Spring Season Loaded with Croquet

Recently I had the pleasure of attending some events that underlined the enjoyment, fun and wide appeal of croquet as a game for all ages.

Firstly, the 39th Annapolis Cup, which is an annual challenge between the United States Navy Academy and St. John’s College, both located in the idyllic City of Annapolis. Distinguished representatives included Nora Demleitner, President of St. John’s College, Annapolis; Vice Admiral Sean Buck, Superintendent of the US Naval Academy; and Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley. This event has developed over the years into a tradition with a significant following and strong local interest. An indication of the appeal is that attendance has been limited to approximately 5,000 spectators. The mix of croquet, spring weather and a fun festive garden party vibe can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/820994957.

Secondly, the inaugural USCA Georgia Cup, which was hosted by Peachtree Hills Place in Buckhead, Atlanta. The event was a gathering of Georgia club teams from Lenbrook, Carrol County, Jekyll Island and Peachtree Hills Place Croquet Club. A mix of experienced and relatively new players attended and the participants ranged in age from late 20s to 80s. In the final club match, Carroll County Croquet Players bested the Jekyll Island Croquet Club (three games to one), however, the real winner was the growing croquet community in Georgia. The assembled club team members enjoyed meeting new players and camaraderie typical of croquet across the U.S. While these events were happening, they provided bookends for the 2023 USCA Association Croquet National Championship played at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. These events contrasted playing surfaces from manicured greensward to long grass, elite-level experience to relatively new skill levels and participation from all genders and ages. Such is the broad range of croquet as a game for all.

The USCA has been making concerted efforts to provide resources at a local club level to meet the wide range and contrast in play across the country. The Education Committee has initiated a USCA Club Designated Coach Program for American Six Wicket play and recent changes have been made to the Golf Croquet Instructor Certification Process.

The USCA recently launched CroquetNow, a game tracking, handicap and ranking system available to every member through their USCA memberships. It provides a fun way to track improvement, record games and view past results, handicaps and rankings within your club, district, region and nationally, in both singles and doubles, in all the main types of croquet (AC, GC, A6W, 9W). If you have not explored this system I encourage you to do so.

Thank you for your support of the USCA through your membership. Let’s keep the ball rolling!

Damon Bidencope

Proud USCA Member / USCA President

President@croquetamerica.com / www.croquetamerica.com