When you see the two immaculately manicured croquet lawns at the heart of Peachtree Hills Place, it’s easy to understand why croquet enthusiasts love this luxury Life Plan community in the heart of Atlanta.
Here you’ll find elegant homes, upscale dining, attentive staff, fitness center with resort-style pool, and an on-site Wellness Center...all in an historic Buckhead neighborhood. Visit us to meet a lively group of friends you can don your whites with every day.
“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” Phil Jackson
Thank you to all who have reached out to congratulate me on my new position as USCA President. I appreciate your good words, encouragement and support. I have the greatest respect for the team we have in place, with each person on our Management Committee sharing a genuine interest in serving, as well as possessing strong character and integrity that adds value to our organization.
My experience for the last three years has enabled me to learn from three of the best: Damon Bidencope, Michael Albert and Carla Rueck. I thank them for their leadership and commitment to the USCA. Their hard work and diligence have contributed to our strong foundation, which I am privileged to take forward and build upon.
I applaud the efforts of Michael Albert with his fundraising accomplishments for the Lee Olsen fund. Through that fund and our Talent Development program, we have enabled our finest players to receive training, coaching and the funding to compete internationally and bring home several impressive titles. Every sport needs its heroes, the ones who inspire us to give it our best, and ours have made us proud!
We are working to inspire at the Club level, too. Our Education Committee, chaired by Kyle Maloof, is taking action steps to bring learning opportunities to every club that desires to enhance or develop a croquet program.
I am in the process of forming a new committee aimed at advancing women in the game. The first step will be to have USCA Women’s nationally titled events. These will be in addition to our national events that include both men and women.
Noreen and John Rice will chair a new committee to help aid in the process of pursuing and utilizing public venue opportunities for croquet programs. We will develop a page on our website to share this information.
The USCA is an organization made up of volunteers, generous sponsors and a small group of office staff that we rely on heavily. I cannot adequately express the extent of my gratitude for all of you. The bottom line is we need you. You are part of the team. I think everyone who plays this crazy game understands what I mean when I say, “It is the love of the game that binds us together.” It’s downright peculiar how that bond is so strong, yet undeniable.
I am proud and humbled at the same time to be your president. I’m rolling up my sleeves. There is work to do.
Bev Cardo
USCA President
President@croquetamerica.com / www.croquetamerica.com
USCA Management Committee
President Beverley Cardo president@uscroquet.com
First Vice President John Brown firstvp@uscroquet.com
Second Vice President Adam Lassiter secondvp@uscroquet.com
Treasurer Douglas Moore treasurer@uscroquet.com
Secretary John Craddock secretary@uscroquet.com
Florida Bill Simmons floridarvp@uscroquet.com
Mid-Atlantic Chris Morris
midatlanticrvp@uscroquet.com
Midwest Scott Spradling 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
Brian Hovis tournament@uscroquet.com
Tournament & Schools
Johnny Mitchell tournament@uscroquet.com
Membership Coordinator Stephanie Lutge croquetoffice@uscroquet.com
United States Croquet Association
700 Florida Mango Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406
www.croquetamerica.com
Tel. (561) 478-0760 Fax (561) 686-5507
Team
On
Team USA with the Openshaw Shield — presented to the Tier 1 Golf Croquet World Team Champions.
From left to right: Stephen Morgan, Matthew Essick, Ben Rothman, Tom Balding and Blake Fields.
Publisher
Managing
Submit inquiries and articles to uscacroquetnews@yahoo.com. Text should be submitted as a Microsoft Word file and photos should be high resolution (300 dpi). All content may be edited for length and photos will be adjusted appropriately. 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 permission of the publisher. Views expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USCA.
2025 United States Croquet Association
Mark your calendars and start planning – National Croquet Day 2025 will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7 , and the USCA encourages all clubs and players to join in making this a memorable day for promoting the sport and welcoming new members.
No matter the size or style of your event, croquet has a way of creating a day full of fun, camaraderie and connection. From themed parties to open house events, National Croquet Day is the perfect opportunity to showcase the game to your local community and introduce new players to the joy of croquet.
Host a Croquet Party: Organize a social or competitive event that reflects your club’s unique spirit.
Promote Your Event: Share your plans locally to attract guests and potential new members.
Capture the Day: We invite all clubs to send in their best photos from National Croquet Day to be featured in Croquet News and on the USCA website.
Need ideas or support for your event? Visit our official National Croquet Day web page or reach out to us directly for advice.
Send images from your event to marketing@croquetamerica.com for a chance to be highlighted in an upcoming issue. Let’s make June 7 a day to remember. Good luck and happy hoop running!
— Tom Cooper, USCA Marketing Chair.
Team USA is proud to announce its roster for the highly anticipated 2025 Solomon Trophy as the squad prepares to defend its title on British soil. Following a 14-7 victory over Great Britain in 2023 in Florida, the American team will travel to Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club August 7-12, 2025, with a strong lineup ready to meet the challenge:
• Tom Balding
• Matthew Essick
• Zack Watson
• Stephen Morgan
• Kyle Maloof
• Stuart Lawrence
• Alternates: Jeff Soo, Chris Barley
This world-class team brings a blend of experience, talent and determination, setting the stage for what promises to be another exciting edition of one of croquet’s best international rivalries. During their European trip, Team USA will engage in two key warm-up matches to prepare for the Solomon Trophy:
Carter Cup vs. Ireland | July 28-31, 2025
Carrickmines Croquet & Lawn Tennis Club, Dublin
A combined Golf Croquet and Association Croquet test match, the Carter Cup will see Team USA in action against Ireland just ahead of the Irish Open.
Golf Croquet Test Match in Budleigh Salterton August 5-6, 2025
Prior to the Solomon Trophy, Team USA will play a two-day GC test match to finetune its game and acclimate to local conditions.
Merle Berkshire .............. The Villages Croquet Club, Sarasota County Croquet Club
Edward W. Callahan ................................ Quogue Field Club, Everglades Club, Inc.
Robert Elwell ................................................................. Gasparilla Inn Mallet Club
Jim Grady ............................................................................ National Croquet Club
Bob Graham .................................................................. Lake Toxaway Mallet Club
Bill Nealon ........................... National Croquet Club, Croquet Club at PGA National
Bill Rueck Croquet Club at PGA National
At the USCA Management Meeting held on April 22, 2025, the following officers were elected to serve on the Management Committee:
• President: Beverley Cardo
• First Vice President: John Brown
• Second Vice President: Adam Lassiter
• Treasurer: Doug Moore
• Secretary: John Craddock
The newly elected leadership will guide the association through the upcoming term with a continued focus on the growth and development of croquet across the country.
The WCF, in partnership with the USCA, has officially announced the player lists for the 2025 Association Croquet World Championship, set to take place October 18-26, 2025, at the prestigious National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Fla.
This will be the third time the Championship has been hosted at this world-class venue, following two previously successful stagings. The event will feature a field of 64 players, with the possibility for expansion if four additional lawns become available. The championship promises to deliver a high standard of international competition, with topranked players, wild card selections and Member Place nominees making up the core field. Additionally, a qualifying competition will be held October 14-16, offering 24 spots for aspiring competitors, with the top four finishers earning a place in the Main Event.
The entry fee is set at £189 per player, calculated at a daily rate of £21 for the nineday event. Players are also invited to participate in the welcome ceremony, registration and practice session on October 17, with social events, including a dinner, planned throughout the tournament week.
With global representation and a strong field of elite and emerging talent, the 2025 Championship is shaping up to be a thrilling showcase of world-class croquet. Below are the official player lists as of the Announcement Date: March 27, 2025.
RANKING PLACES
(3/28/25)
Robert Fletcher, Australia — 2772
Robert Fulford, England — 2680
Reg Bamford, South Africa — 2650
Mark Avery, England — 2609
James Death, England — 2579
Logan McCorkindale, New Zealand — 2579
Samir Patel, England — 2575
Dwayne McCormick, Australia — 2562
Edward Wilson, Australia — 2552
Thomas Balding, USA — 2548
Zack Watson, USA — 2533
Malcolm Fletcher, Australia — 2519
Jose Riva, Spain — 2505
Stephen Mulliner, England — 2482
Greg Fletcher, Australia — 2469
Ben Rothman, USA — 2469
Jenny Clarke, New Zealand — 2450
Gabrielle Higgins, England — 2448
Alain Giraud, England — 2443
Robin Brown, England — 2422
Greg Hill, Australia — 2395
Andrew Johnston, Ireland — 2383
Stephen Forster, Australia — 2382
Marcus Evans, England — 2374
Callum Hyland, Australia — 2374
Duncan Reeve, Scotland — 2370
Debbie Lines, England — 2369
Nick Parish, England — 2325
Lachlan Berryman, Australia — 2322
Aston Wade, England — 2320
Michael Gidding, Australia — 2278
Brian Cumming, Canada — 2272
Angharrad Walters, Wales — 2266
Ian Lines, England — 2264
Sam Murray, Scotland — 2262
WILDCARD (3/28/25)
Jack Good, England – 2243
MEMBERSHIP PLACES (4/28/25)
Stephen Morgan, USA — 2378
David Maloof, USA — 2321
Trevor Bassett, Australia — 2303
Kyle Maloof, USA — 2269
Stuart Lawrence, USA — 2264
James Hopgood, England — 2245
Blake Fields, USA — 2205
Sherif Abdelwahab, USA — 2189
John Versey, New Zealand — 2167
Doug Grimsley, USA — 2158
Jordan Waters, England — 2158
Randy Cardo, USA — 2144
Jarrod Coutts, New Zealand — 2117
Lindsay Patullo, Australia — 2104
Andrew Symons, Scotland — 2099
Sandy Greig, Ireland — 2039
Chris Percival-Smith, Canada — 1958
Russell Harris, Ireland — 1852
David Druiett, Canada — 1805
Joakim Norback, Sweden — 1799
Brian Lozano, Mexico — 1797
Bruno Hess, Germany — 1736
David Houston, Scotland — 1637
Andrejs Savinovs, Latvia — 1342
Archibald Zimonyi, Sweden — 1057
Hugh Pettingell, Switzerland — 1000
Mohamed Karem, Egypt — N/A
REPLACEMENT PLACES (4/28/25)
Matthew Essick, USA — 2556
Edmund Fordyce, New Zealand — 2437
Josh Freeth, New Zealand — 2347
Andy Myers, England — 2244
David Fuller, England — 2236
Oakland – Oakland Croquet Club
Sandra Canchola
Brad Itokazu
Sherry LaVars
Rohnert Park – Sonoma Croquet Club
Joseph Wagner
Will Wagner
Essex – At Large Member
Spencer Sprigg
Millsboro – Baywood Greens Croquet
Dawn Jaicks
Vineyard Haven –
Edgartown Croquet Club
William Turpie
Atlantic Beach –
Fleet Landing Croquet Club
Ernest Bio
Boca Grande –
Gasparilla Inn Mallet Club
Judy Alexander
Michael Alexander
Beth Baker
Todd Baker
Sandra Breck
Christine Connelly
Matthew Fortgang
Theresa Fortgang
Clark Hinkley
Jane Hinkley
Jim Hornig
Corky Jones
Octavia Jones
Carol Mack
Jeff Mack
Hildegard Messenbaugh
Thomas Renyi
Elizabeth Renyi
Donald Thompson
John Thompson
Melinda Thompson
Boynton Beach – St. Andrews Club
Leigh Allen
Susan Allen
Gulfstream – The Little Club
Nancy Hellmuth
Lake Wales –
Mountain Lake Croquet Club
Robert Geehr
Doug Noordsy
Frank Schroeder
Anne Schroeder
Callie Sullivan
Cathy Warner
Cameron Warner Jr
Naples – Wilderness Country Club
Barbara Davis
Barbara Laswell
Newberry – At Large Member
Trevor Louw
Nokomis –
Sarasota County Croquet Club
Stacey Frazier
Nancy Perlow
Palm Beach – The Beach Club
Jody Howard
Peter Ashby Howard
Vero Beach – At Large Member
Melanie Dudgeon
Michael George
Louise Porter
Vero Beach – John's Island Croquet Club
Timothy Lawrence
Vero Beach – Oak Harbor Club
Marian Burke
Russell Burke
Vero Beach – The Moorings Club
Barbara DuPont
Vero Beach – Vero Beach Country Club
Nick Geeslin
West Palm Beach –
National Croquet Club
Key Brill
Elinor Cleare
Jody Haugland
Scott Haugland
Lawrence Imbesi
Patricia Imbesi
Ingrid Johnson
Alexandra Jones
Jackie Lorne
Joyce Mathias
Constance Murrin
Daniel Reilly
Carol Tiernan
Anne Whitehead
MAINE
Sidney – At Large Member
Edward Oliver
Kerri Oliver
Baywood Greens Croquet................................... Millsboro, Delaware
Shell Point Croquet Association........................... Fort Myers, Florida
Antler Bluff Croquet Club ........................................... Houston, Texas
Centenary Croquet Club Scottsville, Virginia
Southfield – Lenox Croquet Club
Robert Geehr
Vineyard Haven –
Edgartown Croquet Club
Joy Turpie
Spring Lake –
Green Gables Croquet Club
Elizabeth Lamb
Dennis Selmont
NEW YORK
Westhampton Beach –
Westhampton Mallet Club
Barbara Pettus
Teresa Tiberg
Cashiers – Trillium Links and Lake Club
Tom Brooks
Linville – Grandfather Golf & Country Club
Karen Keatley
Randy Keatley
Pinehurst – Pinehurst Croquet Club
Stefanie Bogetto
Eileen Carter
Todd Carter
Tass Jones
Debbie Mosotti
Sapphire – Burlingame Country Club
Thomas Wolford
Winston-Salem –
Arbor Acres Croquet
Cynthia Hatcher
David Hatcher
Nichols Hills – ScissorTail Croquet Club
Rod McEver
Gigi McEver
Jackie Tilghman
Robert Tilghman
Bethlehem – At Large Member
Kimberlee Shoup Erney
Gwynedd – At Large Member
Ajay Dravid
RHODE ISLAND
Middletown – At Large Member
Ann Clemens
Aiken – At Large Member
Chris Eaton
James Island – St. James Croquet Club
Nigel Parry
Marilyn Reeves
TEXAS
Houston – Bayou Club of Houston
Sam Chambers
Lucy Chambers
What is a Gala, you might ask? According to AI, a gala is a formal, often elaborate, public party or celebration, frequently used as a fundraiser for a charity or organization. The CFA, in conjunction with the US Croquet Association, did indeed hold a financially successful “Gala” on February 28, 2025, at the Charles P. Steuber National Croquet Center, West Palm Beach, Fla., in the clubhouse, on its wraparound veranda and under a gigantic white tent overlooking night-lit croquet courts to enjoy the view. The night was balmy and clear, and attendees were dressed in their most festive party attire. After having their photographs taken in front of the Step-and-Repeat by Capehart, Palm Beach’s ultimate photographer, guests tuned up quickly with great cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres created by our dedicated and beloved caterer SandyJames Fine Foods & Productions. Earlier, 20 Hall of Famers nattily attired in their redcoats attended a lively private, reception in the ballroom upstairs where the new inductees were toasted with champagne. We are delighted to report that Hall of Famer Anne Robinson’s original fantasy of having an annual coming together at each HOF Gala grew from 12 attendees at our inaugural party last year to 20 attendees this year. Those longtime friends came from far and wide and enthusiastically enjoyed their cozy reunion.
CFA Chairman David McCoy gave opening remarks and USCA President Damon Bidencope recognized the many Hall of Fame members present. Hall of Famer Rory J. Kelley presented the red jacket to Doug Grimsley whose remarkable career in croquet and his tireless dedication to the sport, both as a player and a volunteer, make him a deserving inductee into the U.S. Croquet Hall of Fame. His contributions will continue to shape the future of croquet, and his legacy as both a champion and a true ambassador will endure for generations.
Jeff Soo was presented with his red jacket by Hall of Famer Eugene Fields Young. Soo’s legacy in croquet is not only defined by his exceptional playing record but also by his unwavering dedication to promoting the sport, mentoring future generations and setting a standard of excellence both on and off the court. His induction into the U.S. Croquet Hall of Fame is a fitting recognition of his decades of service and passion for croquet.
The Induction Ceremony, held on the South and East Veranda, was special as always, but this year highlighted by newly inducted Doug Grimsley’s hilarious “roast” of his longtime compatriot and fellow inductee Jeff Soo, which was then followed by Soo’s comeback “roast” of Grimsley. Our sincerest congratulations were offered to them both with many standing ovations, endless laughter and love welcoming them as new members of the U.S. Croquet Hall of Fame.
The evening’s Honorary Chairs were Beverley and Randy Cardo. Gala Committee Chair, Ruth Summers, acknowledged at the ceremony and in the Program Journal her gratitude to all her 16 committee members, the NCC staff and SandyJames Fine Foods who contributed to the evening being a smashing success. Their unwavering support during the four months of preparations kept us moving forward in so many ways toward our goal. When we adjourned to our dinner tables, we found at our seats the souvenir journal of the evening’s program. Many thanks to Croquet News publisher, Dylan Goodwin, for his 46 vibrant and imaginative pages. Thanks also to the friends and families who filled the
journal with congratulatory messages, colorful photos and articles. The eye-catching bright royal blue graphics on the front and back covers matched the invitations and reply cards. The theme was “Celebrating Greatness,” and the party was all of that and more. According to Summers, creating the journal involves challenging and time-consuming coordination to create the evening’s exuberant, memorable atmosphere and celebration in honor of our two new Hall of Fame inductees.
A delicious gourmet dinner was served to 134 attendees on the lawn under a lush, white oversized tent at 18 tables of various shapes and sizes … some round, some rectangular. Unique centerpieces, designed and constructed by Kathy Carpineto, staff member of SandyJames Fine Foods, simulated croquet courts, complete with miniature wickets, balls, clips and crisp green grass. Contemporary candlelight added to the warm and romantic atmosphere. Conversation was at its peak all evening and many folks danced very enthusiastically to the lively music of D.J. Kenny Mondo Productions. A classy and happy party was enjoyed
by all. The CFA is grateful for the many thank you notes from those who attended and essentially said the event was indeed “A Night to Remember!”
The Hall of Fame Induction and Gala serves as the CFA’s major annual fundraiser. The money raised provides essential operating support for the Charles P. Steuber National Croquet Center. Be sure to watch for the upcoming Save The Date for the next Gala.
—Ruth Summers
The “New” Steuber Tournament was not really new, it was the best elements of the “Classic” Charles Steuber Tournament expanded by the generosity of the Steuber family, the JER and Linda Chilton Family Foundation and its President Missy Chilton and the Croquet Foundation of America. And when we say expanded, we really mean “pumped up” to epic proportions.
Start with $30,000 in prize money. Add deliciously generous food for breakfast and lunch, “how would you like your omelet?” Add a swinging Hall of Fame Dinner honoring Doug Grimsley and Jeff Soo. Accent this with perfect Florida weather and the NCC veranda, and we think the 90 players had a better than wonderful time.
The purse, favoring American Rules top finishers managed to change the trend back toward American rules. The past several years saw more players moving to GC. We had five flights of American Six Wicket singles and just two flights for golf croquet. Money talks and let’s see who made what:
In Championship Flight 6W, Robert Fletcher was only beatable in block play. Once he figured things out, he was invinctus (invincible) and walked away with $8,000. “I had never played in an AR tournament before, so I was really pleased to win,” says the modest Fletcher. He notes, too, that flying in from his home in Australia had left him so jet-lagged that he missed the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala Friday night. He has just recently moved to the area and joined the NC Club. Applause, applause!
Congratulations to Doug Grimsley who played to a great second place and $4,000. Championship B was won by an unshakable David Ekstrom ($4,500) who beat Connor Helms ($2,000) in a very close match.
First Flight 6W was won by local celebrity Luke Van Alen ($3,000), who defeated Texan Britt Ruby ($1,500). Second Flight winner went to Quinn Reinhart ($1,250) who was able to overcome Yen Sullivan ($750) in a close contest. And finally, Third Flight was won by David Kepner ($1,000) beating Charlotte Pulitzer ($500) who had a wonderful tournament, winning a first place in Championship doubles.
Golf Croquet, with a bit less prize money, also drew several heavy hitters. In Championship Flight, Ned Sperry, who was seeded 10th, won the day and $1,500 over Cami Russack who took $750 home. The First Flight was won by Billy Simmons ($1,000) over Don Allison ($500).
In summation, we might say it was five days filled with great drama, good sportsmanship, camaraderie and treasured times to remember. And it’s important to note that the purse did not generate a hint of less than sporting behavior. We remain impervious to less than honorable behavior. Congratulations!
“The Hall of Fame and the New Steuber competition marry the proud history of croquet with the promise of its growing popularity in the country,” says David McCoy, CFA Chairman. “It puts a spotlight on the NCC as the national center of our great sport. Thanks also to the JER and Linda Chilton Family Foundation and its President, Missy Chilton, in memory of her husband Bob, for the generous prize money for American Rules winners. Thanks also to Manager Doug Moore as well as Damon Bidencope and the USCA for their support.”
—Tom Cooper
Two honorable mentions go to Melissa Nelson who earned, not money, but a whopping 34 tracking points. And Geoffry Johnson who won the coveted Rookie Award for doing so well in his first tournament.
www.sixwicketvineyards.com
MEDIA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
GC ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Mike Hoggatt
GC MOST IMPROVED FEMALE PLAYER
Sarah Persons
GC MOST IMPROVED MALE PLAYER
Adam Barr
AMERICAN RULES MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Brian Hovis
AC FEMALE GRAND PRIX WINNER
Arlene Parker
AC GRAND PRIX WINNER
Brian Cumming
JACKIE JONES AWARD / FEMALE AR GRAND PRIX WINNER
Lynda Sudderberg
AMERICAN RULES GRAND PRIX WINNER
Randy Cardo
FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR & GC FEMALE GRAND PRIX WINNER
Ellie Griffith
GC GRAND PRIX WINNER
Brian Lozano
TEDDY PRENTIS AWARD
Nate Weimerskirch
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Jeff Soo
SENIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Bob Van Tassel
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Blake Fields
PEYTON BALLENGER AWARD
Sandra Knuth
Jennifer Joseph
Outstanding work as the Florida Southwest District President.
Robert Newburn
Dedication to croquet and love of the game.
Adam Peck
Hard work, positive attitude and willingness to help wherever needed during the GC Worlds.
Ursula Peck
Organizational and administrative work leading up to and during the GC Worlds.
Eileen Soo
Outstanding support of croquet.
Elaine and Rocky Smith
Growing the croquet program at St. James Croquet Club and invaluable help at the GC Worlds.
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IN A PERFORMANCE THAT CAPTURED THE ATTENTION OF GC FANS ACROSS THE WORLD, TEAM USA STORMED TO ITS FIRST-EVER WORLD CROQUET TITLE AT THE PFC MALLETS GOLF CROQUET WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP, DELIVERING A FLAWLESS 7-0 TEST VICTORY OVER PERENNIAL POWERHOUSE EGYPT IN THE FINAL AT THE NORTHERN TASMANIAN CROQUET CENTRE IN ST. LEONARDS, TASMANIA.
Held February 17-22, the American squad came into the event with a loaded roster that featured 2019 World Champion Ben Rothman, current World Champion Blake Fields, 2022 World Champion Matthew Essick, Tom Balding and Stephen Morgan. Throughout the six-day event, the team displayed top form across the lineup and, with a wealth of previous international experience, exuded a calm confidence all week.
Shortly after returning to the U.S., Rothman spoke about the achievement, saying, “It was pure joy. It was great fun. It was a little bit of a weight off the shoulders. We had great control and all we wanted to do was make sure that we didn’t give them any sort of opening because they were a fantastic team. So, with a big lead, we really wanted to shut the door.”
Essick added to the sentiment, saying, “Going to a lot of these team events over the years and coming up short … the first international world teams win for the United States is just a really big deal.”
The team showed good form from the beginning as they notably went 3-0 in Block A with a 5-1 win over Spain on Day One, then defeated South Africa 5-1 on Day Two before closing out with a 4-2 victory over Egypt. That final block test saw the U.S. team fight out of an 0-2 hole as they lost both opening doubles matches before bouncing back to win all the singles matches.
Reflecting on the importance of that final block test, Rothman says, “We lost at Hoop 13 in both game threes of the doubles to start the test. The good news was we already had two test wins, so we knew we were making it out (of the block). But coming out and playing the number one (Australia from Block B) who had a couple of 6-0 wins would have been a lot harder than finishing the block by beating Egypt and getting whichever team was kind of scraping by. Rallying from those two losses at Hoop 13 in game three to win all the singles was huge because … we knew we could beat Egypt, but we hadn’t ever beaten Egypt.”
For their efforts in winning Block A, Team USA was rewarded with a match against two-time defending champion New Zealand. Australia had scored a 4-2 victory over New Zealand in the first round of Block B play, but the proud New Zealand squad stayed in the hunt by soundly defeating England 5-1 and Ireland 6-0 to earn a trip to the knockout phase.
The semifinal battle with Team USA kicked off with a 1-1 split in the doubles matches. New Zealand’s Edmund Fordyce then claimed a 7-6, 7-5 win over Fields to push the defenders out to a 2-1 lead in a match that was featured on the livestream. But Essick then claimed a 7-3, 5-7, 7-5 win over Felix Webby to even the test at 2-2.
From there, Team USA amped up their game with Rothman getting a 7-6, 7-6 victory over Logan McCorkindale, which was followed by a 6-7, 7-6, 7-3 win for Balding over Levi Franks. Essick pushed the test score to 5-2 by defeating McCorkindale 7-5, 7-4 in the last match of the day for the test.
Needing two wins to clinch the test the following day, Team USA was the first to punch their ticket to the final as they took singles and doubles wins in two games over New Zealand in the first session of the day to get the required seven wins to advance. After all the action played out, the final was 9-4 in favor of the U.S. team.
Asked about the early stages of the New Zealend test, Essick says, “I was tied 5-5 in game three with Felix (Webby) and Blake had just lost to Edmund (Fordyce), so they were up 2-1 with a chance to go up 3-1 with a few hoops to play … Hoops 11 and 12 went in my favor, but a 3-1 deficit there doesn’t mean that the matches later on in the day aren’t going to go our way. But momentum is a key factor and going down 3-1 as opposed to 2-2, it makes a big difference. I felt more pressure in that moment in the test than any other moment we had all week.”
In the other semifinal, Egypt had also entered the second day needing only two victories to clinch the test, but the featured livestream doubles match of Mohamed Nasr/Khaled Kamel for Egypt versus Robert Fletcher/Greg Fletcher of Australia proved to be a marathon battle. In the background, Egypt’s Yasser Sayed was having more success as he took a 7-1, 7-6 win over Malcolm Fletcher to move the test to 6-2.
In the doubles, Nasr/Kamel took game one 7-5, but the Fletchers returned the favor in game two with their own 7-5 win. That set up a decider that went to the 13th Hoop. The Fletcher brothers won that battle to keep Australia alive at 6-3.
By that time, Sayed was already into his second match of the day, this time squaring off against Ed Wilson. After getting a 7-6 victory in the opener, Sayed closed it out 7-3 in the second game to clinch a fourth straight appearance in the final for the legendary Egyptian squad.
Croquet fans across the globe looked forward to an epic back-andforth finals test as it was expected the legendary Egyptian squad would be looking to avenge the block loss to Team USA’s new wave of GC stars. But it played out quite differently as Team USA picked up both victories in the opening round of doubles for a 2-0 lead. That contrasted starkly against the doubles losses they took to open the previous block test. It felt like a bad sign for the Egyptian team, but as the test rolled into singles, it appeared as though the Egyptians had settled. Yasser Sayed opened his match with Blake Fields with a 7-4 win, as Fields was not yet showing his top form.
Essick, on the other hand, started off strong for the U.S. in his singles match, jumping to a 2-0 lead in game one against Mohamed Nasr. Lending additional credibility to the “unimportant Hoop 2 theory,” Essick hit a bad stretch where the hoops weren’t falling and then some of his clearings were off target. Nasr was on form and took advantage, piling up the successive hoops to eventually cruise to a 7-2 victory.
It’s in those moments where the form is slightly off that champions show what’s on the inside. For Essick, it was a gradual, steady, claw-your-way-back process in game two to gain some momentum against an experienced world champion. As his form returned to
BLOCK A
Egypt 4, South Africa 2
USA 5, Spain 1
USA 5, South Africa 1
Egypt 5, Spain 1
USA 4, Egypt 2
South Africa 3, Spain 3 (ZAF 9-7 in games)
USA 9, New Zealand 4
Egypt 7, Australia 3
USA 7, EGYPT 0
THIRD: Australia 5, New Zealand 4
FIFTH: England 8, South Africa 1
SEVENTH: Spain 5, Ireland 4
BLOCK B
England 4, Ireland 2
Australia 4, New Zealand 2
Australia 6, Ireland 0
New Zealand 5, England 1
Australia 6, England 0
New Zealand 6, Ireland 0
normal standards, the game evolved into a real tussle. Eventually, he got it to a 13th Hoop, where he claimed game two to send the match to a decider.
“When you play in a croquet tournament that is this long, you’re going to have stretches where you don’t play well,” says Essick. “And others where you play unbelievably well. The key is the stretches where you’re not playing well, need to be as short as possible and the stretches where you’re playing unbelievably well, you’re trying to lengthen those out.”
In the meantime, Fields flicked the switch after the game one loss, and going into the second game, we saw the world champion at his best. He answered with two emphatic wins for a final match score of 4-7, 7-3, 7-3 against Sayed to give the U.S. a 3-0 test advantage.
At this point, the entire croquet world knew that it was relatively critical for Nasr to get Egypt on the board. But Essick was relentless and, despite another tough battle, he was able to get a 7-5 game three win to establish a suffocating 4-0 lead for the U.S. team.
GCWTC
2025 - USA 7, Egypt 0
2020 - New Zealand 7, Egypt 4
2016 - New Zealand 7, Egypt 5
2012 - Egypt 7, New Zealand 5
From the Egyptian perspective, that deficit was particularly disturbing as Tom Balding had already gone 7-2 in game one against Mohamed Taha. Hoping to limit the damage, Taha fought back in game two, but Balding’s hoop and clearing accuracy were dialed in and he took care of business at the fishhook for a 7-2, 7-6 match win and a commanding 5-0 test lead.
Essick says, “Over the course of the week, he (Balding) had seven wins from 6-4 down, which is just incredible to come back from 6-4 down even once over the course of a tournament. To do it seven different times is really a statement and just shows that you’re never counting yourself out.”
The day would finish with a match between U.S. captain Ben Rothman and Egypt’s Khaled Kamel. Could Team USA cap off a perfect start? Egypt was certainly hoping to avoid heading into a final day that offered no room for error. So, maybe it was those emotions that led to the tense moments that seemed to start prior to Rothman winning Hoop 10 in game one, with a discussion about one of Kamel’s south boundary balls. That carried over to Rothman asking for space for an angled jump shot attempt at H12 that took some extra effort. It seemed to conclude with a referee session and a lot of arm gestures prior to the 13th Hoop battle.
Rothman took the hoop and game one, but in light of the clear tensions, it seemed like a side story at the time. Kamel rolled to a 7-4 win to answer, but channeling a moment of “anything you can do, I can do better,” Rothman was equal to the task and answered with a decisive 7-2 win in game three to establish a 6-0 lead for a perfect opening day.
On the match, Rothman says, “Everybody’s tense in a team event. You want to win it not just for yourself, but for the team – there’s motivation there. He doesn’t speak a lot of English, I certainly don’t speak a lot of Arabic … It wasn’t the least tense match I’ve ever been a part of and certainly with the test score going our way, everybody else had won that day, so we were 5-0. You don’t want to give them any chance of momentum, you know, get one win and start talking positively at the end of the day. Really wanted to get a win there.”
Looking back on the full day’s play, the U.S. team had managed to win five out five games that went to the 13th Hoop. When asked how the team dealt with that pressure, Essick says, “I don’t think we are scared of the moment. I think all of us can handle taking a shot that we know might lose the match if we miss and the pressure is on that shot, but we understand it is the right shot, and you have to take it. I have my teammates that are backing me up and banking on me to hit this shot. At the end of the day, it’s the right shot and you have to take it and you’re betting on yourself to hit it.”
Rothman says, “You need some irrational confidence to perform at a high level when the stress is on, and we all have irrational confidence. I’d say Tom has it in spades. But you need that and we’re an aggressive team. There was some criticism that we’re not playing the right tactics, that we’re playing too many aggressive shots. Playing amongst ourselves, we talk about how if you like that hoop shot, that’s the right shot. So at no point are we thinking, ‘my teammates on the sideline cringing, getting nervous, because they don’t want me taking this shot.’ We’re an aggressive team. We play doubles aggressive. We talk it up in practice — against the top players in the world, you just have to take the hoop shots you get.”
With just one match win needed for a historic Team USA title, the final day of the event brought some rain to add to the atmosphere. Rothman and Fields paired up again to square off against Egypt’s Mohamed Nasr and Mohamed Taha. All went according to plan as Rothman and Fields won 7-4 in game one to get the day off on the right foot.
In the meantime, Essick was in action in a singles match against Kamel that was predicted to finish first. In game one, Essick was off early and fell into a 3-1 hole before getting back-to-back hoops at H5 and H6 to tie the game. The turning point came at H7 when he cleared Red to the east boundary with his Blue ball that settled near H8. Kamel opted to try for the halfway point with Red between H7 and H8, with Black set up for a hoop attempt from the boundary, and Yellow with good hoop-running position. Essick put Black through H7 and rolled about three-fourths of the way down to H8 for a significant advantage that led to another win at H8 and a 5-3 lead. At H9, he scored from the boundary. After Kamel missed a hoop attempt at H10, he closed out game one with Blue for a 7-3 victory.
With the Openshaw Shield decided, the focus of the final day shifted to the Ireland vs. Spain relegation test. The stage was set for drama with Ireland leading 3-2 and needing two match victories in four to win the test. But Spain answered early with Nicolas Denizot taking a 7-4, 7-5 win over Simon Williams to get to 3-3.
Ireland’s Mark Stephens opened his match with a 7-4 win over Juan Ojeda, but Ojeda answered back with 7-3, 7-5 wins to flip the script and put Spain up 4-3 and one match victory away from the test win. But Kieran Murphy took a decisive 7-1, 7-4 win over Julian Gutierrez to tie it up at 4-4 and force a deciding match.
The decider would feature Spain’s Begona Elzaburu against Rob O’Donoghue for Ireland. Elzaburu came out fast winning 7-2 in game one. O’Donoghue then answered with a 7-3 win and the match went to game three. Not surprisingly, it went to the 13 th hoop where Elzaburu was able to get the clincher and avoid relegation for Spain.
The next round set up to feature two games that could clinch the test for the U.S. However, Kamel and Essick took a break while the doubles match moved forward and took center stage. It started with a 1-0 advantage for Egypt with Nasr scoring H1 playing Yellow. The American duo leveled at 1-1 with Rothman taking H2 with Black. Taha scored H3, then Nasr claimed H4 with an impressive three-and-a-half-yard jump over Black in the jaws to put Egypt up 3-1.
But Fields got his first hoop score after a little battle at H5 and ran just past the peg for a good advantage at H6 as heavy rain came down for a brief spell. The teams soldiered on, and Rothman got the score there to tie at 3-3. The teams then traded the next two, with Nasr scoring H7 and Fields getting H8.
Then it was H9 that offered the defining moment of the match. Playing from the south boundary, not far off center, Fields got an in-off from Red about two feet out from H9 that put the Americans up in the game for the first time at 5-4.
At H10, heavy rain started again, but Rothman scored to get to 6-4. Still fighting to extend the match, the Egyptians won the battle at H11, and Taha scored an angled hoop that ran well past H12. After the other balls all attempted to play in to relatively deep hoop-scoring positions, Taha cleared Rothman’s Black with Red. Rothman brought Black back in from the north boundary, attempting to block Yellow, which was relatively straight on at 4.5 yards. The attempt hilled off and ended up west of H12. Nasr lined up the hoop attempt to tie the score, but it went off the left wire.
Fields stepped up with a similar shot that was more offline but maybe a foot closer than Nasr’s attempt. With his patented power swing, he sailed the Blue ball through for the 7-5 game win to kick off a U.S. celebration and a 7-0 test final.
Rothman says, “Matthew had set it up as a bit of a race to see who could get that win first. He was absolutely sure he would finish two games of singles before we finished two games of doubles, and he went in very confident as a world champion and one of our top players that he was going to get the win first. So, there was a little extra joy that Blake and I managed to beat the odds and win the doubles before he won the singles – with a little help from Matthew’s opponent taking a nice long break.”
Team USA’s historic victory in Tasmania marked not just a breakthrough moment for American croquet, but also a culmination of years of perseverance, dedication and support from a community committed to excellence. The team was quick to recognize that this achievement was built on far more than just their performance during one week of competition. It was the result of decades of effort from past players, coaches, supporters and organizations who laid the groundwork for this historic success.
“As a team, it’s just huge. We’ve been playing the Mac since 1993,” says Rothman. “I think the best we’ve ever done is third and we’ve been playing this event since it started in 2012, and fourth was our best finish. So, we had never even medaled. So, I’ve tried to shout out our past team members that got us here, so much coaching over the years for all of us. Even for me, the old guy, but definitely our young guys have played with the previous champions and previous U.S. players, so trying to shout them out for getting us here. You know, we’re standing on the shoulders of giants for sure.”
Essick echoed the importance of this broader support system: “I would like to say thank you to Michael Albert, the Lee Olsen Fund and the USCA for the support. Everyone likes teams that win and it’s a lot easier to drum up support when they see the support is paying off. So, to all of the people that supported us financially through the Lee Olson Fund and through the events that we’ve done over the last six months to a year — it’s a huge help. Thank you to everyone who supported us.”
Photos courtesy of the 2025 Openshaw Shield Facebook page.
Full GCWTC event scores available at: https://croquetscores.com/2025/gc/ world-team-championship-tier-1-openshaw-shield-1
BLOCK
Judith Hanekom (ZAF) 7-3
Judith Hanekom (ZAF) 7-2
Mohamed Taha (EGY) 7-4
Mohamed Taha (EGY) 7-4
KNOCKOUT
Levi Franks (NZL) 6-7
Levi Franks (NZL) 7-6
Levi Franks (NZL) 7-3
Edmund Fordyce (NZL) 7-6
Edmund Fordyce (NZL) 7-6
Logan McCorkindale (NZL) 7-6
Logan McCorkindale (NZL) 7-2
Mohamed Taha (EGY) 7-2
Mohamed Taha (EGY) 7-6
BLOCK
Nicolas Denizot (ESP) 6-7
Nicolas Denizot (ESP) 7-0
Nicolas Denizot (ESP) 7-6
Reg Bamford (ZAF) 7-5
Reg Bamford (ZAF) 7-2
Mohamed Nasr (EGY) 7-2
Mohamed Nasr (EGY) 7-6
KNOCKOUT
Felix Webby (NZL) 7-3
Felix Webby (NZL) 5-7
Felix Webby (NZL) 7-5
Logan McCorkindale (NZL) 7-5
Logan McCorkindale (NZL) 7-4
Edmund Fordyce (NZL) 7-5
Edmund Fordyce (NZL) 7-5
Mohamed Nasr (EGY) 2-7
Mohamed Nasr (EGY) 7-6
Mohamed Nasr (EGY) 7-5
Khaled Kamel (EGY) 7-3
BLOCK
Juan Ojeda (ESP) 7-4
Juan Ojeda (ESP) 6-7
Juan Ojeda (ESP) 7-4
Khaled Kamel (EGY) 7-6
Khaled Kamel (EGY) 4-7
Khaled Kamel (EGY) 7-5 KNOCKOUT Edmund
Yasser Sayed (EGY) 4-7
Yasser Sayed (EGY) 7-3
Yasser Sayed (EGY) 7-3
BLOCK
Begona Elzaburu (ESP) 7-4
Begona Elzaburu (ESP) 5-7
Begona Elzaburu (ESP) 3-7
Andrew Hobbs (ZAF) 7-6
Andrew Hobbs (ZAF) 7-3
BLOCK
Julian Gutierrez (ESP) 7-5
Julian Gutierrez (ESP) 7-3
William Louw (ZAF) 7-5
William Louw (ZAF) 7-3
Yasser Sayed (EGY) 7-6
Yasser Sayed (EGY) 5-7
Yasser Sayed (EGY) 7-4
KNOCKOUT
Logan McCorkindale (NZL) 7-6
Logan McCorkindale (NZL) 7-6
Levi Franks (NZL) 7-5
Levi Franks (NZL) 3-7
Levi Franks (NZL) 3-7
Khaled Kamel (EGY) 7-6
Khaled Kamel (EGY) 4-7
Khaled Kamel (EGY) 7-2
The USCA and the Sarasota County Croquet Club hosted the World Croquet Federation’s seventh Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship. For five beautiful days in April, players from 10 countries, ranging in age from 11 to 21 (the age restriction applies at the end of the prior year), competed in one of the premier events in the world of croquet. All winners of this event have gone on to perform at the highest level in individual and international team competition. The competitors ranged widely in experience and ability. Some of the players were quite new to the game, having had few, if any, opportunities to see top-level players in action, much less to compete against them. At the other end of the scale, six of the players were ranked in the top 100 in the world, three of them in the top 20. This is one of the joys of the event: exposing promising young players to world-class competition and watching the newer players improve match by match. Three of the top seeds had recently represented their countries at the Openshaw Shield — the top tier of the GC World Team Championship.
One of those players came into this event having already won two WCF gold medals. Blake Fields (USA) had shocked the croquet world by winning the 2024 GC World Championship, beating World #1 Robert Fletcher in the final (and, having just turned 18, becoming the youngestever World Champion). Then, in February, Fields was a key member of Team USA as they won the Openshaw Shield in convincing fashion, capped off with an unheard-of whitewash of the powerhouse Egyptian team, 7-0 in the final test match. Never before had a World Champion competed in the U21. And yet Fields was only the #3 seed in the event.
eventually took a 7-5, 7-2, 5-7, 7-6 victory in a match that extended in the latter half to finish in limited daylight. On the opposite side of the draw, second seed Fawzy Helmy ended Blake Fields’ attempt to win three straight world championships in six months. Helmy established control early in the match going up 2-0 before Fields started to show his “A” game to in 7-4 in game three. Game four was more of a battle but Helmy had the momentum shift his way and went on to close it out with a 7-4, 7-4, 4-7, 7-4 win that finished well ahead of the Good/Franks semifinal.
Based on the late-evening effort Franks put in against Good in the semifinal, conventional wisdom indicated Helmy might have the advantage in the final; however, Franks once again seized the early momentum, taking the first game decisively 7-2. Game Two was more even with scores of 2-2, 3-3 and then 5-4. Franks then got Hoop 10 with an angled jump to get to 6-4 to put the pressure on. Helmy responded by scoring Hoop 11 with Yellow but was disappointed to just dribble through. The battle at Hoop 12 ended when Helmy’s clear from the sideline narrowly missed giving Franks a straightforward hoop shot with Black for a 7-5 victory and 2-0 lead.
The third game was a tightly contested battle, with Helmy pushing out to a 3-1 advantage. Franks battled back through the middle hoops to level at 3-3. Helmy answered with a hoop from the boundary at Hoop 7, but things took a twist at Hoop 8 when Franks cleared Yellow from the south boundary, attempting to get a legal offside position at Hoop 9. His Black ball hit the hoop and bounced out to be about one foot in front of nine. That played out as expected as he got the jump hoop score at eight and then took nine to get his first lead at 5-4. But Helmy limited the damage and won Hoop 10. Franks got Hoop 11 as they traded hoops in the middle to go to 6-6, forcing a golden hoop decider. With the first ball in, Franks showed his excellent touch and capitalized with a good set at Hoop 13, forcing Helmy to clear at long range with both balls. Both attempts missed and Franks claimed the U21 World Championship title in three games.
During the post-event awards ceremony, Franks expressed gratitude to his support system back home. “Thanks to all my family who’ve put up with me doing the sport for seven years,” he says, acknowledging financial assistance from various sources, including Croquet New Zealand, the Cashmere Croquet Club and Canterbury Croquet Association.
In the consolation events, Egypt’s Jana Mohamed Saaid to the Bowl title with 7-3, 7-6 win over New Zealand’s Jessica Bullen. Cuthbert captured the Shield title, defeating Gumbrell 7-3, 7-4. Latvia’s Ivo Bozevnieks claimed the Plate title, besting American Luka Nettleton in the final 7-5, 3-7, 7-5.
This edition of the U21 Golf Croquet World Championship further cemented New Zealand’s dominance, with Kiwi players now having won five of the seven titles since the tournament’s inception. The next championship is scheduled for 2027 in Egypt.
For complete event results, visit https://croquetscores.com/2025/gc/wcf-under-21-world-championship
The corporate sponsors, including Diesel Mallets, White Tie Croquet, PFC Hoop Maker, Michael Saunders and Oakley Woods Mallets, were acknowledged during the ceremony as their financial support was essential in hosting the event.
As the awards ceremony drew to a close, Soo praises the players for their “exemplary sporting behavior, which serves as a model to all of the rest of us and an inspiration as well.”
Albert reflects on the connections formed during the championship: “Some of you I met in New Zealand at the last [U21s] and some of you are new friends. One thing I’m certain of, our paths will continue to intersect in the years to come, and my life will be richer for knowing each of you.”
THE 2025 USCA ASSOCIATION CROQUET NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP UNFOLDED MARCH 17-23 AT THE NATIONAL CROQUET CENTER IN WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. THIS PREMIER EVENT DREW MORE THAN 20 TOP-TIER COMPETITORS BATTLING IN THE MAIN SINGLES EVENT, THE CONSOLATION PLATE AND A SINGLE-ELIMINATION DOUBLES KNOCKOUT.
The main singles knockout showcased a dominant performance from world ranked #1 Robert Fletcher from Australia that culminated in a highly anticipated finals showdown against #16 Tom Balding, who was looking for a repeat AC national title. Fletcher opened his campaign with back-to-back triple peels against Preston Stuart in the Round of 16. He continued that form in the quarterfinals, beating Doug Grimsley in two games, with two more triples. In the semifinals, he faced a strong challenge from Zack Watson, who was the only player in the event to pick up a game win against the former world champion, but the Australian delivered in game three to advance by a score of 26tp-23, 10-26tp, 26tp-0.
On the opposite side of the bracket, Tom Balding carved out an impressive path, delivering a series of 2-0 victories on his way to the final, notably getting five triples in six games. In the semifinal, he faced Sherif Abdelwahab and went through 26tp-0, 26tp-0. That set the stage for a marquee matchup against Fletcher. But that’s where
Round 1
Robert Fletcher 26tp 26tp
Preston Stuart 1 1
Doug Grimsley 26 23 26
Steve Scalpone 9 26 20
Brian Cumming 26 26
Brian Lozano 14 18
Zack Watson 26tp 26
Brian Hovis 0 0
Edmund Fordyce 26tp 26tp
Darin Guffey 2 1
Sherif Abdelwahab 26tp 26
Martyn Selman 0 1
Randy Cardo 26 26
Chris Barley 9 9
Tom Balding 26 26tp
Mike Todorovich 11 0
Quarterfinals
Robert Fletcher 26tp 26tp
Doug Grimsley 15 0
Brian Cumming 0 0
Zack Watson 26tp 26tp
Edmund Fordyce 19 14
Sherif Abdelwahab 26 26
Randy Cardo 9 9
Tom Balding 26tp 26tp
Semifinals
Robert Fletcher 26tp 10 26tp
Zack Watson 23 26tp 0
Sherif Abdelwahab 0 0
Tom Balding 26tp 26tp
Final
Robert Fletcher 26tpo 26tp 26tp
Tom Balding 10 6 0
Quarterfinals
Steve Scalpone 26
Mark Ski 1
Mike Todorovich 26
Chris Barley 22
David Druiett 2
Brian Hovis 26
Randy Cardo 26
Brian Cumming 13
Semifinals
Steve Scalpone 26
Mike Todorovich 6
Brian Hovis 21
Randy Cardo 26
Final
Not played due to flight time conflict
Quarterfinals
Tom Balding/Zack Watson (tp) 26 26tp
Jeff Morrison/Jim Erwin 15 0
Steve Scalpone/Martyn Selman 16 11
Chris Barley/Brian Hovis 18 21
Edmund Fordyce/Darin Guffey 12 14
Sherif Abdelwahab/Sandra Knuth 19 17
Preston Stuart/David Druiett 26 6 25
Brian Cumming/Doug Grimsley 25 26 17
Semifinals
Tom Balding (tp)/Zack Watson 26tp 26
Chris Barley/Brian Hovis 1 1
Sherif Abdelwahab/Sandra Knuth 14 22 20
Preston Stuart/David Druiett 15 13 15
Final
Tom Balding/Zack Watson 26 26
Sherif Abdelwahab/Sandra Knuth 1 4
By Jeff Soo
Abbreviations used: blUe, Red, blacK, Yellow
A long way to go and a short time to get there
In a Championship Flight game, your opponent has had most of the play. In fact, the game nearly ended on the last turn, a short two-ball break for U with a chance to finish (i.e., stake out both balls). But U failed to get a forward rush after scoring rover, and the long stake-out attempt on K just missed. U staked itself out and now it is R to play. The board-keeper just gave the 15-minute call; R is for 5 and Y is for 4. While this type of situation is most likely to occur in Championship Flight, it is a good problem-solving exercise for any player. How should you begin, and what is your overall plan? Give it some thought before reading on.
The good news is you have no deadness, while K is dead on both your balls. That takes some of the pressure off while you get started. The bad news is you need to score many points with each ball, with less than 15 minutes on the clock. To win the game you will almost certainly need a multi-wicket break to stake out in last turns. You also need to get K away from the stake. But first things first: take a timeout. Time management is crucial in most end-game situations, and it certainly will be here. Even if you only have one timeout remaining, this is the time to take it. Giving yourself extra time now to come up with a game-winning plan may save you from wasting even more time later and will possibly prevent you from starting off with a game-losing tactical error. Indeed, it might even be worth taking two timeouts in a row to allow you to think calmly.
R has a pretty good opportunity here for a three-ball break, starting with a cut-rush on Y toward K, and that is the obvious thing to do when you need to score many points with both balls. I once saw a player make that choice in a similar situation, and it cost him the game, even though the break itself was successful. Do you see the tactical error?
The spent ball, i.e., the ball that just played, is a key factor in American-rules tactics. If you have no deadness, you can always set up your partner for a three-ball break by placing the spent ball at partner’s wicket and putting your own ball next to partner (or vice versa: giving your partner the spent ball and then going to partner’s wicket). This is easier to do in some situations than others, but it’s always possible. Unless, that is, the spent ball is out of the game. There is no reliable way to create a three-ball break for Y, because there is effectively no spent ball during R’s turn — U has been staked out. Unless K blunders, you are going to have to score Y’s points with two-ball breaks, and you do not want to put yourself into a situation where a long two-ball break (or picking up a threeball break by using K to approach a wicket from the boundary) is your only way to win the game. The immediate priority is to advance Y, not R. As much as it goes against instinct, you must decline the immediate three-ball break for R, only doing enough to move K farther from the stake (ideally wiring it from the stake) and setting up your first two-ball break with Y. Figure 2 shows the beginning of the sequence:
Y’s position is less important; where to send it will depend on where the initial rush on Y ends up. The key is to get a good rush on K. It’s not fatal if you don’t, because of K’s deadness, but failing to get R through 5 on this turn will take up precious time. Figure 3 shows a possible sequence after the rush on K:
K from
That’s a good start. You still have a lot of work to do, and there will be more pressure once Y runs 1b, giving K a clearing. Likely enough you will have to survive some long shots by K at the peg. But now
you have a fighting chance. If there’s enough time, keep playing two-ball breaks until you have Y through rover. Then do whatever is needed to attack K to set R for the winning break. If nothing else, you will always have the opportunity for a croquet-out.
If time runs low while Y still has several wickets to run, you could face a difficult choice: attack before time runs out or commit to getting at least through penult as you carry on into last turns. There may be a third way, depending on where K is. Figure 4 shows an example, K having played to the east boundary in hopes of a shot at the stake:
3: Y has just run 3b, with two minutes left, and does not have a forward rush. Rush R toward the boundary, then send it past 4b while approaching K. Roquet K and send it to penult while approaching 4b. If you make a good approach and run 4b you’re home free. If you don’t get position, you have at least set up R’s three-ball break (R is for 6). In the latter case, R will need to complete its break to the stake and leave Y in position at 4b, ready for the winning two-ball break.
This situation can play out in many ways. The takeaway from this puzzle isn’t knowing what to do in a similar situation, which you might never encounter. It’s to exercise your tactical skills in coming up with a plan not just to score points, but to win the game. This is sometimes called whole-game tactics and becomes increasingly relevant as your break-making skills advance.
By Cheryl Bromley
With the success of the recent WGCA Women’s International Friendship Cup in Ponte Vedra, Fla., and the National Croquet Club’s Women’s Golf Croquet Open in January drawing record numbers of female players, the future is bright for the continued growth of the women’s game in the U.S.
An undercurrent of improvement is producing solid play and strong results along with a palpable feeling of community. More women are dipping their toes into tournament play, both in “open” events and particularly in women’s only events where they feel supported by other female players. Other countries around the world, such as Australia, New Zealand, England and Egypt, offer separate events for women, which has shown to benefit how women compete against men in open play.
For this article, I’m going to focus on clearing shots, which is one area I think women have an opportunity to raise their games to the next level.
A lot of what I continue to notice is players aren’t doing enough on a clearing shot; they may not be sending their opponent far enough away, they may not be hitting center to center to control their striker ball and keep it relevant or they may not be mindful of where they want the opponent ball to end up, such as in a wired or blocked position. Below is a drill to try the next time you are on the practice lawn.
The first step to creating more power on a clearing shot, believe it or not, is not doing more pushups! In fact, the smoother and more fluid you can keep your swing, the more you will be able to adjust the length of your swing and the tempo to increase the pace.
Practice Drill - Levels One to Five: Keeping in mind your mallet functions best as a pendulum, the goal on this drill will be to lengthen both the backswing and follow-through to create more pace.
• Level One: Start by hitting one single ball with a slow, gentle swing. The goal on this shot is only to make good contact on the center of the ball using a very relaxed, easy swing with very little backswing needed. It doesn’t matter at this stage how far your ball travels. Do this a few times in a row to make yourself aware of what your Level One shot feels like. It should feel like a simple placement shot.
• Level Two: Next, increase your backswing and follow through just an inch or two on each end of your swings. Again, your focus should be on contacting the ball in the center and staying relaxed. You may find your ball will travel about seven yards using a Level Two swing. Repeat a few times to distinguish the difference between your Level One and Level Two shots.
• Level Three: Increase the length of your backswing a bit more and let the mallet flow through the ball focusing on solid contact and a smooth finish. At this point, this is the type of shot needed
to get from Hoop 1 down to Hoop 2 on the lawn. You may notice there is more tempo on your swing, which in turn is producing more pace without needing to “muscle” the ball.
• Level Four: Give it a little more for this level, which means to see whether you can increase the length of your pendulum while still maintaining a smooth, controlled tempo. It is important not to grip the mallet too tightly as you go up the gradient.
• Level Five: For this level, give it a go. Hit the ball with as much speed as you like. It should feel like it is getting a bit out of control at this point. Typically, you will never need to hit a Level Five shot. In fact, you should find you’ll have good results using levels two through four in a game.
Once you’ve gone through the single ball process, grab a second ball and place this as a target ball one yard away, and go through the five levels again, always trying to contact the target ball in the center for optimum control of your striker ball.
Repeat and increase the distance between your striker ball and target ball until you can hit it from seven yards away.
• Level One should feel like a snuggle up to the target ball
• Level Two should move the target ball slightly out of its position
• Level Three should move the ball at least three yards
• Level Four should move the target ball seven yards or more
• Level Five should move the target ball a good distance, but now you may have lost control of your striker ball. Dial it back a bit to keep control.
Advanced: At each level, focus on a particular position you want to clear the target ball to. It might be to send it behind the hoop to a wired position or it might be to a distance that is outside of a typical opponent’s comfort range. Good luck and have fun!
The Grand Cup
The Lakewood Club
Fairhope, Alabama
April 24-27, 2025
Championship
01. Darin Guffey
02. Edmund Fordyce
03. Kent Lovvorn
03. Marc Stearns
05. Debbie Davidoff
05. Cheryl Bromley
05. Matt Griffith
05. Kendall Hendrick
09. Ellie Griffith
09. Helen Covington
First Flight
01. Marycarol Stearns
02. Shep Slater
03. Susan Koepp
03. Laura Hendrick
05. Henry Smith
05. Todd Russell
05. Ron Taylor
05. Rick Hayes
09. Barbara Mudd
09. Sue Sergeant
2025 USCA Florida Treasure Coast District GC Tournament
The Moorings Hawk Nest Campus, Vero Beach, Florida
April 11-13, 2025
Championship
01. Billy Harper
02. Mark Kucharski
03. Bo Prillaman
04. Billie Ray
First Flight
01. Anthony Furino
02. Thomas Lobsitz
03. Bob Smith
04. Sarah Persons
05. David Lewis
05. Nick Geeslin
07. Rocky Smith
07. Michael George
2025 USCA Florida SW District GC
Bonita Bay CC
Bonita Springs, Florida
April 10-13, 2025
Championship
01. Tate Russack
02. Mary Hennelly
03. Tom Eggleston
03. Tim Wright
05. Cami Russack
05. Billy Simmons
05. Jose Benjumea
05. John Joseph
09. John Grout
09. Michael Kolowich
09. Julie Wright
09. Fred Heald
09. Gregory Gonzales
09. Anne Killilea
First Flight Singles
01. Rich Rose
02. Sandra Knuth
03. Jeff Cohen
03. Gregory Presley
03. Raymond George
05. Tom Hennelly
05. Joyce Eggleston
05. Peter Markarian
09. Madeleine d’Ambrosio
09. Heidimarie Michitsch
09. William Kuhn
09. Diane Rose
2025 Grand Haven Club Championship
Grand Haven Croquet Club
Palm Coast, Florida April 10-13, 2025
Championship
01. Nancy Crouch
02. William Todd
03. Howard Chodak
03. Mijai Pagano
05. Dave Paukovich
05. Peter Gordon
First Flight
01. Mike Debitetto
02. Gloria Gordon
03. Billy Roche
03. Edmund Giancola
USCA Florida Central District GC Tournament
Belleair Country Club
Belleair, Florida April 4-6, 2025
Championship
01. Chris Barley
02. James Welch
03. Billie Ray
03. Jeff Smith
05. Kendall Hendrick
05. Mike Carroll
05. Joe Fairbanks
05. Mike Hatcher
09. Scott Scharlau
09. Brand Shank
09. Jim Watrous
First Flight
01. Gail Barley
02. Lori Matway
03. Susie Day
03. Frank LaValla
05. Jeanette Hodgkins
05. Holly Hatcher
05. Tom Albrecht
05. Rany Kilgore
09. Barbara Glicken
09. Alice Scanlon
09. Norwood Jackson
09. Howard Glicken
Palmetto Invitational Green Boundary
Aiken, South Carolina April 4-6, 2025
Championship
01. Jim Podraza/James Macmullin
02. Karl Twenge/Matt Smith
03. Rick Hayes/George Claffey
04. Rich Watson/Bob Knotz
First Flight
01. Wyck Knox/James Peasley
02. Scott Brown/Debbie Martin
03. John Harte/Mary Blumberg
04. Bess Gallanis/Nina Milton
USCA Southeast GC Regional Pinehurst Country Club
Pinehurst, North Carolina April 3-6, 2025
Championship
01. Damon Bidencope
02. Jimmy Huff
03. Darin Guffey
03. Brett Stovall
05. Kent Lovvorn
05. Cecil Creasey
05. Rick Brown
05. Jim Jamison
09. Dan Horton
10. Ship Slater
11. Robb Turner
11. Ron Taylor
13. Dick Rendleman
14. Linda Trifone
15. Tim Williams
First Flight Singles
01. Charles Stovall
02. Barbara Jamison
03. Lynda Bjorklund
03. Sarah Persons
05. Susan Creasey
05. Mel Eckhart
05. Tony Watts
05. Lee Robinson
09. Cathy Horton
10. Luke Sand
11. Rick Pratt
12. Ray Barrett
13. Charles Rivers
14. Tom Brooks
15. Maggie Langley
Championship Doubles
01. Brett Stovall/Charles Stovall
02. Kent Lovvorn/Jimmy Huff
03. Dan Horton/Ron Taylor
03. Darin Guffey/Jim Jamison
05. Damon Bidencope/Linda Trifone
06. Robb Turner/Lee Robinson
07. Susan Creasey/Cecil Creasey
08. Rick Brown/Ray Barrett
First Flight Doubles
01. Dick Rendleman/Tony Watts
02. Shep Slater/Rick Pratt
03. Tim Williams/Mel Eckhart
03. Cathy Horton/Luke Sand
05. Sarah Persons/Tom Brooks
05. Lynda Bjorklund/ Barbara Jamison
07. Maggie Langley/Lory Lockwood
08. Barbara Hayworth/Rocky Smith
USCA Florida SE District
GC Tournament
National Croquet Center
West Palm Beach, Florida
March 29-30, 2025
Championship Flight
01. Alex Galasso
02. Priscilla Flowers
03. Billie Ray
04. John Strasser
05. Mary Galasso
06. Joe Fairbanks
07. Caryl Firth
08. Jeff Morrison
First Flight
01. Kim Jones
02. Susan Langston
03. Adam Peck
04. Jay Carey
05. Pam Groh
06. Bob Phillips
07. Scott Langston
08. Lois Clay
2025 Sarasota AC Open
Sarasota County Croquet Club
Venice, Florida
March 27-30 2025
Championship Flight
01. Wy Louw
02. Brian Cumming
03. Jeff Soo
03. Patrick Sweeney
05. Chris Barley
05. David Druiett
07. Curtis Drake
07. Kenster Rosenberry
First Flight
01. Brian Hovis
02. Gene Raymond
03. Christof Weihs
03. Ralph Curtis
05. Lynda Sudderberg
05. Roger Vorraber
07. Michael Todorovich
07. Arthur Olsen
09. Becky Essick
09. Christine Smith
USCA Club Teams A6W
National Croquet Center
West Palm Beach, Florida
March 13-16, 2025
D1 – The Beach Club
D2 – Bombay Mallet/Wicket CC
D3 – New York Croquet Club
2025 Croquet Week
National Croquet Center
West Palm Beach, Florida
March 7-9, 2025
Championship Flight
01. James Creasey
02. Ned Sperry
03. Shep Slater
03. Bill Simmons
05. Ivo Dentchev
05. Cami Russack
05. Mark Ski
First Flight
01. Jay Carey
02. Simond Dentchev
03. Joe Harris
03. John Dillon
05. Adam Peck
05. Nancy Rendleman
05. George Claffey
05. Janet Schwartz
09. Jeff Morrison
10. Rich Rose
11. Lee Robinson
13. Richard Hayes
13. Nicholas Capobianco
13. Kim Jones
13. Sarah Persons
SECOND FLIGHT
01. Rick Pratt
02. Howard Glicken
03. Paul Kroening
03. Robert Stevens
05. Jacquie Harris
05. Holly Sperry
05. Gregory Presley
08. Paige Brown
08. Barbara Glicken
10. Gay Cinque
10. Diane Rose
Give Me Five
Mountain Lakes Croquet Club
Lake Wales, Florida
March 10, 2025
Final Order
01. Matthew Essick
02. Kyle Maloof
03. Stephen Morgan
04. David Maloof
05. Charlie Xavier
Blaine Davis Invitational
Gasparilla Inn
Boca Grande, Florida
March 6-9, 2025
Championship Flight
01. Ralph Curtis
02. Matt Griffith
03. Lynda Sudderburg
04. Chris Weihs
05. Stephen Grassbaugh
06. Ted Welsh
First Flight
01. Debbie Martin
02. Oakley Johnson
03. Karen Weihs
04. Jeanette Hodgkins
05. Brad Tate
06. Lauren Trowell
Sarasota CCC A6W
Doubles Championship
Sarasota County Croquet Club
Venice, Florida
March 1-2, 2025
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
01. Russ Cuccia/Neil Houghton
02. Ralph Curtis/Roger Vorraber
03. Michael Kukla/Walt Janitz
04. Douglas Ledgett/Arthur Olsen
First Flight
01. Mervyn Harvey/Rusty Rose
02. Bob Gelineau/Nancy Hart
03. Sandy Janitz/Christine Smith
04. Lee Anderson/Rita McNamara
05. Ellen Goldener/George Quallich
05. Katie Bull/Kathie Hart
SECOND FLIGHT
01. Pauline Harvey/Linda Orff
02. Julie Doric/Nona McGinnis
03. Gillian Merritt/Robert Merritt
04. Connie Coling/Toni Marie Gelineau
Sarasota County CC 6W Club
Singles Championship
Sarasota County Croquet Club
Venice, Florida
February 26-28, 2025
Championship Flight
01. Neil Houghton
02. Stephen Errickson
03. Walt Janitz
First Flight
01. Teresa Errickson
02. Steve Thurston
03. Ralph Curtis
03. Ken Deason
Second Flight
01. Mervyn Harvey
02. Sandy Janitz
03. Rusty Rose
04. Christine Smith
Third Flight
01. Alex Feinstein
02. Pauline Harvey
03. Linda Orff
04. Debbie Martin
05. Jeffery Cohen
Sarasota GC Shootout
Sarasota County Croquet Club
Venice, Florida
February 21-23, 2025
Championship Singles
01. Matt Griffith
02. Tate Russack
03. Chris Barley
04. James Creasey
05. Gene Raymond
06. Peter Carlin
06. Cami Russack
07. Todd Russell
First Flight Singles
01. Joe Fairbanks
02, Lee Robinson
03. Pauline Harvey
04. Stephen Errickson
04. Ellen Neilsen
06. Chris Weihs
07. Walt Janitz
07. Michael Kukla
Second Flight Singles
01. Karen Weihs
02. John Rymer
03. Graydon Bell
03. Kathie Hart
05. Dandy Janitz
05. Debbie Martin
05. Sally Mills
Third Flight Singles
01. Neil Houghton
02. Jon Ayers
03. Judith Carlin
03. Teresa Errickson
03. Pen Pendleton
06. Robert Merritt
07. Christine Smith
08. Alex Feinstein
Fourth Flight Singles
01. Geri O’Neill
02. Katie Bull
03. Carl Caruso
03. Matthew St. Hilaire
05. Connie Coling
05. Jason Collins
05. Robert Tabor
Fifth Flight Singles
01. Paul Panaccione
02. Julie Doric
03. Nona McGinnis
03. Franzanne Vreeland
05. Gillian Merritt
06. Linda Kemerer
06. Linda Taber
USCA Florida GC Regional
National Croquet Center
West Palm Beach, Florida February 13-16, 2025
Championship Singles
01. Jack Rush
02. Marc Stearns
03. Bob Van Tassell
03. Tate Russack
05. Curtis Drake
05. Scott Spoerl
05. Mike Hoggatt
05. Billie Ray
09. Bo Prillaman
10. Helen Covington
11. Mike Hatcher
12. Cami Russack
13. Wy Louw
13. Kendall Hendrick
15. Matthew Griffith
15. Ellie Griffith
First Flight Singles
01. Gene Raymond
02. Tom Eggleston
03. Robert Smothers
03. Bill Simmons
05. Rick Hayes
05. Michael Kolowich
05. John Grout
05. Susu Day
09. David McCoy
10. Gregory Gonzales
11. Janalyn Spoerl
12. Jeff Morrison
12. John Strasser
12. Jane Smith
15. Tim Wright
15. Diane Walker
15. Laura Hendrick
Second Flight Singles
01. Fred Heald
02. Mike Carroll
03. Kim Jones
03. Adam Peck
05. Bob Smith
05. Robert Smith
05. Tom Lobsitz
05. Richard Allen
09. Franck Meunier
10. Gregory Presley
11. Jay Carey
11. Bob Phillips
13. Alice Scanlon
13. Joyce Eggleston
13. Susie Day
13. Lynn Epstein
17. Pam Groh
17. Frank Ferro
Championship Doubles
01. Marc Stearns\Mike Hatcher
02. Jack Rush\Bo Prillaman
03. Kendall Hendrick\Laura Hendrick
03. Mike Hoggatt\Greg Gonzales
05. Curtis Drake\Wy Loew
05. Matthew Griffith\Ellie Griffith
05. Tate Russack\Cami Russack
05. Bob Van Tassell\David McCoy
09. Scott Spoerl\Billie Ray
09. Robert Smothers\Rick Hayes
09. Helen Covington\Alice Scanlon
09. Jeff Morrison\Bill Simmons
First Flight Doubles
01. Michael Kolowich\John Grout
02. Robert Smith\Tom Lobsitz
03. Tim Wright\Fred Heald
03. Jane Smith\Bob Smith
05. John Strasser\Franck Meunier
05. Bob Phillips\Richard Allen
05. Janalyn Spoerl\Mike Carroll
05. Susie Day\Gregory Presley
09. Tom Eggleston\Joyce Eggleston
09. Jay Carey\Kim Jones
09. Susu Day\Frank Ferro
09. Adam Peck\Ursula Peck
Beach Club Invitational
The Beach Club
Palm Beach, Florida
January 29 - February 2, 2025
Championship Singles
01. Randy Cardo
02. Bob Pulitzer
03. John Brown
03. Courtney Green
05. Scott Spradling
05. Jodie Rugart
05. Preston Stuart
05. Ron Eccles
09. David Ekstrom
09. Michael Todorovich
09. Bret Stovall
09. Calvert Chaney
09. Alex Muradian
09. Bob Gannon
09. John Watson
09. Linda Trifone
17. Bill Trower
17. Kevin Hansley
17. David McCoy
17. Jim Erwin
17. Donna Dixon
17. Mary Rodeberg
17. Mark Ski
17. George Peterkin
First Flight Singles
01. Cecil Creasey
02. Carl Archiniaco
03. Larry Lynch
03. Sally McGrath
05. John Craddock
05. Jeanne Branthover
05. Yvette Donato Selby
05. Richard Carlson
09. Kathleen Green
09. David Kepner
Second Flight Singles
01. Chris Weihs
02. George Claffey
03. Karen Heckman
03. Danna Huneycutt
05. Jan Fisher
05. Rick Hayes
05. Suzanne Spradling
05. Lee Hamel
Third Flight Singles
01. Alex Galasso
02. Priscilla Flowers
03. Joe Leary
03. Bill Sullivan
05. Tish Peterkin
05. Susan Creasey
05. John McGrath
05. Karen Weihs
09. Georgia Carter
09. Mary Craddock
09. Michael Kolowich
Fourth Flight Singles
01. Fei Fei Williams
02. Marc Blumberg
03. Randall Roe
03. Donna Wilson Hamel
05. James Peasley
05. Nora Watson
05. Ralph Worthington
Championship Doubles
01. Randy Cardo\Loretta Cooper
02. Preston Stuart\Bob Gannon
03. Brett Stovall\Calvert Chaney
03. John Watson\Ron Eccles
05. John Brown\Bob Pulitzer
05. Linda Trifone\Courtney Green
07. Scott Spradling\David McCoy
07. Alex Muradian\Mark Ski
09. David Ekstrom\George Peterkin
10. Bill Trower\Jim Erwin
10. Donna Dixon\Mary Rodeberg
First Flight Doubles
01. Larry Lynch\Danna Huneycutt
02. Cecil Creasey\Liddy Chaney
03. Stuart Baker\Jan Fisher
03. David Kepner\Rick Hayes
05. Jeanne Branthover\Carl Archiniaco
05. Chris Weihs\Lee Hamel
07. Kathleen Green\Sally McGrath
07. George Claffey\Missy Chilton
09. John Craddock\Richard Carlson
09. Suzanne Spradling\Karen Heckman
Second Flight Doubles
01. Georgia Carter\Alex Galasso
02. Tish Peterkin\David Beccia
03. Sonia Alexandra\ Allison Worthington
03. Susan Creasey\Bill Sullivan
03. Mary Craddock\John McGrath
06. Joe Leary\Karen Weihs
Third Flight Doubles (Waterford)
01. James Peasley\Fei Fei Williams
02. Mary Anne Mathys\Randall Roe
03. Nancy Reynolds\Michael Kolowich
03. Donna Wilson Hamel\ Ralph Worthington
09. Priscilla Flowers\Marc Blumberg
09. Jessica Beccia
12. Nora Watson
NCC Club 6W Championship
National Croquet Center
West Palm Beach, Florida
January 24-26, 2025
Championship Singles
01. Bob Van Tassell
02. Randy Cardo
03. Dick Sullivan
03. Derek Wassink
05. Preston Stuart
06. David Ekstrom
07. Michael Todorovich
08. Kevin Hansley
09. David McCoy
First Flight Singles
01. Lucas Van Alen
02. Larry Lynch
03. Quinn Reinhardt
03. Mark Ski
05. Alex Galasso
06. Stuart Price
07. George Claffey
08. Geraldine McCauley
Second Flight Singles
01. Priscilla Flowers
02. June Rochedieu
03. Gerald Kagan
03. Fei Fei Williams
05. John Bannister
06. Barbara O’Laughlin
07. Tom O’Laughlin
Jones Invitational
Sarasota County Croquet Club
Venice, Florida
January 23-26, 2025
Championship A Flight
01. Adam Lassiter
02. Matt Griffith
03. Lynda Sudderberg
04. Rodney Lassiter
05. Neil Houghton
05. Brian Hovis
07. Stephen Errickson
07. William Trower
Championship B Flight
01. Bob Gannon
02. Ronald Eccles
03. Steve Thurston
04. Marc Campbell
05. Dawn Jupin
05. Ronald Millican
07. Richard Watson
07. Mary Rodeberg
First Flight
01. Ellie Griffith
02. Cecil Creasey
03. Sally McGrath
04. Stephen Grassbaugh
05. William Todd
05. Roger Vorraber
07. Deborah Millican
07. Jim Watrous
Second Flight
01. Ted Welsh
02. Richard Hayes
03. Teressa Errickson
03. Jan Fisher
05. David Kepner
05. Christine Smith
07. Randy Lassiter
07. Becky Essick
Third Flight
01. Peter Gordon
02. Rusty Rose
03. Christof Weihs
04. Marvyn Harvey
05. Kathie Hart
05. Susan Creasey
07. Karen Weihs
08. John McGrath
Fourth Flight
01. James Peasley
02. Katie Bull
03. Jeffery Cohen
04. Michael Kolowich
05. Gloria Gordon
05. Julie Doric
Desert Classic
Mission Hills Croquet Club
Rancho Mirage, California
January 13-18, 2025
Championship Flight
01. Brian Cumming
02. Patrick Sweeney
03. Paul Bennett
04. Doug Grimsley
05. Michael Albert
06. Peter Bach
06. Steve Scalpone
06. Mike Sully
09. Sandy Knuth
09. Karl-Heinz Kempfer
First Flight
01. James White
02. Tony Simmonds
03. Chad Mahan
03. Barbara Wills
03. Donna Dixon
03. Nick Gray
07. Susi Wall
08. Mary Rodeberg
09. Tracey Roche
Total
The USCA’s full-color Croquet News magazine is now quarterly with all four issues released in print + the interactive digital edition. Since the Croquet News digital magazine was launched, it continues to set new standards for reader engagement and advertiser click-throughs. Plus, the digital edition goes beyond the USCA membership and offers a global reach of more than 4,000 total readers per issue for the print + digital editions.
Each issue of the magazine includes tactics columns, tournament dates, news, results, national event coverage and features full of the best croquet photography. The print version of the Croquet News is a core attraction for USCA members and still boasts a print circulation of roughly 2,000 copies per issue and reaches over 3,000 croquet players and fans.
For a Croquet News media kit, contact Dylan Goodwin at croquetnetwork@gmail.com
2025 August Issue (Fall) – 7/18/25
2025 November Issue (Winter) – 10/24/25
2026 February Issue (Spring) – 1/16/26
5/17/25 - 5/18/25
A6W Vineyards
Six Wicket Vineyards Croquet Club Myersville, MD
Edward O’Laughlin | 410-598-1600 edward@sixwicketvineyards.com
5/18/25 - 5/24/25
USCA Golf Croquet National Championship
National Croquet Center
West Palm Beach, FL
Elaine Smith | 330-231-1071 elainesmith8543@gmail.com
5/23/25 - 5/26/25
2025 Indian Territory Open Tulsa Croquet Club - LaFortune Park Tulsa, OK
Bob Baker | 918-688-7777 bobbaker688@gmail.com
5/29/25 - 6/1/25
NC GC State Championship Albemarle Croquet Club Belvidere, NC
Adam Lassiter | 252-326-1231 adamllassiter@gmail.com
5/29/25 - 6/1/25
USCA 9-Wicket National
Championship
Indian Trails Sports Complex
Palm Coast, FL
Ronald L Eccles | 720-937-2056 | coloradocroquet@gmail.com
6/5/25 - 6/8/25
ScissorTail State 6W Tournament
Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club
Nichols Hills, OK
Suzanne Spradling | 405-590-7264 sshawsprad@cox.net
6/7/25
National Croquet Day
Tom Cooper | 561-478-0760 marketing@uscroquet.com
6/12/2025 - 06/15/2025
Highlands Falls GC Elite Invitational
Highlands Falls Country Club Highlands, NC
Lynda J Bjorklund | (407) 273-8835 Lyndab.nc@gmail.com
6/19/2025 - 06/22/2025
Berkshire Invitational
Lenox Croquet Club Lenox, MA
Stuart Lawrence | (646) 483-3000 plus26tp@gmail.com
6/19/25 - 6/22/25
Woodlawn Invitational 6W Woodlawn Croquet Program
Ellsworth, ME
Perry A Mattson | 207-667-9335 newburyneckshore@gmail.com
6/27/25 - 6/29/25
New York Golf Croquet Championship
New York Croquet Club - Central Park New York, NY
Douglas P Moore | 646-322-1742 douglaspmoore@gmail.com
7/3/25 - 7/6/25
Rockfish GC Tournament
Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, VA
Macey W White | 804-694-9771 maceywhite@gmail.com
7/10/25 - 7/12/25
US Golf Croquet Classic
Denver Croquet Club Denver, CO
Dylan Goodwin | croquetnetwork@gmail.com
7/24/25 - 7/27/25
USCA NC GC Club Teams - Various Linville Clubs, Linville, NC
Various Linville Clubs Linville, NC
USCA Office | 561-478-0760 | tournament@uscroquet.com
7/28/25 - 7/31/25
Carter Cup - US Team
Carrickmines Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club Glenamuck Road North, Carrickmines, Dublin
Damon C Bidencope | 704-488-7915 admin@uscroquet.com
August
8/7/25 - 8/10/25
Solomon Trophy
8/15/25 - 8/17/25
Milwaukee GC Doubles Open
Milwaukee Croquet Club
Milwaukee, WI
Cheryl Bromley | 954-242-8601 bromleycroquet@gmail.com
8/18/25 - 8/20/25
The Prosser Cup GC
Ocean House Mallet Club
Watch Hill, RI
Patricia Spratt | 860-227-7297 psprattct@aol.com
8/29/25 - 9/1/25
Tulsa Classic Invitational Tournament
Tulsa Croquet Club - LaFortune Park
Tulsa, OK
Matt Baird | 918-760-7226 mrbaird1@gmail.com
September
9/3/25 - 9/7/25
Woodlawn Big Lobster 6W & 9W Woodlawn Croquet Program
Ellsworth, Sorrento, & SW Harbor, ME
Perry Mattson | 207-667-9335 newburyneckshore@gmail.com
9/11/25 - 9/14/25
USCA SE GC Regional
Bald Head Island Croquet Club
Bald Head Island, NC
USCA Office | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com
9/11/25 - 9/14/25
Blue Crab 6W Tournament
Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, VA
Macey White | 804-694-9771 maceywhite@gmail.com
9/11/25 - 9/14/25
Osborn Cup 6W
New York Croquet Club - Central Park New York, NY
Douglas Moore | 646-322-1742 douglaspmoore@gmail.com
Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club
Budleigh Salterton, Devon USCA Office | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com
8/7/25 - 8/10/25
Vacationland GC Tournament
Woodlawn Croquet Program
Ellsworth & SW Harbor, ME
Timothy McCormick | 207-329-5343 tmccorm1@gmail.com
8/8/25 - 8/10/25
Rochester Invitational 6W
Rochester Croquet Club Rochester, NY
Denise Ireland | 585-287-4531 hutchisondenise@gmail.com
8/14/25 - 8/17/25
Buffalo Invitational 6W Buffalo Croquet Club Buffalo, NY
Robert Gannon | 716-432-1500 thehangmen@msn.com
9/15/25 - 9/18/25
The Little Rhody 6W Ocean House Mallet Club Watch Hill, RI Patricia Spratt | 860-227-7297 psprattct@aol.com
9/16/25 - 9/17/25
USCA Association Laws School
National Croquet Center
West Palm Beach, FL
USCA Office | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com
9/18/25 - 9/21/25
USCA GC Eights
National Croquet Center
West Palm Beach, FL
USCA Office | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com
9/20/25 - 9/21/25
Merion Cricket Cub 6W & GC Invitational
Merion Cricket Club
Haverford, PA
Whitney Thain | 610-642-5800 wthain@merioncricket.com
9/24/25 - 9/28/25
Pinehurst Invitational 6W
Pinehurst Country Club
Pinehurst, NC
Elaine Moody | 910-986-3164 halliburton_2@msn.com
October
10/1/25 - 11/30/25
Autumn Leaves GC Challenge
Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, VA
Macey White | maceywhite@gmail.com
10/2/25 - 10/5/25
USCA Selection Eights AC
National Croquet Center
West Palm Beach, FL
USCA Office | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com
10/7/25 - 10/8/25
USCA GC School
National Croquet Center
West Palm Beach, FL
USCA Office | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com
10/9/25 - 10/12/25
North American Open (AC/GC)
Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, VA
Macey White | maceywhite@gmail.com
10/13/25 - 10/16/25
WCF Association Laws World Qualifier
National Croquet Center
West Palm Beach, FL
USCA Office | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com
10/14/25 - 10/16/25
WGCA Women’s Doubles Open at Albemarle
Albemarle Croquet Club Belvidere, NC
Cheryl Bromley | 954-242-8601 bromleycroquet@gmail.com
10/18/25 - 10/26/25
2025 WCF Association Laws World Championship
National Croquet Center
West Palm Beach, FL USCA Office | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com
10/28/25 - 10/30/25
USCA American 6W School
National Croquet Center
West Palm Beach, FL USCA Office | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com
10/31/25 - 11/2/25
Green Boundary Club Invitational
Green Boundary Club Aiken, SC
Marc Blumberg | 404-229-7052 ppimab@aol.com
Submit all inquiries and stories to uscacroquetnews@yahoo.com Articles and reports should be submitted as Microsoft Word files and photos should be full resolution (300 dpi). The best approach when writing a press release or story is to keep it simple, short and to the point. Start with the most important news, as opposed to who announced it.
A good first paragraph answers the key questions: What? When? Where? Why? Who? How? The idea is to anticipate the questions a reader might have. Or, think of what you would want to know. For the title, the goal is to capture the reader’s attention, but keep it brief and the message clear. Double-check all details to ensure accuracy before submitting the press release. Please remember that all content may be edited for length and photos will be adjusted appropriately. If you want a byline, please include one at the beginning of the article.
Provide photos by using a filesharing service like Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer or Box. Pick your best photos – eight to 12 good photos is enough. Twenty photos maximum. If you are unsure if your photos are high enough resolution to print, check the file size. Generally, we can make files above 1 MB work. Files under 500 KB are in the danger zone, but we will do our best to salvage them. Captions are important. The best option is create a caption key at the end of your article. If photo credits are needed, make sure they are part of the caption.
Our schools are taught by top USCA-certified instructors who are qualified and experienced players selected by our staff because of their croquet expertise and ability to communicate to those who wish to learn to play the game correctly. Students will have the opportunity to play croquet in a structured environment. Classes are small (8:1 or less student-to-teacher ratio) and are tailored to the specific playing levels of the participants
AMERICAN 6W (3 days)
GOLF CROQUET (2 days)
October 7-8, 2025
Dec 2-3, 2025
ASSOCIATION (2 days)
October 28-30, 2025 USCA SCHOOLS INCLUDE:
5 hours/day of on-court instruction
Use of equipment
Official Rulebook (New A6W or GC members
USCA Shot-making Manual (1st time A6W)
United
October 16-17, 2025
Daily Continental Breakfast and Lunches
Certificate of Completion & Photograph
Wine and Cheese Graduation Party
