2023 Croquet News Volume 1: US Hall of Fame

CroquetNews

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USCA Game-Tracking App Is Near

Welcome to 2023, and Happy New Year to all USCA members.

This time of year is often aligned with reflection on the past year and forward planning (resolutions) for the coming year. We typically make personal goals around health, fitness, family and personal relationships, etc. In the following, I reflect on some past items and mention some resolutions about the USCA’s own health, fitness and goals toward improvement in 2023.

In the last year, the USCA membership grew 9.79 percent (January 2022 to January 2023). While this was slightly less than the prior twelve-month period, it does indicate the overall trajectory and health of the USCA is very positive. At this rate, we would double our membership in seven years. Let’s all make it happen in five … we can do it! Invite your friends to enjoy the fun, play croquet and support the USCA through their memberships so we can further develop and promote croquet across the United States. Growing our membership means the USCA can have the resources to make your croquet experience better.

Over the past year, the “USCA Croquet” YouTube channel continued to grow in subscribers and importantly and purposely in the breath of content for members to enjoy. If you have not subscribed, please do (it is free). Increasing the count helps the channel further develop.

While on the subject of growing, it should be noted that the Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club (CBCC), one of the more active croquet clubs, became the “largest croquet venue in the world” now with 24 full-size croquet courts. Yes, that is not a typo! The recently added 16 “additional” courts will be well established by the spring. The club has graciously offered the courts to the USCA for major events and the 2023 USCA GC National Championship will be played at CBCC September 18-24 this year. If you enjoy top-level GC, I recommend adding this event to your croquet schedule as a must-play item. If not, plan a visit and participate in one of the other available events offered by CBCC; enjoy the charm of the Chesapeake Bay area and then subsequently enjoy the boasting rights to having played at the largest croquet venue in the world!

Significant expansion plans are also underway at Sarasota Croquet Club in Venice, Fla., and the Croquet Foundation of America in West Palm Beach has secured 2.3 acres of property adjoining the National Croquet Center.

Looking ahead, the USCA will be the host for three World Croquet Federation Championships in the 2024-2025 period. This is exciting and a wonderful opportunity for all members

to see the strongest players in our sport test their skills “on a home field.” More details about these world championships will be coming in the months ahead.

All the above is rather grand and positive but it is not as impactful and relevant to every single member of the USCA croquet community as the next item, which is the equivalent to the massive diet and fitness resolutions or change of lifestyle goals that many have made with the New Year. I am, however, more confident with this goal/resolution even though it is still a daunting one.

Over the next few months, we will be implementing a web-based game tracking, handicap and ranking system. It will be available to every member through the USCA membership platform. It provides a fun way to track improvement, view and record past results and view rankings within a club, a district, a region, a nation, in both singles and doubles. Members can do this in any or all the main types of croquet (AC, GC, A6W, 9W). The system will provide individual players with useful information to track their improvement and search for similar-level players to enjoy a well-matched game. Croquet clubs can more easily arrange draws and hi/lo events using this system. It will be just as useful to the casual group of croquet enthusiasts that only play in the backyard, local social club players and the more competitive tiers in the sport. This places the USCA and this information literally in the palm of your hand on your croquet lawn, wherever you are in the country and every time you play. It is ambitious, like any major resolution we may have made as the ball dropped.

We have been working on this initiative for some time. This is part of the continuing effort the USCA makes to all our members and the genuine resolution to work to improve every member’s fun and enjoyment in croquet every day!

I wish every member great success, fun and enjoyment with their croquet throughout the coming year. Let’s keep the ball rolling!

Damon Bidencope

Proud USCA Member / USCA President President@croquetamerica.com / www.croquetamerica.com

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Dylan Goodwin | croquetnetwork@gmail.com

Managing Editor

Julie Jantzer-Ward | uscacroquetnews@yahoo.com

Submissions

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. The 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.

© 2023 United States Croquet Association

TheClubhouse

USCA Announces Croquet Week 2023

The United States Croquet Association (USCA) is thrilled to announce the dates for Croquet Week 2023, taking place March 10-19, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Fla. The nine-day event will feature a variety of competitions and activities for croquet enthusiasts of all skill levels.

The fun begins with the highly-anticipated Croquet Week Golf Croquet Tournament on March 10-12, a singles-only event that has grown in popularity with tough competition. This will be followed by the ever-popular Club Teams and St. Patrick’s Day celebration on March 16-19, where participants can display their club flags and show their club pride in this doubles-only club rivalry.

For the first time ever, the USCA is offering the opportunity to play under the lights on Thursday, March 17. Lights will be rented for the courts and volunteers are encouraged to participate. As a special bonus, those who choose to play on Thursday night will not have to play on Thursday morning, allowing them to arrange their travel plans accordingly.

In addition to Thursday Night Lights, the USCA will also be hosting a pizza party and fun and games organized by Karen Heckman on March 17. Our Treasurer, David Isaacs, is sponsoring a few pies and challenging others to sponsor a few to see who makes the best pizza.

USCA Annual Silent Auction to Return

The USCA is excited to announce the annual Silent Auction, a fun and exciting event that raises funds for the organization. The auction is scheduled for Wednesday, March 15, 2023, and will be held during Croquet Week. The USCA is soliciting contributions for the auction and is asking for the public’s help in donating items. Past successful items include tournament entries, croquet lessons, framed paintings, vases, wine baskets, jewelry, pottery and croquet memorabilia. All donations are tax-deductible.

“We are thrilled to host our annual Silent Auction and are grateful for the support we receive from the USCA members,” says USCA Membership/ Office Manager, Ursula Peck. “This event is a great way to raise funds for the organization while also having a fun and enjoyable time.”

To donate items or for more information, please contact the USCA office at 561.478.0760 or membership@uscroquet.com. The USCA team will be happy to pick up any donated items.

Annual Meeting and Awards

On Wednesday, March 15, the USCA will be hosting its Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, which will be a hybrid event and can be watched on our YouTube Channel managed by Russ Dilley. The Annual Meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the Awards will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Anyone who plays in either tournament will be given free entry into the Awards dinner, which will be a buffet, as long as they RSVP so we can gather an accurate headcount. Non-tournament players can attend the dinner for $50. Everyone is invited to the Annual Meeting for free! Hear from our President, Damon Bidencope, and learn about all the exciting activities happening at the USCA and around the country.

PASSAGES

J. Gary Bennett At Large Member

Rich Dell Wildcat Cliffs Country Club, Inc, Sarasota County Croquet Club, Bonita Bay Club

Cathy DiVosta ................ National Croquet Club

Bob Duryea .............Westhampton Mallet Club, National Croquet Club

Cam Evans Mission Hills Croquet Club

Robert Morford Mission Hills Croquet Club

Phyllis Phillips Hammock Dunes Croquet Club

Donald Warren .............. National Croquet Club

Lines is 2023 Women’s AC World Champion

In a back-and-forth finals match held on January 13, 2023, in Christchurch, New Zealand, Debbie Lines defeated Gabrielle Higgins, by a score of 26-3, 19-22, 22-11, to claim the 2023 WCF Women’s AC World Championship.

The all-England final provided an entertaining and interactive match, with both players showing great skill and determination. Lines took the first game by a convincing score of 26-3, but Higgins fought back in the second, narrowly winning 22-19 as the game timed out. Lines took the decider 22-11 in another timed-out game to claim the world title.

Lines is only the third winner of the event, following Miranda Chapman (ENG) in 2015 and Jenny Clarke (NZL) in 2012.

The women’s world championship featured 40 of the top female croquet players worldwide. Dawn Jupin and Sandra Knuth represented the USCA in the event. Linda Sudderberg was also supposed to play but issues with a visa kept her out. Knuth had planned to play in the qualifier, but that was canceled and she was invited to play in the main event. Overall, on the event, she says, “Everyone felt gratitude for being able to play in such a special event … Chris Clarke, tournament manager extraordinaire, did a superb job and never raised an eyebrow of misery as piles of people inundated with constant questions. Great volunteers … suboptimal playing conditions, no problem! The courts were dead and frictionless as glass for the most part, despite lots of rain. Mud patches were a common feature as well! And those bouncy Quadways. Yikes!”

Both U.S. players went 2-7 in block play with Knuth almost notching a third victory, but she fell in a close 23-22 loss to Jane Morrison of Ireland, who’s played in 957 career AC games and has 440 wins. In block play for the plate, Jupin was able to go 2-2, but that wasn’t enough to make the knockout. Along with Knuth, who was 0-4 in the plate, she played in the Consolation Prize Group and went 2-1, which got her into the Consolation Group Knockout. There she fell in the first round 11-19 to Erica Malaiperuman of England, but finished the event with a 6-10 overall game record.

USCA Management Committee

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

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

Florida Bill Simmons floridarvp@uscroquet.com

Mid-Atlantic Beverley Cardo midatlanticrvp@uscroquet.com

Midwest Russell S. Dilley midwestrvp@uscroquet.com

Northeast Preston Stuart northeastrvp@uscroquet.com

Southeast Linda Trifone southeastrvp@uscroquet.com

Western Patrick Sweeney westernrvp@uscroquet.com

USCA STAFF

Office Manager Ursula Peck membership@uscroquet.com

Tournament & Schools

Johnny Mitchell tournament@uscroquet.com

USCA MEMBERSHIP DUES

Effective, April 1, 2023, membership dues are as follows:

$125.00 — Club Dues

$75.00 Individual Dues

Knuth was 1-2 in the Consolation Prize Group and finished the event 3-13 overall. In response the overall event experience Jupin says, sport brings people together in a positive way. No matter what the outcome, it's all a stepping stone to this wonderful adventure, called life! I made so many wonderful connections, new friends, and reunited with some too. I am so grateful for this opportunity I have been given, and look forward to the next adventure!

$25.00 Juniors (25 years and younger)

$135.00 Couple Dues (must reside at the same address)

International members, please add an additional $15.00

View all the event scores at: https://croquetscores. com/2023/ac/3rd-wcfwomens-world-championship

New Membership Coordinator Stephanie Lutge croquetoffice@uscroquet.com

United States Croquet Association (USCA) 700 Florida Mango Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406

Tel. (561) 478-0760

Fax (561) 686-5507

www.CroquetAmerica.com

England Claims 2022 MacRobertson Shield Title

England put on an impressive display in the 2022 edition of the MacRobertson Shield World Team Association Croquet Championship to go 3-0 and claim its 14th title in the event series (including wins under the banner of Great Britain). The event was held at the Victorian Croquet Centre in Cairnle, Australia, November 12-29, and featured closely contested matches on difficult lawn conditions with high winds and tight hoops affecting play.

England’s march to the Shield title came with victories over the U.S. (16-5) and New Zealand (11-10) in rounds one and two. That led up to a final round test with 2-0 host Australia to determine the overall champion. Heading into the final day, England held a commanding 10-5 lead, needing only one more match victory to claim the Shield. English veteran player Mark Avery ensured that the English team would avoid any last-minute drama as he defeated Australia’s Edward Wilson in two straight games in the first match to conclude for the day. The final tally ended up 13-8 for England and gave the team their first win in the series (played roughly every four years) since 2010. New Zealand took third place by virtue of an 9-5 victory over the U.S., which ended the event 0-3. Jamie Burch was a stand-out player for England as he won all of his matches in both doubles and singles and became only the second player in history to accomplish this feat.

From the Team USA perspective, the Matthew Essick/Zack Watson duo lead the way with a 6-2 record in tests and a 13-8 tally in game wins. Essick had eight triples in the event and a TPO. Tom Balding and Watson each had triples as well.

Looking back on the event, MacRob veteran Jeff Soo, says, “The best aspect of our team’s performance is that everyone stayed positive and supportive no matter what. This is a brutally stressful event, especially when your team’s not winning test matches, and teams can fall apart under that stress.”

When asked about highlights, he went on to say, “All our players had plenty of great moments. I was especially impressed by Stephen’s win against Ed Wilson. Playing on a difficult lawn in a howling wind, he rose to the occasion and to that next level of play. For the event as a whole, the most impressive feat was Jamie Burch’s perfect 15-0 record, capped off by beating world #1 Robert Fletcher on the final day.”

The 2022 MacRobertson Shield can be revisited through highlights on the WCF YouTube Channel, with the full event available to watch on MySportLive. Complete results can be accessed on www.CroquetScores.com.

2022 MACROBERTSON SHIELD EVENT SCORES

MACROB CHAMPIONS

2022 England

2017 Australia

2013 New Zealand

2010 Great Britain

2006 Great Britain

2003 Great Britain

2000 Great Britain

1996 Great Britain

1993 Great Britain

1990 Great Britain

1986 New Zealand

1982 Great Britain

1979 New Zealand

1974 Great Britain

1969 England

1963 England

1956 England

1950 New Zealand

1937 England

1935 Australia

1930 Australia

1927 Australia

1925 England

2023 WCF Women’s GCWC Set for West Sussex

The World Croquet Federation (WCF) is excited to announce the upcoming WCF Women’s GC World Championship, set to take place August 7-14, 2023, at the Sussex County Croquet Club in West Sussex, England.

The event will have a capacity of 56 players and the anticipated entry fee for the tournament is £136 per player, based on a rate of £17 per player per day for nine days.

The WCF has indicated the 56 placements available will be decided as follows:

• 24 Full Member Places

• 4 Associate Member Places

• 4 RCO Places

• 2 Wild Cards

• 4 Qualifier Places

• 18 Ranking Places

The U.S. will be allowed two member places. The U.S. did not have any players in the ranking place list published on January 26, 2023. A qualifying tournament will be held from August 3-5, 2023, at Eastbourne, Sussex. More information on how to enter the qualifier will be available at a later date.

Australia to Host 2023 GC Over 50’s World Championship

The 2023 Golf Croquet Over 50’s World Championship will take place in Western Australia October 14-21, 2023. The event will be held at two venues, the Moorabinda Croquet Club (MCC) in Bunbury and the Bunbury Tennis Club (BTC) just over the road. There are six courts at Moorabinda and two at the Bunbury tennis club.

The capacity for this event is 48 players. The anticipated entry fee is £136 per player. There will be two qualifying tournaments. ne qualifier will be held at the Cambridge Croquet Club, October 8-11, 2023, in Western Australia. The other qualifier will be held in Cairnlea, Victoria, September 26-28, 2023, in Eastern Australia. If extra places for the main event become available after the main cut-off date of August 27, they will all come from the West Coast qualifier.

The format for the event will be block play with eight blocks of six players. The top four players in each block will advance to the Knockout Stage, which will comprise 32 players. The hoops utilized for the event will be Atkins Quadways.

Players should submit their availability to their Member Governing Body in accordance with their published entry method. Successful entrants should note that contact details, a photograph and a short bio for the program, must be provided to the Secretary-General as per the published timetable. For more information on the 2023 Golf Croquet Over 50’s World Championship, visit: www.worldcroquet.org/2023-gc-over-50schampionship-entry-information/.

Sponsorship Opportunities

The USCA is always trying to make our events more meaningful and maintain their affordability. Listed below are a few ways you can help support these events:

Gold sponsor: $25,000

Tournament Director and Managers: $3,000

Opening Reception: $2,500

Lunches: $1,500 each day

Finals Brunch: $3,000

Beverage Station: $1,500

Sponsor a court: $750

Trophies: $500

The USCA is also bringing back its silent auction, featuring various nostalgic items from the USCA’s inventory. Come prepared to bring home a piece of croquet history.

HALL OF FAME GALA 2022

On November 18, 2022, the United States Croquet Hall of Fame inducted its two newest members, David R. Ekstrom and Jacques Fournier, during the Croquet Foundation of America’s (CFA) 2022 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala. The event was held at the National Croquet Center (NCC) on a warm and still Friday evening in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The evening began with cocktails from an open bar and elegant hors d’oeuvres served inside the NCC, the site of much postpandemic mingling. Attendees were ushered to the south veranda for the induction ceremony, an area taking full advantage of ambient illumination provided by the night’s stars and lighting from a nearby south court. The master of ceremonies for the induction was David McCoy, Chairman of the CFA.

The first inductee was David R. Ekstrom, a longtime member of the Lenox Croquet Club in Massachusetts. Ekstrom was presented by his club friend and colleague Rita McNamara, who gave a light-hearted but touching account of Ekstrom’s many outstanding contributions to the sport over 25 years, as a regional president, club president, tournament manager and college croquet coach.

Ekstrom’s acceptance speech was humble and humorous. Ekstrom pivoted away from his contributions to the sport, and instead focused on his playing ethos. He described the seminal moment in his playing career when, after playing conservatively in a doubles game, he went on the attack in last turns and played well. His partner later asked him, “Why wait ‘till the end of the game to get aggressive?” That moment gave birth to Ekstrom’s “see ball, hit ball” spirit. Once when asked by an assigned doubles partner to describe his playing style, Ekstrom responded, “Reckless abandon.”

Jackie Jones once told Ekstrom, “You make great shots, but play stupid.” Years later Ekstrom took it as high praise when Jones told him, “You don’t play stupid anymore.”

The second inductee was Jacques Fournier, the first American to make the finals of the British Open and later to win a world croquet championship. Fournier was presented by his friend, the author, who summarized his brilliant playing career thusly: “For 10 years, Jacques was the best breathing American croquet player,

and from the standpoint of time, he is one of but a handful of the greatest ever American croquet players.”

In his acceptance speech, Fournier proudly described his greatest playing achievements, in a career that began when he was 11 and led to him winning the world championship at age 17. Fournier closed his speech by thanking the many whom he believed helped him most in his croquet career, including his grandfather, parents, brothers, mentors, college coach and teammates on U.S. National Teams with whom he competed in international events.

Before the inductees were given their coveted red jackets, McCoy announced the CFA’s ambitious program to raise $6 million in cash and commitments over the next three to five years for major renovations to the NCC, including adding six more courts; acquiring adjoining property to build more courts, offices and shaded parking; new court lighting; major upstairs renovations, including building a second-floor veranda and bar; and an electronic recognition wall in the firstfloor central area. McCoy announced that more than $3 million has already been committed and enough cash raised to facilitate prompt plans for the court expansion.

The gala was cheery and festive. Dinner tables were arrayed on the east veranda overlooking the main croquet courts, and the menu featured steak, salmon and vegetables, finished with a crème brulee dessert. A DJ played a popular dance mix under a canopy adjoining the veranda, with serious dancing beginning after dinner, when Dr. Sandra Knuth went onto the dance floor while encouraging others to join her. Dancing under the canopy and stars continued until the event concluded later that evening.

The Honorary Chair of this event was Freear Pollard, and the CoChairs were Ruth Summers and McCoy. Aside from paying welldeserved respect to newly inducted members of the Hall of Fame, the event always is a major fundraiser for the CFA, which in turn uses the money to support the NCC. Revenue comes from the sale of tickets for the event, purchased congratulatory messages placed in the evening’s souvenir program, benefactors who make contributions ranging from $500 to over $10,000 and proceeds from a 50/50 drawing.

—Article and Photos by Eric Sawyer

Jiminy Wicket Launches New Programs for Spring/Summer

For 15 years, Jiminy Wicket, a 501(c)3 organization, has been creating inclusion and friendships for people of all ages and abilities. “Play is our passion and croquet is our game,” says Founder and CEO James Creasey. “We have played croquet with people from 129 different countries, from three years old to 103 years old, on three continents, some using walkers or wheelchairs, and everyone goes home with a pocketful of smiles.”

The organization has hosted croquet events in Honolulu, Chicago, Toronto, Dublin, London, Budapest, Brisbane and some unusual places like Denver’s Union Station, New York City’s Rockefeller Center and the famous London Eye. After playing her first game of croquet, Cathy, a Special Olympics athlete in the U.K. says, “This is so much fun! Can we do it again tomorrow?”

Building on the success of Through Hoops to Hope, its award-winning inter-generational school program, on both sides of the Atlantic, Jiminy Wicket is branching out in 2023 to train and equip high school and middle school students to play Special Olympics Unified Croquet with their peers who have intellectual disabilities. Their metric is “s.p.h!” Which translates to “smiles per hour!” Over the next three years, they intend to bring croquet to 500 of the 6,500 Unified Champion public schools across America that already partner with Special Olympics.

This work will be funded in part by net proceeds from the Jiminy Wicket Collection of Five-Star Luxury Croquet Trips: Castles & CroquetTM in SE England; Whisky & WicketsTM in Edinburgh and Gleneagles, Scotland; Colleges, Codebreakers and CroquetTM in and around Oxford, including Bletchley Park (the site of the topsecret codebreakers, where Creasey’s mother worked during World War II); and closer to home, Mansions & MalletsTM among the Vanderbilt ‘cottages’ of Newport, R.I.; and Wine and WicketsTM in the vineyards of the Napa Valley.

Creasey is a USCA GC Eights National Champion. His simple, concise curriculum 7 Skills to Play Like a ChampionTM gives guests and students alike, the tools to improve their croquet through seven self-scoring drills and easily track their on-going progress at home.

The new Castles & CroquetTM trip last summer was a huge success with their guests. When asked what they might change to

improve the experience, Michael Albert, USCA Vice President, replied, “In a week of superlatives — not a single thing!” Of those guests, 60 percent are rebooking for more trips this year.

During the Jiminy Wicket Castles & CroquetTM trip in 2023, guests can indulge in six days of croquet, afternoon teas, fine dining and luxurious accommodations. Enjoy tours of historic English country homes, castles and glorious gardens. Experience

the Elizabethan splendor of the Relais & Châteaux Gravetye Manor with their Michelin Star restaurant and the outrageous, palatial elegance of Cliveden House, with door-to-door transport by Range Rover.

Guests will play with the locals in a Tell ’em that the Yanks are Coming! match with the Royal Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club and enjoy some relaxed and fun croquet in gorgeous settings such as Hever Castle, Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle), Penshurst Place, Cliveden House and Le Manoir aux Quat’Saison. Tour Sir Winston and Baroness Spencer-Churchill’s country home and garden at Chartwell and even play on their croquet lawn! Celebrate wins at a Roaring ’20s Great Gatsby-styled Dinner and Awards Ceremony in your striped blazers, bowties, flapper dresses and fascinators.

“Traveling with us supports our mission, and a portion of the cost of these trips may be used as a tax-deductible contribution in support of the Jiminy Wicket programs with Special Olympics,” Creasey says. “Croquet is the most age-friendly, gender-neutral, inclusive game in the world and my two favorite four-letter words are ‘Let’s Play!’”

For a brochure or more information to arrange your trip, email: info@JiminyWicket.org.

TheInbox

Joseph Gary Bennett: 1950-2022

It is with great sadness that I report the loss of my older brother Joseph Gary Bennett while shoveling snow in -10-degree weather. May he rest in peace. Here is the eulogy I gave at his mass.

Gary played croquet with me after having learned the game in Kentucky on 9-wicket clay courts, the game our Grandpa Pius Hardesty played down at Tyler Park off Baxter Avenue. We saw the mallets Grandpa made for other players: inlaid wood, rubber on one end and hard phenolic on the other end. And the shaft was short, 12- to 18-inches long, with a ball at the end to keep it from falling out of your hands.

Gary and I recently were finalists in the United States Croquet Association’s six wicket National Championship Doubles. That was a little more than two weeks ago. He won his division the previous week playing in the U.S. Open A Flight defeating Arlene Parker from Texas. Both Championships were played in Palm Springs, Calif., the first two weeks of December.

During the tournament, Dick Sullivan commented to me that Dr. Ben Birkhead would surely be proud of seeing Gary play well at the tournament. Ben, Dick and others played croquet with Gary when he started playing croquet on grass. (I think the mowers he had were from Dr. Birkhead’s old court.)

I have received numerous emails and a few phone calls of condolences from players all around the country: North Carolina, Virginia, Michigan, California, Indiana and Florida. It seems that they enjoyed Gary and, of course, are shocked and saddened by the news.

For a bit more of history … Gary went to Bellarmine College and then, without finishing, took a job working for the FBI in Washington D.C. After a few years, he decided D.C. was not his kind of place and came back to Louisville. Living once again at home, he delivered booze and bar supplies across the city until applying for and accepting a starting position as a postal carrier. He carried mail every day, walking at first and one day at dinner, he told mom and dad that he had bought a house out in Middletown. At about this time, he also announced that he was dating a girl named Margie and soon thereafter they got married and started fixing up the house he had bought. As I recall, he had to knock out four or five walls downstairs since the house had been used as a retirement home with half a dozen bedrooms.

About 10 years, later, Margie and Gary bought their second home a bit farther out in Middletown and they continued to work on projects together. Gary’s latest project was taking out the bushes in the front and rebuilding another garden area for Margie before she returned from her trip.

Bob Morford

The Mission Hills Croquet club mourns the passing of Bob Morford on November 11, 2022. Bob was not only an enthusiastic player and a maker of exquisite mallets, but he was also a generous and fun-loving guy. His twinkling eyes, subtle humor and impish smile are much missed. We will always treasure our Morford mallets, along with all of our fond memories of him.

His five-year project of building a world-class croquet court had just finished and I was put to work figuring out how to start the greens mower to shave down the new lawn. After we returned from Pinehurst, N.C., in September, Gary handily beat me on his new croquet court before I took off in my plane back to Arizona.

Gary was the first of my siblings to retire and he seemed happy and content playing golf several times a week, croquet other times and volunteering to help at the Habitat for Humanity building houses or handing out food at Father Hiemee’s Franciscan Food Kitchen.

You know, this is hard to understand. Maybe Archie, Ben and Grandpa have pulled Gary up for a tournament of croquet. Perhaps, God has a project or two for my brothers to work on as well.

USCA WEBSITE TIPS

How to Register for a USCA Title Event or School

Are you looking to get registered for a USCA event or school? Here’s your step-by-step guide. First, head to www.croquetamerica.com and log in. (Diagram 1)

Here you can.

Our beautifully manicured, regulation croquet lawn is just one of the many reasons why engaged seniors are choosing Lenbrook, located in the heart of Atlanta's dynamic Buckhead community. Give us a call to learn how you can Experience the Lenbrook Di erence.

Third Time is a Charm

The 2022 American Six Wicket National Championship was held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., December 4-10. Shane Hettler, who finished second last year in the tournament and third in 2019 (the tournament was not held in 2020 because of COVID-19), won the Championship Flight Singles for his first national title.

Championship Flight singles consisted of three blocks of eight players with the top 16 finishers moving on to a face-off, double elimination ladder, i.e., the winners of each side of the ladder playing in a best-of-three final match. The players included five former American Six Wicket national singles champions with a total of eight titles between them: Danny Huneycutt (3); Brian Cumming (2); Doug Grimsley (1); Randy Cardo (1) and Sherif Abdelwahab (1).

Block play had a few surprises with the one notable exception being that Huneycutt did not play up to his normal dominant form and failed to advance to the ladder. Abdelwahab, Stuart Lawrence and Cumming were all undefeated in their respective blocks and grabbed the top three seeds in the ladder followed by Paul Bennett, Hettler and Grimsley.

On one side of the draw, Peter Bach upset Abdelwahab but lost to Cardo. Cardo then met Hettler in the finals of the winner’s bracket. After Hettler ran his first ball around to the peg, Cardo ran a break through rover and pegged out Hettler’s ball. Hettler could not overcome the substantial disadvantage of only having one ball and Cardo played the rover game to perfection for an easy 22-16 victory. This was the first of three games involving a player pegging out an opponent’s ball and, in each case, not surprisingly, the strategy proved to be a winning one. Cardo then played Abdelwahab, who had made his way through the loser’s bracket to play Cardo for a spot in the finals. Since Abdelwahab already had a loss, he had to win twice to advance while Cardo only needed one win. In a close match, Cardo prevailed 18-17.

Doug Grimsley, who had won the U.S. Open the previous week at Mission Hills and was playing strongly, dispatched Jodie Rugart, Cumming and Lawrence to take the winner’s bracket and the other side of the draw. That set up a match between Grimsley and Hettler, who had beaten Cumming 26-14 by pegging one of Cumming’s balls out, thereby doing to Cumming what Cardo had done to him in the previous game. Hettler needed to win two straight from Grimsley to advance to the finals and he did just that with a masterful display of shot-making ability by identical scores of 26-17.

It was somewhat fitting that Cardo, the 2019 winner of the tournament the last time it was held at Mission Hills, was pitted against Hettler, who placed third that year. In the first game, Hettler ran a break, but missed a return roquet after 2-back. Cardo attacked into the fourth corner with Red after making the #2 wicket, but he didn’t give Yellow a rush on Blue and couldn’t get a good rush for on the danger ball up to Red’s next wicket, so he had to settle for destroying Black and giving Yellow a rush on Red to the #2 wicket. Red ended up three-ball dead and Yellow had no break. To compound the situation, Cardo failed #2 with Yellow and had wired Blue on all the balls, giving Blue, which was for #6, a lift. Hettler then finished in two turns, 26-4.

The second game was all Cardo. Playing Blue and Black, he ran the first break around through three-back, missing a return roquet after that wicket. Later, after advancing Black from 4-back to the peg, Cardo set up a break for Blue near #2. After Hettler missed, Cardo was on his way and would have finished but for being obstructed by the peg after running penultimate and having to retire. Nevertheless, a short time later, Blue made rover and Cardo won 26-3.

That set up the rubber game for the championship. Hettler, playing Red and Yellow got an early break with Red and broke down at 3-back when he failed the hoop after picking up Blue in the first corner following 2-back. Cardo hit a cross-court shot with Black on Yellow, but knocked Yellow over the boundary. Yellow then hit Black, rush-peeled Red and ran the break to the peg, setting a leave for Red outside of the third corner. Red finished after Blue missed the long shot at Black and Hettler won 26-3.

In the Championship Flight Doubles, eight teams advanced to a double-elimination ladder after round-robin block play. The teams of Huneycutt/Cardo and Cumming/Lawrence were both undefeated in block play and ended up facing each other in the finals of the winner’s bracket. Cumming/Lawrence won that game 26-6 dropping Huneycutt/Cardo to the loser’s bracket. They met Paul and Gary Bennett, who had worked their way through the loser’s bracket.

The Bennett team won that game 26-21 and then faced Cumming/Lawrence in the finals needing to win two games in a row. Cumming/Lawrence won handily 26-4 and finished undefeated in the tournament. For Cumming, it was his sixth American Six Wicket doubles title. For Lawrence, it was a welldeserved first.

First Flight Singles was a similar format to that of the Championship Flight Doubles, consisting of two blocks of seven players with the top four in each block advancing to a doubleelimination ladder. Bob Gannon was first out of the A block and Cameron James won the B block. Other players advancing were Donna Dixon, Nancy Crouch, Ellie Griffith, Ron Eccles, Stuart Price and Nick Gray.

In the ladder, Eccles and Dixon advanced to the finals of the winner’s bracket. Eccles won 15-9, advancing into the finals and sending Dixon to the loser’s bracket to face Gannon. Gannon won that game in a close one 16-15. Eccles only needed to win one of two games against Gannon and won the first one 14-13 and with it, the title.

Seven First Flight Doubles teams played a round-robin block and the top three teams advanced to the playoffs with the top team receiving a bye. Mary Rodeberg and Ron Eccles received the top seed, followed by Gannon/James and Dixon and Steve Yoric. Gannon/James beat Dixon/Yoric 13-11. In the finals, Rodeberg/ Eccles won 15-11 over Gannon/James.

The Peyton Ballenger award for the top female finisher went to Lynda Sudderberg. The award is in honor of Peyton Ballenger, a croquet pro at PGA National whose life was tragically cut short.

FINAL ORDER

CHAMPIONSHIP

FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES

Gannon

CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES

01. Brian Cumming/Stuart Lawrence

02. Paul Bennett/Gary Bennett

03. Danny Huneycutt/Randy Cardo

04. Shane Hettler/Sherif Abdelwahab

05. Matt Griffith/Rick Sheely

05. Dick Sullivan/Scott Spradling

07. Doug Grimsley/Rich Curtis

08. Macey White/Nancy Crouch

09. Jodi Rugart/Lynda Sudderberg

10. Patrick Sweeney/Peter Bach

11. Rory Kelley/Charlie Smith

12. Conrad Rugart/Erv Peterson

FIRST FLIGHT DOUBLES

14.

01. Mary Rodeberg/Ron Eccles

02. Bob Gannon/Cameron James

03. Donna Dixon/Steve Zoric

04. Ellie Griffith/Suzanne Spradling

05. Stuart Price/Jon Spaulding

06. Stephen Grassbaugh/Yen Sullivan

07. Deborah Millican/Ron Millican

2022 USCA Golf Croquet Club Teams West Palm Beach, Florida| December 2-4, 2022

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.

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 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.

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

MIDDLE LEFT: Carla Rueck, Debbie Davidoff, Earle Mauldin, Preston Stuart

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

TOP RIGHT: Ocean Reef Club

LOWER RIGHT: The Springs Croquet Club

2022 USCA Golf Croquet Club Teams West Palm Beach, Florida| December 2-4, 2022

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

ABOVE AND BEYOND

The United States Croquet Association is a member based, essentially volunteer based organization. We enjoy croquet, we enjoy the people who play croquet. Our mission is to promote the development, enjoyment and awareness of Croquet in America, and to provide resources and governance for the sport at all levels. Membership is a supporting action taken by our croquet community that helps us achieve our goals.

To achieve substantial results it takes action, substantial action in fact. It is not coincidence that the USCA has grown substantially in the past years. It is through the dedicated efforts of many volunteers, committees, and hardworking staff that initiatives are created, however without resource they remain just ideas.

GENERAL FUND DONATIONS

This support provides revenues to assist in efforts to promote the game and organization function.

Charleston Croquet Association (promotion of croquet in SC)

Jeffrey Cohen

Debbie Davidoff & Earle Maulden

Dallas Denny

William Fisher

Dave Gookin

Leslie Heilakka

Howard & Lois Holdsclaw

Stiles Kellett, Jr.

Louis P Singer Fund

Carole C Miller

Tom & Barbara O'Laughlin

Freear Pollard

Lee Robinson

Walter Sechriest

Nancy Treuhold

USCA NC District

Charles & Cathy Zumkehr

Colleen & Doug Rogers

(in memory of Stewart Jackson)

GRANT PROGRAM

This program provides outreach in USCA clubs to attract membership.

Richard & Diane Watson

Since the USCA headquarters moved from New York and restructured in Florida in the 1990’s the USCA has maintained its charitable 501 ©3 status. This allows maximum benefit from donations made by our many supporters.

During last year the USCA received generous donations in the following categories from the USCA members that went above and beyond in their support to help the USCA move forward.

USCA TOURNAMENT DONATIONS

This support provides offset to increasing costs in maintaining the high quality of USCA titled events.

Bev & Randy Cardo2022 USCA Croquet Week, GC & Club Teams

Missy ChiltonUSCA 2022 Seniors Masters

Hal DentonUSCA 2022 Club Teams US6W

Matthew DonohuePhotographic Services rendered at club teams 2022

Caryl Firth - USCA 2022 GC Club Teams

Priscilla FlowersUSCA 2022 GC Club Teams

Michael GibbonsUSCA 2022 Seniors Masters

Anne Licursi - USCA 2022 Seniors Masters

Jochen & Adrienne LuckeUSCA 2022 GC Nationals

David McCoy –USCA 2023 Club Teams (US6W)

David & Millie McCoyUSCA 2022 Seniors Masters

Johnny Mitchell - USCA Nationals US6W

Freear PollardUSCA 2022 US6W Nationals

Carla & Bill RueckUSCA 2022 Seniors Masters

Jodie & Conrad RugartUSCA US6W Nationals

HIGH PERFORMANCE & TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

This program’s mission is to improve the performance of US representatives in international competitions.

Karen Albert Connery

Michael Albert

Damon Bidencope

Tom & Bonnie Bown

Rich & Corky Dell

John & Ellen Goldener

David Isaacs

Peachtree Hills Place, Buckhead

Silver Creek Real Estate, Cashiers / Highlands

Eugene Young

LEE OLSEN FUND

The Lee Olsen Fund was established in 1985 to supply the US traveling teams with uniforms and travel expenses. Named for Lee Olsen, she was a tireless ambassador for croquet, member of the Westhampton Mallet Club, NY and Beach Club, PB FL. The fund is instrumental in offsetting expenses among our international players and helps to present a unified presence when the US competes internationally.

Michael Albert

John & Field Boatwright

John Brown & Georgia Carter

John & Mary Craddock

Daniel & Linda Fuchs

Parks and Ann Hitch

John & Mary Carol Howard

Danly & Billie Huston

Martha Ormsby

Dean & Shirley Ricci

Carla & Bill Rueck

Silver Creek Real Estate

Margo Stinson

USCA NC District Members

Mike Weimerskirch

All’s Well That Ends ... in a Tie?

Seventy-four players in three flights competed in singles and doubles this year in sunny South Florida at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach. Players came from all over the country to compete in five flights of singles and three flights of doubles. Block play throughout the week progressed relatively smoothly. Except, from the tournament directors’ points of view … it did get tricky keeping track of two J. Josephs’, two D. Huneycutt’s, more than one Cardo, Duryea, Griffith, McGrath, Millican, Rugart, Shorthouse and Spradling as well as a pair of McAndrews brothers. All that was missing was two turtle doves and a partridge in a palm tree. Needless to say, as co-directors, we did get a little tongue-tied and twisted from time to time.

The one game that must be mentioned, which was also the fan favorite, was the Midnight Mallet Match that took place Thursday night between Leo McBride and Tim Bitting facing off against Dick Sullivan and Bob Van Tassell. Daylight savings cost us an hour of light and darkness was setting in shortly after the coin toss. Before you knew it, players and spectators were pulling out cell phones for flashlights. The situation needed to be remedied, but one team refused to peg the game down and the other refused to move to the court with the lights … luckily none

of these stubborn quixotic curmudgeons were hurt (to the relief of the TDs). So, they played on, and McBride and Bitting pulled off an exciting victory well into the dark of night.

As is often the case in this crazy sport of croquet, Mother Nature was the relentless force. Scheduling was tricky because the tournament needed to end early for an NCC corporate event on Wednesday and the Hall of Fame dinner on Friday. Not dreamy conditions for the Tournament Directors’ team, but the playoffs were going to be great. Until they weren’t. Just as the last of the semifinal matches were finishing up, the rain came, and it was a deluge. Play was permanently suspended. What to do? The Tournament Directors and Tournament Manager decided: all’s well that ends … in a tie.

On behalf of the both of us, we leave you with one of our favorite croquet quotes from Rose Macaulay:

“So, they left the subject and played croquet, which is a very good game for people who are annoyed with one another, giving many opportunities for venting rancor.”

FINAL ORDER

FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES

01. Stuart Price

01. Nancy Crouch 03. John Joseph 03. Randy Reid 05. Mark Ski 05. Deborah Millican 05. Ellie Griffith 05. Christine Smith

09. Sally McGrath

10. Karen Heckman

11. Danna Huneycutt

12. Kat Robertson

FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES MASTERS

01. David Spivey

01. Ron Millican

03. Jeff Morrison

03. Stephen Grassbaugh

05. Steve Thurston

05. Jon Spaulding

05. Cameron James

05. Suzanne Spradling

09. David Kepner

10. Rita McNamara

11. Leo Leither

12. Clint Fowlkes

FIRST FLIGHT DOUBLES

01. Bill Trower/David Spivey

01. Stuart Price/Jon Spaulding

03. Missy Ramey/Jeff Morrison

03. Bill Hartmann/Mark Ski

05. Leo Leither/Ron Millican

05. Randy Reid/ Stephen Grassbaugh

05. Dick Scherf/Clint Fowlkes

05. Mary Rodeberg/Ron Eccles

09. Ellie Griffith/Steve Thurston

10. Sally McGrath/ Danna Huneycutt

11. John Grabow/ Lovejoy Duryea

12. Deborah Millican/ Cameron James

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Jennifer Joseph 03. Denys Shorthouse 03. Douglas Greeff 05. John McGrath 05. Glenn McAndrews 05. Bill Sadowski 05. Priscilla Flowers 09. Dick Corey 10. Jane Casey 11. Sonia Alexandra 12. Bobbi Shorthouse

SECOND FLIGHT DOUBLES

01. Randall McAndrews/ Glenn McAndrews

01. Larry Lynch/Bobbi Shorthouse

03. David Kepner/Kat Robinson

03. Missy Chilton/Jane Casey

05. John Joseph/Jennifer Joseph

05. Rita McNamara/ Denys Shorthouse

05. Christine Smith/ Priscilla Flowers

05. Karen Heckman/ Suzanne Spradling

09. John McGrath/Bobby Duryea

10. Douglas Greeff/Dick Corey

BOB CHILTON GRAND MASTER

Dick Sullivan

Selling real estate is not only my job, it’s my passion

To Those Who

The Croquet Foundation of America’s

2022 DONOR “WALL OF HONOR”

With great appreciation we list below and thank the generous donors that helped support the Croquet Foundation of America last year, including gifts from charitable trusts, foundations and bequests.

DIAMOND - $60K+

David Kepner

PLATINUM - $20K+

Harold Denton

GOLD - $10K+

COPPER - $500+

Kenneth (Tim) Bitting

Mark Fields

Patrick Foy

Wayne Gallo

Joan Lazarus

Meg Macy

IRON - $100+

(CONTINUED)

Patrick Foy

Alexander Galasso

Wayne Gallo

Joan Gelch

La Neil Gregory

IRON - $100+

(CONTINUED)

Suzanne and Scott Spradling

John Strasser & Franc Meunier

Arlene Strauss

Stuart Baker

Gay Ann Cinque

Harvey & Pam Geiger

CFA

Mohammad Kamal

David McCoy

Freear Pollard

SILVER - $5K+

Randy Cardo

Conner Helms

Drs. Sandra Knuth & Robert Walsh

Anne Licursi

Ruth Summers

Mary Lou Wagner

BRONZE $1K+

Ronald & Betsy Atkins

Michael Gibbons

Marvin & Rita Ginsky

Joy Guernsey-Diesel

Mary Anne Mathys

Stuart Price

Phillip Robinson

William Sadowski

Charles Steuber Jr

Allison Worthington

Tom O’Laughlin

Bruce & Vicki Safran

Suzanne Spradling

IRON - $100+

Donald & Sharada Alducin

Don & Jan Allison

Barbara & Sam Bailey

John & Carol Bannister

Karen Beck

Kenneth (Tim) Bitting

John & Anthea Blamire

Dick Brackett

Robert & Kay Broadway

Lynn Cannon

Ginny Coyle

Joan Corey

Trudy Crowetz

Catherine Detering

Cooky (Victoria) Donaldson

David & Martie Ekstrom

Paul Fecteau

Mark Fields

Janet Fisher

John & Diane Fitzsimons

Edward & Wendy Fleming

Bruce Fogel

Ginger & Clint Fowlkes

Thomas (Terry) Howatt

Bruce Hindin

Lin Irey

KM Jones

Julia Johnston & Steve Mednick

James & Joanne Mitchell

Margaret Kirkbride

Kenneth & Keith Koeing

Joan Lazarus

Scobey Lindley

Diane Lovat

Charles Loving

Meg Macy

James & Joanne Mitchell

Caroline Nugent

Tom O’Laughlin

Leonore Orlowaska

Sheila Peterson

Scott Pittenger

Sue Reid

June Rochedieu

Bruce & Vicki Safran

Sexton Engineering Associates

Mary Shields

Robert & Jane Smith

Suzanne Smith

Richard Sullivan

Thomas & Jeanette Tribby

Neil Trimble

Louis Tyrell & Kathleen Holmes

Robert Van Tassell

Susan Varey

John & Gail Warlick

Anita Williams

Anyse Winston

UP TO $100

Lovejoy Duryea

Jane & Mark Grandusky

Pamela Groh

Jill Harrold

Thomas Hilliard

David Horcott

Nanci Hunt

Herbert Libowitz

Claude Lourie

Rosemarie Maccario

J. Post

Therese Rabieh

Lavina Seiler

Carol Shapiro

Preston Alan Stuart

On Behalf of Croquet Players Everywhere, THANK YOU!

Our apologies for any missed names, spellings or categories. Please call that to our attention.

The Croquet Foundation of America

Support the Game 2022 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 2022, so generously donated their time and expertise to help the Foundation achieve its mission of promoting and developing the sport of Croquet.

Don Alducin

Sharada Alducin

Charlie Alexander

Sonia Alexander

Don & Jan Allison

Christine Ansbacher

Ellen Avellino

Barbara Bailey

Stuart Baker

John & Carol Bannister

James Bartle

Karen Beck

Ed Berg

Damon Bidencope

John & Anthea

Blamire

Richard Brackett

Bob Broadway

John Canning

Beverley & Randy Cardo

Allison Carey

Jay Carey

Richard Carlson

Anne Carr

Carol Casey

Jane Casey

Janet Catalano

Camille Catania

Vera Chapman

Liddy Chaney

Joni Cherbo

Missy Chilton

Mary Churchill

Gay Cinque

Lois Clay

David Collie

Tom & Loretta Cooper

Ginny Coyle

Phillip Crawford

Trudy Crowetz

Rich Curtis

Fiona D’Aguilar

Marianne Davidson

Phyllis De Angelis

Anne De Lisle

Hal Denton

Joy Diesel Cooky (Victoria)

Donaldson

Bobby & Lovejoy Duryea

David & Martie Ekstrom

Lynn & Stuart Epstein

Beth Estes

Gerry Eubank

Sandra Feeney

Bob Finn

Caryl Firth

Jan Fisher

Lynn Foley

Ned Fleming

Priscilla Flowers

Clint Fowlkes

Patrick Foy

Anne Frost Robinson

Wayne & Connie Gallo

Shari Gallucci

Mike Gibbons

Rita Ginsky

Chad Goodwin

Jim & Linda Grady

Tom Graham

Jane Grandusky

Steve Grassbaugh

Pam Groh

Kevin Hansley

Jill Harrold

Donna Hearon

Conner Helms

Shaun Henderson

Joanne Heron

Barbara Hill

Bruce Hindin

Terry Howatt

Danny Huneycutt

Nanci Hunt

Lin Irey

Julia Johnston

Judy Just

Gerald Kagan

Sharon Kenrick

David Kepner

Joe Knoll

Casey Knoll

Alan Lazarescu

Anne Licursi

Tom Lindley

Claude Lourie

Sara Low

Larry Lynch

Rosemarie Maccario

Meg Macey

Jerry Marquardt

Gordon Martin

Geraldine McCauley

Tim McCormick

David & Millie McCoy

Larry McDermott

Jutta McInnis

Steve Mednick

Linda Merk

Frank &

Kelly Merschman

Franck Meunier

Whitney Miller

Brian Mitchell

Johnny Mitchell

Kevin Moran

Jeff Morrison

Pam Myers

Flossie Napolitano

Vicky Naranjo

Charlene Nobel

John Osborn

Joan Parker

Suzanne Pearlman

Ursula Peck

Diane Pelletier

Barbara Perlman

Sheila Peterson

Vernon Pierce

Freear Pollard

Scott Reiser

Marie Rittman

Kat Robertson

Phil Robinson

Bob &

June Rochedieu

Gail Rubin

Carla Rueck

Cami & Tate Russack

Bill Sadowski

Nancy Sansalone

Richard Scherf

Janet Schwartz

Yvette Selby

Mary Shields

Madeline Singer

Mark Ski

Bob & Jane Smith

Valerie Smith

Howard Sosin

David Spivey

John Strasser

Arlene Strauss

Carol Stuart

Lynda Sudderberg

Yen Sullivan

Ruth Summers

Steve Tasker

Jim Taylor

Rhys Thomas

Michael Todorovich

Tom Tribby

Bill Trower

Suzanne Turner

Luke Van Allen

Bob Van Tassell

Sue Varey

Michele Vogel

John & Gail Warlick

Donald Warren (recently deceased)

Lenore

Orlowska-Warren

Derek Wassink

Diane Waterfall

Don Whalen

Kathleen White

Jim Williams

Anyse Winston

Alison Worthington

Croquet Greats To Be Inducted Into of

HALL FAME

On February 17, 2023, the Croquet Foundation of America (CFA), in conjunction with the United States Croquet Association (USCA), inducted Harold (Hal) Denton, Rory J. Kelley and Robert L. (Bob) Alman (posthumously) into the 45th United States Croquet Hall of Fame.

The Induction Ceremony, followed by the “Let the Good Times Roll” themed dinner party, was scheduled to take place during the week of the Steuber Classic Tournament at the Charles P. Steuber National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. The directors of the CFA and USCA encourage their friends, guests and all croquet enthusiasts to join them in paying tribute to esteemed members of our croquet family, Denton, Kelley and Alman, as we acknowledge their accomplishments in traditional style and with high enthusiasm. Biographies of the Inductees follow.

Robert L. (Bob) Alman

Bob Alman’s contributions, accomplishments and dedication to the sport of croquet are immeasurable. From his early days as a player to his club building in San Francisco and Oakland, at the Charles P. Steuber National Croquet Center and, finally, to his creation and stewardship of the Croquet World online magazine, Bob blazed a trail like no other in our game. Early on, the backyard nine-wicket game was Bob’s métier. He played it in New York’s Central Park and all over the parks of San Francisco and elsewhere. He didn’t just play. In true Bob fashion, he organized it with white-hot enthusiasm, presaging the role he would play in the world of the modern, six-wicket versions of the game in the decades to come. Once he joined the San Francisco Club, he discovered and played six-wicket croquet with great skill and joy, competing in tournaments all over the country and winning a Western Regional doubles championship. Bob did not stop there. He not only organized clubs such as the San Francisco Croquet Club and the Oakland Croquet Club, but also wrote the definitive manual about club organization for the USCA.

With Hall-of-Famer Michael Orgill, Bob created the San Francisco Open, the most competitive American Rules tournament in the United States for a time. That tournament attracted top players from all over the world. Bob’s impact on the SF Bay Area was immense. In the words of Orgill, “When Bob left for the East, he left a hole in the Bay area that has never been filled.”

Soon after Bob arrived on the East Coast, he infused all his roles — writer, editor, organizer, manager and promoter — with significant accomplishment. Bob discovered an editorial voice with his founding of the online CroquetWorld.com (CWO). Many consider this Bob’s primary achievement and perhaps the most influential journal in the history of croquet. He wrote most of it, edited all of it and promoted it with unflagging energy. Hall-of-Famer Rhys Thomas declares, “There was no limit to his passion and perseverance. He played. He managed. He taught. He promoted. He recruited. He marketed. He wrote and he wrote. Oh, did he write!” He used it himself and encouraged others to join in as a forum for editorials, letters, comments, opinions, tournament results and just plain good stories about everything croquet (and sometimes outside croquet).

In 1996, when Bob founded CroquetWorld.com, he filled it with excellent writing, most of it his … and it ruffled some feathers as great journalism sometimes does. He connected “world croquet” to American croquet in a way that had never been seen before. As a result, CWO now provides an invaluable archive of croquet history. Bob continued to work on the website until shortly

before his passing on March 17, 2022. The true extent of his legacy can be found in his four-part memoir published on CWO. In that memoir, he describes, in detail, his remarkable journey in the world of croquet. He was inducted into the World Croquet Federation Hall of Fame in 2020.

About 20 years ago, Bob also became the first manager of the Charles P. Steuber National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., then in its infancy. He played a seminal role in getting the center up and running and continued to lead many croquet activities there for a long time, enthusiastically. Although he declined to be so honored while living, it is a fitting and worthy tribute that Robert L. “Bob” Alman be elected posthumously to the United States Croquet Hall of Fame.

Harold (Hal) Denton

Hal’s croquet career began with playing with the West River Wickets Croquet Club in Maryland in 2009. To build the club and attract new members, he built a full-size, artificial court that could be used all year long. He then began hosting an open house every Saturday to attract more players. He was soon elected to its board. He remains active in supporting the West River Wickets Croquet Club today. Through Hal’s efforts, it has now grown to 50 members.

Hal joined the United States Croquet Association, Inc. (USCA) in December 2011 and the National Croquet Club in 2012. Hal has played a total of 82 tournaments in both American Rules and Golf Croquet, winning trophies in 48 of those, including 19 firstplace finishes, seven of which were in singles. Last year he won First Flight Singles in the Masters and Championship Doubles in the Seniors Masters. In Golf Croquet, he won the Club Championship Doubles and Florida Regional Doubles.

Hal played in the Egyptian International GC Championship in 2017 and 2018 and was selected to play in the World Croquet Federation’s (WCF) Over-50 GC World Championship in Cairo in 2018. In 2019, Hal qualified and played in the Spanish GC Open Championship.

In 2020, Hal was elected to a four-year term on the Management Committee of the WCF, which is the international organizing body for the sport of croquet, and was nominated for the WCF Hall of Fame in 2022. He is also a member of the Surbiton Croquet Club in England. Hal received numerous USCA awards

over the years for both program and project support. In 2017, Hal joined the USCA’s Golf Croquet Committee, and in 2018, he joined the Lee Olsen Committee.

A few years after joining the National Croquet Club, Hal learned of the CFA’s struggle to get night lighting on a couple of the south courts with the modest funds collected to that point. Several ideas had been tried but failed. Hal quietly stepped in and volunteered to take over the project, including providing most of the cost, developing the plan, selecting the lights and contractor and supervising installation. The result was outstanding! They are now used several times a week for club and outside events and are a significant selling point for club memberships.

Based on Hal’s demonstrated competence in project management, he was asked to join the CFA Board and focus on operations — especially on getting the courts up to par. Given the CFA’s insufficient operating funds, much of the lawn and office equipment was in rough shape or non-existent. Working with Omero, the head of the Grounds Crew, Hal identified their needs and proceeded to buy quality equipment and maintenance tools and hired professional consultants for the lawns. He also supervised a much-needed cleanup and organization of the equipment shed.

For the office, Hal provided all new servers, desktop computers and software to make the CFA technically current. For the Pro Shop, Hal saw that we used manual systems to price, label, inventory and record sales, so he invested in the latest point-ofsales systems. In short, wherever Hal saw a real need, if the CFA couldn’t afford it, he simply found, paid for and implemented a quality solution.

Based on Hal’s outstanding performance in that regard and in many other ways, the CFA Board changed the management structure, making David McCoy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, involved primarily in policy, fundraising and financial matters, and promoting Hal to President and Chief Operating Officer, in charge of NCC operations. Hal continues to play an invaluable role in that regard.

To meet the NCC’s growing demand, Hal’s most recent project is developing, overseeing and providing significant financial support to eliminate the dry retention area and to add six new championship-level courts at ground level (a 50 percent increase).

These courts will be invaluable in supporting the rapid growth of the National Croquet Club, hosting significant tournaments like the Worlds, and allowing it to offer croquet as part of large outside events. In addition, he is working on plans to integrate the recent purchase of 2.3 acres of adjoining property and investigating the feasibility of a plan to light all existing courts. Hal graduated from the University of Michigan in 1966. Following sea duty as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, Hal started his career on Wall Street, followed by 15 years in the executive recruiting industry. His firm had a strong practice in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. To reduce his travel commitment, he purchased a title insurance company in New Jersey, which he grew to be the largest in the state.

He lives with his wife, Wendy, on a beautiful historic horse farm near Annapolis, Md. The two enjoy a second home in Wellington, Fla. They have two sons and three grandchildren. In addition to his croquet commitments, Hal serves on the Board of The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. As of February 25, Hal will be the Chair of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.

Hal is a modest, reserved and extraordinarily generous man who is a leader in a quiet yet persuasive and unassuming way. Reflecting on what he has accomplished in the last 15 years, one might call him croquet’s “knight in shining armor!” every day.

Hal far exceeds the requirements necessary to be honored by induction into the Croquet Hall of Fame. He’s a true ambassador for the sport; he has had an excellent croquet career in both Golf Croquet and American Six Wicket that is still in its ascendancy; he has had a long and significant impact on the growth of the sport, both through direct club building and providing financial resources and management skills. Those contributions have led to extraordinary advances at the NCC. Those advances, in turn, have led to historic membership growth for the club and unprecedented demand for events at the NCC.

Hal’s direct financial support and a significant gift in his estate plans ensure that the National Croquet Center will grow in international prominence and financial security. For all these reasons, the CFA is inducting Harold (Hal) Denton into the 2022 United States Croquet Hall of Fame.

Rory J. Kelley

Rory Kelley’s accomplishments on the croquet court are numerous, but his off-court contributions to croquet are what truly set him apart from the crowd. He has greatly enhanced the sport through his hard work as a club builder, years of tournament management, support of beginning and advanced players and ongoing work at some of the best tournaments in the Western region. His performance and leadership as part of several American teams competing internationally have helped set the tone for future American acceptance and prestige in the croquet world. He has served the sport since 1994, and is the current USCA Western Regional Vice President.

Born September 22, 1943, in Santa Monica, Calif., Rory moved the following year to Phoenix, Ariz., where he spent his entire youth and was educated in the Phoenix school system. He earned a BS degree in Advertising from Arizona State University in 1969 and served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1961-1969. He and Cynthia C. Kelley married in 1977. They have two daughters, Simone and Lindsay, five grandsons, one great-granddaughter and one great-grandson.

Rory’s non-croquet community involvement has been extensive, including membership in the Phoenix Boys and Girls Club since 1975, Arizona Outdoor Advertising Association Board member and state treasurer 1985-1994. Rory was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Fiesta Bowl 1995-1996.

Rory has played in major tournaments throughout the United States since 1985 — more than 38 years of top-level competition! He has been involved in all aspects of croquet and has served as Captain of the Solomon Trophy and Carter Cup teams.

His years as the driving force behind the Arizona Croquet Club are notable for the legendary amount of work he has done in support of all club activities. While managing his first tournament at the club in 1988, he coined the still-famous phrase “Toast and Tally” for croquet. One enthusiastic supporter opined, “Whether he’s in a tux hosting a croquet event or spreading fertilizer on a court in hot July (because no one else was available to do it), he does it all!”

The Arizona Croquet Club was the seedbed for Association Laws Croquet in the U.S. and Rory has been at the center of all that positive momentum since 1988. Additionally, the Arizona Club nurtured and then blossomed USCA rules croquet under

his direction and leadership of the Arizona Open, the leading American Rules tournament in the years in which it was held.

The US Open, created by Hall-of-Famer Stan Patmor and Kelley, has been sustained by Rory’s unfailing energy as assistant Tournament Director since 2010. This tournament is now one of the most prestigious in the world and has been the instrument for the development of American international competition. Conceivably, without the Open, the United States might not have become a participant in the MacRobertson Shield. His dedication to the sport has continued unabated through the years, most recently demonstrated at the U.S. Open as it celebrated its 31st anniversary, with Rory having been involved in the management of each one.

Rory has been actively involved in the management and operation of the USCA for many years. Since 1999, he has been a member of the USCA International Committee and served as chairman from 2001-2005. He was also a member of the 1988 Nominating Committee, the Management Committee from 1990-94 and the Bisque Committee from 1995-97.

His success on the court has been steady, highlighted by his victory in the 2011 USCA National Doubles Championship with partner Britt Ruby. Other notable achievements include titles in the Arizona Open Championship, San Francisco Open, USCA Western Regionals, Texas Croquet Classic and the Meadowood Classic. He remains an active contestant at major tournaments and is certified as a USCA Class I referee.

Along with Hall-of-Famers Jerry Stark and Rhys Thomas, Rory was instrumental in developing the USCA’s Selection Eights Tournament to develop and assess players to represent the U.S. in International Association croquet tournaments.

Those who have played in dozens of tournaments with and against Rory can attest to his sportsmanship and professionalism. Whether as an early assistant tournament director at the U.S. Open or as a tournament worker at many Arizona tournaments, Rory has set the standard for balancing fair play and fun. He is a joy to work with and a great friend to all … an excellent tournament director, host, teacher and long-standing ambassador for croquet.

Croquet Hall of Fame members represent the best of the founding players, organizers, contributors and officials of our great game. The CFA now officially inducts Rory J. Kelley (elected in 2020), as an excellent addition to its roster of Hall of Fame Croquet greats.

The Croquet Foundation of America (CFA) is now accepting nominations for the 2024 United States Croquet Hall of Fame. The Deadline for filing a nomination is March 31, 2023.

POLICY AND NOMINATING GUIDELINES FOR ELECTION TO THE UNITED STATES CROQUET HALL OF FAME

The Croquet Foundation of America, Inc. (CFA), in conjunction with the United States Croquet Association, Inc. (USCA), seeks to honor individuals who have made prolonged, outstanding contributions to the sport of croquet. Such contributions may take the form of either extraordinary skill and achievement in the sport at the highest level over an extended period; or other personal actions having a widely-recognized, lasting impact on the sport; or very extensive service in developing, managing or promoting the sport of croquet, or its charitable and educational croquet programs, in America.

This document explains the nomination process and gives guidance as to the qualifications that will be considered for election to the United States Croquet Hall of Fame. This process is designed to maintain election to the Hall of Fame as a high honor for the inductees and one which reflects credit on the individuals involved in electing them.

I. NOMINATING PROCEDURE

A. A notice shall be published yearly in the Summer/Fall edition of the USCA’s “Croquet News” stating that the Foundation will accept nominations to the United States Croquet Hall of Fame until March 31 of the current year, for induction in the following calendar year. The published notice shall state that (i.) any USCA member in good standing may nominate an individual, (ii.) nominees are considered on an individual basis only, and (iii.) the nominee does not have to be a member of the USCA.

B. The nominator must submit a completed application on or before the March 31 deadline.

It must include the following:

1. Nominator’s name and relationship, if any, to the nominee -business, friendship, etc.;

2. Written permission of the individual to be nominated and his or her agreement to participate in the induction ceremony (excludes nominations for posthumous recognition);

3. A brief biographical sketch of the nominee, which may include such things as age, family status, address; highlights of past or present occupation(s); charitable and civic involvements; and other matters of general interest unrelated to croquet; and

4. A detailed croquet biography, including number of years of participation, the croquet clubs of which the nominee is or has been a member, the year the nominee joined the USCA and whether still active, and details of all croquet-related achievements.

There is no official application form. Plain 8 ½” x 11” letter size paper should be used. The completed application, including any and all supporting letters, must be sent to and received by the Croquet Foundation of America, Inc., Attention: Ruth Summers, Chair, Hall of Fame Validation Committee, 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406, on or before March 31 of the year preceding the year for which the nominee is proposed.

II. QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Above all, candidates must display personal behavior that demonstrates high regard for the spirit and etiquette of the game which results in greater enjoyment for all -- actions that would entitle the nominee to be considered an “ambassador” for croquet, as well as a Hall of Fame member. They should be further evaluated, based on their achievements and contributions to the sport as follows:

A. ACHIEVEMENTS are defined as highly significant performances in sanctioned or titled USCA events; and/or international competitions sponsored by a member association of the World Croquet Federation (WCF). This can involve Six-Wicket American or Association Rules Croquet, Nine-Wicket Croquet or Golf Croquet.

B. CONTRIBUTIONS are defined as actions off the croquet court that promote or enhance the sport. Contributions are normally volunteer efforts and may include:

1. Introducing others to the game;

2. Starting, leading or sustaining a local club or clubs;

3. Promoting clubs and events regionally or nationally;

4. Working with an organizational division of the USCA as established on the state, regional and national levels either as an officer or other capacity;

5. Creating favorable media recognition or otherwise promoting the game through such efforts as writing or instruction;

6. Contributing significant financial or in-kind resources in a way that enables the CFA and the USCA to pursue their mission;

7. Promoting the game through social affairs resulting in new friendships and greater camaraderie among players.

Nota Bene

1. The above portion of the application is the advocacy section. The nominator must make the case as convincingly and compelling as possible. Board members are not responsible for seconding a nomination nor adding favorable material, and may in fact introduce or request information which may disqualify a candidate.

2. A nominee may earn income from the game as a professional or some other paid capacity, but his or her financial ties to the game must be stated on the application.

3. Achievements and contributions must be over an extended period time.

III. ANNUAL LIMITATION ON INDUCTIONS

Given 1. The desire to maintain the highest standards for election to The United States Croquet Hall of Fame; 2. The relatively limited size of the croquet-player population; and 3. The desire to have significant time to focus on the individual(s) at the ceremony; The Approved Policy Guideline is that the number of living inductees shall be limited to two per year. Posthumous inductees are limited to one inductee per year in addition to the living inductees, for an overall limitation of three.

In rare cases, these limitations are subject to upward revision to no more than three living inductees and one posthumous inductee, or four inductees in total, if two thirds of the Electors decide that exceptional circumstances warrant such a revision. This is the Approved Policy Limit.

Loretta Cooper memberprofile

Age: 65

Home base: Split between Allenwood, N.J., in the summer and West Palm Beach, Fla., in the winter.

Home club:

Green Gables in the summer and NCC in the winter, but most often found at The Everglades Club in Palm Beach, where I work as a pro in the winter

Grip: Soloman grip with the wrong (non-dominant) hand on top Mallet: Trimmer, 11-inch, 2.8 pounds, brass head, 34-inch shaft

Years playing croquet: 16 total (1985-1994, 2014-2023)

Favorite croquet venue:

National Croquet Center — Not only are the courts great, but also the level of competition is unparalleled. I call the veranda “Grandma’s porch.” Eventually all the members of croquet show up there.

Favorite tournament:

Playing as a member of “Danny’s Dames” in a friendly tournament against the women of Ireland at the Carricksmines Club in Dublin, Ireland.

How did you get into the game?

My origin story is twinned with my husband, Tom. We began with an annual backyard tournament. One of our friends saw Jack Osborn on “Good Morning America,” and discovered the USCA. We then called the USCA and were invited to attend the MidAtlantic Regionals in Quoge, N.Y., where we first witnessed American Six Wicket croquet played. Jack Osborn was announcing and the finals were between Teddy Prentis and Johnny Osborn. We were hooked.

We took up six wicket in the backyard for two years (no public access courts in Philadelphia) until we moved to New York City and joined the New York Croquet Club. I am proudly USCA member #300. We played on the tournament circuit for seven years until we retired for 20 years to raise our family in a croquet desert (Princeton Junction, N.J.).

We returned to croquet in 2014, with the Green Gables Club in Sea Girt, N.J. We went back on the tournament circuit and were delighted to find that many of our pals from the first time were still playing. Tom became a certified turf manager, and we became certified referees and instructors. We taught classes and ran tournaments as volunteers and graduated to doing it professionally. We became active in the USCA, Tom in marketing and me as USCA New Jersey rep and members of the education and grants committee. In 2021, we began working as pros at The Everglades Club in Palm Beach and made the transition to winter in Florida. Croquet 365. Living the dream!

Croquet highlights/tourney wins:

2022 AC Nationals where I managed to win the First Flight Singles against an all-male field of contestants.

Do you play other sports?

I have given up skiing, snowboarding, riding and golf. It’s all croquet now.

Favorite sports teams?

I’m from the Philadelphia suburbs, so rooting for the Eagles and the Phillies is congenital.

Pop culture favorites:

Public television and radio, detective fiction and puzzles of all kinds.

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

The USCA has standardized the rules, provided handicaps and organized local croquet clubs into a national collective. The sport has grown substantially since we attended the Nationals in Central Park (on two courts) in the 80s. The USCA has created a national croquet community that is a very special feature of our sport.

What is the USCA’s greatest weakness?

The sport of croquet continues to lack diversity in age, race and income. This is not the fault of the USCA but it is a challenge that it is trying to address. Croquet needs to have more affordable public access venues in addition to country clubs and residential venues. The best examples are Sarasota County Croquet Club, the New York Croquet Club and the Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club.

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

Although the meteoric rise of golf croquet has transformed croquet, I am a six wicket player at heart. I would love to see more folks playing 6W, especially AC. I would like to see more diversity in our membership.

What have you learned from croquet?

Stay focused on the task at hand. Never give up. Anything can happen.

Quick croquet tip:

As a croquet educator, I am always in search of mnemonics to help folks remember basics. These are often culled from popular songs. One of my favorites comes from an old tune “Just walk away, Renee.” It is a reminder to stalk the ball.

The Stalemate at 2

Abbreviations used: blUe, Red, blacK,

American Six Wicket games often start with a familiar pattern: both sides play in and join up somewhere on the boundary, immediately followed by … a whole lot of nothing. Positional adjustments and passing, but nothing that advances the game — all clips remain on Hoop 2 with no deadness. This may end after a few rotations, but I’ve seen it go on for half an hour or more. It doesn’t take long to discover that each side is waiting for the other to make the first move: a stalemate.

This is a real dilemma for intermediate players, those with some ability at three-ball breaks but without the control to keep them going reliably. A typical attacking turn ends with the attacking ball dead on partner and one or both opponents. If partner then breaks down without scoring many wickets, that small gain has cost the player crippling deadness on one or both balls. Or if the attack itself fails, the attack has one ball with partner deadness and nothing to show for it.

The other offensive option is a two-ball break. This feels less aggressive because the turn begins with easy and familiar strokes: having set up a perfect rush, you take the rush, then approach and score the wicket. But even if you manage that, chances are you won’t have a rush to the next wicket. Now you have the dilemma of how to get both balls away from the wicket without ending the turn partner-dead. If you simply leave partner behind, you give the opponent a free three-ball break. And if you fail the wicket, not only do you have partner deadness, but you also give the opponent a four-ball break. This is why intermediate players so often fall into this stalemate: at this level, the risk/reward equation seems stacked against the player who makes the first move.

One way to rebalance this equation is to learn attack patterns that carry less risk. Two main difficulties in attacking the opponent on the boundary exist. The first is roqueting boundary balls without sending them out of bounds. The second is the problem of clearing the attacking ball, either on the attacking turn or later. Without advanced break-making skills, we can’t expect to peel partner or leave it in scoring position, so we want an attack sequence that allows us to clear the attacking ball and yet still leave a break for partner.

Figure 1 shows a typical intermediate-level opening, with all balls clear and for 2. UK has joined on the west boundary with a rush north. RY has joined in corner II, but slightly wide and across the corner as a defensive measure.

(A possible play here is the “rout,” short for roquet-out: U plays a hard cut-rush to send K out of bounds close to RY. U stays on the boundary with no deadness and now RY must do something. But if both sides make sensible decisions, we will be back to the Figure 1 position within a rotation or two. How and why? The answer is left as an exercise for the reader.)

As long as the boundaries are reasonably flat, each side has a fair chance at the ideal attack, setting partner for a three-

ball break while clearing the attacking ball. U can make the classic “rush to the attack,” rushing K close to Y, leaving K and Y together, sending R away and leaving U at 2 as K’s pioneer. The key is that R is reasonably close to 2, offering U a manageable croquet stroke sending R to the south end of the court and U to position at 2 (see Figure 2). U should try to get one- to two-yard position at 2. Even if U jaws the subsequent shot at 2, K should be able to peel it. All players should practice this attack sequence, especially the big croquet stroke sending R away and getting position with U.

If U declines the attack, RY has an even better play, especially if U has crept up the line to give K a rush to the corner. This

is the “take-off to the attack:” R taps Y and takes off to the opponent balls. R should roquet K first, then play for the rush on U to 2. (This is why the play is more attractive if U has played north of K; it is easier to get this rush.) If R makes a good rush to 2, play a normal approach shot (attempting to hide U from K), score the wicket and return to R, leaving U as a pioneer for Y. If the rush is wide or short (see Figure 3), R should send U close to Y while approaching 2, then run the wicket and hide from K. Again, all players should practice this attack sequence. Both these patterns make great practice drills even if you don’t yet feel ready to try them out in games.

Building a Strong Foundation

If you ask anyone in the construction business, a solid foundation is essential to any building allowing the rest of the structure to be built upon it. With that in mind, what shot is the most frequently played in all levels of Golf Croquet and therefore can be considered the foundation of the game?

A few studies using analysis of actual games have indicated that positioning shots are played more than any other stroke in a game and typically make up 50 percent of the shots played. Interestingly, these shots are often practiced the least by players. Often, positioning shots tend to have the highest failure rate as they require accuracy and precision in the same way as hooprunning and clearing shots.

So why is a good placement shot so important?

1. A player who can consistently place a ball in a good hooprunning position will often require their opponent to clear them from a long distance and be on defense. For example, let’s say your opponent has just scored hoop #1 but has only gone through the hoop a couple of feet and you are now the first ball to shoot down to hoop #2. By setting up well, your opponent will now have to attempt a clearing shot possibly from up to 60 feet away! The chances of winning the hoop are in your favor.

2. A good placement shot can also help you avoid being cleared a long distance. Let’s continue with the scenario from above. Let’s imagine you scored hoop #2 and now your opponent is the first player to hoop #3. As it turns out, they didn’t get a very good hoop-running position but are still in the vicinity of the hoop and able to clear any ball in the area. Your placement shot here should be in a position so the worst that can happen is they clear you to a short boundary at corner three rather than down the court.

• Be specific about where you want the ball to land, down to a blade of grass or spot on the court.

• Lawn Speed: I’ve personally gotten more and more focused on determining lawn speed as part of my warmup, and I use that information to help me with my placement shots. You can find some very technical and scientific mathematical formulas and methods online, but I use a simple and basic way to calibrate the lawn speed for my own purposes noted in the drill below.

Drill #1 - Lawn Speed. Starting at the south boundary, I hit a ball towards the north boundary using a long relaxed comfortable swing. At the moment of contact, I begin counting how many seconds it takes until the ball stops rolling. Then I take a second ball and do the same thing trying to hit it in the same way as my first ball and count again. The object is to find out how many seconds the ball will roll and how far it will go when I use a long, relaxed swing. I’ve found that anything 10 seconds and above indicates a fast lawn, and anything eight seconds and less indicates a slow lawn. The distance the balls travel also gives me feedback on how far the shot will go when I use it in a game. Depending on how much time I have in the warmup or when I’m practicing, I will try to get a sense of the lawn speed in all directions not just south to north.

IN THE SUN, RAIN, HEAT OR CHILL WHITE TIE HAS YOU COVERED! !

Drill #2 - To the Fringe. One other drill I like to use to get the “feel” of the lawn is to place a few balls near a corner hoop and shoot each one to land on the sideline. I use the feedback on each shot (short, long or just right) to improve the next one. Then I shoot from the sideline and try to land the shot in line with the hoop. Going back and forth from each shooting position, I’ve found that if I think about the feedback from each shot that it will only take about four to eight shots for my placement to begin to lock in and become consistent.

3. Placement shots can also be used effectively to block an opponent. This is particularly useful if you are not comfortable hitting long clearing shots.

Practice Tips for Placement

• Tempo: Your swing tempo on a positioning shot should be relatively slow using a relaxed grip. If you find you are overshooting the target, shorten your overall swing and, in particular, decrease your backswing slightly to help slow down.

Drill #3 – No Hoops or Clears. Using all four balls, begin at the starting corner and hit your first ball to Hoop 1. With each of the remaining balls, try to improve the placement of each shot. No clearing shots or hoop-running are used with this drill, focus only on positioning shots. Go around the entire court and play all 12 hoops and include the 13th tiebreaker hoop. Because you don’t need to worry about scoring the hoop, this drill helps you focus on placement only and can also be a fun and challenging game with a friend.

Do the basics well. Once you’ve put in some quality time working on placement shots and building a solid foundation for your game, the next step is to add another layer. My suggestion would be to work on stop shots and center ball shots. Good luck and, as always, don’t walk backward on the court!

Nine Wicket Committee’s New Roster

Our committee was reformed in March 2022 with a completely new set of members. Loretta Cooper believes in the USCA marketing goal of utilizing “the fun of croquet” as one of the main reasons for joining the USCA. Connection with the USCA helps players learn where and with whom croquet is played in their local area and is part of participating in the growth of the sport throughout the nation.

Russ Dilley is a player looking to help build a croquet facility in his area of Indianapolis as well as helping others start and develop their local clubs. Currently, Dilley has many obligations as a volunteer of the USCA, including his support and development of a YouTube channel.

Ron Eccles is a player involved in what seems like more than just croquet, but I see his name at most croquet tournaments. Eccles would like to simplify the game, its rules and oversee at least one more national tournament in Colorado. His tournament several years ago is what got me hooked on learning more about how nine wicket fits into the USCA jigsaw puzzle.

I asked each of these members to join me in moving the ninewicket committee forward. We need to find out who plays nine wicket in North America and how we can encourage those players

to see the benefits of joining the USCA — highlighting the concept of “bringing the fun of croquet” to friends and neighbors.

Nine Wicket YouTube Videos

As part of the USCA partnership with his YouTube channel, Dilley has recently posted videos on the 2022 USCA 9W National Championship. Dilley has concentrated a lot of effort this past year on uploading edited videos of most of the national croquet championships. These resources are excellent in promoting the game of croquet. The USCA has provided funding to expand on this effort. Check out the 2022 9W National Doubles Final at http://bit.ly/3EEUHQB

National, Regional and Invitational Events

The 2022 9W Nationals were recently held in Palm Beach, Fla., down in the pit under the direction of John Warlick and Ursula Peck. The NCC is looking to develop that retention pond into additional six wicket court space. Thus, for at least the next two years, we need to look forward to hosting the National 9-Wicket championship at a new venue. If you are interested in helping the USCA host this event at your club, please let us know.

event results

Grand Haven Club Championship

December 15-18, 2022

Grand Haven Croquet Club

Coast,

2022 Shark Tooth Open

November 18-20, 2022

Sarasota County Croquet Club

Venice, Florida

Championship Flight

01. Alex Galasso

02. Webster Bull

03. Amr Hamdy 03. Matt Griffith 05. Billy Harper 05. James Creasey 05. Roger Vorraber

05. Gene Raymond

First Flight

01. Ivo Dentchev 02. Sandra Cornes 03. J. Billie Ray

David H Scott 05. John Rymer

Diane Walker

Larry Beaton

Second Flight

Darin Guffey

Dean Ricci

Bill Simmons

Brand Shank

J.R. Rowell

Rusty Rose

Karen Connery Albert

Faith Schwaibold

Third Flight 01. Tom Lindley 02. Caryl Firth 03. Kendall Hendrick 03. Jose Benjumea

John E Walker

Sally Mills

05. Rita McNamara

05. Lori Matway

Fourth Flight

01. Jon Ayers. 02. Mary Galasso 03. Graydon Bell 03. Lynda Bjorklund 05. Connie Coling 05. John Grout 05. Christine Smith 05. Linda Kemerer Fith Flight

01. Ellyn McColgan

02. Christopher Olsen

03. Shirley Ricci 03. Arlene Stevens 05. Tess Chick 05. Murray Walker 05. Alex Feinstein

05. Joe Fairbanks

2022 USCA 9W National Championship

November 11-13, 2022

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, Florida

Championship Flight

Singles

01. Sherif Abdelwahab

02. Doug Moore

03. David Isaacs

03. Sandra Knuth

05. Macey White

06. John Warlick

Doubles

01. Macey White/John Warlick

02. David Isaacs/Doug Moore

03. Bettina Hinckley/Sandra Knuth

04. Sherif Abdelwahab/Suzanne Turner

05. Patricia Duncan/Michael Gibbons

First Flight Singles

01. Gail Warlick

02. Jim Sansalone

03. Nancy Sansalone

04. Bettina Hinckley

Doubles

01. Cheryl Harders/Gail Warlick

02. Jim Sansalone/Nancy Sansalone

Grand Haven Qualifying Tournament

November 11-13, 2022

Grand Haven Croquet Club

Palm Coast, Florida

First Flight

01. Gary Gamble

02. David Paukovich

03. Jim Hester

04. Margaret Matuszak

05. Howard Chodak

05. Peter Gordon

05. Jerry Tarner

2022 National Croquet Club GC Singles

November 4-6, 2022

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, Florida

Championship Flight

01. Brian Mitchell

02. Priscilla Flowers

03. Lynda Sudderberg

03. Robert Van Tassell

05. Alex Galasso

05. Johnny Mitchell

05. Tate Russack

05. Tom Lindley

09. Leo McBride

09. Chris Morris

09. John Warlick

09. Dave Spivey

First

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Register now for your trip! Limit 6-8 guests. More details: info@JiminyWicket.org

Third Flight

01. Patrick Foy

02. Kelly Callahan

03. Ned Fleming

04. Lynn Foley

05. Ralph Worthington

05. Sheila Peterson

05. Phil Robinson

08. Pamela Wilson

08. Bess Hayes

08. Feifei Williams

West Indies Invitational

November 4-6, 2022

Bombay Croquet Club

St. Croix, Virgin Islands

Doubles

01. Doug Moore/Laura Condit

02. Dan Lawrence/Tyson Roberts-Lollino

03. Pat Richmond/Diane Fitzsimons

03. Karen Heckman/Jessica Cuyler

05. Flavia Logie/Whitney Young

2022 Ponte Vedra GC Tournament

November 3-6, 2022

Ponte Vedra Croquet Club

Ponte Vedra, Florida

Championship Singles

01. James Creasey

02. Jim Jamison

03. Helen Covington

03. Darin Guffey

05. Debbie Davidoff

05. John Curington

05. Laura Hendrick

05. Billy Harper

09. George Cochran

09. Tamer Hatata

09. James Podraza

09. Gary Gamble

09. Clint Dawkins

09. Brooklyn Ellenburg

09. David Paukovich

19. Bobby Greene

19. Phil Emond

19. Jim Hardy

19. Sue Emond

event results

2022 Ponte Vedra GC Tournament

(continued)

November 3-6, 2022

Ponte Vedra Croquet Club

Ponte Vedra, Florida

First Flight Singles

01. Kendall Hendrick

02. James Welch

Country Club of Jackson Invitational

October 21-23, 2022

Country Club of Jackson

Jackson, Mississippi

Championship

01. Michael Kearns

02. Joe Yoder

03. Britt Ruby

03. Mark Fields

05. George Cochran

05. Mike McRee

05. Ed Becker

First Flight

01. Joe Moore

02. Aong Dengler

03. David Trigiani 03. Kim Reniska

Second Flight

01. Steve Inzinna 02. Mark Saxon 03. John Witt 03. Inez Cancienne

2022 Houston Invitational

October 21-23, 2022

Memorial Park

Houston, Texas

Championship Singles

01. Bob Pulitzer

02. John Watson

03. George Peterkin III

04. Scott Kennedy

05. John Brown

06. Mary Rodeberg

07. Stuart Coco

First Flight Singles

01. Ed McCullough

02. Joe Leary

03. Don Chapoton

04. Christine Smith

05. Rob Franks

06. Penny Pressler

07. Lee Hamel

Second Flight Singles

01. Georgia Carter

02. Mary Craddock

03. Mary Jo Chapoton

04. Donna Wilson Hamel

grandprixstandings

2022 GC WOMEN'S GP TOP 60 FINAL

ALABAMA

Fairhope – The Lakewood Club

Jennifer Merritt

Richard Merritt sr

Barbara Mudd

Vandy Wade

Kent Walsh

CALIFORNIA

Indian Wells – At Large Member

Diane Steffy

Rancho Mirage –

Mission Hills Croquet Club

Rick Bigum

Mark Filippini

Mitchell Gershenfeld

Elizabeth Grillos

Gary Main

Rick Malone

Rita Malone

Mona Marcos

Steven Toporoff

COLORADO

Denver – Denver Croquet Club

Chad Mahan

CONNECTICUT

Greenwich – Greenwich Croquet Club

Fred Baker

Ren Harman

Adrianna Robertson

FLORIDA

Bonita Springs – Bonita Bay Club

Don Cerullo

Key Largo – Ocean Reef Club

Fred Flippin

Joan Flippin

Melbourne – Indian River Colony Club

Alan Garey

Naples – At Large Member

Melody Richardson

Naples –

Naples Croquet Club of Florida

Eijk Van Otterloo

Naples – The Club at the Strand

Jane Clark

Naples – Wilderness Country Club

Laurel Towers

Naples – Wyndemere Country Club

Susan Donovan

Orlando – The Country Club of Orlando

Jeff Smith

Orlando – The Country Club of Orlando,

Cathy Smith

Osprey – The Oaks Club

Joseph Henry

Patricia Henry

Sandra Wucki

Palm Beach Gardens –

Croquet Club at PGA National

Erica Williams

Palm Coast –

Grand Haven Croquet Club

Olga Lagunchik

Palm Coast –

Hammock Dunes Croquet Association

David Arkley

David Ashman

Bob Bogart

Diane Bogart

Carole Bryant

Sumner Bryant

Cathy Crooks

Warren Crooks

Debbie Curlin

David Davis

Linda Dawson

Thomas Dawson

Carol DeDoncker

Doris Dolamore

Fred Dunn

Meredith Dunn

Marion Feder

Pam Gaible

Mark Good

Marici Zuk Grajewski

Tomek Grajewski

George Henley

Melody Henley

Debra Hersh

Walter Katz

Linda Nolan

Tony Nolan

Dennis O’Leary

Michael Packard

Sandra Panoff

Bruce Perlman

Toni Perlman

Kathryn Teiro Peter

Raymond Peter

LaVerne Poniatowski

Steve Poniatowski

Kevin Porter

Susan Porter

Russ Rosenberry

Susan Rosenberry

Shelia Strifler

Joy Taylor

Keith Taylor

Elizabeth Trudeau

Mark Trudeau

Thelma Tumacdor

Peggy Wald

Ponte Vedra Beach –

Ponte Vedra Croquet Club

Susan Conley

David Lea

Nancy Lea

William Littleton

Catherine Morgan

Alice Scanlon

Venice – Sarasota County Croquet Club

Lynn Brace

Rick Brace

Emila Brittain

Gail DeVet

Keith Drake

Cindy Duranko

Eleanor Fisher-Carlin

Gerald Gilligan

Pauline Harvey

Mervyn Harvey

Richard Miller

Rebecca Peterson

Murry Walker

Sandra Wucki

Vero Beach – At Large Member

Patricia Kells

Vero Beach –

John’s Island Croquet Club

Melissa England

Sanford England

Chris Ordway

Gerry Ordway

Susan van der Stricht

Wellington – At Large Member

Hassan Raqem

West Palm Beach –

National Croquet Club

Cynthia Ahmuty

Steven Ahmuty

Barbara Bailey

Harris Baseman

Margaret Baseman

Richard Brinkley

Kaye Broadway

Frances Burns

Kelly Callahan

Leigh Cohen

Rhonda Corbmam

Deborah Day

Phyllis De Angellis

Rose Dukas

Jo Ann Dwyer

Lynn Epstein

Stuart Epstein

Beth Estes

Bruce Fogel

Jane Gaillard

Brian Gould

Jane Grandusky

La Neil Gregory

Peter Gruenberger

Helene Hasselbalch

Holly Holden

Nancy Holland

Charles Jaimeson

Linda Johannsen

Carin Lamm

Donna Levy

Robert Levy

Herb Libowitz

Fredrick Malone

Norman McMilan

Juan Milciunas

Lourdes Milciunas

Rosemarie Montello

Kathleen Murphy

Mary Nadler

Debbie Nealon

Charlene Nobel

Scott Pittenger

Kristyn Reid

Elna Rodriguez

Janne Rumbough

Maurizio Russo

Lavina Seiler

Jane Smith

Robert Smith

Raul Viera

James Whitney

Leonard Zack

Sharon Zack

GEORGIA

Atlanta –

Peachtree Hills Place Croquet Club

Betty Harrison

ILLINOIS

Chicago – Chicago Croquet Club

Bahram Kayvani

Pamela Kayvani

MARYLAND

Gibson Island – Gibson Island Club

Ashley Seen

NEW JERSEY

Spring Lake –

Green Gables Croquet Club

Peter Cerrati

Lauria Graham

NEW YORK

Bearsville – At Large Member

Patricia Gail Bradney

Gibson Island Club | Gibson Island, Maryland

Savvy City Croquet | Reno, Nevada

NORTH CAROLINA

Belvidere –

Albemarle Croquet Club@ Doodle Hill

Janet Mullen

Cashiers – The Chattooga Club

Jeannie Dolson

Southport – The Clubs at St James

David Filios

Maryann Lichtenberger

William Lichtenberger

Janet Peiler

Heather Wilson

OREGON

Bay City – At Large Member

Wendy Schink

Robin Weber

SOUTH CAROLINA

Aiken – Green Boundary Croquet Club

Janet Anthos

Cecile Beacham

Harold Beacham

Bluffton – Sun City Croquet Club

Mike Gadue

Okatie – Spring Island Croquet Club

Donald Sipple

TEXAS

Carrollton – At Large Member

Anthony Alexander

US VIRGIN ISLANDS

Christiansted –

Bombay Mallet & Wicket Croquet Club

Laura Condit

Jeffrey Condit

Don DeWilde

Andrew Gamble

Joan Kupfer

Larry Kupfer

Leonie Mahon

Susan Ridgeway

Tyson Roberts-Lollino

Ellen Wood

Whitney Young

VIRGINIA

Scottsville – At Large Member

Robert A Reeder

WASHINGTON

Puyallup – At Large Member

Zachary Person

INTERNATIONAL CANADA,ONTARIO

Thornhill – At Large Member

Cameron Eprile

Brenda Eprile

Toronto – At Large Member

Adam Barr

USCA Sanctioned Events

February

2/8/23 - 2/12/23

WCF Under 21 World Championship GC | GC

Croquet Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Croquet Club | BOP

2/10/23 - 2/12/23

SCCC Club Doubles 6W | US

Sarasota County Croquet Club | Venice, FL

Nancy Hart | 803-530-2035 | nh13sc@gmail.com

2/15/23 - 2/19/23

Steuber Classic 6W-GC | US & GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Bill F Sadowski | 631-834-7176 | wsadowsk@optonline.net

2/21/23 - 2/25/23

Mission Hills Invitational | US

Mission Hills Country Club | Rancho Mirage, CA

Nicholas Gray | 760-770-2052 | nickgray723@comcast.net

2/24/23 - 2/26/23

GC Shootout | GC

Sarasota County Croquet Club | Venice, FL

Nancy Hart | 803-530-2035 | nh13sc@gmail.com

March

3/2/23 - 3/5/23

Blaine Davis Invitational 6W | US

Gasparilla Mallet Club | Boca Grande | FL

Bob Worrell | 402-677-2683 | rgworrell@hotmail.com

3/7/23 - 3/9/23

USCA American 6W School | US

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

3/8/23 - 3/9/23

USCA GC School | GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

3/10/23 - 3/12/23

USCA Croquet Week Golf Croquet Tournament | GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

3/10/23 - 3/12/23

SCCC Club Singles 6W | US

Sarasota County Croquet Club | Venice, FL

Nancy Hart | 803-530-2035 | nh13sc@gmail.com

3/15/23 - 3/15/23

USCA Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

3/16/23 - 3/19/23

USCA Club Teams (6W) | US

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

3/24/23 - 3/26/23

NEFCC Spring 6W Open | US

Ponte Vedra Croquet Club | Ponte Vedra Beach | FL

Nancy Hart | 803-530-2035 | nh13sc@gmail.com

3/30/23 - 4/2/23

Croquet Fools AC | AC

King City Civic Association | Portland, OR

Patrick Sweeney | 503-452-2191 | sweeney@503law.com

3/31/23 - 4/2/23

National Croquet Club GC Doubles Championship | GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Julia Johnston | 561-852-1413 | medstone100@me.com

3/31/23 - 4/2/23

Sarasota Open AC | AC

Sarasota County Croquet Club | Venice, FL

Nancy Hart | 803-530-2035 | nh13sc@gmail.com

April

4/12/23 - 4/13/23

USCA GC School | GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

4/16/23 - 4/22/23

USCA AC National Championship | AC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

4/27/23 - 4/30/23

USCA GC Eights | GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

May

5/11/23 - 5/14/23

Croquet by the Bay 6W

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club | Hartfield, VA

Macey W. White | 804-694-9771 | maceywhite@gmail.com

5/18/23 - 5/21/23

Southeast 6W Regional | US

Albemarle Croquet Club | Belvidere, NC

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

June 6/1/23 - 6/4/23

Berkshire Invitational | US

Lenox Croquet Club | Lenox, MA

David R Ekstrom | 413-230-6122 | drekstrom@hotmail.com

6/3/23

National Croquet Day

Multi-Rules | At your Club

Thomas Cooper | 609-306-7669 | marketing@uscroquet.com

6/8/23 - 6/11/23

NC Open AC | AC

Albemarle Croquet Club | Belvidere, NC

Mike Taylor | 910-986-3343 | mrtaylor1022@gmail.com

6/15/23 - 6/18/23

Woodlawn Invitational 6W | US

Woodlawn Croquet Program | Ellsworth, ME

Perry A Mattson | 207-667-9335 | newburyneckshore@gmail.com

6/29/23 - 7/2/23

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Festival GC | GC

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club | Hartfield, VA

Macey W. White | 804-694-9771 | maceywhite@gmail.com

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6/29/23 - 7/2/23

Rockfish GC | GC

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club | Hartfield, VA

Macey W. White | 804-694-9771 | maceywhite@gmail.com

July

7/10/23 - 7/13/23

WCF AC World Championship Qualifier

Sussex County Croquet Club | Sussex

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

7/15/23 - 7/23/23

WCF AC World Championship | AC

Hurlingham and Multiple Clubs | London | Johnny Mitchell | 561478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

7/20/23 - 7/23/23

Western 6W Regional Championship | US

King City Civic Center | Portland, OR

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

August

8/3/23 - 8/6/23

Buffalo 7th Annual 6W Invitational | US

Delaware Park | Buffalo, NY

Robert Gannon | 716-432-1500 | thehangmen@msn.com

8/7/23 - 8/14/23

WCF Women’s GC World Championship | GC

Sussex County Croquet Club | West Sussex, England

8/11/23 - 8/13/23

Rochester Invitational | US

Rochester Croquet Club | Rochester, NY

Sue E Sherer | 585-474-3753 | sue.e.sherer@gmail.com

8/24/23 - 8/27/23

Western AC Regional Championship | AC

West Point Grey | Vancouver, BC

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

September

9/6/23 - 9/10/23

Woodlawn Big Lobster 6W/9W | US & 9W

Woodlawn Croquet Program | Ellsworth, ME

Perry A Mattson | 207-667-9335 | newburyneckshore@gmail.com

9/14/23 - 9/17/23

Blue Crab 6W | US

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club | Hartfield, VA

Macey W. White | 804-694-9771 | maceywhite@gmail.com

9/18/23 - 9/24/23

USCA GC National Championship | GC

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club | Hartfield, VA

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

9/27/23 - 10/1/23

Pinehurst Invitational 6W | US

Pinehurst Country Club | Pinehurst, NC

Elaine Moody | 910-986-3164 | halliburton_2@msn.com

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October

10/7/23 - 10/10/23

Big Oyster GC | GC

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club | Hartfield, VA

Macey W. White | 804-694-9771 | maceywhite@gmail.com

10/8/23 - 10/14/23

USCA American 6W National Championship | US

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

10/12/23 - 10/15/23

Women’s Friendship Cup GC | GC

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club | Hartfield, VA

Macey W. White | 804-694-9771 | maceywhite@gmail.com

10/14/23 - 10/21/23

WCF GC Over 50 World Championship | AC

Moorabinda Croquet Club & Bunbury Tennis Club | , WA

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

10/17/23 - 10/18/23

USCA GC School | GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

10/20/23 - 10/22/23

National Croquet Club GC Singles | GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Priscilla M Flowers | 828-421-3543 | pmflowers375@gmail.com

10/26/23 - 10/29/23

USCA Selection Eights AC | AC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

10/31/23 - 11/2/23

USCA American 6W School | US

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

November

11/7/23 - 11/12/23

Solomon Trophy | AC

Sarasota County Croquet Club | Venice, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

11/8/23 - 11/12/23

USCA Seniors Masters 6W | US

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

11/14/23 - 11/18/23

US Open AC | AC

Sarasota County Croquet Club | Venice, FL

Doug Grimsley | 703-591-0813 | dgrimsley37@aol.com

December

12/1/23 - 12/3/23

USCA GC Club Teams | GC

Sarasota County Croquet Club | Venice, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

12/5/23 - 12/9/23

Pacific Cup AC | AC

Mission Hills Country Club | Rancho Mirage, CA

Patrick Sweeney | 503-452-2191 | sweeney@503law.com

12/6/23 - 12/7/23

USCA GC School | GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

12/8/23 - 12/10/23

National Croquet Club 6W Doubles | US

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Timothy McCormick | 207-329-5343 | tmccorm1@gmail.com

January

1/12/24 - 1/14/24

National Croquet Club 6W Singles | US

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Timothy McCormick | 207-329-5343 | tmccorm1@gmail.com

1/18/24 - 1/21/24

Women’s GC Open | GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Priscilla M Flowers | 828-421-3543 | pmflowers375@gmail.com

February

2/1/24 - 2/2/24

Snowbirds & Flamingos GC | GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Priscilla M Flowers | 828-421-3543 | pmflowers375@gmail.com

2/12/24 - 2/18/24

USCA GC Nationals | GC

Mission Hills Country Club | Rancho Mirage, CA

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

March

3/8/24 - 3/10/24

USCA Croquet Week GC | GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

3/14/24 - 3/17/24

USCA Club Teams 6W | US

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Johnny Mitchell | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com

3/31/24 - 4/2/24

National Croquet Club GC Doubles | GC

National Croquet Center | West Palm Beach, FL

Priscilla M Flowers | 828-421-3543 | pmflowers375@gmail.com

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