GC Club Teams Continues rapid rise

December event had 22 clubs and 112 participants

It is widely accepted that golf croquet has forever changed the playing field for croquet. At the entry-level, it is accessible to all and social at its core. It has attracted legions of new players to croquet and revitalized the membership roles of many clubs. Women who play golf croquet can wear the same dresses as tennis players because they don’t have to bend down as frequently. Many more husband-and-wife teams are found in six wicket croquet — polite gentility at its finest.

But do not be fooled. Serious golf croquet players need serious stamina (on their feet for the entire length of the game), play-byplay strategy (not the rhythmic order of the 4-ball break) and, literally, every shot matters. The best players have spot-on position shots from across the court, laser-like long-distance roquets, crisp stun shots and impressive jump shots. Although an atmosphere of sociability is on the surface, it is really a cut-throat, baby-sharkmeets-flipper kind of game.

Held December 2-4, 2022, at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, the 2022 USCA Golf Croquet Club teams event was the largest to date, with 112 scheduled participants and 22 clubs represented. Division III boasted the most clubs, nearly equaling the number of Divisions I and II combined. Ten double-banked courts were employed from early morning until late afternoon each day.

Ocean Reef Club

Every table on the NCC porch was decorated in club “swag,” and club flags proudly proclaimed their presence on the lawn. As always, the hospitality of the NCC staff and the quality of food, beverage and service proffered by in-house caterer Sandy James was top-notch.

The Springs Croquet Club

The tournament was preceded by a two-day Golf Croquet School, staffed by three of the most prominent players and teachers in the sport: Debbie Davidoff, Bo Prillaman and Priscilla Flowers.

Participants had all accolades for the well-planned curriculum and friendly instructors. The USCA and all players appreciated the kind donations by Caryl Firth and Priscilla Flowers toward the opening reception and other tournament expenses.

Bill Simmons, Bev Cardo, Preston Sturt, Lynn Epstein, Michael Miller, Carla Rueck

For a game that the players all take very seriously, a lot of laughter and hijinks were still on the court and off. Anne Killelea of Wyndemere is sure magic was going on in some games; balls that inexplicably found their way around other balls in their paths. Nancy McMahon of Green Gables made two wickets in one stroke, the shot of a lifetime.

Carla Rueck, Debbie Davidoff, Earle Mauldin, Preston Stuart

The tournament committee, Tom and Loretta Cooper, Priscilla Flowers and Carla Rueck, as well as USCA staffers Johnny Mitchell and Ursula Peck, were grateful for the patience and flexibility demonstrated by all, as life threw some now common hurdles in the way. COVID had some players drop out at the last minute, and a massive traffic snarl on I-95 delayed the arrival of 10 players for the first round on day one. Tightly seeded blocks made for excellent head-to-head competition and many were decided by the 75-minute time limit, rather than a score of seven. Almost every team in the quarterfinals was determined by net points.

Bill Simmons, Bev Cardo, David Scott, Jack Rush, Preston Stuart, Carla Rueck

When all 175 games were played, the dust finally settled and the USCA officials donned their navy blazers, the winning teams were declared and trophies were awarded. In the Second Flight, it was the team of Lynn Epstein/Michael Miller over Mike Anthony/Kevin Killilea. In First Flight, it was the team of Jack Rush/ David Scott getting past the husband-wife team of Laura and Kendall Hendrick. And in Championship Flight? The team of Debbie Davidoff/Earle Mauldin had a narrow victory over Tim Cavers/Bill Simmons.

But this was the Club Teams, so while individual team play was important, the top eight teams in each division contributed points toward their teams’ overall scores. Which teams came out on top?

Division III: Ocean Reef with 16 points and second place Milwaukee with two points.

Division II: The Plantation at Ponte Verde with 28 points and second place John’s Island with 18 points.

Division I: The National Croquet Club with 36 points and second place went to Wyndemere with 12 points.

If you have not yet made it to Florida for a big USCA tournament, the Golf Croquet Club teams could be the one for you. December weather in West Palm Beach is “just right:” not too hot, not too cold. You will encounter some players you know, some “croquet celebrities” you have only read about in the Croquet News and you’ll have the opportunity to meet many new and interesting players from around the country.

Jack Rush

Final Order

Championship Flight

01. Debbie Davidoff/Earle Mauldin

02. Tim Cavers/Bill Simmons

03. Jim Teel/Chris Barley

04. Kent Lovvorn/Dallas Denny

05. Cheryl Bromley/Vernon Pierce

06. Tate Russack/Cami Russack

07. Terry Howatt/Tom Lindley

08. Marcus Stearns/MaryCarol Stearns

09. Todd Russell/Lee Yeilding

10. Kenny Lovett/Katharine Jones

11. Leo McBride/Clint Fowlkes

12. Alex Galasso/Priscilla Flowers

13. Cecil Creasey Jr./Susan Creasey

14. Chris Morris/Beverley Cardo

15. Clint Dawkins/Lynn McCann

16. James Creasey/Chad Mahan

FIRST FLIGHT

01. Jack Rush/David Scott

02. Laura Hendrick/Kendall Hendrick

03. Devin Burress/Steve Tasker

04. Michael Gibbons/Patricia Duncan

05. Robert Hamilton/Mary Anne Hamilton

06. Ivo Dentchev/Brian Mitchell

07. David Kepner/Ralph Worthington

08. Mike Hatcher/James Welch

09. Lori Matway/Brand Shank

10. Phil Emond/Woody Whitchurch

11. Bruce Hindin/Neill Trimble

12. Calvert Chaney/Liddy Chaney

13. Anita Huber/Dana Beisheim

14. Jeff Smith/Gail Barley

15. John Joseph/Jicham Zaatini

16. Linda Merk/Gregory Anderson

17. Ann Carr/Jeff Morrison

18. Caryl Firth/Mary Galasso

19. Candice Kehoe/Kevin O’Driscoll

20. Sue Emond/JoAnne Hofmann

21. Edward Berge/Larry Lynch

22. Lawrence Crimmins/Jan Fisher

23. Suzanne Turner/Phil Robinson

24. Mary-Stewart Regensburg/Don Tortorice

Second Flight

01. Lynn Epstein/Michael Miller

02. Mike Anthony/Kevin Killilea

03. Howard Glicken/Barbara Glicken

04. Kelly Callahan/Debbie Martin

05. Gregg Wechsler/George Howard

06. Jennifer Joseph/Susan Donovan

07. Jay Carey/Jodie Payne

08. Pat Richmond/Nancy McMahon

09. Pamela Wilson/George Mason

10. Mary Ellen Keating/Chris Ordway

11. Matt Fitzgerald/Shirley Fitzgerald

12. Frances Anthony/Anne Killilea

13. Frank Merschman/Sheila Peterson

14. Mark Visk/Becky Myers

15. Joyce Kurtz/Knute Kurtz