Brian Hovis

Age: 48

Home Base: Louisa, Kentucky

Home Club: Sarasota County Croquet Club

Grip: Solomon

Mallet:

Trimmer, 12-inch head, 34-inch shaft, 2lb 14oz

Years playing croquet: 6

Favorite Venue: Pinehurst Croquet Club

Favorite Tournament: The Jones Invitational

How did you get into the game?

In 1999, my wife April and I were dating. One Saturday afternoon, we were hanging out at her house. Her dad came inside and said, “hey you two, come outside.” We went outside, and there it was … a nine-wicket croquet court. April was not thrilled; she didn’t share the same passion for the game as her dad. That Saturday afternoon, I was taught how to play and immediately fell in love with the game. Fast forward 17 years, I thought I knew everything there was to know, and I wanted to play more than once a year at family cookouts. In 2016, I discovered the USCA, but soon realized the game I learned to play was not the game of choice. They didn’t play with nine hoops and two stakes, the mallets were huge and the hoops were just barely wide enough for the ball to fit through. I began studying the American Six Wicket rulebook and watched YouTube videos. I bought one of those “big” mallets and a couple of regulation balls. I started working on my swing and practicing the set shots. I joined the USCA and in January of 2017, I played my first game of American Six Wicket Rules Croquet.

Croquet Highlights/Wins:

All wins feel the same, all are special and every tournament I enter is memorable. But the one tournament that has meant the most to me is my very first — the 2017 USCA Singles Open Championship (Fourth Flight). I had only watched YouTube videos and practiced roll shots in the yard. I studied the game and read the rulebook over and over. I remember thinking before the tournament, “Gosh, I sure hope I don’t get embarrassed.” I didn’t know if I was going to be good enough to play with the folks who had access to a court. By the end of the tournament, I lost only one match and won the championship game. I was beyond thrilled and at that point I knew I was good enough and my tournament career took off.

Favorite Sports Team:

USA MacRobertson Shield Team and any other team that begins with USA.

Pop Culture Favorites: Anything from the 80’s

What is the best thing the USCA has done for croquet:

Made it virtual. If not for the internet I would have never discovered the croquet community. YouTube offers free croquet lessons, and the USCA website made it easy for me to find clubs. In addition, it provided me with the ability to connect with other members who share the same passion.

What is the USCA’s greatest weakness:

Recruiting young players. We need more collegiate players to become obsessed with this sport.

What would you like to see happen in this sport over the next 10 years?

More collegiate level events and cash prizes. If you have a money tournament, more people will come.

What have you learned from croquet?

Age takes your hearing, vision and mobility; but no matter how old you are, you never lose your competitive spirit.

Quick croquet tip:

Never turn down the opportunity to play someone better than you. I’ve learned more from losing than winning.