The Clubhouse

In consideration of recent COVID-19 outbreaks and restrictions for both Australia, the World Croquet Federation (WCF) has announced changes for the three world championships that had been slated for early 2022. The WCF Management Committee have considered each event separately and have announced the following approach for the events: Women’s AC World Championship: This will no longer be held in January 2022 in Christchurch, New Zealand. The WCF and Croquet New Zealand are in discussions to select a future year for the event to be held in New Zealand. Under 21 GC World Championship: This will no longer be held in February 2022 in Hamilton, New Zealand. The WCF and Croquet New Zealand are in discussions regarding the possibility of moving it to either later in the year or to January-February 2023. GC World Championship: This event will no longer be held in February 2022 in Mount Manganui, New Zealand. The WCF is considering other venues for 2022 with England mentioned as a potential candidate. The changes were made after discussions between Croquet New Zealand and the WCF in light of the recent outbreaks in the region that have led to lockdowns in both Australia and New Zealand. Travel into New Zealand currently requires an expensive two-week isolation in a hotel and little indication is known of when this requirement might be lifted. Additionally, the WCF says a clear risk of further lockdowns may be imposed in either country.

In May, the WCF announced the election of Chris Clarke to the position of WCF treasurer. Clarke won the election with 37 votes from Tarek Abdou, who received eight votes and Jose-Maria Alonso-Gamo who received nine votes. Clarke’s experience includes a career in financial management and logistics before moving to New Zealand. He has many decades of experience in croquet administration, having supported croquet at both club, regional and national levels. As an UK citizen, with permanent residence in New Zealand, he understands the workings of the WCF, having previously acted as Secretary-General.

On the court, he has won two AC World Championship titles and is a winner of more than 50 national titles. He has been inducted into both the WCF Hall of Fame and the Croquet New Zealand Hall of Fame.

Croquet Foundation of America (CFA ): a 501(c)(3) not-forprofit sports organization, managed by a self-electing Board and Executive Committee. Owns and operates the National Croquet Center (NCC), including the Pro Shop, the courts and the Croquet Museum; sponsors three benefit tournaments at the NCC (Snowbirds versus Flamingos, The Steuber Classic and The Palm Beach County Summer Golf Croquet League); rents space at the NCC to the USCA (offices and courts for tournaments and schools); rents offices and kitchen to Sandy James Fine Food & Productions, Inc.; manages the US Croquet Hall of Fame, in association with the USCA; host and home of the Palm Beach County Special Olympics Croquet Club and a venue for other charitable, croquet-related programs; offers free lessons and a game of golf croquet to the general public every Saturday morning; rents out its facility and courts for corporate, government, private and not-for-profit events – usually involving croquet, with instruction, to promote the sport and help support the facility.

National Croquet Center (NCC): The largest and finest dedicated croquet center in the world, owned and operated by the CFA.

National Croquet Club: A 501(c)(7), non-profit, social membership club, resident and operating exclusively at the National Croquet Center under a Space Sharing Agreement with the CFA.

SandyJames Fine Food & Productions, Inc.: In-house, exclusive caterer for the NCC.; James Bartle, Owner/ Operator. Caters to all surrounding counties using office and kitchen space at the NCC rented to them by the CFA. Best caterer around town!

The UNITED STATES CROQUET ASSOCIATION (USCA) was formed in 1977, and is the US National Governing Body for sport. It is the originating entity for the growth of croquet in the US. The USCA is a founding member of the World Croquet Federation. It is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that promotes the awareness, development and enjoyment of croquet in America, providing resources and governance for the sport at all levels. It is a membership organization, with nearly 300 member clubs and 3,000 members. The USCA has an elected board of Officers and Directors (representative of the six regions). The USCA stages the National Championships in each version of the game. The USCA sanctions hundreds of tournaments (local, regional, national and international) each year, provides handicapping, ranking services, instruction and referee certifications. Through its many volunteer committees, it provides assistance, guidance and resources for all facets of the sport. In addition to managing all forms of the sport in the US, the USCA establishes the official rules for two of the four most popular forms of the sport (American 9-Wicket “backyard croquet” and American 6-Wicket Croquet) and collaborates with other national governing bodies on changes and updates to Golf Croquet and Association Croquet.

Albert R. Dilley passed away peacefully in the presence of family and in the care of Emmanuel Hospice at Porter Hills Village in Grand Rapids, Mich., on the evening of June 1, 2021. His age was 100.

He was born June 28, 1920, in Grand Rapids, Mich., the son of Abner D. Dilley and Francis Westbrook Dilley. Albert was raised in the home of his father and stepmother, Faye Doddridge Dilley, with his older brother, Robert, younger brother, Donald, and younger half-sister, Dorothy (Elwood). After graduation from Ottawa Hills High School, he attended Grand Rapids Junior College and then the University of Michigan. His education was interrupted when he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942, six months after Pearl Harbor. He was very proud of his aviation achievements as a naval aviator. Following the war, he entered the University of Michigan Law School. After receiving his law degree and being admitted to the practice of law, he joined his father and older brother, Robert, in the law firm of Dilley & Dilley where he was later joined by his younger brother, Donald, his son, Fred, his daughter, Nancy, and his nephew, Thomas R. Dilley. He was also very proud to welcome the fifth-generation of Dilley lawyers with his grandson, Benjamin C. Dilley, who practices with the law firm of Mika Meyers. He pursued an active and successful legal career until his retirement in 1999.

He married Muriel Schurman Ellefson in the Methodist Chapel in Ann Arbor, Mich., on the evening of the Ohio State football game, November 20, 1947 (Michigan won, 21-0, for a perfect 9-0 season). Albert and Muriel celebrated their wedding anniversary every year thereafter on the day of the Ohio State- Michigan game until her death in 2003. He was a lifelong member of the Victors Club.

He and Muriel moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., in 1999 where they enjoyed an active and satisfying retirement. Their location at PGA National Resort was in large measure to pursue his interest in croquet at the championship flight level, which he did enthusiastically nearly every day until he ceased competitive play at age 95.

He was an accomplished and enthusiastic private pilot as was Muriel and their son. The family made many memorable trips all over the country with Albert in the left hand seat of his beloved V-tail Beechcraft Bonanza. Never shy about speaking truth to power, he frequently authored letters to elected officials challenging or commending their actions and providing critical thought and evaluation on a host of legal and social issues. He was a regular contributor of letters to the editor and other op-ed pieces for the Grand Rapids Press and later the Palm Beach Post.

He was a proud recipient of the Champion of Justice Award from the State Bar of Michigan in 1999. The established criteria for the award are “extraordinary professional accomplishments benefitting our nation, state or community and a career which reflects superior professional competence and integrity.” He will be remembered for his fierce devotion to human rights and civil rights and his advocacy for the rule of law. To his family, clients and many friends, he was truly a Champion of Justice.

He is survived by his four children and their families, all living in Grand Rapids: Frederick Dilley (Elizabeth); Mary Dilley; Marcia Dilley Allen (Peter); Nancy Dilley Rominger (Charles), three grandchildren, Katherine Dilley Wright (Jeff); Benjamin C. Dilley; and Christopher C. Rominger. Also, three great-grandchildren, Hazel, Jack and Harry Wright of Charlestown, Mass.

The family would be appreciative of donations to Emmanuel Hospice of Grand Rapids. Information at: https://emmanuelhospice.org/.

Jack Barlow, Grand Haven Croquet Club

Bob Crouch, Sarasota County Croquet Club & Grand Haven Croquet Club

Albert R. Dilley, Croquet Club at PGA National

Orin Kaufman, Grand Haven Croquet Club

Joe S. Payne, Cullasaja Club

Betty Brown Williams, Houston Croquet Association

Bonnie Ruggles, Belleair Country Club Croquet

Robert F. Young, At Large Member