3 minute read
Regional Growth and Global Competition
“Victory is in the quality of the competition and not the final score.” Mike Marshall (Mike Marshall was MLB outfielder for the Dodgers from 1981-1991)
Summer came early in Florida, with our GC National Championships played in May at the National Croquet Center. The heat was turned up and our players showed up to compete. Anyone fortunate enough to be there witnessed world-class play among our very finest in the game. When the players were asked by our Tournament Directors, Elaine and Rocky Smith, if they would like to play best-ofthree or best-of-five matches for the semifinals and finals, all players opted to play best-of-five in untimed matches. Matthew Essick and Tom Balding advanced to the finals, and Essick played an impressive match, winning in three straight games. It was an inspiring treat for spectators as they observed the skill, stamina and competitive drive of these two superior athletes.
While tournaments in the Florida and the Southeast regions quiet down for a couple of months, activity abounds in our other regions through the summer and fall. Our Regional Vice Presidents (RVP) are working toward getting dates on the calendar for regional tournaments. They are also focused on networking with District Presidents (DP) to strengthen croquet at clubs around the country. Is your club seeking to energize its croquet program? Contact your RVP and/or DP to review the obstacles you face and discuss fresh ideas and new ways to move forward.
Another world championship is coming to the United States this October! The USCA is proud to be hosting the WCF Association Laws World Championship at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. Our committee is dedicated to planning a firstclass tournament for the best AC players in the world. Would you like to take part as a sponsor of this exciting event as we welcome our international friends? Please reach out if you are interested in helping us provide a lasting impression on all who attend.
One last special highlight to share is that we are gearing up for a milestone celebration in 2027, with the USCA’s 50 Year Anniversary! USCA Secretary, John Craddock, has enthusiastically agreed to chair this committee. We have been saying for a while that we need to record the history of croquet in the United States and this gives us the perfect opportunity to capture the history and take a nostalgic look back at the game and the people. I have had the pleasure of working with Jim Bast as we begin to collect pictures, interesting articles, and even a few entertaining oral histories. We want your stories too. Do you have any old photos or personal anecdotes that you would like to share? Let’s make this a memorable tribute to the history of the sport and those who have helped to shape it.
