2022 Florida 9W Regional

from 2022 Croquet News Volume 4: Essick Interview

Matthew Essick Interview

TROWER CLAIMS FLORIDA NINE WICKET REGIONAL

By John Warlick

The USCA 2022 Florida Regional Nine Wicket Tournament was held October 14-16 on the “Palm Courts” with long grass in the back of the National Croquet Center. The event was hosted again this year by the National Croquet Club with both championship and first flights. The turnout was larger than last year but still light. However, all games in the two flights were competitive with a challenging atmosphere in both the singles and doubles competitions.

Thursday afternoon was practice with a cocktail reception/meeting for players and guests in the NCC Clubhouse Bar. A great shoutout to Michael Gibbons for sponsoring the reception.

The tournament was delighted to have nine wicket representation from the Harleysville Croquet Club. Participants Gary Volpe and Brad Smith came down from Pennsylvania with their wives Janet and Sandy.

Friday was doubles play all day ending at the early evening participants’ dinner with cocktails on the outside terrace at the Raindancer Steakhouse in West Palm Beach. Everyone seemed to enjoy the day. S

aturday was all singles play with competitive battles on the four “Palm Courts.” A heavy mid-morning rain caused a three-hour delay in both flights of the round-robin. The Florida sun came back out and the tournament got back on schedule to establish the playoffs for Sunday.

The Sunday morning semifinals were exciting, as were the finals. First Flight doubles competition was extremely tight with Smith and Volpe outlasting Nancy Sansalone and Gail Warlick. Championship doubles was a fight, but a long roquet from Bill Trower settled things down and allowed Trower and John Warlick to shut down Morrison and Tribby for the win. In singles, Volpe won First Flight with a payback win over Gail Warlick while Jim and Nancy Sansalone sorted out third place. Trower put a serious stop to Warlick’s undefeated round-robin play by soundly beating him in the championship final.

As always, the steadfast support from USCA representatives Ursula Peck and Johnny Mitchell is greatly appreciated.

Friday and Saturday lunches at the NCC were provided by the superb SandyJames catering team. Useable trophies from Tervis Tumbler were well received by all players. Congrats to all participants and guests!