. Tate Russack 06. Jim Hardy 07. Ellen Nelsen 08. Earle Mauldin 09. Cami Russack 10. Judy Carlin 11. Bill Simmons 12. Rita McNamara 13. Rusty Rose 14. John E Walker 14. Tom Lindley 16. Ray Liberti Second Flight Singles 01. Lee Yeilding 02. Sandra Cornes 03. Christine Smith 03. Michael LaGraff 05. Anne Kukla 06. John Rymer 07. Jon Ayers 07. Mary Galasso 09. Alex Feinstein 10. Karen Weihs 11. Susan Helton 12. Shirley Ricci 13. Ellen Goldener 13. Moss Robertson 15. Connie Coling 16. Maris Petrola

Plantation Foundation GC Benefit Open November 5-7, 2021 Plantation Commons Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

Country Club of Jackson Club Championship Country Club of Jackson October 29-31, 2021 Jackson, Mississippi

Championship Singles

Championship Singles

01. Debbie Davidoff 02. Joe Carroll 03. Bobby Greene 03. Tim Cavers 05. Phil Emond 05. Clint Dawkins 05. Bill Simmons 08. Sue Emond 09. Thomas Howell 10. Erle Bridgewater 11. David Taylor 12. Earle Mauldin 12. John J Osborn 12. Cindy Howell

01. Mark Fields 02. Linda Trifone 03. Ed Becker 03. Mike McRee 05. Neville Boschert 05. David Trigiani 05. Margaret McLarty

Championship Doubles 01. Tim Cavers/Dorrit McMullen 02. Bill Simmons/Geoff Hargadon 03. Katherine Lichter/Mark Lichter 04. George Mikes/Bob Rowe 05. Thomas Howell/Cindy Howell 05. Phil Emond/Sue Emond 05. Clint Dawkins/Joe Carroll 05. Debbie Davidoff/Earle Mauldin 09. Erle Bridgewater/ Christine Anderson 09. Jo Hoffman/Lana Norris 09. Connie Beresford/John J Osborn 09. Bob Spooner/David Taylor 09. Tate Russack/Cami Russack Championship Plate Doubles 01. Erle Bridgewater/ Christine Anderson 02. Jo Hoffman/Lana Norris 03. Connie Beresford/John J Osborn 04. Bob Spooner/David Taylor 05. Tate Russack/Cami Russack

Country Club of Jackson Invitational November 4-7, 2021 Country Club of Jackson Jackson, Mississippi Championship Singles 01. Mark Fields 02. Britt Ruby 03. George Cochran 03. Edward Erlich 05. Joe Yoder 05. Ed Becker 05. Mike McRee 05. Michael Kearns 09. Linda Trifone DNF Elaine Moody DNF Mike Taylor First Flight Singles 01. Warwick Alley 02. David Trigiani 03. Neville Boschert 03. Frank Alley

USCA Selection Eights October 28-31, 2021 National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, Florida First Eight 01. Zack Watson 02. Matthew Essick 03. Sherif Abdelwahab 04. Jeff Soo 05. Stephen Morgan 05. Stuart Lawrence 07. Brian Cumming 08. Damon Bidencope Second Eight 01. Thomas Balding 02. Paul Bennett 03. Dan Pailas 03. Shane Hettler 05. Charles Xavier 05. Doug Grimsley 07. Randy Cardo 08. Chris Patmore Third Eight 01. Macey White 02. Chris Barley 03. Steve Scalpone 04. Patrick Sweeney 04. Peter Bach 06. Jim Bast 07. Gene Raymond 07. Ron Eccles Fourth Eight 01. David Ekstrom 01. Brett Stovall 03. Lynda Sudderberg 04. Dawn Jupin 05. Sandra Knuth 05. Steve Berry 05. Jodie Rugart 08. Randy Reid 09. John Donohue 10. Todd Marshall

05. Debbie Davidoff 05. Todd Russell 05. Richard Boger 05. Bill Simmons 09. Pam Johnston 09. Phil Emond 09. Earle Mauldin 09. John Curington 13. MaryCarol Stearns 13. Thomas Bown 13. Sue Emond 13. Cheryl Grigg 13. Ellen Nielsen 13. George Claffey 13. Mary Galasso 13. David Paukovich 13. Judy Carlton 13. Lee Yeilding 13. Dana Beisheim 13. Edmund Giancola

Bowl 01. Dana Beisheim 02. Ellen Nielsen 03. Thomas Bown 03. David Paukovich 05. MaryCarol Stearns 05. George Claffey 05. Mary Galasso 05. Edmund Giancola 09. Sue Edmond 09. Cheryl Grigg 09. Judy Carlton 09. Lee Yeilding Plate 01. Phil Emond 02. John Curington 03. Earle Mauldin 03. Pam Johnston

Doubles 01. Todd Russell/Patty Paukovich 02. John Curington/Ellen Nielsen 03. Helen Covington/George Claffey 04. James Creasey/Tom Bown 05. Bill Simmons/Lee Yeilding 05. Pam Johnston/Cheryl Grigg 05. Phil Emond/Maletz 09. Alex Galasso/Constance Green 09. Marc Stearns/Laird 09. David Paukovich/Sue Emond 09. Debbie Davidoff/ MaryCarol Stearns 09. Richard Boger/Mary Galasso

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

Linda Grady, PA 561-512-0852

lindagradyrealtor@gmail.com

NEFCC Fall GC Open 2021 October 15-17, 2021 Ponte Vedra Croquet Club Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida Cup 01. Helen Covington 02. James Creasey 03. Alex Galasso 04. Tamer Hatata

www.croquetamerica.com | 37

newmembers ALABAMA

Mountain Brook–Mountain Brook Croquet Club

Miller Conaway

ARIZONA

Scottsdale–Mountain Mallets

Brian Gallagher

CALIFORNIA

Oakland– Oakland Croquet Club

Adam Frankl Rancho Mirage– Mission Hills Croquet Club

James Doyle Thomas Elliott Clyde Ellison Janice Kinter Kathy Landkammer Ken Landkammer Marilyn McDougall Mark McDougall Bill Merriam Jim Porter Elyse Rabinowitz Sarah Webb Gerald West Hassim Yunos Rohnert Park– Sonoma Croquet Club

Aaron Sanders Sarah Sanders

FLORIDA

Fort Myers–At Large Member

Samuel Anderson Hillsboro Beach– Hillsboro Club, The

Jaan Vaino Sharon Vaino Hobe Sound–Jupiter Island Club

Sarah Fisher Maitland–At Large Member

William Brown Miami Beach– Indian Creek Country Club

Robert Harbaugh Naples– Wilderness Country Club

Spike Gonzales Naples– Wyndemere Country Club

Frances Anthony Mike Anthony Imelda Mehlert Bruce Morehead Palm Beach Gardens– Croquet Club at PGA National

Klaus Lampmann Palm Coast– Grand Haven Croquet Club

Jim Cummings Jody Cummings William Kelly Mary Melvin Joe Pair Sib Pair Jane Stanton Mary Stewart

Ponte Vedra Beach– Ponte Vedra Croquet Club

Kathleeen O'Gara Venice– Sarasota County Croquet Club

William Backhaus Roberta Backhaus Jane Beese Richard Beese Graydon Bell Michael Bolton Barbara Brown Tom Brown Judith Burgess Judith Christian Dianne Conigliaro Kay Conway Thomas Cookingham Joanne Corcoran David Cornes Sandra Cornes Jane Crossland Joseph Doyle Connie Edwards James Edwards Joe Fairbanks Frank Farrell Barbara Farris Joe Farris Alex Feinstein Christel Fraundor Susan Friedman Arlene Gilligan Karen Gross Alexandra Hever Rick Holder Pamela Johnson Peter Jordan Robert Kirkland Lyudmila Kiseleva John Lauer Patti Lauer Gloria Lenhardt Rahye Luke Ellyn McColgan Gloria McKinley Susan Murphy Eileen Newhall Gene Newhall Pamela Palmer Helen Quallich Kitty Ramey Hammond Rauers Moss Robertson Paul Romley J.R. Rowell John Rymer Debra Sands Steven Sloane Shirley Smalley Anne Marie Sneed William Sneed Willis Sutherland Diane Van Volkenburgh James Walsh Ruth Walsh Brian Wertz Anne Wertz Alix Wexler Barbara Wigton Dick Wigton Wink Willett Pat Wolf

38 | www.croquetamerica.com

NEW CLUB Croquet Club at Philadelphia Cricket.............................. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Vero Beach–Oak Harbor Club

Ann Hamner

NORTH CAROLINA

Cashiers–Chattooga Club, The

Vero Beach– Vero Beach Country Club

Barbara Burton David Williams

Cynthia Cory

Cashiers– Trillium Links and Lake Club

West Palm Beach– National Croquet Club

Agneta Angel Sven Angel Diane Burton Brent Feigenbaum Maryanne Foglia Lynn Foley William Foley Walter Grist Ann Grist Diane Lovat Michael Miller Frank Morgan Jennifer Post Therese Rabieh Nancy Sansalone Joan Therien Julia Willis Winter Park– Interlachen Country Club

Caroline Blydenburgh Jeffrey Blydenburgh Gail Colman Thomas W Colman

GEORGIA

Atlanta– Peachtree Hills Place Croquet Club

Nancy Isakson Dahlongega–At Large Member

Jim Curtis

ILLINOIS

Barrington Hills– At Large Member

Dean Ebert

INDIANA

South Bend–At Large Member

James Greulich

MASSACHUSETTS

Lawrence Heyworth Jan Heyworth Marcia Riching Gregory Riching Craig Sellner Judy Sellner Caroline Smith Ron Smith Chapel Hill– Carolina Meadows Croquet Club

Mike Gates Highlands–Cullasaja Club

Mary Beth Boruff Steve Boruff Claudia Davenport Doug Davenport Lori Earman Steven Earman Dennis Fisher Terry Fisher Frank Forrest Rosalie Forrest Bruce Van Fleet Dawn Van Fleet Peggy Wilkinson Liz Wilson Highlands– Highlands Falls Croquet Association

Mark Saxon

NEW YORK

Camillus– West Hill Golf & Croquet Club

Linda Balducci

Philadelphia– The Croquet Club at Philadelphia Cricket

Alex Caldwell Boris Fetbroyt Bijan Khosrowshahi Delia Mary Khosrowshahi

SOUTH CAROLINA

Charleston–Bishop Gadsden

Jerry Cooper Russell Crane Ann Crane Hilton Head–Wexford Croquet Club

Ian Munroe

TEXAS

Houston Croquet Association– Houston Croquet Association

VERMONT

Dorset–Dorset Field Club

Cathy Baillis Jeff Baillis Lori Mattice William Mattice

Glenn Dunn Intida Sathityavanit

Ellen Brown William Brown

Jackson– Country Club of Jackson, The

PENNSYLVANIA

Highlands– Wildcat Cliffs Country Club, Inc

Anne Stetson

MISSISSIPPI

David Baird Karleen Baird Betsy Berry Nick Berry Nina Browning Linda Carpenter Franklin Naifeh Eddi Naifeh Frank Olney Carla Tourtellotte Marsha Williams

Cheryl Grigg

Highlands– Highlands Strikers Croquet Club

Pinehurst–Pinehurst Croquet Club

Joseph Grande

Nichols Hills– ScissorTails Croquet Club

Wayne Gibbens Elizabeth Gibbens Dawn Herrington Elyse Lanier Meg King Murray Lisa Wendell Shawn Wendell

Ellie Houston Gene Lockard Margaret Manda

Boston–At Large Member Edgartown– Edgartown Croquet Club

OKLAHOMA

OHIO

Milford–At Large Member

Jessica Helton

VIRGINIA

Hartfield– Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club

Cristian Miranda McLean–At Large Member

Tom Hilliard

CANADA

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Stanley Bridge–At Large Member

Stephen Dimond

grandprixstandings 2021 A6W OVERALL GP TOP 60 FINAL # Player Singles Doubles 01 Randy Cardo 12980 13851 02 Sherif Abdelwahab 11700 11605 03 David Ekstrom 11600 7207 04 Danny Huneycutt 13320 5092 05 Mike Taylor 11010 4460 06 Mark Fields 7440 5504 07 Matthew Griffith 7400 5030 08 Jodie Rugart 3970 7805 09 Webster Bull 6180 5310 10 Matthew Essick 6300 5100 11 Robert Van Tassell 5700 5602 12 Beverley Cardo 3665 7586 13 Chris Barley 8100 2410 14 Macey W. White 7940 2038 15 Shane Hettler 7500 2150 16 Stephen Morgan 4200 5100 17 David Isaacs 5200 3902 18 Paul T. Bennett 6650 2410 19 Timothy Rapuano 7290 800 20 Derek Wassink 4000 3855 21 Richard Sheely 5380 2128 22 Brett Stovall 4992 2368 23 Richard Sullivan 4250 2682 24 Stuart Lawrence 6575 300 25 Robert Pulitzer 1650 5178 26 John O. Brown 2010 4590 27 Leo McBride 3600 2700 28 Hal Denton 585 5386 29 Sandra Knuth 1930 3960 30 Linda Trifone 2128 3694 31 Lynda P. Sudderberg 2700 3032 32 Scott Spradling 3660 1802 33 David McCoy 3500 1942 34 William B. Trower 2900 2475 35 J. Gary Bennett 700 4550 36 Richard G. Curtis 2500 2725 37 Adam Lassiter 4660 425 38 James M. Spoonhour 3340 1460 39 Doug Grimsley 2550 2100 40 Rob Byrd 3540 1004 41 Brian D. Hovis 2925 1582 42 Steve Scalpone 1400 3000 43 Thomas Cooper 3876 450 44 Michael Todorovich 4100 0 45 Bob Hafner 3935 150 46 Carleton H. Mabee 3600 450 47 Don C. Parker 3410 450 48 Daniel W. Pailas 2000 1820 49 Vickie Johnston 2731 1035 50 Britt Ruby 3680 0 51 Walt Janitz 3040 630 52 Stephen P. Grassbaugh 1156 2365 53 Ron Millican 2502 972 54 George Cochran 3375 0 55 Matt Baird 1530 1808 56 Kevin McQuigg 1490 1808 57 Patrick Sweeney 2800 360 58 Gene Raymond 1400 1610 59 Deborah Millican 1822 1110 60 Bill Daigle 840 2016

Total 26831 23305 18807 18412 15470 12944 12430 11775 11490 11400 11302 11251 10510 9978 9650 9300 9102 9060 8090 7855 7508 7360 6932 6875 6828 6600 6300 5971 5890 5822 5732 5462 5442 5375 5250 5225 5085 4800 4650 4544 4507 4400 4326 4100 4085 4050 3860 3820 3766 3680 3670 3521 3474 3375 3338 3298 3160 3010 2932 2856

2021 GC OVERALL GP TOP 30 FINAL # Player Singles 01 Macey White 5957 02 Sherif Abdelwahab 2940 03 Jeff Soo 5670 04 Jim Teel 3666 05 Matthew Essick 3948 06 Blake Fields 2804 07 Mohammad Kamal 2702 08 Rich Dell 3362 09 Steve Thurston 2654 10 David Maloof 2747 11 Helen Covington 3314 12 James Creasey 2182 13 Kyle Maloof 2841 14 Tate Russack 2177 15 Kent Lovvorn 2529 16 Bill Simmons 2181 17 Cami Russack 1867 18 Alex Galasso 2092 19 Cheryl Bromley 1546 20 Ahab Dincer 1980 21 Hal Denton 106 22 Bo Prillaman 1940 23 Billy Harper 2268 24 Jimmy Huff 2123 25 Danny Huneycutt 1558 26 Thomas Balding 1558 27 Clint Dawkins 1795 28 Amr Hamdy 1980 29 Zack Watson 1980 30 Priscilla M. Flowers 1395

Doubles 2938 3889 854 1698 1128 2052 2052 1273 1572 1442 836 1649 854 1503 1059 1331 1632 1261 1788 1128 2992 1137 731 839 1387 1387 1147 854 854 1424

Total 8895 6829 6524 5364 5076 4856 4754 4635 4226 4189 4150 3831 3695 3680 3588 3512 3499 3353 3334 3108 3098 3077 2999 2962 2945 2945 2942 2834 2834 2819

2021 AC OVERALL GP TOP 30 FINAL # Player Singles Doubles 01 Matthew Essick 4066 1612 02 Jeff Soo 3785 635 03 Stephen Morgan 3318 1075 04 Thomas Balding 3119 863 05 Sherif Abdelwahab 2466 1075 06 Charles Xavier 1890 1612 07 Daniel W. Pailas 2770 415 08 Shane Hettler 2738 415 09 Damon Bidencope 2282 863 10 Macey White 2355 635 11 Chris Barley 2171 415 12 Blake Fields 1682 863 13 Danny Huneycutt 1631 635 14 Zack Watson 2160 15 Stuart Lawrence 1968 16 David Maloof 1472 415 17 Michael Albert 1440 415 18 Doug Grimsley 1758 19 Randy Cardo 1028 635 20 Mathew Griffith 698 863 21 Mike Taylor 893 635 22 Paul Bennett 1507 23 Kyle Maloof 1037 415 24 Patrick Sweeney 1283 25 Merle Berkshire 563 635 26 Rob Byrd 772 415 27 Paul Neubecker 672 415 28 Brian Cumming 1054 29 Gene Raymond 579 415 30 Jodie Rugart 752 168

Total 5678 4420 4393 3982 3541 3502 3185 3153 3145 2990 2586 2545 2266 2160 1968 1887 1855 1758 1663 1561 1528 1507 1452 1283 1198 1187 1087 1054 994 920

www.croquetamerica.com | 39

USCA 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.

February 2/2/22 - 2/3/22

USCA Golf Croquet School | GC

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

2/11/22 - 2/13/22

Women’s Golf Croquet Academy Open | GC

Ponte Vedra Croquet Club | Ponte Vedra, FL MaryCarol Stearns | 904-501-2878 | mstearns2@bellsouth.net

2/16/22 - 2/20/22

Steuber Classic 6W-GC | US - GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL Carla P. Rueck | 516-480-9930 | cprueck@aol.com

2/22/22 - 2/26/22

Mission Hills Invitational (6W) | US

Mission Hills Country Club | Rancho Mirage, CA Nicholas Gray | 760-770-2052 | nickgray723@comcast.net

2/25/22 - 2/27/22

NCC Club Singles Championship (6W) | US

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL Timothy McCormick | 207-329-5343| tmccorm1@gmail.com

2/28/22 - 3/3/22

USCA Western Regional GC | GC

Mission Hills Country Club | Rancho Mirage, CA Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

March 3/3/22 - 3/6/22

Blaine Davis Invitational (6W) | US

Gasparilla Mallet Club | Boca Grande, FL Bob Worrell | 402-677-2683 | rgworrell@hotmail.com

3/8/22 - 3/10/22

USCA American Rules School | US

3/11/22 - 3/13/22

USCA Croquet Week Golf Croquet Tournament | GC

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

03/15/22

USCA Annual Meeting and Awards Virtual (Zoom) | 7:00 PM

3/15/22 - 3/16/22

USCA American Rules Tournament Play School | US

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

3/17/22 - 3/20/22

USCA Club Teams (6W) | US

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

April 4/1/22 - 4/3/22

National Croquet Club GC Doubles | GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL Timothy McCormick | 207-329-5343| tmccorm1@gmail.com

4/5/22 - 4/7/22

USCA American Rules School | US

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

4/7/22 - 4/10/22

The Sarasota Open (AC) | AC

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

4/21/22 - 4/24/22

USCA SE Regional GC | GC

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

Croquet Club of Dataw Island, Sun City Croquet Club, Spring Island Croquet Club | Dataw Island, SC. Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

3/9/22 - 3/10/22

4/28/22 - 5/1/22

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

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

USCA Golf Croquet School | GC

USCA Golf Croquet Eights | GC 4/28/22 - 5/1/22

Croquet Fools | AC

Granville Park Lawn Bowls Club | Vancouver, BC Patrick Sweeney | 503-452-2191 | sweeney@503law.com

40 | www.croquetamerica.com

May

July

5/5/22 - 5/8/22

7/30/22 - 7/31/22

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

New York Croquet Club, Central Park | New York, NY Ezra Roth | 612-701-4675 | ezra.a.roth@gmail.com

Rockfish Open (GC) | GC

The Tiger Wicket (6W) | US

5/16/22 - 5/22/22

August

High Hampton | The Chattooga Club | Highlands Falls | Sapphire Valley, NC Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

8/4/22 - 8/7/22

USCA Golf Croquet Nationals | GC

5/21/22 - 5/22/22

Piping Rock Club Singles | US

Piping Rock Croquet Club | NY Jane F Simonds | 516-384-6203 | jfspainter@mac.com

June 6/2/22 - 6/5/22

USCA SE Regional 6W | US

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

6/4/22

National Croquet Day marketing@uscroquet.com

6/16/22 - 6/19/22

New York State Golf Croquet Championship | GC New York Croquet Club, Central Park | New York, NY Ezra Roth | 612-701-4675 | ezra.a.roth@gmail.com

Westhampton Mallet Club Invitational (6W) | US Westhampton Mallet Club | Westhampton Beach, NY Randy Cardo | 631-902-5678 | randy.cardo@gmail.com

8/11/22 - 8/14/22

9th Annual Rochester Invitational 6W | US

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

September 9/11/22 - 9/17/22

USCA Association Laws National Championship | AC

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

9/22/22 - 9/25/22

The Osborn Cup (6W) | US

New York Croquet Club, Central Park | New York, NY Ezra Roth | 612-701-4675 | ezra.a.roth@gmail.com

9/29/22 - 10/2/22

Blue Crab 6W | US

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

www.croquetamerica.com | 41

SHOP

USCA

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

October 10/4/22 - 10/6/22

USCA American Rules School | US

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

10/12/22 - 10/13/22

USCA Golf Croquet School | GC

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

10/20/22 - 10/23/22

Women’s GC International Friendship Cup | GC

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

10/27/22 - 10/30/22

USCA Selection Eights (AC) | AC

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

November 11/1/22 - 11/3/22

USCA American Rules School | US

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

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

11/9/22 - 11/13/22

Defective disks may be replaced within 2 weeks of purchase.

12/2/22 - 12/4/22

CDs & DVDs are not returnable.

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

42 | www.croquetamerica.com

USCA Seniors Masters (6W) | US

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

11/30/22 - 12/1/22

USCA Golf Croquet School | GC

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

December USCA GC Club Teams | GC

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

12/9/22 - 12/11/22

National Croquet Club 6W Doubles | US

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL Timothy McCormick | 207-329-5343| tmccorm1@gmail.com

12/11/22 - 12/17/22

USCA National Championship (6W) | US

Mission Hills Country Club | Rancho Mirage, CA Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.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 March 8-10, 2022 April 5-7, 2022 October 4-6, 2022 November 1-3, 2022

Tournament Play School March 15-16, 2022

Golf Croquet

February 2-3, 2022 March 9-10, 2022 October 12-13, 2022 November 30 - December 1, 2022

Association Laws October 26, 2022

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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Gryphon 2-piece travel shaft mallet • easily fits in a suitcase • assembles effortlessly in seconds • no tools needed • alignment pin keeps everything in perfect position

Predator

bent shaft mallet • ergonomic design • reduces hyper-extension of wrist joints • allows for relaxed grip • single or double bend for different grip styles • bigger back swing for greater control

visit us online at croquetstore.com or call toll-free at 1-866-364-8895