2021 CROQUET NEWS VOLUME 2: READY, SET, CROQUET! by uscacroquetnews

2021 Volume 2

CroquetNews The Official Magazine

of the United States Croquet Association

READY, SET, CROQUET! U S C A ' S A C N AT I O N A L S A N D C L U B T E A M S L E A D T H E W AY B A C K T O T O U R N A M E N T P L AY

ANNUAL AWARDS | AC NATIONALS | CLUB TEAMS CLUB DIRECTORY | DENVER CROQUET CLUB | PRISCILLA FLOWERS

NATIONAL CROQUET CENTER PRO SHOP

Whites

Brights

Gifts

Mallets

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

CroquetNews 2021 Volume 2

On The Cover

UPPER LEFT: Jeff Soo with the Stark Cup presented by Damon Bidencope. Photo by Eileen Soo. UPPER RIGHT: Club Teams participants. LOWER LEFT: View of the Sarasota County Croquet Club courts. LOWER MIDDLE: Club Teams Championship Flight winners Bob Pulitzer and John Brown from the Houston Croquet Association. LOWER RIGHT: Runner-up Stephen Morgan in play at AC Nationals. Photo by Jeff Soo.

Publisher

Dylan Goodwin

Managing Editor Julie Jantzer-Ward

Art Director Brandy Ferguson

Inquiries

Please submit all inquiries and stories to uscacroquetnews@yahoo.com. Text should be submitted as a Microsoft Word file and photos need to be FULL resolution (300 dpi). All content may be edited for length and photos will be adjusted appropriately. Croquet News is produced four times per year and is distributed as a benefit to USCA membership. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed permission of the publisher. Views expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USCA. © 2021 United States Croquet Association

courtside

Let’s Get This Ball Rolling! I hope this finds everyone safe and well. It appears that some levels of normalcy are returning in certain areas. I am writing this following my recent experience in visiting and participating in the 2021 USCA AC National Championships held at the Sarasota County Croquet Club (SCCC), in Venice, Fla., and Gasparilla Inn & Club, in Boca Grande, Fla. Thank you to these members who donated the use of the fine lawns for this Championship tournament. A report on the games played and champions crowned follows later in this edition. To all who competed, well done and to the new champions, congratulations. While results are of interest, and not to be diminished, there was a greater purpose and mission on display throughout that week – the purposeful and intentional efforts made to expand our croquet community. Civic and municipal leaders, event sponsors, local press, tournament players and the local community were integrated into an opening kickoff GC Pro-Am preceding the opening reception. During the week, teens with the WareHouse of Venice program (now in its 12th year with the Sarasota County Croquet Club) participated with the tournament players in an enjoyable social evening of casual croquet. All these activities were based on the strong platform of SCCC hospitality provided by the wonderful members of the club. Ever-present was the invitation to join our “USCA Croquet Community” and offers of help to further their interests. It is this outreach, open invitation and camaraderie that makes this game so special. Yes, the game (in whatever rules and game type you play) has fascinating tactics, physical skill requirements, history, offers a lifelong activity and healthy lifestyle and multigenerational opportunities. It is, however, the diverse people that make our game special. I had the pleasure of playing a game against Blake Fields, the 14-year-old phenom from Rancho Mirage, Calif. I have been playing croquet for 44 years, yet here we were both totally enjoying the experience in open competition. Matthew Essick started playing at age three or four when the family gathered at his grandmother’s home near Lexington, N.C. Becky Essick may be Matthew’s biggest fan, but she is still competing at every opportunity. Can you think of another sport that offers so much? So here is the challenge: let’s not keep this wonderful game a secret! The USCA, as the national governing body for the sport of croquet, provides the framework, knowledge and structure to enrich a croquet player’s experience, whether it be short grass, long grass, synthetic grass, flat sand at the beach, the finest of manicured turf grass on a perfectly flat surface in an established club setting or your grandmother’s backyard at Sunday family lunch. I invite you to share this game that we find so special and ask any croquet-interested person to join our community. To make this easy, scan this QR code to join the USCA today and start enjoying all the benefits of being a member. Sincerely,

Damon Bidencope

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

TheClubhouse JACKIE JONES

JACKIE JONES HONORED WITH

“THE JACKIE”

The management committee of the US Croquet Association announced that its annual Grand Prix award for the woman who placed highest in the year’s 6-wicket tournaments is for Jackie Jones. Former USCA president Sara Low says the full name of the award is the “Jackie Jones American 6-Wicket Female Grand Prix Award.” She admits this is a “mouthful” but one that can be shortened to the “Jackie” or the “Jackie Jones.”

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“For more than 10 years, Jackie held the highest Grand Prix points for a woman. On record, from 2008 through 2017, she also had the lowest handicap fwor a woman,” says Low. “In 2017, the first year that we recognized a Female Grand Prix winner, Jackie took the honor. It used to be that the few other champion women compared their results to Jackie’s—always. Now we are seeing more women rise to the top, thanks, in great part, to Jackie’s motivation and encouragement.”

USCA Management Committee

WHO AM I?

________________________

One of my business interests was food and beverage. Did I ever see you at the Mews, Blue Goat, Bombay Bicycle Club or Salt Cellar? I met at least one future US Croquet Hall of Famer at “the Bombay.” Another business interest was landscape design. You can say I did some pivotal landscaping in Arizona and even California. And I met another future US Croquet Hall of Famer from my landscape business. I helped fire one of the first shots in the Croquet Wars of the late 1980s and early 1990s. I sure can Draw. I have owned a red coat for 25 years. For my efforts, I have been dubbed, “The Godfather of Arizona Croquet.” Can you guess, Who am I?

President Damon Bidencope president@uscroquet.com First Vice President Michael Albert firstvp@uscroquet.com Second Vice President Carla Rueck secondvp@uscroquet.com Treasurer David Isaacs treasurer@uscroquet.com Secretary Rob Byrd secretary@uscroquet.com 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

NE W USCA DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS Following the 2021 Annual General Meeting in March, the USCA announced the following new directors: President – Damon Bidencope

Treasurer – David Isaacs

First Vice President – Michael Albert

Secretary – Rob Byrd

Second Vice President – Carla Rueck In addition, the USCA also announced the officers holding the regional vice president positions: Mid Atlantic Regional Vice President – Tim Rapuano

Midwest Regional Vice President – Russ Dilley

Southeast Regional Vice President – Macey White

Western Regional Vice President – Rory Kelley

Florida Regional Vice President –Gene Raymond

Northeast Regional Vice President – Preston Stuart

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

theclubhouse

ASSOCIATION LAWS UPDATED

By Martyn Selman

The World Croquet Federation has announced the creation of the seventh edition of the laws of Association Croquet – the first new edition in more than 20 years. The laws are effective in the US immediately and can be purchased from the USCA shop or downloaded from the USCA website. The main objective of the new rules was to make the rules easier to understand and to clarify their meaning, rather than make major changes. This means more words in some places, but the dropping of confusing words such as “deem” and “purport.” It also means style changes, with the language becoming less legalistic and a new numbering system. Rules common to AC and GC are now worded the same way in both codes. But the new edition does have some material changes, which are set out in detail on the WCF website. Some highlights are set out below. GLOSSARY: The previous edition had plenty of defined terms scattered throughout the book. The seventh edition collects all the definitions that apply to multiple rules in a new section at the front of the book. SUPER ADVANCED AND ALTERNATE STROKE DOUBLES: Both games have been officially recognized and brought into the rules. TIME MANAGEMENT: The new laws recognize for the first time that croquet is mostly played with time limits and sets out how to determine the winner when time expires. This reflects common practice. Under the new rules, the clock is to be stopped only when: • A major referee event occurs, such as resetting a hoop • A ball is lost • A player is unavailable • The game is pegged down or players take a meal break • If a delay, such as weather or double banking, exceeds five minutes When an interference is discovered, the clock is taken back to the time when the interference occurred. Slow play and time wasting by a small number of players has been a problem, and the new laws set out a process for referees to follow when this occurs. BALLS IN CRITICAL POSITIONS: The biggest change is around balls in critical positions and critical strokes. The new edition enforces the requirement that players/referees must mark balls in critical positions and create penalties for not doing so.

Ball in a Critical Position: A ball is in a critical position when a minor change in its position could have a material effect on the intended outcome of the stroke. This includes: • A backswing hampered by a hoop or a ball • A hoop attempt from a big angle • An attempt to roquet a ball partially wired by a hoop or the peg Hitting with the mallet: If the player touches an unmarked striker’s ball in a critical position with the mallet, the new laws say that he or she has played a stroke, even if the contact was accidental. For example, the striker’s ball just runs the hoop and the backswing to hit the reception ball is severely hampered by the hoop. While waiting for the referee to come, the player takes a couple of practice swings over the unmarked ball, accidentally clipping it with the mallet. The player has played his or her stroke. Moving otherwise: If the striker moves an unmarked striker’s ball in a critical position without hitting it (say, by accidentally kicking it or picking it up), the next stroke must not be a critical stroke. For example, the striker approaches the hoop, but the ball stops in a severely angled position, which is now a critical position. While lamenting his bad luck, the striker accidentally kicks the ball. If the ball was not marked, the striker may no longer attempt any critical shot and therefore is not permitted to attempt the hoop. The next stroke must be a different shot. INTERFERENCE AND ERRORS: The new rules define, for the first time, what happens when an interference and an error occur in the same stroke (in general, deal with the interference first). They also set out clearly what must happen after each interference and whether the player is required to play the same stroke again or is permitted to change the line of play. And, a new interference explains what happens when a player takes a ball from an adjoining court or the bushes. Faults have been aligned with Golf Croquet, and the referee has been given more powers to declare a fault for a stroke he or she was not called to watch. Other changes have been made to tidy up laws around advice, misleading information and a number of other laws. REFEREES: It is critical for referees to read the new laws and be familiar with their contents.

PASSAGES Robin Blackburne, Croquet Club of Bermuda Betty Breed, Pinehurst Croquet Club Carol Cherry, Pinehurst Croquet Club

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Bill Day, Marion Mallet Club Inc. Paul Emmett, North Toronto Lawn Croquet Club Joe Pierotti, National Croquet Club

Bill Rogers, At Large Member Carnes Terry, National Croquet Club

Lee Hanna

1943-2021

ee Ellen Hanna, age 78, died peacefully at her home in Columbia, Md., on January 13, 2021. Born January 10, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Penn., to John A. and Roberta (Wealthall) Hanna, Lee grew up in Napoleon, Ohio, alongside her younger siblings, Gretchen and John. After graduating from Napoleon High School—where she’d later be named to the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame—Lee went on to study mathematics at The Ohio State University, earning her Bachelor of Arts in 1964. Upon graduation, Lee joined the National Security Agency (NSA), where she rose through the ranks for the duration of her career. An alumna of the National War College, Lee became the first woman senior operations officer in the National SIGINT Operations Center before being promoted to the NSA’s senior executive level, including serving as deputy director of human resources and leading some of the agency’s most mission-critical organizations. As part of her responsibilities, Lee briefed presidents and addressed Congress, led several intelligence production organizations, chaired an NSA oversight panel on processes and management of the agency’s personnel office and worked closely with US intelligence partners. As one of few women in leadership roles in the agency, she was a supportive mentor to women at varying points in their careers. Lee’s service was recognized with myriad honors, including the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive: Senior Cryptologic Executive Service, the second-highest annual award given to selected career Senior Executive Service members; the Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the Defense Department’s highest recognition for civilian employees whose careers reflect exceptional devotion to duty and significant contributions to their fields; and the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, given to individuals committed to the “betterment of national security in the US through sustained and selfless service of the highest order.” After retiring from the NSA in 1997, Lee served on the National Cryptologic Museum Foundation’s board of directors and as president of the Phoenix Society, a group comprising mostly NSA retirees. An avid croquet player, Lee was the USCA’s Mid-Atlantic regional vice president for more than 13 years and chaired the collegiate division for more than seven. As an advocate for the arts,

Lee served for years as the general ticketing chair for the Columbia Arts Festival. In her career and personal life, Lee traveled extensively, continually adding fascinating stories to her litany of life experiences. Her knowledge and generosity knew no bounds: Lee was as quick to share an obscure nugget of trivia as she was to share her good fortune—ideally over a good meal and fine bottle of wine (or a glass of her coveted secret-recipe eggnog). Her devotion to her family and friends, near and far, was as immediately obvious as her distinct signature, always accompanied by the same signoff: “Lots of love.” Lee is survived by her siblings, Gretchen Downs and John (Lois) Hanna; nieces and nephews, Tiffany Hanna (Cheryl Kempf ), Joshua (Justine) Hanna, Rebecca Downs Beebe, Megan (Hawken) Flanagan, Abigail (Bret) Kravitz, Zachary (Michelle) Hanna, Nicholas (Katie) Hanna and Emily (Patrick) Mayock; and 20 grandnieces and -nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Roberta Hanna; brother-in-law, Thomas Downs; and nephew, John Hanna.

Visit www.croquetamerica.com

to update your mailing address, email address and phone numbers. croquetamerica.com | 7

theclubhouse

“WHO AM I?” ANSWER I am . . . Stan Patmor. An early business interest of Patmor’s was owning bars, coffee houses and similar establishments. In the 1960s, he owned The Mews, a coffee house, and The Blue Goat, a pub, in the Scottsdale, Ariz., area. Both were at the forefront of folk music and attracted many artists who later would become famous, such as John Denver and The Kingston Trio. Years later, Patmor opened The Bombay Bicycle Club and The Salt Cellar, both in the Tempe, Ariz., area, which also became popular. In 1973, he first met future US Croquet Hall of Famer Rory Kelley at “the Bombay,” which at the time was Kelley’s favorite watering hole. Another of Patmor’s business interests was landscaping. He ended up doing business with a developer who needed landscape care for some of his commercial properties, future US Croquet Hall of Famer Ren Kraft. In 1975, Patmor and three others founded the Arizona Croquet Club (ACC). The picture features the four founders, standing from left to right: Bill Hermann, Patmor, Ed Cline and Doug Whitneybell. The ACC landscaped Arizona croquet as over the next couple of decades it became one of the best clubs in the US. In the early 1990s, Patmor often visited the nascent Mission Hills Croquet Club in Rancho Mirage (near Palm Springs), Calif., and is credited by the club as someone who greatly helped it get started. In 1984, he and a few others founded the American Croquet Association (ACA). It was in response to the growing dissatisfaction of many croquet players in the western US, who favored Association Croquet and felt they were minimized by the USCA, which favored American Rules Croquet at the time. The rift became heated, with then USCA President Jack Osborn referring to the ACA and those associated with it as “the Western killers.” This rift became known to many as The Croquet Wars. Patmor invented the “Patmor Draw,” a unique way of organizing croquet tournament playoffs. In that format, the winners of the brackets play in a round-robin, the winner of which advances to the Finals; the other bracket winners drop down into the rest of the

knockout to determine the other finalist. That format was used in the World Croquet Championships formerly played at the SonomaCutrer Croquet Club (now known as the Sonoma Croquet Club). A similar variation has been used in the US Open. Over time, as Association Croquet gained greater popularity throughout the US, The Croquet Wars gradually faded. One sign of that was Patmor’s election in 1995 to the US Croquet Hall of Fame, mainly due to his significant efforts in establishing croquet in the western US. Among his many contributions noted above, he also built croquet mallets, used by many top players, including Jacques Fournier, and he mentored many top US croquet players, including Jerry Stark, Jim Bast and Paul Bennett. So perhaps most fitting of Patmor’s pervasive influence on croquet in Arizona, in May 2001 the Phoenix New Times dubbed Stan “The Godfather of Arizona Croquet.” That probably is because when one thinks of Patmor, one thinks of croquet, and when one thinks of Arizona croquet, one thinks of Patmor. —Submitted by Eric Sawyer

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.

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theinbox Never Too Old to Learn How to Play Croquet at The Glenview Croquet player Bonnie Lynch, a new resident at The Glenview at Pelican Bay in Naples, Fla., a senior lifestyle community, wanted to share with her new community the fun of learning the sport that had brought her so much pleasure. Beginning the sport indoors on carpet seemed ideal. Don Oakley of Oakley Woods had the perfect carpet wickets and pegs that looked like the tournament outdoor equipment. The Glenview residents were newly vaccinated against COVID-19 and eager to mingle with social distancing and camaraderie that they had been missing in their lives for more than a year of isolation.

TIME MACHINE

101 years young learning carpet golf croquet.

Starting with four beginner clinics of 10 residents and a waitlist of others interested in learning, it became a huge success. The first tournament was held the following week and all the resident-players wore white, eager to hone their newly learned ball skills and strategies. Beginners quickly learned how enjoyable, competitive and addictive croquet can be. Carpet croquet also accommodated residents who used a walker. One player toted her portable oxygen on a cart. What a heartwarming sight. The Glenview may be starting a trend for senior communities of indoor croquet. Planning for the following month, resident-players wanted more scheduled time to play and another tournament. The multipurpose room, where croquet is played, is also used throughout the week for many activities and fitness. “We do a lot of setting up and taking down of the court, but the joy the new sport has brought to residents is well worth it watching them have a great time,” Lynch says. We are thankful for The Glenview’s staff support who may be the only ones who can get on the floor to tape the wickets to the carpet AND can get back up off the floor. —Submitted by Bonnie Lynch

Jacques Fournier (11 years old) and Ben Rothman (9 years old) at the 1993 San Francisco Open. It is believed this was Rothman’s first time seeing 6-wicket croquet. Photo taken by Donald Fournier, Sr. —Submitted by Jacques Fournier

The beginners’ seniors living facility carpet golf croquet tournament the second week after clinics… all wearing white to get in the swing.

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2020 USCA

ANNUAL AWARDS NEW CLUB:

Quogue Field Club

The addition of croquet to the club and the number of added players is impressive.

CLUB:

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club A dynamic club in a challenging year.

CLUB PRESIDENT:

Steve Mossbrook

For the achievements and commitment he brought to the Mission Hills Croquet Club.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: Quogue Field Club

Kelley Newton

For his generous gift to the USCA in honor of Judy Newton.

SUPPORT OF CROQUET:

Jim McLaughlin

For helping the sport endure and prosper for more than 20 years.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR:

Nancy Hart

For contributing valuable time and thought to the Sarasota County Croquet Club and beyond.

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT:

Michael Albert

Awarded for a second year because of his successful efforts for Team USA and the Lee Olsen Fund. Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club

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Sandy Mossbrook and Nick Gray

CERTiFICATES OF APPRECIATION:

Michael Albert

For the many contributions he has made to the USCA and the sport of croquet.

Priscilla Flowers

Mary Shields

She inspired great participation among croquet players and committee members while displaying energy and commitment to National Croquet Day.

Nick Gray

For contributing valuable time and leadership to the Mission Hills Croquet Club.

Priscilla Flowers

For her many contributions to croquet and its players.

Dan Pailas

For his valuable contributions to croquet and its players.

David Isaacs

For achieving great things for croquet and the USCA.

Johnny Mitchell

For the talent and energy he has given to croquet and the USCA.

Ursula Peck

For devotion to the USCA through this challenging year of health crises and the USCA rebirth.

David Isaacs

Johnny Mitchell

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2020 USCA

ANNUAL AWARDS

Mary Shields

Dick Sullivan

SENIOR PLAYER:

Dick Sullivan

For many impressive victories against players of all ages.

JUNIOR PLAYER:

Blake Fields

For playing so well against competitors of all ages.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

Matthew Essick

For his worldwide croquet triumphs.

MICHAEL STRAUSS AWARD:

Rich Donnelly

For the piece titled “Rochester Croquet Club Back in the Game.”

TEDDY PRENTIS AWARD:

Jackie Jones

Innumerable croquet players have been introduced to the game or improved their skills because of Jackie Jones.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER:

Beverley Cardo

For the second year in a row, her handicap has improved better than any other player. Beverley Cardo

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AMERICAN SIX-WICKET FEMALE GRAND PRIX:

Beverley Cardo

The female player who ranked highest on the American 6-Wicket Grand Prix Chart.

AMERICAN SIX-WICKET GRAND PRIX:

Randy Cardo

For the fourth year running, he is at the top of the American 6-Wicket Grand Prix chart.

GOLF CROQUET FEMALE GRAND PRIX:

Priscilla Flowers

The female player who stood highest on the Golf Croquet Grand Prix Chart.

GOLF CROQUET GRAND PRIX:

Cheryl Bromley

Rick Darnell

The player who finished first in the Golf Croquet Grand Prix.

ASSOCIATION LAWS FEMALE GRAND PRIX:

Donna Dixon

The female player who stood highest on the USCA Association Croquet Grand Prix Chart.

ASSOCIATION LAWS GRAND PRIX:

Matthew Essick

To the player who finished first in the USCA Association Croquet Grand Prix.

PRESIDENT’S AWARD:

Cheryl Bromley

An outstanding player and a true ambassador of croquet. Beverley and Randy Cardo

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2021 USCA AC National Championship April 11-17, 2021

Sarasota Jeff Soo Triples His Way to Third AC Singles National Title By Damon Bidencope

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Wow, what a week!

possible to feel anything but welcome when a smiling Chris Weihs greets players with an offer of a cool libation after some hours of practice under the Florida sun.

Visiting players were made to feel welcome by the gracious and friendly members of the Sarasota County and Gasparilla Croquet Clubs. Hans Peterson, from the SCCC, was the tournament manager, Ellen and John Goldener coordinated the essential food and beverage aspects, Arlene Stevens helped visitors purchase the fine SCCC croquet wear from the pro-shop tent. Also, it is not

What was not visible but vital and important to the success of this National Championship was the enormous time and energy spent prior to the first ball being struck. Firstly, to the Sarasota and Gasparilla members who donated the use of their excellent courts for the week so the top-ranked players in the US could compete on these first-class lawns. Secondly, to the organizing group including Hans Peterson, Nancy Hart, Webster Bull, Tom Cooper (USCA marketing) and the many other SCCC members that participated in the planning and development of materials for the event. Thirdly, to the close support and true partnership that has been forged with Sarasota County and the city of Venice, which was an integral part of the planning and success. Through Shelby Connett, Director of Sports with Visit Sarasota County, and Allison Jones, Sports Events Manager with Visit Sarasota, outreach into the Sarasota community (a hallmark of croquet in Sarasota County) was continued and the sport of croquet further exposed. The connection was evident by the participation in the programmed events of Nicole Rissler, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources for the County, Virginia Haley, President for Visit Sarasota County, and Dr. Mitzie Fiedler, Venice City Council member.

Forty-two top-ranked USCA members descended on Sarasota County Croquet Club (SCCC) and the Gasparilla Inn & Club in Sarasota, Fla., April 11-17. Players were present from all corners of the USCA croquet community. Blake Fields, Donna Dixon and Mary Rodeberg from Rancho Mirage, Calif., Randy Cardo from Quogue, N.Y., Paul Neubecker from Buffalo, N.Y. and Ron Eccles from Denver, Colo., were representative of the broad geographic reach of the competitors. As players began to assemble for practice Saturday morning, old friendships were rekindled and a low buzz of excitement with the expectation of close competition filled the air. The lawns were running well, firm underfoot, which gave good response to the back ball in croquet shots, and the hoops were tightly set New Zealand Quadway hoops. All the elements required for a good contest were present.

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Charlie Xavier with son

Matthew Essick and Tom Balding coaching session

This collaboration and partnership started by Jackie and Fred Jones more than 20 years ago is the key ingredient that has made the SCCC the largest municipal croquet club in the US with more than 250 members. The players and USCA members across the country thank you!

The jovial Saturday atmosphere was transformed on Sunday with the first rounds of the doubles’ competition. The first round saw close contests with two of the matches needing third games to reach the quarterfinals. The second-round games paused while the sky opened and poured more than an inch of rain in a short span during the afternoon. Miraculously, the courts were ready to play an hour later and games resumed. Randy Cardo (Quogue, N.Y.) and Danny Huneycutt (Lexington, N.C.) took advantage of the conditions and some good tactical play in winning the first game in their contest against Matthew Essick (Lexington, N.C.) and Charlie Xavier (Aidie, Va.), and were applying pressure in the second. Apparently, this was all the pressure that Essick needed and he replied in the second with a quintuple peel closing turn in the second game before he and Xavier secured their advancement to meet Blake Fields (Rancho Mirage, Calif.) and Matt Griffith (Parkville, Mo.) in the semifinals. In the other half of the ladder, Thomas Balding (Shirley, N.Y.) and Damon Bidencope (Charlotte, N.C.) bested Jeff Soo (Durham, N.C.) and Mike Taylor (Pinehurst, N.C.) to meet the pairing of Stephen Morgan (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and Sherif Abdelwahab (Wellington, Fla.) who prevailed over Tom Cooper (Spring lake, N.J.) and Gene Raymond (Venice, Fla.). The doubles were then paused for singles and the doubles semifinals were continued on Thursday. In the First Flight, the team of Jodie Rugart (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and Lynda Sudderberg (West Palm Beach, Fla.) began their domination of the First Flight Doubles Block being the undefeated team in block play.

Jeff and Eileen Soo provided the tournament director services in their efficient, professional and precise manner using www.croquetccores.com to record results and communicate next-day scheduling with the contestants. The field was divided into Championship Flight and First Flight. The championship level in singles played four qualifying blocks of seven with the top four finishers in each block progressing to a seeded best-of-three knockout ladder for the final 16. In the championship doubles, a single-elimination knockout (best of three) was contested. In the first flight singles, two blocks of six qualified the top four from each block forward to a single-game knockout ladder. The first flight doubles was played as a round-robin with the top two teams from the block play qualifying to the final. The event featured a kick-off press event and interview session on Saturday followed by Pro-Am GC competition featuring a presentation on the Jiminy Wicket program developed by USCA member James Creasey (Denver, Colo.). Jiminy Wicket is an intergenerational play program that uses croquet to transform isolation into connection with a focus on helping those suffering from dementia (www.jiminywicket.org). Everyone participated in the fun of some Pro-Am GC croquet and the introduction of some new “Am’s” to the game.

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Warehouse of Venice participants

In the Championship Cingles Blocks, contenders for the national title were flexing their skills: In Block A – Matthew Essick dominated with six victories (3 tps) and limited opponent scoring (125 net hoops in six games). Charlie Xavier had five wins, Randy Cardo had three (1 tp) and Kyle Maloof had three to qualify for the knockout. In Block B – Shane Hettler (New York, N.Y.) secured the top position with five wins, followed by Chris Barley (Orlando, Fla.), then David Maloof with four victories and Daniel Pailas (Denver, Colo.) with three wins moving ahead. In Block C – Thomas Balding (1 tp) played strongly securing the top-seed position over Jeff Soo (1 tp), both with five wins in block play, followed by Damon Bidencope, then Macey White (Hartfield, Va.), all securing knockout positions. In Block D – Sherif Abdelwahab prevailed with six victories over Stephen Morgan with five (2 tps), followed by Danny Huneycutt with four wins (1tp) and Blake Fields with three.

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In the First Flight Singles A – Jodie Rugart with five wins was dominant over Mary Rodeberg, then Donna Dixon and Rita McNamara earned singles knockout places.

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In First Flight Singles B – Ron Eccles narrowly squeaked by Arthur Olsen (Englewood, Fla.), then Lynda Sudderberg and Sam Collins (Atlanta, Ga.) earning knockout ladder spots.

www.WhiteTieCroquet.com WhiteTieCroquet@gmail.com

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Lynda Sudderberg during the First Flight Doubles final (photo by Jeff Soo)

Warehouse evening

As the first flight ladder progressed, the form displayed in the doubles block play was evident as Sudderberg and Rugart individually played with good form into the finals where an even match saw Rugart narrowly prevail 13-12 in a close contest to win the First Flight Singles title. On Thursday evening, a skills competition and social event were organized. This event, sponsored by Bullseye Home Services, was to raise awareness for the Warehouse of Venice program. This program, started by Linda Bannister and son Justin and now in its 20th year, engages teens to participate in the community to generate events, improve life skills and increase self-esteem. It has had an active croquet program at SCCC for 12 years (www.venicewarehouse.com). One of the highlights of the evening was witnessing Thomas Balding clear a Quadway with a jump shot over a blocking ball from seven yards to take the long-jump contest. Following that spectacle, dozens of teenagers, their families and support community participated in a croquet skills contest with the assistance of the top players in the tournament. This was again a feature of the week in integrating and inviting all ages and abilities to participate in croquet. In the Championship Singles Knockout ladder, three of the matches required third games before quarterfinals were established with eight top-form players in four pairings. Matthew Essick prevailed over David Maloof, Stephen Morgan prevailed over Shane Hettler, Thomas Balding prevailed over Charlie Xavier and Jeff Soo prevailed over Sherif Abdelwahab. The semifinal games were exciting and closely fought. Essick responded to being shut out in the first game with a triple peel finish in game two. In the third, with peels done, he jammed rover hoop to present an opportunity for Morgan, who delivered to win 26-24 and move on to the final with the 2-1 match win. In the other semifinal, after splitting games, Soo maintained control and the innings in game three and finished with a triple for a 2-1 win over Balding to advance. The third-place contest provided some excellent croquet for the spectators with Balding making solid breaks only to have Essick regain the innings and complete the first game with a sextuplepeel win in the first game (the first in a USCA AC National Championship). In game two, Essick then tried a repeat sextuple

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Jeff Soo jumping Hoop 4

but narrowly missed an eight-yard peg out after completing the six partner ball peels. He held on though for a 26-12 victory to take third place with a 2-0 match win. In the first game of the singles final, Morgan played well (following on the victory over Essick) and secured the first game 26-3. In game two, he left the door slightly ajar and Soo took control of the match, winning the remaining two games 26-0, 26tp-0. The week was filled with great competition, good spirit, close contests and, importantly, the introduction of new people to the wonderful game and an open invitation for all who like to hit a ball with a mallet in any way or under any rules, short or long grass, to come and join the USCA, the croquet community. Results of the 2021 USCA AC National Championships (full game results are available on www.croquetccores.com): Championship Singles 01. Jeff Soo 02. Stephen Morgan 03. Matthew Essick 04. Tom Balding 05. David Maloof 05. Shane Hettler 05. Charlie Xavier 05. Sherif Abdelwahab 09. Damon Bidencope 10. Chris Barley 11. Macey White 12. Danny Huneycutt 13. Michael Albert (WD) 14. Randy Cardo 15. Blake Fields 16. Daniel Pailas 17. Kyle Maloof 18. Mike Taylor 19. Matt Griffith 20. Paul Neubecker 21. Merle Berkshire 22. Tom Cooper 23. Gene Raymond

24. Mike Todorovich 25. Rob Byrd 26. Sandy Knuth 27. Randy Reid 28. Roger Vorraber

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

Blake Fields during the Championship Plate final (photo by Jeff Soo)

Championship Singles winner Jeff Soo

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croquetamerica.com | 19

Charlie Xavier during the Championship Doubles final (photo by Jeff Soo)

Kicking it old school: Matthew Essick kicks the balls off the court after pegging out in the Championship Doubles final (photo by Jeff Soo)

First Flight Doubles Champions Ron Eccles and Rita McNamara

Stephen Morgan during the Championship Doubles final (photo by Jeff Soo)

Championship Doubles

First Flight Singles

First Flight Singles Plate

01. Matthew Essick/Charlie Xavier 02. Sherif Abdelwahab/Stephen Morgan 03. Tom Balding/Damon Bidencope 03. Blake Fields/Matt Griffith 05. Randy Cardo/Danny Huneycutt 05. Merle Berkshire/Macey White 05. Jeff Soo/Mike Taylor 08. Sam Collins/Shane Hettler 08. Rob Byrd/Roger Vorraber 08. Chris Barley/Daniel Pailas 08. David Maloof/Kyle Maloof 08. Michael Albert/Sandy Knuth 08. Paul Neubecker/Randy Reid 08. Tom Cooper/Gene Raymond

01. Jodie Rugart 02. Lynda Sudderberg 03. Ron Eccles 04. Arthur Olsen 05. Mary Rodeberg 06. Donna Dixon 07. Sam Collins 08. Rita McNamara 09. Lee Anderson 10. Bob Merritt 11. Jane Koziol 12. Chris Smith

01. Bob Merritt 02. Rita McNamara 03. Chris Smith 04. Jane Koziol

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First Flight Doubles 01. Ron Eccles/Rita McNamara 02. Jodie Rugart/Lynda Sudderberg 03. Donna Dixon/Mary Rodeberg 04. Lee Anderson/Chris Smith 05. Jane Koziol/Arthur Olsen

National Croquet Day • June 5 This year, we have two clear goals for Croquet Day. 1. Spread the word about our sport, and create a fun event worthy of National News. 2. Use this day by inviting friends to join your Croquet Community. “Just Play Croquet” Opportunities for 2021: • Create a croquet event in your yard, at your club or a public space in the middle of town. • Invite potential club members, everyone you know, and even passers-by. • Share about your event using Facebook, Instagram (#justplaycroquet). Make sure to follow both. • The link to our Instagram page is here: https://www.instagram.com/uscroquet/ • The link to our Facebook Group is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/801489509873019 • Go Public: Spread the word of your event using local events calendars, newspapers and TV • Hang posters or postcards in public bulletin board areas • Make a croquet themed Tiktok or IGTV video and post it • Have fun!! Here are a few quick steps to participate and enter to win a prize: 1. Follow @uscroquet on Instagram 2. Like our National Croquet Day photo (posted on 6/5/2021) and tag 3 friends who you’d love to challenge to a game of croquet 3. Post a photo from your experience on YOUR instagram and tag us @uscroquet and use the hashtag #justplaycroquet 4. The best photos sent in or posted will receive a prize (you’re not going to want to miss this) Categories are endless: Suggestions: Most Unique Playing Location, Most First Time Players in one photo, Cutest Croquet Kid, Most Creative Outfit, Most Extreme Conditions Endured, Most Enthusiastic Group Why National Croquet Day Matters: The mission of the USCA is to promote the awareness, development and enjoyment of croquet in the United States, providing resources and governance for the sport at all levels. And most importantly, life is much better with croquet in it. Grab a mallet and a friend, and let’s play together.

#justplaycroquet

View QR Code in your phone’s camera to find a webpage with more details.

To Those Who 2020 DONOR WALL OF HONOR Much gratitude for your generous donations, especially during this difficult year, and the unspecified gifts which came through your Amazon Smile, charitable trusts and foundations.

PLATINUM $10,000 to $30,000 Digby Bridges* Dr. Sandra Knuth/Dr. Robert Walsh Jeff & Ann Morrison John Perry Freear Pollard GOLD $5,000 to $9,999 Ronald & Betsy Atkins Stuart Baker & Baker Charitable Foundation Randy Cardo James Bartle Hal Denton Harvey and Pam Geiger Conner Helms Vickie Johnston David Kepner David McCoy Ruth Summers The William H. Donner Foundation, Inc. SILVER $1,000 to $4,999 Charles Alexander & Tim McCormick Estate of Alfred Jones Jr. Fleet Landing Croquet Club Patrick Foy

Wayne Gallo Helene Hasselbalch Stephanie Hayes Stephen Hayes & Mark Ski Tom Hughes Gerald Kagan Anne Licursi David Morrison Jane Osgood & Ted Hilles Ellen Playford Carla Rueck Richard Scherf John Schott Michael & Jean Sexton Linda Sudderberg & Steve Grassbaugh Yen Sullivan James Taylor Westhampton Mallet Club Robert Williams BRONZE $100 to $999 Don & Sharada Alducin Sonia Alexander Barbara Bailey John & Carol Bannister John & Anthea Blamire Ron & Marianne Davidson Cooky (Victoria) Donaldson David & Martie Ekstrom Spenser Everett Mollie Fair

Carol Firth Susan Ford Fortnite Group Marvin & Rita Ginsky Jim & Linda Grady Tom & Sam Graham John Howard Thomas (Terry) Howatt Robert Huckins Bunny Jones Hildegard Jones Wilhelmina Kipp Maggie Kirkbride Joe & C.A. Knoll Paul & Kathy Leone Tom Lindley Rosemarie Maccario Meg Macy Sheila McCauley Jutta McGinnis Brian & Ann Mitchell Barbara Neiman Thomas & Barbara O’Laughlin Geri O’Neill Night Owls Michael Orgill Ursula Peck Sheila Peterson Harriet Primack Mary Robb Phillip Robinson Tate & Cami Russack Michael Sexton David Spivey & Mary Shields

Scott Spradling Preston Alan Stuart Michael Todorovich Thomas & Jeanette Tribby Suzanne Turner Bob Van Tassell Frederika Van Waveren John Warlick & Gail Rubin Donald Warren & Lenore Orlowska-Warren Scott & Christine Worley FRIEND Up to $99 Susan Cole Doug Coller Carol Di Fazio Cooky (Victoria) Donaldson Timothy Enos Priscilla Flowers Maria Fountain Mark & Jane Grandusky JoAnn Heron and Jean Ellen Nanci Hunt David Isaacs Renee Kelsch Donald Molitor Arlene Strauss Marie Sweetser Bill Vrooman *Professional Services

Thank You on Behalf of Croquet Players Everywhere! Please accept our apologies and call to our attention any errors or omissions.

Support the Game 2020 VOLUNTEER WALL OF HONOR The Board of Directors of the Croquet Foundation of America is deeply grateful to the following individuals who, during the year 2020, so generously donated their time and expertise to help the Foundation achieve its mission of promoting and developing the sport of Croquet. We literally could not have survived without you! Sherif Abdelwahab Don Alducin Charlie Alexander Sonia Alexander Bob Alman Ronald Atkins Ellen Avellino Barbara Bailey Stuart Baker John & Carol Bannister Karen Beck John & Anthea Blamire Richard Brackett Debra Bradley Digby Bridges John Canning Randy Cardo Richard Carlson Carol Casey Janet Catalano Camille Catania Vera Chapman Joni Cherbo Bob & Missy Chilton Mary Churchill Gay Cinque Lois Clay David Collie Ginny Coyle Phillip Crawford Trudy Crowetz Rich Curtis

Marianne Davidson Phyllis DeAngelis Hal Denton Joy Diesel Cooky (Victoria) Donaldson David & Martie Ekstrom Stuart Epstein Gerry Eubank Sandra Feeney Bob Finn Caryl Firth Jan Fisher Priscilla Flowers Clint Fowlkes Anne Frost Robinson Ron Furman Wayne & Connie Gallo Tom Graham Shari Gallucci Mike Gibbons Rita Ginsky Chad Goodwin Jim & Linda Grady Steve Grassbaugh Kevin Hansley Jill Harrold Donna Hearon Conner Helms Shaun Henderson Joanne Heron Pam Heyer Bruce Hindin

Terry Howatt Danny Huneycutt Nanci Hunt Lin Irey Julia Johnston Vickie Johnston Gerald Kagan Sharon Kenrick David Kepner Alan Lazarescu Anne Licursi Tom Lindley Sara Low Rosemarie Maccario Jerry Marquardt Geraldine McCauley Tim McCormick David & Millie McCoy Larry McDermott Jutta McInnis Steve Mednick Brian Mitchell Johnny Mitchell Jeff Morrison Flossie Napolitano Vicky Naranjo Charlene Nobel Geri O’Neill Lenore Orlowska John Osborn Joan Parker Suzanne Pearlman

Ursula Peck Barbara Perlman Sheila Peterson Vernon Pierce Marie Rittman Kat Robertson Phil Robinson Bob & June Rochedieu Carla Rueck Cami & Tate Russack Bill Sadowski Richard Scherf Mary Shields Madeline Singer Valerie Smith Howard Sosin David Spivey Arlene Strauss Lynda Sudderberg Yen Sullivan Ruth Summers Jim Taylor Rhys Thomas Tom Tribby Suzanne Turner Bob Van Tassell Sue Varey Donald Warren Derek Wassink Kathleen White Jim Williams Anyse Winston

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

National Croquet Center, West Palm Beach, FL March 18-21, 2021 | American Rules

2021 USCA Club Teams

100 PLAYERS STRONG! By Macey White

This was my first experience with Club Teams, and it was a blast. When I got the players list, I was amazed 100 were players signed up. What a fantastic relief after a year of COVID-19 fear and very little croquet. Division I (large-team division) had four teams. The Westhampton Mallet Club and Houston Croquet Association both brought 20 players. The host club, National Croquet Club, fielded 24 players and the Beach Club brought 26. In Division II (small teams) the New York Croquet Club, Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club and Woodlawn Croquet Program all brought four players while the Belleair Country Club sent two.

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All the play was doubles. Based on doubles aggregate handicaps, the doubles pairs were grouped into three flights. Sixteen pairs were in Championship Flight, 17 in First Flight and 17 in Second Flight. Play started on Thursday, March 18. Thursday and Friday were round-robin days. The outcome of the round-robin games gave seeding for the playoffs, which started Saturday morning. Everyone in the tournament went to the playoffs. Some surprises and upsets happened, most notably, the number one team from Houston, Robert Pulitzer and John Brown, upset the highestseeded Sherif Abdelwahab and Derek Wassink in the semis and beat the number-two seeded pair of Randy and Bev Cardo in a spectacularly close final. In First Flight, Hal Denton and Thomas Stoner, from the National Croquet Club, defeated Ellen Hall and Craig Coats from the Beach Club. In Second Flight, newcomers to 6-wicket, Rita Ginsky and Tom Lindley, of the National Croquet Club, lost a close battle with Jennifer Loving and Thomas Volini of the Beach Club by a score of 13-11.

Championship Winners - Bob Pulitzer and John Brown

FINISHING ORDER Lyons Trophy Winners

Some of the games were live-streamed and may now be posted to YouTube. The scores from all the games can be found on www.croquetscores.com.

Division I - The Beach Club

The teams competed for a permanent engraving on the Lyons Trophy, which is on display in the National Croquet Center lobby. Teams accrued points based on how pairs did in doubles play (regardless of flight). The winning pair of each flight earned eight points for their team and second earned six points. Those tied for third earned four, those tied for fifth earned two and all pairs ninth and below earned one point. The team in each division with the most team points won that division. In the case of a tie (which occurred this year) the win-loss record of games played between the two teams was used as a tiebreaker. The Lyons Trophy winners were the Beach Club in Division I with 38 team points and the Belleair Country Club in Division II with four points. Belleair tied in points with the Woodlawn Croquet Program and the tiebreaker was the head-to-head win-loss record of games between Belleair and Woodlawn, which Belleair won.

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT

Each year a special trophy is presented, the Les Kelley award, which goes to the most enthusiastic and sportsmanlike player. This year it was given to a doubles pair, Brand Shank and Lori Matway from Belleair. Shank and Matway generated the most complaints received by the Tournament Director during the tournament. The complaints generally went like this, “we really like Brand and Lori, they are great fun to play with, but they are way too good for our flight.” Both players lowered their handicaps as did a dozen or so other players. I’ll bet Shank and Matway are in Championship Flight next year.

09. Vickie Johnston/Jeanne Branthover - The Beach Club

Division II - Belleair Country Club Croquet

01. Robert Pulitzer/John Brown - Houston Croquet Association 02. Randy Cardo/Beverley Cardo - The Beach Club 03. Stewart Jackson/Jodie Rugart - The Beach Club 03. Sherif Abdelwahab/Derek Wassink - National Croquet Club 05. David Isaacs/Peter Timmins - New York Croquet Club 05. Robert Van Tassel/David McCoy - National Croquet Club 05. Stephen Grassbaugh/Yen Sullivan - National Croquet Club 05. Scott Spradling/Lucas Van Alen - Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club & National Croquet Club 09. Conrad Rugart/Thomas Tribby - The Beach Club 09. Danny Huneycutt/Kevin Hansley - The Beach Club 09. Bob Chilton/David Ekstrom - National Croquet Club 09. Lynda Sudderberg/David Spivey - National Croquet Club 09. Missy Ramey/Martie Ekstrom - National Croquet Club 09. John Watson/Lee Hamel - Houston Croquet Association 09. Richard Sullivan/Arthur Olsen - Westhampton Mallet Club

Next year, we are encouraging teams to bring a team flag with them. Each team will be given a small courtside area to plant their flag and gather. I was so impressed by the camaraderie and team spirit that I am going to try and get my club to bring a team down from Virginia next year. I think you should bring a team too!

Championship Finalists - Randy Cardo, Beverley Cardo, Bob Pulitzer, John Brown

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The Beach Club - Division I Lyons Trophy winners

FIRST FLIGHT

SECOND FLIGHT

01. Hal Denton/Thomas Stoner - National Croquet Club

01. Jennifer Loving/Thomas Volini - The Beach Club

02. Ellen Hall/Craig Coates - The Beach Club

02. Rita Ginsky/Tom Lindley - National Croquet Club

03. Brand Shank/Lori Matway - Bellaire Country Club

03. Robert Williams/Margaret Kirkbride - The Beach Club

03. Geraldine McCauley/Sonia Alexandra National Croquet Club

03. Linda Grady/Janet Fisher - National Croquet Club

05. Charles Alexander/Tim McCormick - Woodlawn Croquet Program

05. Claude Lourie/Laura Hanslip - The Beach Club

05. Liddy Chaney/Tina Hinckley - Woodlawn Croquet Program

05. Kit Detering/Patricia Wilde - Houston Croquet Association

05. Richard Brickley/Missy Chilton - The Beach Club 05. Karen Heckman/Anne Carr - Westhampton Mallet Club 09. Dale Jordan/Suzanne Spradling - Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club 09. John Grabow/David Kepner - The Beach Club 09. Josie Jackson/Hildegard Jones - The Beach Club 09. Leslie Duncan/Charlotte Pulitzer - Houston Croquet Association

05. Joseph Leary/Boyd Parker - Houston Croquet Association 05. Mary Cassidy/John McGrath - Westhampton Mallet Club 09. Joseph Warren/Paige Brown - Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club 09. Eileen Cornacchia/Nancy Brickley - The Beach Club 09. Carl Detering/Nora Watson - Houston Croquet Association 09. Mary Craddock/Georgia Carter - Houston Croquet Association

09. Stuart Coco/George Peterkin III - Houston Croquet Association

09. Mary Jo Chapoton/Mathilde Hoefer - Houston Croquet Association

09. Alan Lazarescu/Terry Cassidy - The Beach Club

09. David Beccia/Donna Sessa - Westhampton Mallet Club

09. Sally McGrath/Anne Licursi - Westhampton Mallet Club

09. Emily Schelter/Tom Hadlock - Westhampton Mallet Club

09. Sheila McCauley/Freear Pollard - Westhampton Mallet Club

09. Pam Walker/Jessica Beccia - Westhampton Mallet Club

09. John Craddock/John Bannister - Houston Croquet Association & National Croquet Club

09. Yolande Hadlock/Anthony Sessa - Westhampton Mallet Club

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USCA Croquet Week Golf Croquet Tournament March 12-13, 2021 | West Palm Beach, Florida

Croquet Week is always a busy time for the USCA and NCC and this year was no exception. After last year’s cancellation due to COVID-19, players were eager to get back to competing as noticed in the 40-player field for this year’s event. It is believed to have been the largest field in this tournament’s history and was also a testament to the growing popularity of golf croquet. Second Flight Winners - Tom Volini and Jennifer Loving

Lori Matway and Brand Shank accecpt the Division II Lyon's Trophy for the Belleair Country Club Croquet

Play was divided into two flights. Championship played in a block of 10 while a rather large First Flight had three 10-player blocks. Each block of 10 played six games in block advancing into an elimination ladder. In Championship Flight, block play was dominated by Sandy Knuth, Rich Dell and Billy Harper, who all had five victories followed by Scott Spradling and Bill Simmons with four wins. The First Flight blocks also had their dominant players with Jim Podraza, Gary Gamble and Richard Gannon each winning their respective blocks with an undefeated six victories followed closely by Tate Russack, Jim Jamison, Bruce Hindin and Cindy Howell with five. Even more remarkable was that Podraza, Gannon, Jamison and Hindin were all playing in their first tournament as unranked players but looked like seasoned veterans. Every player in the Championship Flight made the playoffs with the top six receiving byes while the top five in each First Flight block advanced along with the next best record to fill out the 16-player ladder. Scott Spradling came alive in Championship Flight working his way through the ladder to meet Rich Dell in the final game, which proved to be a seesaw battle ending in a 7-6 victory for Dell. First Flight was interesting with all previously unranked players making it to the semifinals. In the end, Jim Jamison prevailed over Jim Podraza with a 7-5 victory.

First Flight Finalists - Craig Coates, Ellen Hall, Thomas Stoner, Hal Denton

You could not have asked for more in a tournament. The weather was great with a nice turnout and good competition. It was a nice start to Croquet Week and it felt good to see competition back in swing with everyone looking forward to more live croquet action.

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT 01. Rich Dell 02. Scott Spradling 03. Sandy Knuth 03. Billy Harper 05. Suzanne Spradling 05. Alex Galasso 05. Bill Simmons 05. David Paukovich 09. Mike Sexton 09. Thomas Howell

FIRST FLIGHT 01. Jim Jamison 02. Jim Podraza 03. Tom Lindley 03. Richard Corey 05. Cami Russack 05. Pamela Kennelly 05. Tate Russack 05. Bruce Day 09. Barbara Jamison 09. Lisa Davoli 09. Bruce Hindin 09. Cindy Howell 09. Robert Gannon 09. Edward Berge 09. Kathie Gamble 09. Gary Gamble 17. Edmund Giancola 17. Janet Cook 19. Mary Galasso 19. James Loftis 19. Hilary Michaels 19. Diana Robinson 19. Tom Bown 24. Mary Ellen Gumerson 24. Ford Austin 24. Tina Day 27. Mary Lynch 27. George Claffey 27. Mary Squire 27. William Cook

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2021 USCA CLUB DIRECTORY Croquet News is pleased to present the third annual USCA Club Directory with the goal of showcasing the clubs across the association that are key to growing the sport. Enhanced (bold) listings designate clubs that have participated in at least one of the two USCA Club Teams events and/or supported the Croquet News magazine by advertising since the last Club Directory. Enjoy this guide to croquet clubs across the US and beyond and hopefully it will provide ideas for new destinations on your next croquet trip. CLUB | COURTS | COURT SIZE WEBSITE | PHONE ALABAMA LOXLEY Steelwood Croquet Association | 1 | (251) 964-5308 MT. BROOK Mountain Brook Croquet Club | 1 | FULL (205) 967-3301

ARIZONA PHOENIX Arizona Croquet Club | 1 | FULL www.azcroquet.org | (480) 943-5493 SCOTTSDALE Mountain Mallets | 2 | 40x50 www.desertmountaingolfcroquet.com | (480) 656-4643

CALIFORNIA OAKLAND Oakland Croquet Club | 1 | FULL www.croquetworld.com/occ.asp

In addition, the USCA offers this directory online with even more details, plus the ability to filter by city, state or country. Visit the online version at: www.croquetamerica.com/usca/directory/clubs/

CONNECTICUT GREENWICH Greenwich Croquet Club | 5 | FULL, 75% (914) 582-9488 HAMDEN Special Olympics Connecticut | 0 www.soct.org | (203) 230-1201 HARTFORD Elizabeth Park Croquet Club | 2 | 75% (860) 608-1222

DELAWARE ROCKLAND Delaware Croquet Club | 4 | FULL (302) 656-3551

FLORIDA ATLANTIC BEACH Fleet Landing Croquet Club | 1 | 60x90 BELLEAIR BELLEAIR COUNTRY CLUB CROQUET | 1 | FULL WWW.BELLEAIRCC.COM | (727) 461-7171

PASADENA Pasadena Croquet Club | 2 | FULL www.pasadenacroquetclub.org

BOCA GRANDE Gasparilla Inn Mallet Club | 3 (941) 964-2201

RANCHO MIRAGE Mission Hills Croquet Club | 10 | FULL www.missionhills.com | (307) 851-6455

Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club | 2 | FULL (561) 395-2100

ROHNERT PARK Sonoma Croquet Club | 2 | 2 FULL (707) 585-7819

BOKEELIA Useppa Island Croquet Club | 2 | FULL, 30x60 (9W) useppa.com | (239) 283-1061

SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco Croquet Club | 2 | FULL www.croquetworld.com/sfcc.asp

BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Bay Club | 2 | 85x55 (239) 495-0200

ST. HELENA Meadowood Mallet Club | 4 (800) 458-8080

DELAND Stetson University | 0 stetson.edu | (386) 822-7182

THOUSAND OAKS Sherwood Club | 0 (805) 496-3036

DELRAY BEACH St. Andrews Club | 1 | FULL (561) 243-0557

COLORADO

FT LAUDERDALE Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward Cnty | 0 (954) 537-1010

DENVER Denver Croquet Club | 1 | FULL, Lighted www.denvercroquetclub.org | (303) 520-9023 Denver Country Club | 0 | FULL www.denvercc.net | (303) 862-3471

HILLSBORO BEACH Hillsboro Club | 1 | FULL www.hillsboroclub.org | (954) 941-2220

CLUBS that have advertised or participated in a club teams event

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ILLINOIS

Ponte Vedra Croquet Club | 7 | FULL, 75% www.pontevedracroquetclub.com | (904) 273-0806

CHICAGO Chicago Croquet Club | 2 | FULL www.chicagocroquetclub.org | (773) 631-2422

STUART Mariner Sands Country Club | 4 | 84 X 54 ft (772) 600-5605

MANHATTAN Prairie Lights Croquet Club | 1 | FULL www.prairielights-croquet.org | (815) 478-4172

Sailfish Point | 1 | 75x55 www.sailfishpoint.com | (772) 225-1000

INDIANA

THE VILLAGES Villages Croquet Club | 2 | 62x105 (561) 670-6756

FISHERS Hawthorns Golf and Country Club | 1 | 64x100 www.hawthornscountryclub.com | (317) 854-9100

VENICE Sarasota County Croquet Club | 6 | FULL www.sarasotacountycroquet.com | (941) 900-4081

LOGANSPORT Heartland Croquet Club | 1 | FULL (574) 722-3449

VERO BEACH John’s Island Croquet Club | 2 | FULL www.johnsislandclub.org | (772) 231-1220

KANSAS

LEAWOOD Kansas City Croquet Club www.kccroquet.com | (913) 636-7231

LOUISIANA BATON ROUGE Red Stick Croquet Club | 0 (225) 926-0428 SHREVEPORT Cajun Croquet Club | 0 (318) 865-4848

MAINE ELLSWORTH WOODLAWN CROQUET PROGRAM | 1 | FULL (207) 667-8671

NORTH HAVEN North Haven Community School | 0 (207) 867-4707 ROCKPORT Riley School | 0 (207) 596-6405 SWAN’S ISLAND Swan’s Island School | 0 (207) 526-4300 VINALHAVEN Vinalhaven School | 0 (207) 863-4664

FRENCHBORO Frenchboro School | 0 (207) 334-2944

EAST SANDWICH Sandwich Croquet Club | 4 | 80x100, 40x50, 40x50 | www.sandwichcroquet.com | (508) 444-6983

ISLE AU HAUT Isle Au Haut School House | 0 (207) 335-2521

EDGARTOWN Edgartown Croquet Club | 1 | FULL (607) 738-9419

Palm Beach Atlantic University | 0 www.pbasailfish.com | (561) 803-2328

ISLESBORO Islesboro School | 0 (207) 734-2251

LENOX Lenox Croquet Club | 4 | 1 FULL, 3-75% www.lenoxcroquet.com | (413) 443-4957

WINTER PARK Interlachen Country Club | 2 www.interlachenccfl.com | (407) 657-0850

ISLESFORD Islesford | 0 (207) 244-7377

MARION Marion Mallet Club Inc. | 2 | HALF www.bobcroquet.com/Marion/marion.htm | (508) 678-4787

WEST PALM BEACH NATIONAL CROQUET CLUB | 12 | FULL NATIONALCROQUETCLUB.WILDAPRICOT.ORG | (561) 478-2300

MATINICUS ISLAND Matinicus Elementary School | 0 (207) 366-3695 MONHEGAN Monhegan Island School | 0 (207) 594-5895

NANTUCKET Westmoor Club | 1 | 1x75% www.thewestmoorclub.com | (508) 228-9494

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2021 USCA CLUB DIRECTORY CLUB | COURTS | COURT SIZE WEBSITE | PHONE

SPRING LAKE Green Gables Croquet Club | 3 | FULL www.ggccnj.com | (201) 394-5435

BLACK MOUNTAIN Black Mountain Croquet Club | 2 | 1 FULL, 1 HALF (828) 669-2281

MICHIGAN

WEST LONG BRANCH Monmouth University | 3 (732) 263-5187

BLOWING ROCK Blowing Rock Country Club | 1 | FULL www.blowingrockcountryclub.com | (828) 295-3171

NEW YORK

CASHIERS Cedar Creek Club | 1 | FULL www.cedarcreekracquetclub.com | (828) 743-9380

COMSTOCK PARK Heatherwood Hills Croquet Club | 2 | FULL, HALF (616) 784-4438 HARBOR SPRINGS Wequetonsing Croquet Club | 2 | 70x90, 50x90 (734) 665-6456

MINNESOTA BRAINERD Madden Brother’s, Inc. | 0 (218) 829-2811 EDINA City of Lakes Croquet Club | 2 | FULL (952) 974-1286

BRIDGEHAMPTON Bridgehampton Club | 1 | FULL (631) 537-7399 BUFFALO Buffalo Croquet Club | 4 | FULL (716) 697-4111 CAMILLUS West Hill Golf & Croquet Club | 2 | 55x110 www.westhillgolfcourse.com/croquet.html | (315) 672-3540

MISSISSIPPI

CUTCHOGUE North Fork Country Club | 0 northforkcc.com | (631) 734-7139

FLORA Highlands Mallet Club | 1 | FULL (601) 949-3103

LOCUST VALLEY Creek Club | 1 (516) 676-1405

JACKSON Country Club of Jackson | 1 | FULL www.ccjackson.com | (601) 956-1411

Piping Rock Club | 2 | FULL (516) 470-9681

Pocahontas Mallet Club | 2 (601) 672-7423

NAPLES Naples Croquet Club (978) 263-6152

LONG BEACH Long Beach Yacht Club | 2 | 50x100 www.longbeachyachtclub.com | (228) 224-3086

NEW PALTZ State University of NY at New Paltz | 0 (516) 708-3623

MISSOURI

NEW YORK

PARKVILLE Kactus Creek Croquet Club | 1 | FULL www.kactuscreek.com | (816) 891-6762 WARRENSBURG University Central Missouri | 4 | 50x80 ucmo.edu/future.cfm | (660) 909-4747

NEW HAMPSHIRE RYE Strawbery Banke Croquet Club | 1 | 64x85 (603) 433-5382

NEW JERSEY KENVIL Roxbury Croquet Club (862) 432-1964 MANTOLOKING Mantoloking Yacht Club (732) 892-6281

NEW YORK CROQUET CLUB | 2 | 75% WWW.NEWYORKCROQUETCLUB.COM | (646) 642-6601

ROCHESTER Rochester Croquet Club | 3 ROCCroquet.org | (585) 474-3753

LAKE TOXAWAY Lake Toxaway Mallet Club | 2 | 75% laketoxawaycc.com | (603) 568-5587

SARATOGA SPRINGS AIM for Saratoga Croquet Club | 16 (518) 587-3208

LINVILLE Eseeola Croquet Club | 1 | FULL (828) 733-4311

SOUTHAMPTON Meadow Club of Southampton | 2 | FULL (631) 283-0425

Grandfather Golf & Country Club | 2 | FULL (828) 898-4531

TUXEDO PARK Pine Court | 1 | 90x60 (914) 351-2547 WESTHAMPTON BEACH WESTHAMPTON MALLET CLUB | 3 | 2 FULL, 1 - 75% | (917) 514-9663

MONROE TOWNSHIP Rossmoor Croquet Club | 1 | FULL (609) 409-7837

NORTH CAROLINA

RUMSON Rumson Country Club | 1 | FULL www.rumsoncc.org | (732) 842-2518

ASHEVILLE Deerfield Croquet Club | 1 | 71x93 www.deerfieldcroquetclub.org | (828) 254-9667

SOMERSET Rutgers Preparatory School | 2 | FULL (732) 545-5600

BALD HEAD ISLAND Bald Head Island Croquet Club | 3 | FULL www.bhiclub.net | (973) 714-8484 BELVIDERE Albemarle Croquet Club@ Doodle Hill (252) 297-2763

CLUBS that have advertised or participated in a club teams event

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Chattooga Club | 2 | FULL www.chattoogaclub.com | (828) 743-3640

Linville Ridge Croquet Club | 2 | FULL (828) 898-5151 PINEHURST Pinehurst Croquet Club | 3 | FULL www.pinehurst.com/activities/lawn-sports | (910) 986-3164 PITTSBORO Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club | 1 | FULL (817) 565-8145 WINSTON-SALEM Arbor Acres Croquet | 3 (336) 724-7921

NORTH DAKOTA FARGO Fargo South High School | 1 | 40 ydx80 yd (701) 446-2000

DATAW ISLAND Croquet Club of Dataw Island | 2 | FULL www.dataw.com | (843) 694-1148 HILTON HEAD Wexford Croquet Club | 0 (207) 226-0606

OKLAHOMA

OKATIE Spring Island Croquet Club | 1 | FULL www.springisland.com | (843) 987-2003

BARTLESVILLE Oklahoma Wesleyan University | 0 (918) 335-6200

TEGA CAY Tega Cay Croquet Club | 2 | HALF www.tegacaycroquet.com | (803) 431-9560

BROKEN ARROW Tulsa Croquet Club | 1 | 105x52 HALF TulsaCroquetClub.org | (918) 258-5656

TENNESSEE

NICHOLS HILLS OKLAHOMA CITY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB | 2 | FULL | WWW.OKCGCC.COM | (405) 590-7264

OREGON ASHLAND Classic Croquet Club | 1 | 100x60 (541) 488-3031 PORTLAND Portland Croquet Club | 0 (503) 310-3222

TEXAS DALLAS Dallas Croquet Association | 2 | 75% dallascroquet.com | (214) 213-5116 HOUSTON Bayou Club of Houston | 2 | 70x90 (713) 686-4000 HOUSTON CROQUET ASSOCIATION | 2 | FULL WWW.HOUSTONCROQUET.COM | (832) 465-4880

DORSET Dorset Field Club | 1 | 58x74 www.dorsetfieldclub.com | (802) 867-4002

Newport Croquet Club | 0 (401) 841-8776

WOODSTOCK Croquet Club of Vermont | 2 | 1 HALF, 1-75% members.valley.net/~croquetvermont (603) 643-3070

BERMUDA SOMERSET BRIDGE Croquet Club of Bermuda (441) 238-7308

CANADA ONTARIO Northern Lights Croquet Club | 1 | FULL and 1-3/4 (905) 643-4545 RIQAUD, QUEBEC Mount Royal Country Club, Inc. | 2 | FULL (450) 451-9989 ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO Royal St. Catharines Croquet Club | 2 | FULL (905) 685-6939 WESTMOUNT, QUEBEC Westmount Croquet Club | 2 | FULL (514) 989-5532

VIRGIN ISLANDS

Tennis Club of St. Croix | 2 (340) 692-7717

MARLBORO Marlboro College | 0 www.marlboro.edu/ | (802) 579-8238

BLUFFTON Sun City Croquet Club | 3 | FULL (203) 530-5830

INTERNATIONAL

VERMONT

NEWPORT International Tennis Hall of Fame | 1 | 75% www.tennisfame.com | (401) 846-0642

AIKEN Green Boundary Croquet Club | 1 | FULL www.greenboundaryclub.com | (803) 649-2549

MILWAUKEE Milwaukee Croquet Club | 2 | 2-75% (414) 964-7047

CHRISTIANSTED Bombay Mallet & Wicket Croquet | 1 | FULL (340) 692-7717

RHODE ISLAND

SOUTH CAROLINA

MILWAUKEE Milwaukee Country Club | 2 (414) 362-5200

River Oaks Country Club | 2 | 60x40 www.riveroakscc.net | (713) 529-4321

MANCHESTER Ekwanok Country Club | 2 | FULL (802) 362-2220

WATCH HILL Ocean House Mallet Club | 2 | 75% www.oceanhouseri.com | (860) 227-7297

WISCONSIN

VIRGINIA HARTFIELD Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club | 8 | FULL (804) 776-9861

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Linda Grady, PA 561-512-0852

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HIGHLAND SPRINGS Confederate Hills Croquet Club | 1 | 83x68 ft. (804) 516-5386 TIMBERVILLE North Mountain Croquet & Tennis | 2 | FULL (540) 470-2468

WASHINGTON SEATTLE Woodland Park Lawn Bowling Club | 2 (206) 694-9065

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clubprofile

Denver Croquet Club Year founded: In 1985, six-wicket croquet came to Denver with the vision of Sparky O’Dea, who formed the “Park Hill Croquet Club.” The club members played in Denver’s City Park on the most level turf they could find until they moved to the grassy center of the big flower garden in Washington Park. While playing in “Wash Park,” they discovered the fenced Lawn Bowling Green, which was established in 1924. They knew that the New York Croquet Club shared greens with lawn bowlers in Manhattan’s Central Park and thought it would be great to do the same in Denver.

years enabling it to emerge as the small but thriving and vibrant club it is today.

Croquet players, John O’Dea, Charles Berberich and Ed Merrill met with the city and pointed out that (in 1985), Denver had 163 tennis courts, 131 soccer fields, 46 football fields, 125 playgrounds, 24 recreation centers, 122 softball courts, 12 senior centers, open spaces for volleyball, one lawn bowling green, but not a single croquet court. The city responded favorably to the request that the croquet players be able to share “the Green” with the Washington Park Lawn Bowling Club. Today, the two clubs collaborate and share the expenses to maintain the 120-foot-by-120-foot lawn. They have a no-cost Use Agreement with the city of Denver that is renewable on an annual basis.

Type of grass: Bent grass

It is to be noted that Ron Eccles, Charles Berberich and Judy McKeon did the heavy lifting to sustain the club through some lean

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Location: Denver, Colo., in Washington Park at South Franklin Street and East Mississippi Avenue. The fenced lawn is on the south side of the parking area. Number of members: 40-50 Number of courts: One full-size, but often play two half-sized or four quarter-size on busier club evenings

Overview of club schedule: The lawn is shared with the Washington Park Lawn Bowling Club, so it is a busy lawn. The croquet club plays golf croquet on Sundays at 5 p.m. and Mondays at 6 p.m. and Association and American Rules on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. It supports a Jiminy Wicket program on Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon for people who are living with Alzheimer’s disease. It also offers a women’s league on Wednesday mornings, a men’s league on Friday mornings and a summertime youth program. Members can schedule private time for practice, play or a party.

Open tournaments: This coming summer, the club will host a monthly tournament alternating between association rules and golf croquet. Website: www.denvercroquetclub.com Do you use social media? No What makes this club special? Some play with attitude, Denver Croquet Club plays with altitude – located a mile above sea level, the lawn is next to a lake in a beautiful city park with a view of the Rocky Mountains. The club draws all ages, backgrounds, abilities and is supported by the city of Denver. Approach to growing membership: Our most successful method to date is simply inviting folk who are watching from outside the fence to come in, play with us and take the game for a test drive. James Creasey, founder of Jiminy Wicket, and Dan Pailas, among many others, found their ways to the game in that way. The lawn is in 180 acres of the most popular park in Denver, Colo., surrounded by neighborhoods filled with people of all ages that love the outdoors. Are USCA members welcome? Yes; no court fees for guests. Best restaurants to visit in the area: Less than a half-mile to the east of the lawn, you will find a variety of restaurants on South Gaylord Street: Wash Park Grille, Homegrown Tap and Dough, Max Gill and Grill, and Reiver’s Bar and Grille are some of our favorites. In addition to these, try Nixon’s for the best espresso in North America, Detour Bakery for pain au chocolat, Sushi Den for the obvious, Brown Palace for afternoon tea and the Buckhorn Exchange or The Fort for truly wild west dishes.

Best places to stay: One and a half miles east on Colorado Boulevard, a variety of hotels are available: Staybridge Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, Hampton Inn and Hyatt Place. In addition, the historic Brown Palace Hotel is located 4.5 miles northeast of the lawn in downtown Denver. Other than the club, what do you have to go see in Denver? The Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Garden, Denver Museum of Science and Nature, The US (Denver) MINT, Federal Reserve Bank, Colorado State Capitol, Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum and the Denver Zoo are all in the city of Denver. Best places to visit within a 90-minute drive are the Rocky Mountain National Park, Garden of the Gods National Park, Pikes Peak (14,111 feet—drive or take the train to the top) Mount Evans (14,272 feet), Red Rocks Amphitheater for concerts, Airforce Academy, Estes Park and Breckenridge, to name a few.

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memberprofile

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Priscilla Flowers Age: This year I celebrate the seventh anniversary of my 60th birthday. Home base: Boynton Beach, Fla., and Scaly Mountain, N.C. Home club: National Croquet Center Grip: Solomon Mallet: Dave Trimmer; 11” head; 2 lb., 13oz.; 36” shaft Years playing croquet: Six years Favorite croquet venue: National Croquet Center and Highlands Falls Country Club Favorite tournament: You always remember your first. It was the GC Eights held at the National Croquet Center with Cheryl Bromley as the tournament director. I had just completed the USCA Tournament Play School and Bromley was the instructor. She convinced me I was ready to compete in sanctioned tournaments and encouraged me to enter the GC Eights. So, I entered and won every game in my flight. After that, I was hooked on playing in tournaments. It is always great to see some of the familiar faces and to meet new competitors. Plus, win or lose, I always learn something. How did you get into the game: It started in Highlands, N.C. For entertainment one Sunday, a friend invited a group to play croquet at her club. We decided that beyond wearing whites, we had to wear pearls, and we named our merry group the “Pearlettes.” I was hooked on the game and found the perfect place to play, Highlands Falls Country Club. Croquet highlights/tournament wins: Every win is a highlight, even if I don’t take home a trophy. I do hold fond memories of the 2019 Southeast Regional Golf Croquet Tournament held at the Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club in Hartfield, Va. It was back-to-back games and I didn’t have time to think of the level of players I was competing against. After two days of play, my doubles partner, Gil Flowers (no we are not married), and I were left standing with Jeff and Eileen Soo for our final opponents. They won taking the best two out of three games, but it was great to know that if I keep my head in the game and not on who I am playing against, I don’t perform too badly.

Do you play other sports? Pickleball and croquet have garnered my attention in the last few years, but it seems since COVID, croquet is winning all my playtime. Favorite sports teams? Florida Gators!!!!!! Pop culture favorites: My day starts by reading the Bible and ends with a few pages of a mystery novel. I love a happy ending, which the Bible tells us is available for everyone through His saving grace. Murder mysteries, to use the term of the great Agatha Christie’s character Hercule Poirot, use my little grey cells to solve the mystery before the final pages. For movies, I like “Gone with the Wind” and “Steel Magnolias” because they depict the strength, fortitude and resiliency of women. “Star Wars” is my favorite science fiction movie. My music choice depends on my mood. If I’m in the mood for country, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill and Reba are my go-to artists. When I’m in the mood for my generation’s music, it covers everything from the Doobie Brothers and The Eagles to Sly and the Family Stone and, for good measure, some Bob Dylan. Then there are evenings that I will just sit and listen to Andrea Bocelli. What is the best thing the USCA has done for croquet? Recognized that golf croquet is a growing game here in the US and supporting the GC Committee in developing and rolling out the Skill Test for GC players to receive a handicap. What is the USCA’s greatest weakness? An area to strengthen is communications. Perhaps open lines of communication between the Regional Vice Presidents and clubs within their jurisdictions would be a good way to start. Hearing and addressing the needs of clubs and their members would reveal the value of membership to the USCA. This would also help the USCA develop short-term and long-term goals and objectives based on the new mission statement. What would you like to see happen in the sport over the next 10 years? Identify a process for recognizing, developing and supporting competitive players to compete at the world level. Also, we, as an organization, should encourage and help parks and municipalities install public croquet lawns. What have you learned from croquet? Some days I hit everything I aim for and other days I can’t hit the broad side of a barn. Shake it off!

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let’stalktactics

Coping With A Non-Useful Rush By Bob Kroeger and John C. Osborn

In this column, we discuss croquet shots that sometimes come up during a Three Ball Break (3BB). While the ability to achieve a forward rush after each wicket certainly simplifies the 3BB, at times, the striker simply does not get this useful rush. When this happens, the croquet shots the striker is sometimes faced with require long-roll shots. These are called “set shots.” Before getting into the particulars of these shots, let’s see how the balls arrived in the position in Diagram 1: Previous to this point,

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Blue did a “rush to the attack” to give Black its current 3BB. In this attack, Black was left near Yellow while Blue got a rush on Red to score Wicket #2. After making Wicket #2, Blue sent Red (the danger ball) far away and finished the turn at Wicket #2 (Black’s wicket). Red decided to shoot defensively into Corner 1. Diagram 1 shows Black having scored Wicket #2 without having attained a useful rush. An “R” marks where the player would have wanted to get a rush to, assuming the striker has a good

stop shot. An “x” is marked where the player wants the two balls to land in each diagram. In all but one diagram (Diagram 5), we show the ball that will be used to score the wicket on the position side of the wicket. When playing a 3BB, some croquet players use an “inside the box” approach. This means the ball used to score the wicket is inside the rectangle formed by the outer four wickets. Players accomplish this differently, which is fine, and it is suggested to practice both methods to see what works best. The assumption is the reader can follow the subsequent diagrams and apply the method illustrated. Please note Diagram 5 shows Blue, the ball Black will use to score one-back, on the non-playing side of its wicket. That position works, because when sending a pioneer ball to two-back, it is preferred to avoid having a difficult wide angle for the ball to land near Blue and still get a good pioneer at two-back. Diagram 6 shows a spot one would need to rush to if Blue were on the position side of one-back. The remaining croquet shots after Diagram 7 are almost identical, in reverse, to the shots shown in Diagrams 1-7. Since these shots are a staple to good 3BB play, it is suggested that if given spare time, grab a couple sets of balls and play many shots from each of these “set” locations. Of course, diligent practice of these croquet shots will not only make one more comfortable with them during a match, but also certainly add to one's proficiency. Enjoy the practice and hopefully great success will come in completing all the 3BBs. The USCA sells instructional DVDs. The two that apply to this column are Bob and Ted’s “Break Play ~ What You Need to Know” and Bob and Ted’s “Mastering Croquet Shots.”

NATIONAL CROQUET CENTER PRO SHOP

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2 | croquetamerica.com

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gcamerica

How to be Successful in Doubles By Cheryl Bromley Before diving into some of the dos and don’ts of effective doubles play, keep one very important point in mind: Neither you nor your partner are purposely trying to miss a shot or make an error. With that basic concept established at the onset, a lot of the pressure within the partnership can be alleviated, leaving more room for the good stuff to happen. Knowing that each of you will be putting forth your best effort will allow the focus to shift toward using each other’s strengths to play well as a team. Notoriously, some sort of dynamic is always going to be in play when people team up to play doubles. Effective doubles play permits both players to contribute ideas, regardless of skill levels, rather than a “my way or the highway” approach.

DO: • Prepare. Practice. • Learn and observe your partner’s strengths. This will influence what tactics you will use. • Get yourself in a positive mindset prior to stepping on the court. • Give encouragement to your partner regardless of good or bad shots. The same goes for self-encouragement. • Once the game is underway, place more emphasis on strategy and tactics and less on technique. • Find ways to help your partner get in positions that are most comfortable, especially if you’re the stronger player. This will help your partner’s strengths become an advantage and put your doubles team in a better position to be successful.

DON’T: • Blame your partner. No one performs better if they feel they are letting someone down. Your goal should be to keep your partner relaxed and confident. • Don’t pressure your partner to take risks beyond his/her comfort level. But, also be aware that, depending on the level of the competition, you both may have to play a bit out of your comfort zones from time to time to stay in the match. You might surprise yourself with some spectacular shots in the process too. • Don’t line up your partner’s shots for them. You can certainly point to a spot where they should aim but remember to move

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out of the way before they take the shot. It is important for their personal improvement that they learn how to adjust their strokes on their own. Errors usually have more to do with the components of the stroke, such as swing style rather than aim. Some players like to be left alone during their turn to make their own decisions and play their own game. However, it isn’t a bad idea to have a brief consultation with your partner to be sure neither of you is overlooking something. Other than that, it is not recommended to follow your partner around the lawn during a turn, hovering over them and discussing every little detail. If you both can’t agree on which shot to take, let the striker choose based on what they envision. If you force your partner to do something they don’t want to do, often it will subconsciously cause an error to occur. Try to make suggestions in a way that will increase the player’s confidence in their own game.

In Summary: • Positive language and energy promote positive thoughts, which lead to better performance. • ALWAYS encourage your partner. • Finally, don’t forget to bring a sense of humor to keep things fun and enjoyable on and off the court!

Upcoming 2021 Golf Croquet Events MAY 20-23: Golf Croquet Eights Cashiers, Highlands and Lake Toxaway, North Carolina SEP 01-05: USCA GC Nationals Hartfield, Virginia OCT 21-24: Women's GC Open Hartfield, Virginia DEC 03-05: USCA GC Club Teams West Palm Beach, Florida

GC CROQUET TIP - Promoting Your Partner in Doubles

SHOP

At certain times, it is a wise tactic when setting up a promotion, to rush your partner to the next hoop. Below are two examples that apply to singles play, too.

USCA

Scenario: Even-numbered hoops In this example, it is Black’s turn to play, and an opportunity to set up a promotion to rush Blue after it scores the hoop to send it over to hoop #5 is available. Both Yellow and Red are blocked from clearing either Black or Blue. Keep in mind that once Blue scores, the Red ball will have the first shot to the next hoop, but because Black has set up a promotion, it will send Blue over to hoop #5 and Blue will shoot before Red.

Scenario: Odd-numbered hoops If your opponent is likely to score an odd-numbered hoop by being in the jaws of the hoop, it will not only score, but will be the first ball down to the next hoop. In the example below, it is Yellow’s turn and will set up in a position to be able to rush Red down to hoop #8. Blue will most likely go halfway thinking either ball can do nothing to prevent Black from scoring, and then Red will position itself in front of Yellow for a promotion to the next hoop. Important Reminder: If you are the first ball to play to the next hoop, a promotion is not typically necessary. Use a promotion when you need to move your partner up the order in the color sequence.

Even-Numbered Hoops

Whatever the occasion think USCA for those special gifts Books

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

CD’s

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

DVD’s

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

CDs & DVDs are not returnable.

Defective disks may be replaced within 2 weeks of purchase.

Odd-Numbered Hoops

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

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9wroundup

Long Grass and Nine Wicket – Running a Break All Around By Paul Bennett While the fun of sending an opponent ball deep into the weeds is undoubtedly one of the greatest pleasures we remember when first introduced to the game of croquet, it is not the truest of pleasures. Instead, mastering the art of an all-around break, doing the dance and becoming a rover ball, is like promoting a pawn to the eighth rank in a game of chess. This usually begins to define an important turning point in the game as well as possibly one in your life. An all-around break, running through all the remaining wickets to rover in one turn, proves that you have mastered one of the most advanced principles of the game. No longer have you concentrated on sending your opponents’ balls into the deepest part of the woods, but bravely you have strategically placed them ahead of you, where they will help you continue to make wicket after wicket until there are no more wickets to be made.

Court Configuration

If there isn’t enough space to lay out a full-size court, try setting out fewer wickets and spread them farther apart from each other. And, if finding a particularly interesting new setting, please send a picture. New types of devious layouts that are possible peak curiosity and intrigue. Perhaps a modern layout more suitable for long-grass play can be found.

Croquet Options How might a player run an all-round break on long grass? Well, to start, learn to use all available types of croquet strokes when playing on long grass. Unlike short-grass croquet, where the croquet stroke must begin by placing the striker’s ball in contact with the roqueted ball (the that

Figure 1

The croquet court has been defined precisely in the rulebook for centuries, however the configuration has changed numerous times, most significantly in the middle 19th century, when the turning post was removed, the finishing post was placed into the center of the court and the nine to 10 wickets were reduced down to six. The difficulty of running that elusive all-around break was increased, particularly on difficult lawns. The difficulty is due to the increased distances required to send the balls ahead and because of somewhat larger split angles. Using the nine-wicket double-diamond configuration, the first seven wickets are all arranged in a northerly direction and, after scoring the turning stake, the remaining seven wickets are all arranged in a southerly direction. A good number of players find it easy to run wickets five through 10 since it can be more advantageous to simply leave balls near six and seven to score eight and nine coming back down the court. These middle wickets are like the middle wickets in the new 6-wicket configuration, where players find it easier to make wickets four through seven (often called 1-back in the modern setting). Long grass players may find it useful to try setting their courts up using different layouts. Often, wickets one and two are placed way too close to the stake and each other. On the clay courts of Kentucky, these first two wickets are a good 10 feet apart from each other.

40 | croquetamerica.com

Nine-wicket configuration. Run wickets 1-7 to the north and wickets 8-14 to the south.

Figure 2 3. One may “hand tight” the striker ball with one hand while striking the mallet with the other hand into the striker ball, thus causing the other ball to move and the striker ball not to move at all! A continuation stroke may then be played to continue the turn. It is important not to flinch when executing this stroke because if the striker’s ball moves appreciably, this may be considered a fault and would end the turn, with the balls remaining where they landed. Placing one’s foot on the ball is no longer considered a legal shot in any game of croquet. 4. The striker’s ball may be placed next to the roqueted ball and then a croquet stroke is played by striking the mallet directly into the striker’s ball. During this stroke, the mallet should in no way strike the other ball. After the croquet shot, the striker may play a continuation shot to hit another ball or score a wicket. 5. An optional fifth way to carry on after roqueting a ball is to lift the croqueted ball up next to the striker’s ball to play a croquet shot followed by a continuation shot. Six-wicket configuration. The numbers on the left are run going north and the numbers on the right are run going south.

was just hit), long-grass croquet includes many additional options. Some of these options are merely historical in origin, but they also have practical reasons because of the difficulty of actually placing the striker’s ball directly in contact against the other ball on a typical long-grass playing field. 1. One may start by placing the striker’s ball up to nine inches away from the roqueted ball and taking two continuation strokes from there. 2. One may also decide NOT to lift the ball back to the roqueted ball and instead take two continuation strokes from where it ended up after the roquet shot. This is often helpful on a lawn where a ball may be sitting down where the striker ball may not be able to knock it along but can still hit the ball and go flying closer to its next wicket. Then taking two shots from there may indeed be closer. A note of warning, however; one may NOT lift the ball and then decide to place it back where it landed prior to the shot. Choose wisely because if it’s lifted, this option is no longer possible and the striker must now play from within nine inches or contact with the roqueted ball.

In this way, players may continue to earn two strokes after hitting a ball that they may take croquet from and earn one stroke after scoring a wicket (the next wicket in proper order for that striker’s ball). One may hit and take croquet from each different colored ball only once before clearing the next wicket. This temporary deadness may be cleared at the beginning of each turn or may be carried over until the player has properly scored its next wicket. This choice is up to the player but must be agreed upon before the start of the game. These various options for playing on after hitting a ball provide the long-grass player the means to carry on playing many shots during a single turn. If the player manages to make all its wickets to a point of having no wickets remaining, that player has made the all-round break. It becomes known as a rover ball and like a pawn on a chessboard earns new privileges and rights as a player—another topic for discussion, for as complicated as the moves of a pawn in chess, the rover ball may take on several different roles, depending which options have been chosen. The long-grass court offers unique playing characteristics to provide challenges to even the most accomplished players. The most precise, well-executed stroke may or may not make a successful roquet due to surface irregularities. To mere mortals like myself, the surface conditions provide me a chance to go up against and defeat those goliaths of the game. Learn the options, practice, play the game and, by all means, have fun! Paul Bennett is the Long-Grass and 9-Wicket Committee Chairperson

croquetamerica.com | 41

eventresults Mission Hills Invitational February 23-27, 2021 Mission Hills Croquet Club Rancho Mirage, California Championship Singles 01. Paul Bennett 02. Patrick Sweeney 03. Rick Sheely 04. Peter Bach 05. Donna Dixon 05. Mary Rodeberg First Flight 01. Cameron Evans 02. Ron Eccles 03. Curtis Toops 04. Nick Gray 05. Patrick Dugan 05. Brian Lozano

Waterford Doubles 01. Anne Licursi 02. Randy Cardo 03. Courney Green 04. Dick Sullivan 05. Jeanne Branthover 06. David Kepner 07. David McCoy 08. Kathleen Green 09. Brian Zindel 10. Mark Ski 11. Clint Fowlkes 12. Macey White 13. Beverly Cardo 14. Jane Helms 15. Neill Trimble 16. Sandy Knuth

Golf Croquet Results

Championship Doubles

Champion Flight Singles

01. Cameron Evans/Curtis Toops 02. Rick Sheely/Patrick Dugan 03. Paul Bennett/Donna Dixon 03. Patrick Sweeney/Rich Lamm 05. Nick Gray/Peter Bach 05. Mary Rodeberg/Ron Eccles

01. Jim Teel 02. Billy Harper 03. Bo Prillamin 03. Tamer Hatata 05. Billy Simmons 06. Tate Russack

The Steuber Classic February 17-24, 2021 National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, Florida American Rules Results

First Flight Singles 01. Cami Russack 02. Alex Galasso 03. Priscilla Flowers 03. Mary Galasso

Champion Flight Singles

Waterford Doubles

01. David Ekstrom 02. Jodie Rugart 03. Randy Cardo 03. Macey White 05. Dick Sullivan 06. David McCoy 06. Beverly Cardo 06. Bob Chilton 09. Sandy Knuth 10. Calvert Chaney

01. Cami Russack 02. Alex Galasso 03. Tate Russack 03. Tom Linkley 03. Paul Fecteau 06. Mary Galasso 06. Mary Churchill 08. Jodie Rugart 09. Bill Sadowski 09. Billy Harper 11. Jim Teel 12. Phil Robinson 13. Caryl Firth 14. Yen Sullivan 14. Marianne Davison 16. Tamer Hatata

First Flight Singles 01. Brian Zindel 02. Courtney Green 03. Mark Ski 03. Jeanne Branthover 05. Steve Grassbaugh 06. Clint Fowlkes 07. Missy Chilton

National Croquet Club Singles Championship February 12-14, 2021 National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, Florida Championship Flight 01. Derek Wassink 02. Randy Cardo 03. Sherif Abdelwahab 03. David McCoy 05. Richard Sullivan 05. David Ekstrom 05. Bob Chilton 05. Michael Todorovich 09. Johnny Mitchell 10. Beverly Cardo 11. Conner Helms First Flight 01. Mark Ski 02. Bill Trower 03. Sandy Knuth 03. Steve Grassbaugh 05. Lucas Van Alen 05. Jeannie Branthover 05. Betty Whitlow 05. Yen Sullivan 09. Clint Fowlkes 10. Martie Ekstrom Second Flight 01. Barry Sales 02. Carl Archiniaco 03. David Kepner 03. Brian Mitchell 05. Missy Chilton 05. Jane Helms 05. Tina Hinckley 05. Linda Grady Third Flight 01. Dennis Leddy 02. Larry Lynch 03. Rosemarie Maccario 03. Jan Fisher 05. Bob Dureya 05. Lois Sales 05. Sonia Alexandra 05. Tom Lindley

Sarasota CCC Championships Doubles February 12-13, 2021 Sarasota County Croquet Club Sarasota, Florida

Second Flight Singles

Championship Flight

01. Hal Denton 02. David Kepner 03. Jane Helms 04. Tom Lindley 05. Kathleen Green

01. Russ Cuccia/Dan Pailas 02. Matt Griffith/Merle Berkshire 03. Chris Barley/Nancy Hart 04. Webster Bull/Gene Raymond 04. Ken Northrop/Arthur Olsen 06. Walt Janitz/Sandy Janitz

42 | croquetamerica.com

First Flight 01. Michael Kline/Jim Watrous 02. Michael Kukla/Anne Kukla 03. Christine Smith/Ellie Griffith 03. Jon Ayers/Ellen Goldener 03. Dick Schleiter/Arlene Stevens 06. Roger Vorraber/Kathleen Rivers 07. Rita McNamera/Connie Coling Second Flight 01. Bob Gelineau/Jane Koziol 02. Bob Merritt/Gillian Merritt 03. Christof Weihs/Karen Weihs 04. Nona McGinnis/Nora Rainone 05. Harry Brown/Nancy Wonson 06. Maria Petrola/Linda Orff

Sarasota GC Open Shootout January 29-31, 2021 Sarasota County Croquet Club Sarasota, Florida Championship Flight 01. Daniel Pailas 02. Douglas Ledgett 03. Richard Dell 03. Robert Clark 05. Merle Berkshire 06. Ellie Griffith 06. Gene Raymond 06. Larry Beaton 09. Kevin Gralton First Flight 01. Nancy Hart 02. J. Billie Ray 03. Christof Weihs 03. Sheldon Campbell 05. Webster Bull 05. Michael Kukla 05. Diane Walker 08. Bill Simmons 09. John Ayers Second Flight 01. Russell Rose 02. Anna Campbell 02. Karen Weihs 02. John E Walker 05. Virginia Combs 06. Christine Smith 07. Daniel Long 08. Nora Rainone Third Flight 01. Kathleen Rivers 02. Ellen Nielsen 02. George Quallich 04. Robert Carroll 05. Penn Pendleton 06. Alexander Feinstein 06. Kathleen Skoog 08. Dale Skoog

newmembers ALABAMA

Mt. Brook – Mountain Brook Croquet Club

Robert Schoel Smithson Yeilding

CALIFORNIA

Rancho Mirage – Mission Hills Croquet Club

Ellis Goodman Gillian Goodman

FLORIDA

Alys Beach – At Large Member

Frank DeBartola Belleair – Belleair Country Club Croquet

Nickie Kilgore Randy Kilgore Boca Grande – Gasparilla Inn Mallet Club

Fred Allardyce Mary Bess Steve Brink Kateri Clemons Surrey Elwell Ainslye Gilligan Jamie Hawkins Terrell Hawkins Donna Lyn Hecker Ken Heimann Sandy Hemm Carole Hockman George Jenkins Ann Keefe Kay Kemper David Leathers Sandy Marx David Mota Susan O'Brien Stephen O'Brien Carl Parker Catherine Russo Brad Tate Vicki Weil Ted Welsh Donna Welsh Greg Wilson Susan Wilson Delray Beach – St. Andrews Club

Jackson Moore Fort Myers – At Large Member

Edward Mitchell Jacksonville – Florida Yacht Club, The

George Sollitt Key Largo – Ocean Reef Club

Robert Blackburn Carol Blackburn Judith Wilson

Lake Wales – Mountain Lake Croquet Club

Stuart – Mariner Sands Country Club

Mercer Barrows Joy Barrows Alan Blanchard Barbara Blanchard Barbara Blauvelt Reginald Blauvelt Patti Bostick Susan Butler Thomas Cashel Susan de St. Phalle Chip Elfner Jane Elfner Ruth Freeman Vernon Gray John Harrison Malo Harrison Lee Hilton Joan Kunzelmann Diana Line Len Line Ann Littleton Hardy Littleton Christine Malmgren Scott Malmgren Tom McCance Michael McGowan Susie McIntosh Katherine McLeod Sally O'Connor Terrance O'Connor Leigh Phillips Laura Powell Rick Powell Dot Reiser Edward Roberts Andrea Ross Larry Ross Ed Rutledge Katherine Rutledge Pat Sheppard Michael Strathearn Jeanne Strathearn Garland Tucker Greyson Tucker BJ VanderLaan John Wight Mary Wight

Kathleen Cavese Ronald Cavese

Maitland – At Large Member

Ermelinda Ginkel Naples – Wyndemere Country Club

Brooks Sellwood Susan Sellwood Osprey – Oaks Club, The

David Keeley Palm Beach – At Large Member

Marybeth Sotos Timothy Sotos Palm Beach – Beach Club, The

Jennifer Borg Thomas Volini Ponte Vedra Beach – At Large Member

Dana Beisheim

Venice – Sarasota County Croquet Club

Zona Bondar Amy Bothell Wendy Brayman Nancy Brown Christopher Darton Toni Marie Gelineau Michelle Herlihy Steve Koziak Elaine Koziak Carol McGill Joe Oteri Vero Beach – At Large Member

Susan Daniels Vero Beach – John's Island Croquet Club

David Scott Lucile Tamoney Vero Beach – Vero Beach Country Club

Les Gwyn-Williams

NEW CLUBS

Albemarle Croquet Club @ Doodle Hill Belvidere, North Carolina

High Hampton

Cashiers, North Carolina LOUISIANA

Baton Rouge – Red Stick Croquet Club

William Speaker Jayne Willingham

MAINE

Ellsworth – Woodlawn Croquet Program

Ginny Lane Jim Lane

Charlotte – At Large Member

Kendra May Addison May

Charles Hayes

Jacquie Harris Joe Harris Dan Merrill Julie Wright Tim Wright

Bluffton – Sun City Croquet Club

Barry Zimmerman

Highlands – Highlands Strikers Croquet Club

Ryan Spence

MASSACHUSETTS

Scott Lafferty

Ian Cross

Dinah Davis R. Carter Davis Dallas Denny

MICHIGAN

Winston-Salem – Arbor Acres Croquet

West Palm Beach – National Croquet Club

Christine Ansbacher Nancy Arsenault Helene Barre Camille Catania Vera Chapman Michelle Coggins Annette Colletti Jerry Colletti Phillip Crawford Todd Dahlstrom Cathy DiVosta Ann Evans Shari Gallucci Karen Gugino Shaun Henderson Elizabeth Hinckley Linda Hunt Koch Donald Kino Diane Muller Chandley Murphy Flossie Napolitano Caroline Nugent Peter Polow June Rochedieu Linda Ross Diane Sanders Michael Sanders Jean Sullivan John Sullivan Lucus Van Alen

ILLINOIS

Glencoe – At Large Member

Ellis Goodman Gillian Goodman

Ponte Vedra Beach – Ponte Vedra Croquet Club

IOWA

Carol Hager Lloyd Hager

Bret Seebeck

Colfax – At Large Member

Comstock Park – Heatherwood Hills Croquet Club

Jeremy Meyering Harbor Springs – Wequetonsing Croquet Club

Mike Quarton

NEW YORK

Locust Valley – Piping Rock Club

Owen Boger New York – New York Croquet Club

Sarah Holbrook Allen Scheuch Westhampton Beach – Westhampton Mallet Club

Ann Brun

NORTH CAROLINA Asheville – Deerfield Croquet Club

Donna Hastie William Hastie Cashiers – High Hampton

Madison Beaver James Bruns Jeremy Dockery Tracy Dockery Bryant Hare Vicki Hare Brien Peterkin Sally Peterkin Emilie Shaw J.C. Shaw Tony Snoey Neil Spradley Rae Spradley

Aiken – Green Boundary Croquet Club

Highlands – Cullasaja Club

Village of Golf – Country Club of Florida, The

Andover – At Large Member

SOUTH CAROLINA

Hilton Head – Wexford Croquet Club

TENNESSEE

Chattanooga – Lookout Battleground Croquet Club

Garnet Chapin Claire Hawley David Hawley

Dan Pearson

Nashville – At Large Member

OKLAHOMA

Mary Ella Hunt

Nichols Hills – Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club

TEXAS

Houston – Houston Croquet Association

Ford Austin Janet Cook William Cook

Patricia Wilde

VIRGINIA

Tulsa – Tulsa Croquet Club

Hartfield – Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club

Jane Boldoc Daniel Boldoc Adam Brown Stephanie Brown Dan Campbell Anna Hanson Mariah Hanson Alan Johannsen Jackie Johannsen John Maras Linda Price Nikki Price Stuart Price Mark Shannon Jim Simmons

Timothy Hasty Ken Kniceley Roy Revels

PENNSYLVANIA Clarks Green – At Large Member

Betsey Cooper Lafayette Hill – At Large Member

Bonnie Bown Ligonier – At Large Member

Carolyn Turner Christopher Turner

croquetamerica.com | 43

grandprixstandings 2021 US OVERALL GRAND PRIX TOP 60 # Player Handicap Singles 01 Randy Cardo -3 4470 02 Derek Wassink -3 2805 03 Jodie Rugart -1.5 2805 04 John O. Brown -1 4590 05 Robert Pulitzer 0 4590 06 Sherif Abdelwahab -3 2805 07 Beverley Cardo -1 3630 08 David Ekstrom -1.5 382 09 David McCoy -0.5 1642 10 Paul T. Bennett -2.5 360 11 Stewart Jackson -2 2805 12 Richard Sullivan -2 982 13 Cameron Evans 4.5 1560 14 Stephen P. Grassbaugh 3 1402 15 Russ Cuccia 0 1820 16 Daniel W. Pailas -0.5 1820 17 Patrick Sweeney -0.5 360 18 Curtis Toops 4.5 1560 19 Richard Sheely -2 840 20 Yen Sullivan 4.5 1402 21 Lucus Van Alen 3 1402 22 Macey W. White -2.5 120 23 David Isaacs -1.5 1402 24 Scott Spradling -1 1402 25 Peter Timmins 4 1402 26 Robert Van Tassell -2 1402 27 Bob Chilton -1.5 382 28 Mark Ski 3.5 180 29 Jeanne Branthover 4 742 30 Merle Berkshire 2.5 980 31 Matthew Griffith -2 980 32 Anne Licursi 7 954 33 Courtney Green 4.5 600 34 Patrick Dugan 8 840 35 Brian Zindel 4.5 180 36 Sandra Knuth 1.5 60 37 Arthur Olsen -1 592 38 Hal Denton 5 486 39 Chris Barley -2 560 40 Donna Dixon 0.5 360 41 Nancy Hart 5 560 42 William B. Trower 1 0 43 David Kepner 7 414 44 Peter Bach -0.5 120 45 Michael Todorovich -1 0 46 Tom Stoner 5 486 47 Martie Ekstrom 5 382 48 Lee Hamel 4 382 49 Kevin Hansley -0.5 382 50 Danny Huneycutt -4 382 51 Vickie Johnston 3 382 52 Missy Ramey 0.5 382 53 Conrad Rugart -0.5 382 54 David Spivey 3.5 382 55 Lynda P. Sudderberg -1 382 56 Thomas Tribby 4 382 57 John G. Watson 2.5 382 58 Craig Coats 6 378 59 Ellen Hall 5 378 60 Rich Lamm -2.5 360 Updated April 19, 2021

44 | croquetamerica.com

Doubles 3800 3400 2200 0 0 1500 600 3700 1900 2600 0 1300 416 430 0 0 1400 128 800 125 125 1400 0 0 0 0 900 960 285 0 0 0 320 32 560 550 0 99 0 200 0 550 114 400 500 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total 8270 6205 5005 4590 4590 4305 4230 4082 3542 2960 2805 2282 1976 1832 1820 1820 1760 1688 1640 1527 1527 1520 1402 1402 1402 1402 1282 1140 1027 980 980 954 920 872 740 610 592 585 560 560 560 550 528 520 500 486 432 382 382 382 382 382 382 382 382 382 382 378 378 360

2020 GOLF CROQUET OVERALL GRAND PRIX TOP 60 # Player Singles Doubles 01 Cami Russack 626 357 02 Rich Dell 911 0 03 Jim Jamison 852 0 04 Tom Lindley 511 221 05 Tate Russack 505 221 06 Billy Harper 542 127 07 Alex Galasso 307 357 08 Daniel W. Pailas 645 0 09 Jim Podraza 603 0 10 Jim Teel 416 99 11 Richard Corey 511 0 12 Nancy Hart 503 0 13 Pamela Kennelly 422 0 14 Bruce Day 422 0 15 Douglas Ledgett 407 0 16 Mary Galasso 237 164 17 Scott Spradling 385 0 18 Bill Simmons 343 0 19 Rusty Rose 335 0 20 Barbara Jamison 328 0 21 Lisa Davoli 328 0 22 Bruce Hindin 328 0 23 Cindy Howell 328 0 24 Robert Gannon 328 0 25 Edward Berge 328 0 26 Kathie Gamble 328 0 27 Gary Gamble 328 0 28 J. Billie Ray 317 0 29 Robert V. Clark 309 0 30 Sandy Knuth 297 0 31 Christof Weihs 240 0 32 Sheldon Campbell 240 0 33 Anna Campbell 207 0 34 Karen M. Weihs 207 0 35 John E. Walker 207 0 36 Tamer Hatata 171 30 37 Edmund Giancola 198 0 38 Janet Cook 198 0 39 Suzanne Spradling 197 0 40 David Paukovich 197 0 41 Merle Berkshire 196 0 42 Bo Prillaman 171 0 43 James Loftis 169 0 44 Hilary Michaels 169 0 45 Diana Robinson 169 0 46 Tom Bown 169 0 47 Mary Churchill 0 164 48 Ellie Griffith 154 0 49 Gene Raymond 154 0 50 Larry Beaton 154 0 51 Webster Bull 153 0 52 Michael Kukla 153 0 53 Diane Walker 153 0 54 Ellen K. Nielsen 136 0 55 George Quallich 136 0 56 William F. Sadowski 0 127 57 Yen Sullivan 0 99 58 Mary Ellen Gumerson 98 0 59 Ford Austin 98 0 60 Tina Day 98 0 Updated April 19, 2021

Total 983 911 852 732 726 669 664 645 603 515 511 503 422 422 407 401 385 343 335 328 328 328 328 328 328 328 328 317 309 297 240 240 207 207 207 201 198 198 197 197 196 171 169 169 169 169 164 154 154 154 153 153 153 136 136 127 99 98 98 98

USCA 2021-2022 Sanctioned Events DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, the tournment calendar is rapidly changing. For the most up-to-date event listings, please check www.croquetamerica.com/calendar/tournaments/. Entry forms to USCA events will now be emailed to members and can also be found on the USCA website at: www.croquetamerica.com/members/forms/ or call the USCA office (561) 478-0760 for a copy.

May

August

5/6/21 - 5/9/21

8/5/21 - 8/8/21

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

Buffalo Croquet Club/Delaware Park | Buffalo, NY Ryan Thompson | 716-697-4111 | thompson77@gmail.com

NC Open | AC

Buffalo Croquet Club 5th Annual 6W Invitational | US

5/13/21 - 5/15/21

8/5/2021 - 8/8/2021

Highland Falls Country Club | Highlands, NC Onifer Wilmoth | 828-487-4130 | owilmoth@clubfcc.com

Westhampton Mallet Club | Westhampton, NY Randy Cardo | 631-902-5678 | randy.cardo@gmail.com

The Falls Spring GC Open | GC

Westhampton Mallet Club Invitational | US

5/20/21 - 5/23/21

8/13/21 - 8/15/21

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

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

Rockfish Open | GC

8th Annual Rochester Invitational | US

5/29/21 - 5/31/21

8/27/2021 - 8/29/2021

Multiple Clubs | Western North Carolina Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

Green Gables Croquet Club | Sea Girt, NJ

USCA Golf Croquet Eights | GC 5/20/21 - 5/23/21

Indian Territory Open | US

LaFortune Park | Tulsa, OK Bob Baker | 913-747-0214 | baker111@tulsacoxmail.com

June 6/5/21

National Croquet Day 6/10/21 - 6/13/21

USCA Southeast 6W Regional | US

Pinehurst Country Club | Pinehurst, NC Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

6/10/21 - 6/13/21

Berkshire Invitational | US

Lenox Croquet Club | Lenox, MA David Ekstrom | 413-230-6122 | drekstrom@hotmail.com Practice available June 9th

USCA Mid-Atlantic Regional | AC

September 9/1/21 - 9/5/21

USCA Golf Croquet National Championship | GC

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

9/8/21- 9/12/21

Woodlawn Big Lobster | US

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

9/9/21 - 9/12/21

NC State Singles Championship | US

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

9/16/21 - 9/19/21

Sissor Tail Oklahoma Championship | US

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

6/17/21 - 6/20/21

9/22/21 - 9/26/21

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

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

Woodlawn Invitational | US

31st Pinehurst Invitational | US

6/18/2021-6/21/2021

9/23/2021-9/26/2021

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

New York State Golf Croquet Championship | GC

July

The Osborn Cup | US 9/30/21 - 10/3/21

Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab | US

7/7/2021-7/11/2021

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

Green Gables Croquet Club | Sea Girt, NJ Loretta Cooper | Loretta@coopergroupnj.com

October

Green Gables Invitational | US 7/24/2021-7/25/2021

10/1/21 - 10/3/21

New York Croquet Club | New York, NY Timothy Rapuano | in9inches@gmail.com

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

The Tiger Wicket | US

NCC Club Singles Golf Croquet | GC

croquetamerica.com | 45

10/5/21 - 10/7/21

USCA American Rules School | US

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

Have you ever walked on the croquet court and wondered what to do?! It’s not uncommon! Over the years, as a Croquet Tournament Director and Instructor, I have watched many games which have informed me what to teach when working with aspiring players.

10/7/21 - 10/10/21

NC State Golf Croquet Open Championship | GC Bald Head Island | Bald Head Island, NC Mike Taylor | 910-986-3343 | Taylor1022@gmail.com

10/10/21 - 10/16/21

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

10/13/21 - 10/15/21

Pinehurst Club Singles Championship | US

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

PLEASE CHECK IT OUT AT:

HTTPS://BOBCROQUET.COM/STRATEGY_INFO.HTM

10/21/21 - 10/24/21

Women's Golf Croquet Open | GC

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

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

10/26/21 - 10/27/21

USCA Association Laws School | AC

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

10/28/21 - 10/31/21

Selection Eights | AC

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

November

11/2/21 - 11/4/21

USCA American Rules School | US

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

Reach Your Target 2020 Volume

ews CroquetNews CroquetN The Official

REMEM

Magazine

BERIN

of the United

States Croquet

Association

2020 Volume 3

The Official Magazine

2019 Volume

of the United States Croquet Association

CroquetNews The Official

Magazine

of the United

States Croquet

Association

2020

Volume

11/5/21 - 11/7/21

Country Club of Jackson 6W Invitational | US

CroquetN

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

The Offic

ial Maga

zine

of the

Unite

d State

s Croq

ews

uet Assoc

iation

11/5/21 - 11/7/21

Plantation Foundation GC Benefit Open | GC

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

NE FRED JO

11/10/21 - 11/14/21 Fall Issue

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

World Cham pio

CRO IN T HE

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TIME

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

Upcoming Ad/Copy Deadlines

2021 August Digital Only Issue (Fall) – 07/16/21 2021 November Issue (Winter) – 10/29/21

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

46 | croquetamerica.com

USCA Seniors Masters Championship | US

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

11/30/21 - 12/4/21

US Open | AC

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

December

12/1/21 - 12/2/21

USCA Golf Croquet School | GC

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

12/3/21 - 12/5/21

Golf Croquet Club Teams | GC

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

12/10/21 - 12/12/21

NCC Club Doubles American Rules | US

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

NEED HELP? 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 Wine and Cheese Party on last day of school

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

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

Golf Croquet

December 1-2, 2021

Association Laws October 26-27, 2021

PRIVATE GROUP PROGRAM

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

Registration is easy. Just go to our website www.croquetamerica.com and find the event on our calendar. Click on the event and it will take you to the registration link. Contact the USCA office for more information 561-478-0760 or email tournament@uscroquet.com

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