News AnnouncementsHere are the latest announcements from the United States Croquet Association. There are even more announcements in Member Announcements. USCA May Events POSTPONED INDEFINITELYDear USCA Members, Remember that the USCA is a community of members. We are here for each other: available by phone or e-mail. Communicate with me, with the office, with your Regional representative, your club or another player. Post what you are doing on the USCA Facebook page. Whatever you do, reach out. Business first: In the best interest of our members and event participants, the USCA has postponed its May events. There are four: the Southeast American 6-Wicket Regional, the Southeast 9-Wicket Regional, the Association Laws National Championship, and an American 6-Wicket Rules School. We hope to be able to reschedule these events at a future time. Please note that all USCA tournaments and events that are cancelled by us for the corona virus, will be fully refunded. Participants will receive their paid event fees and if the event is rescheduled, as hoped, will sign up and pay again. As a reminder, a USCA event is one that is controlled by the USCA organization itself, while a USCA-sanctioned tournament is an event that is run by a member club. The USCA owns USCA events. This decision, therefore, does not include events that are not USCA events, but are hosted by USCA-member clubs, events such as sanctioned tournaments. By sanctioning a tournament, the USCA is not determining what health precautions should be in place or whether it is safe for the tournament to be held. The USCA cannot dictate what clubs decide to do, whether to host events or stay open, but we are urging them to follow CDC, state and local guidelines to protect the safety and health of everyone involved. The June USCA events remain scheduled as of now. We may be overly-optimistic, but choose to remain positive wherever we can. You will receive confirmation of the June USCA events on April 30, giving you a month to revise June plans. During this quieter time, we hope to provide a bright spot in your day. Look for more frequent e-mails with croquet articles, suggestions of skill videos, and more. We are excited about this new communication and plan to begin sending soon. In a separate letter, you will also receive an Annual General Meeting packet, which includes a statement outlining the 2019 status of the association, the 2019 financials and an overview of the membership. The USCA office staff alternates between working in the office and at home and will operate this way for as long as possible. They are safe and healthy. E-mail or phone them with your croquet questions or to touch base. The Management Committee continues to work daily on behalf of the USCA – fulfilling responsibilities and making immediate decisions as necessary. Our many committees and volunteers are keeping busy with USCA work as well. We thank them all for their commitment and time. Everyone and every organization are affected by this current environment. In croquet, some clubs have closed, while others have postponed their openings. Players and instructors are staying at home or are observing limited hours. There may not be croquet on the courts right now, but there is croquet in conversations wherever the USCA touches. We hear you! As Winston Churchill said: “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” Wash your hands, maintain social distance from each other and be well. On behalf of the Management Committee, USCA April Events CANCELEDDear USCA Members, We are all experiencing difficulties due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) with circumstances changing rapidly. The USCA is monitoring all safety and health decisions and guidelines made by the federal and state governments and will continue to make our decisions in advance so that everyone has time to revise their plans accordingly. Currently we are considering only the April and May USCA events. Our decisions are based on the well-being of our event participants and staff, but also on additional concerns including finances and anxiety. We are looking at everything. As of now, all three USCA events scheduled for April 2020 are cancelled:
We will make a decision about the May tournaments and school by March 30 and send out a notice about May and June events at that time. The USCA is leaving it up to individual clubs whether to go forward with club tournaments. To protect the safety and health of everyone involved, we recommend that you and your club follow CDC, state and local guidelines in this regard. By sanctioning a tournament, the USCA is not determining what health precautions should be in place or whether it is safe for the tournament to be held. We do, however, recommend that, as approved by the CDC, you wash your hands or use a handcleaner with a 95% alcohol base. Handwashing takes 20 seconds. There are sing-along suggestions of songs from every decade. With so much washing, hands are getting dry. The top recommended moisturizer is L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream. The USCA Office is housed at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Florida and follows the operational hours of the building. As of now, we plan to remain open for your croquet needs and questions. We wish everyone a secure and healthy stretch and encourage showing respect with a wave instead of a handshake. My best to you, 2020 Croquet Week CANCELEDOver the last few days we have received several inquiries as to the USCA’s response to COVID-19, and particularly now as this virus has been identified in Florida. The safety of USCA members, event participants and staff is and remains our highest priority. The USCA office and Management Committee are closely monitoring the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control, and local health agency websites and bulletins for updates and guidance. We have made the unprecedented decision to cancel the 2020 Croquet Week (March 14-22) due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus and the safety of the players, staff and attendees at the events. The cancellation includes all USCA Croquet Week-associated activities at the National Croquet Center and in the local environs: Tournament Play School, Golf Croquet Tournament, Club Teams Tournament, USCA Planning Meeting, Annual General Meeting, and Annual Awards Dinner. Palm Beach County has not declared a public health emergency for the area and the NCC remains a safe haven, but we are canceling the Tournament School and Croquet Week because of those factors that are beyond our control. The USCA is responsible for our members and staff. We do not want to be further responsible for potential health and safety hazards by encouraging participation that gathers people together in a titled event of the USCA. It is our hope that the school and tournaments will be rescheduled at another time, but for now they are cancelled. The USCA will refund the school tuition fee and tournament playing fees in full. We encourage you to play croquet locally, if you are able at this time of year. During this unsettling time, we cannot imagine a better place to be than outdoors in a beautiful and peaceful setting while playing the sport we love. We hope you feel the same. Sincerely, USCA Grand Prix for GC and ACThe USCA Grand Prix has been updated to include separate listings for Golf Croquet and Association Croquet events. Check it out! Southeast Regional American-rules TournamentPlease join us for the USCA Southeast Regional American-rules Tournament at the Chesapeake Croquet Club in Hartfield, VA, May 7–10, 2020. There will be two or more flights of singles and doubles. On Wednesday, May 6, free clinics and lessons will be offered, plus the opening reception at 5PM. The Championship Flight singles winner will receive a $200 credit towards the entry fee of any USCA national championship. We have a new, quicker system for online registration and payment. Register now! Croquet News Magazine new issue
The 2020 Volume 1 Digital Edition of the USCA’s Croquet News is now available for viewing. This edition features a tribute to Fred Jones and a piece on Leroy Nieman’s “Brush with Croquet.” In addition, the issue covers 2019 Seniors Masters and the USCA National American 6-Wicket Championship. Profiles include Sky Valley Croquet Club and legendary mallet maker Don Oakley. Here’s the complete line-up for the 2020 Volume 1 edition:
Visit the USCA’s magazine page (members only, log-in required) for back issues of the Croquet News magazine. Thank You, Dylan Goodwin, Croquet News Publisher & Editor 913-636-7231. 2020 Golf Croquet EightsThe GC Eights is the USCA’s spring-season Golf Croquet major tournament. Enjoy a full schedule of singles play against peer-level competition, and the legendary hospitality of the Sarasota County Croquet Club, in Venice, Florida. Until March 2 (the “Allocation Date”), entry is based on GC World Ranking. Players are encouraged to enter early to help assure a strong field. After that date, entry becomes first-come, first-served. To sign up, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. Florida Regional Golf Croquet TournamentPlease join us for the USCA Florida Regional Golf Croquet Tournament at the Sarasota County Croquet Club in Venice, FL, January 9–12, 2020. There will be three flights of singles and two flights of doubles. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. Croquet News Magazine new issue
The 2019 Volume 4 Digital Edition of the USCA’s Croquet News is now available for viewing. The print version of this edition will be mailing the first week in December. This edition celebrates Ben Rothman's WCF World GC Championship title with event coverage and an interview with Rothman. The issue also includes a Decade Retrospective photo collection that highlights some of the best moments from 2010-2019. In addition, there are profiles on Blake Fields and the Tega Cay Croquet Club along with 2019 GC Nationals coverage. Here's the complete line-up for the 2019 Volume 3 edition:
Visit the USCA's magazine page (members only, log-in required) for back issues of the Croquet News magazine. Thank You, Dylan Goodwin, Croquet News Publisher & Editor 913-636-7231. USCA Golf Croquet Club Team ChampionshipPlease join us for the 5th annual USCA Golf Croquet Club Teams tournament at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, FL, December 6–8, 2019. Play will be Golf Croquet doubles in a team format, flights to be determined based on entries. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. Croquet News Magazine new issue
The 2019 Volume 3 Digital Edition of the USCA’s Croquet News is now available for viewing. It works best on a tablet or desktop, but can also be viewed on a smartphone. This issue, available only as a digital version, brings the Croquet News back to a four-times per year quarterly publication. This issue features coverage on the relaunch of National Croquet Day and also includes bios for US Croquet Hall of Fame inductees Harvey Geiger, Danny Huneycutt and John Solomon. Here's the complete line-up for the 2019 Volume 3 edition:
Visit the USCA's magazine page (members only, log-in required) for back issues of the Croquet News magazine. Thank You, Dylan Goodwin, Croquet News Publisher & Editor 913-636-7231. USCA National Seniors/Masters ChampionshipsPlease join us for the USCA National Seniors/Masters Championships at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, FL, November 20–24, 2019. Championship and First Flight singles in both Seniors (60–69) and Masters (70+) divisions; combined Seniors/Masters doubles in both flights; combined Seniors/Masters singles and doubles in Second Flight. An opening reception, daily lunches, a tournament dinner, and finals brunch are included in the entry fee. On Tuesday, November 19, practice is permitted after 1PM; the opening reception begins at 4:30. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA National American Six-Wicket Croquet ChampionshipPlease join us for the USCA National American-rules Championship at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA, November 3–9, 2019. Singles and doubles in two flights. An opening reception, a mid-tournament Toast & Tally, and a courtside finals luncheon are included in the entry fee. On Saturday, November 2, practice is permitted after 1PM; the opening reception and and schedule handout begins at 6:00. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA National Golf Croquet ChampionshipPlease join us for the USCA National Golf Croquet Championship at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, FL, October 10–14, 2019. Singles and doubles in two flights. An opening reception and a mid-tournament Toast & Tally are included in the entry fee. On Wednesday, October 9, practice is permitted after 1PM; the opening reception and players’ meeting begins at 4:30. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA Northeast Regional AC TournamentPlease join us for the USCA Northeast Regional Association Croquet Tournament at the Lenox Croquet Club in Lenox, MA, August 30 – September 1, 2019. Singles in two flights. Players from all USCA regions are welcome to enter. Daily lunches and a tournament dinner are included in the entry fee. On Thursday, August 29, practice is permitted after 1PM. There will also be a clinic with Stuart Lawrence, $25 per player (free for Lenox members). To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA Midwestern Regional 6-Wicket TournamentPlease join us for the USCA Midwestern Regional Association Croquet Tournament at Lafortune Park in Tulsa, OK, August 30 – September 2, 2019. Singles and doubles in one or more flights, depending on interest. Players from all USCA regions are welcome to enter. Entry to the tournament includes Opening BBQ, daily lunches and beverages, and Tournament Dinner. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA Southeastern Regional AC TournamentPlease join us for the USCA Southeastern Regional Association Croquet Tournament at the Chesapeake Croquet Club in Hartfield, VA, September 11–13, 2019 (starts Wednesday). Singles in two flights. Players from all USCA regions are welcome to enter. Daily lunches and a tournament dinner are included in the entry fee. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA Midwestern Regional AC TournamentPlease join us for the USCA Midwestern Regional Association Croquet Tournament at Centennial Lakes Park in Edina, MN, July 18–21, 2019. Singles and doubles in Championship Flight, plus a First Flight if there is sufficient interest. Players from all USCA regions are welcome to enter. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. Call for Players: 2019 USCA Selection EightsThis popular Association Croquet tournament will be held October 24–27 at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, FL. Players wishing to be considered for selection must return the availability form (by email) to the USCA office by August 5. For a full description of the criteria used to assess player performance, see section 6.2 of the USCA Team and Individual Event Selection Policy. National Croquet Day THIS WEEKEND, June 8 2019We are just....countdown....drumroll.....3 days away from NATIONAL CROQUET DAY (NCD)! Yes, that's right - Saturday, June 8th is the day YOU and other USCA members will help to create awareness about our sport through Facebook! First you need to join the USCA Facebook GROUP - - please do this NOW. (You're already on-line if you're reading this, this will take you 1 minute to do.) Now, start thinking about what you're going to post to YOUR Facebook timeline on Saturday. Maybe a smiling photo of yourself in your whites? A photo of your grandchild holding your croquet mallet? A throwback photo from 1987 or a selfie you take this Saturday morning? Then think about what you want to say in your post - a quick one-liner, a few sentences about how croquet has changed your life, paragraphs listing the details of your final turn heroics? It's up to you! Now add #nationalcroquetday AND the USCA website address of croquetamerica.com at the end of your post and post it to your friends or to the PUBLIC if you're OK with that. After you post to YOUR own Facebook timeline - then SHARE your post to the USCA group. That's it. By participating, you'll be entered into our draw to win one of our fabulous National Croquet Day tote bags! If your club participates, the club could win a National Croquet Day USCA logo sign to display courtside! We wanted to make this simple, easy, fast and effective for 2019. Thanks again for helping the USCA promote the sport. ~Anne Frost Robinson, NCD 2019 Coordinator Don't have Facebook? You can still participate! Just send an email out to friends and family and then copy the USCA office at membership@uscroquet.com to be entered into the draw! (Let us know if you give us permission to post your photo and story to our USCA Facebook group, if not, that is OK!) Call for Players: 2020 WCF AC World ChampionshipThe 2020 WCF Association Croquet World Championship (singles) will be held in Melbourne, Australia, February 15–23. The USCA AC Selection Committee will begin selection deliberations in July. Players wishing to be considered for selection must return the availability form (by email) to the USCA office by July 1. For a full description of the criteria used to assess player performance, see section 6.2 of the USCA Team and Individual Event Selection Policy. National Croquet Day, June 8 2019
This year, National Croquet Day is primarily a social media awareness campaign aimed at spreading the word about the sport, its members and the USCA. One of the primary ways that new people are introduced to the sport is through family and friends of current players, so your participation in National Croquet Day will help start the conversation with your friends and family and others. It is very simple to participate. If you use Facebook:
This shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes to help the USCA create some awareness about the sport. If you need some help navigating Facebook, just ask for help from your social media savvy friends and family. If you don’t use Facebook:You can still do something to commemorate the day. Ideas include texting or emailing a photo and your croquet story to friends and family - or you can even write a letter and send it through the mail or put up a poster on the bulletin board at your favorite coffee shop. If you do participate, but not through Facebook, please send us an email so that we know you've participated. USCA member clubsUSCA Member Clubs may decide to do something as a club, and that is GREAT. Some clubs will take it to the next level and have their local mayor officially declare it National Croquet Day (as one South Carolina Club has already done), or they may invite local media outlets and celebrities to participant in an event on the day! It's completely up to you to decide what you want to do. We wanted to make it as easy as possible for members and clubs to feel they can participate in some way. Fun prizes for participation will be given to 12 individual members and 1 club prize will be awarded as well. Prizes will be drawn from a pool of all those who participate, so it doesn't matter how big or small you go, it's all about participation. Thanks in advance for being a part of the USCA's 2019 National Croquet Day.
Anne Frost Robinson Croquet News Magazine new issue
We are pleased to present the 2019 Volume 2 Digital Edition of the USCA's Croquet News through Issuu. Check it out online by clicking the cover to the right. Print copies should start mailing to USCA members by the end of the week. This issue features the 2019 Club Directory, the 2018 Annual USCA Awards Winners and coverage on both AC Nationals and Club Teams / Croquet Week. Here's the complete line-up:
Visit the USCA's magazine page (members only, log-in required) for back issues of the Croquet News magazine. Thank You, Dylan Goodwin, Croquet News Publisher & Editor 913-636-7231. USCA Western Regional GC TournamentPlease join us for the USCA Western Regional Golf Croquet Tournament at the Sonoma-Cutrer Croquet Club in Windsor, CA, July 11–14. Singles in one or more flights; doubles if sufficient interest. The entry fee includes daily breakfast, snacks, and light lunches, a combined Toast & Tally and Tournament Dinner, and a final and awards wine celebration. Players from all USCA regions are welcome to enter. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded and mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA Western Regional 6W TournamentPlease join us for the USCA Western Regional 6-Wicket Croquet Tournament at Woodlawn Park in Seattle, WA. The “B” Flight will be played from June 14–16, and the “A” Flight from July 26–28. Singles and doubles in both flights. The entry fee includes daily breakfast and lunches, including a brunch on the final day. Players from all USCA regions are welcome to enter. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded and mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA Southeast Regional 6W TournamentPlease join us for the USCA Southeast Regional 6-Wicket Croquet Tournament at the Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Pinehurst, NC, June 12–16, 2019. Singles and doubles in two flights. The entry fee includes daily lunches and a tournament dinner. Players from all USCA regions are welcome to enter. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded and mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. Call for players: 2019 Solomon TrophyPlayers who wish to be considered for Team USA in the Solomon Trophy, October 1–4 at Pinehurst, should download and return the availability form to the USCA, no later than July 1st. Six players plus alternates will be selected by the USCA Selection Committee to represent USA in this Association Croquet test match against Great Britain. Croquet Week has something for everyoneCome to the National Croquet Center in early March for Croquet Week! There’s a range of events for everyone from complete beginners to championship players. The event kicks off with the USCA Croquet School, with options for special Golf Croquet or Tournament Play schools. The Croquet Week GC Singles tournament fills out the first weekend. Then onto the main event, the 40th Annual USCA Club Teams Championship, a unique tournament with spirited yet fun and relaxed competition, plus the USCA Annual Awards ceremony. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. Croquet News Magazine new issue
We are pleased to present the 2019 Volume 1 Digital Edition of the USCA's Croquet News through Issuu. Check it out online by clicking the cover to the right. Print copies are already mailing and should reach members by next week. This issue features expanded coverage of the 2018 USCA Grand Prix and all of the following:
Visit the USCA's magazine page (members only, log-in required) for back issues of the Croquet News magazine. Thank You, Dylan Goodwin, Croquet News Publisher & Editor 913-636-7231. 2019 Solomon TrophyThe 2019 Solomon Trophy has been scheduled for October 1–4 at the Pinehurst Resort & Country Club. This will be the 25th occurrence of this Association Croquet test match between six-player teams representing GB and USA. GB currently enjoys a 22-2 advantage in the series, which started in 1985. After GB won all 17 test matches from 1985 to 2008, USA’s back-to-back wins came in 2009 and 2011. Since then GB has won it another five times. As per tradition for a US-hosted Solomon Trophy, the tournament will be preceded by the Presidents’ Matches, a one-day test match played under American Six-Wicket Croquet rules. USCA National 9-Wicket ChampionshipPlease join us for the USCA National 9-Wicket Championship at the Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club in Hartfield, VA, September 15–15, 2019. Singles and doubles in two flights. Tournament entry includes three courtside lunches, a Tournament Dinner, and a USCA National pin. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA Southeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional 9W TournamentPlease join us for the USCA Southeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional 9-Wicket Croquet Tournament at Woodgrove Park in Round Hill, VA, June 7–9, 2019. Singles and doubles in two flights. Courtside food service vendors will be available. Players from all USCA regions are welcome to enter. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. Call for Players: 2020 GC World TeamsThe 3rd Openshaw Shield (WCF Golf Croquet World Team Championship Tier 1) is scheduled for January 6 through 12 at Nelson, New Zealand. Team USA will be looking to improve on its prior 4th- and 5th-place finishes in the eight-country tournament. The USCA GC Selection Committee will announce the Team USA roster in late July. Players wishing to be considered for selection must return the availability form (by mail or email) to the USCA office by May 31. Thanks to last year’s remarkably successful fundraising efforts led by Michael Albert, significant travel funding should be available for the team of four players, plus a traveling alternate. For a full description of the criteria used to assess player performance, see section 6.2 of the USCA Team and Individual Event Selection Policy. Particular emphasis will be placed on performance against high-ranking players in regional, national, and international tournaments in the second half of 2018 and through mid-July of 2019. USCA Golf Croquet EightsThe third annual USCA Golf Croquet Eights will be held April 11–14 at the National Croquet Center, with room for 40 players this year. This is a great opportunity to play a full schedule of GC singles against peer-level competition. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA Mid-Atlantic Regional AC TournamentPlease join us for the USCA Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Croquet Tournament at the Green Gables Croquet Club in Sea Girt, NJ, September 27–29, 2019. Singles and doubles in two flights. Entry fee opening reception, participants dinner, daily lunches, and a USCA Regional pin. Players from all USCA regions are welcome to enter. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. 2019 Croquet WeekCome join the USCA’s annual festival of fun and celebration, Croquet Week. As usual the week kicks off with the Golf Croquet Singles tournament. Then a USCA Croquet School, and our annual planning meeting, a great opportunity to make your voice heard. Then onto main event, a tournament like no other, the 40th Annual USCA Club Teams Championship. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. GC World Championship SelectionsIn 2019 there will be three world championships in Golf Croquet: the GC Women’s World Championship (February 2–9 in New Zealand), the Under-21 GC World Championship (July 20–24 in England), and the GC World Championship (July 27 – August 4 in England). The USA contingent to the Women’s championship is Cheryl Bromley, Donna Dixon, and Sandy Knuth. At the U21 the USA will be represented by Jared Bassmann and Blake Fields At the main world championship USA currently has five players with assured spots in the field: Sherif Abdelwahab, Danny Huneycutt, Mohammad Kamal, Ben Rothman, and Macey White. (More players could gain entry via the WCF Reserve List and/or the Qualifying Tournament.) As usual, up-to-the-minute game results and commentary will be available at the Croquet Scores website. USCA Western Regional AC TournamentPlease join us for the USCA Western Regional Association Croquet Tournament at the Mission Hills Croquet Club in Rancho Mirage, CA, February 12–16, 2019. Singles and doubles in two flights. Entry fee includes three club dining events. Players from all USCA regions are welcome to enter. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA Southeast Regional Golf Croquet TournamentPlease join us for the USCA Southeast Regional Golf Croquet tournament at the Chesapeake Croquet Club in Hartfield, VA, May 2–5, 2019. Singles (blocks, with top finishers advancing to a knockout) and doubles (straight knockout) in two flights. Daily lunches and a tournament dinner included with entry fee. USCA members from all regions are welcome to enter. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA National AC ChampionshipsPlease join us for the USCA National Association Croquet Championships at the Sarasota County Croquet Club in Venice, FL, March 24–30, 2019. Singles and doubles in two flights. This venue, host of the USCA Golf Croquet Eights in 2017 and 2018, is hosting a national championship for the first time. Club members are again offering to host visiting players, space permitting, so enter early. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. Croquet News Magazine new issue
After another strong effort from the magazine team, our dedicated contributors and the staff in West Palm Beach, I am pleased to present the 2018 Volume 3 Digital Edition of the USCA's Croquet News through Issuu. Print copies will start to mail out by the end of the week and should reach members by mid-December. Before I get into this edition, I would like to note the growing interest in advertiser support for the Croquet News. This issue in particular has a number of new advertisers and I would like to encourage our readers to support all of our advertisers by simply visiting their website or sending them an email thanking them for making the Croquet News possible. They do this to connect with our readers and you can best show your gratitude and support by engaging in some way with this growing group of advertisers. Moving to the editorial side, this issue features a statistical comparison of US state and regional membership between 2010 and 2018. The idea is to do some self-analysis as an organization and build on the success stories and see where are on the map the USCA might need a new approach. I hope you enjoy the look as I know we were delighted to see a few positive surprises in the data. This issue also has coverage of the 2018 National American Rules Championship and the 2018 National Golf Croquet Championship plus a profile on the Milwaukee Croquet Club. Here's the full line-up on articles you'll find in the 2018 Volume 3 issue:
Visit the USCA's magazine page (members only, log-in required) for back issues of the Croquet News magazine. Thank You, Dylan Goodwin, Croquet News Publisher & Editor 913-636-7231. USCA Florida Regional Golf Croquet TournamentPlease join us for the USCA Florida Regional Golf Croquet tournament at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, FL, January 11–13, 2019. Singles in two flights of 16 players each, plus "compass format" doubles. USCA members from all regions are welcome to enter. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA Golf Croquet Club TeamsPlease join us for the 4th annual USCA Golf Croquet Club Teams tournament at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, FL, December 7–9, 2018. Play will be Golf Croquet doubles in a team format, in two flights. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA National 9-Wicket ChampionshipPlease join us for the USCA National 9-Wicket Championship at the Chesapeake Croquet Club in Hartfield, VA, November 12–14, 2018. Play will be according to the standard USCA 9-Wicket Rules, with options 1, 1b, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9. The tournament will feature two flights of singles and doubles. Daily lunches and a Tournament Dinner are included. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. 2019 GC World Championship and Under 21 World ChampionshipThe 2019 WCF Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship will be held in Nottingham, England, July 20-24. The 2019 WCF Golf Croquet World Championship will be held in West Sussex, England (and other venues), July 27 to August 4. The USCA Golf Croquet Selection Committee invites all players wishing to be considered for either tournament to notify the USCA by completing and returning the availability form, no later than November 5. It is expected that some funding for travel expense will be available to players selected for the Under 21 event. To be eligible to represent the USA at either tournament, you must be a member in good standing of the USCA, and must meet the relevant WCF requirements for country representation (see Appendix 1 of the WCF Sports Regulations). For the Under 21 event, you must be under 21 years old as of 12/31/2018. For information about the selection process, see the USCA Team and Individual Event Selection Policy. Grand Prix: Men's and Women's listingsThe USCA Grand Prix listing has a new feature: you can now view separate Men's and Women's standings, including results from previous years. USCA Seniors Masters Championship (American 6W) AnnouncedDear USCA member, Please join us for the USCA Seniors Masters Championship at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, FL, November 7-11, 2018. The tournament will consist of separate flights for Seniors (60-69) and Masters (70+) in Championship and First Flight singles. There will be combined Seniors and Masters flights for both Championship and First Flight doubles, and a combined Seniors and Masters Second Flight for singles and doubles. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. Croquet News Magazine new issue
The 2018 Volume 2 issue of the USCA’s Croquet News magazine is now available as a digital edition through Issuu. Follow the link and click the full screen symbol to enjoy the magazine on your tablet, desktop/laptop or phone. All links are active so be sure to support the advertisers that help make the magazine possible by visiting their websites. In This IssueThis issue features Hall of Fame Inductees Ben Rothman and Eugene F. Young. The issue also features a Skills section that includes 24 Quick Tips and two new tactics columns. Profiles in this issue include Michael Gibbons and the Country Club of Jackson. Here’s the full line-up on articles you’ll find in the 2018 Volume 2 issue:
Visit the USCA's magazine page (members only, log-in required) for back issues of the Croquet News magazine. Thank You, Dylan Goodwin, Croquet News Publisher & Editor 913-636-7231. USCA National Championship (American 6W) AnnouncedDear USCA member, We invite you to participate in the USCA National Championship of American Six-Wicket Croquet (singles & doubles) October 7-13, 2018. To be held at the Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club in Hartfield, VA. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA Golf Croquet Eights AnnouncedDear USCA member, We invite you to participate in the second annual USCA Golf Croquet Eights (singles only) October 18-21, 2018. To be held at the Sarasota County Croquet Club in Venice, Florida. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. USCA National Championship (GC) AnnouncedDear USCA member, We invite you to participate in the USCA National Championship of Golf Croquet (singles & doubles) September 19-23, 2018. To be held at the Lake Toxaway Mallet Club, Burlingame Country Club, and Chattooga Club in the North Carolina mountains. To sign up for this event, enter online (login required), or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be downloaded mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. Midwest Regional Tournament (6W) AnnouncedDear USCA member, We invite you to participate in the Midwest Regional American Rules tournament (singles & doubles) August 31 - September 3, 2018. To be held at Lafortune Park in Tulsa, OK. To sign up for this event, enter online, or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. 2019 WCF Women's GC World ChampionshipCall for playersThe sixth WCF Women's Golf Croquet World Championship will be held February 2 through 9 at the Heretaunga and Marewa Croquet Clubs in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Players wishing to be considered for selection to the USA player contingent at this tournament should contact Jennifer Othen, Tournament@uscroquet.com, no later than Friday, July 13th. USA is guaranteed at least two places in the 56-player field, with the possibility of additional places based on player ranking, and wildcard nominations by the USCA. (Please note that players are responsible for their own travel expenses; the USCA does not usually provide funding for individual world championships.) The WCF will announce the list of players who have been awarded ranking and wildcard places on August 26. The USCA will then announce the names of the players selected for our two guaranteed (membership) places shortly after, not later than September 23. For details about the USCA selection policy see: USCA TEAM & INDIVIDUAL EVENT SELECTION POLICY. For details about the tournament see: 2019 Women's Golf Croquet World Championship. Croquet News Magazine new issue
The 2018 Volume 1 issue of the USCA's Croquet News magazine is now available. The digital edition is available through Issuu. Follow the link and click the full screen symbol to enjoy the magazine on your tablet, desktop/laptop or phone. All links are active so be sure to support the advertisers that help make the magazine possible by visiting their websites. And, as always, USCA members may download a PDF version on the magazine page of the USCA website (log in required). In This IssueThis issue features a full listing of USCA Clubs to help croquet players across North America find a club nearby to get started in croquet. And on the opposite side of the club equation is an article from Carlton H. Mabee on court lighting to help clubs maximize court time. In addition, here's the full line-up on articles you'll find in the 2018V1 issue:
Thank You, Dylan Goodwin, Croquet News Publisher & Editor 913-636-7231. Western Regional TournamentsThis year the USCA Western Region will be hosting separate Regional Tournaments in American Six-Wicket Croquet, Golf Croquet, and Association Croquet! Players from ALL regions are welcome to participate.
Enter online today! Northeast Regional Tournament (6W) AnnouncedDear USCA member, We invite you to participate in the Northeast Regional American Rules tournament (singles only) May 25-27, 2018. To be held at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI. Entry is limited to 32 players, first-come, first-served. To sign up for this event, enter online, or call the USCA Office at (561) 478-0760. Entries can also be mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. 2018 Solomon Trophy(England v USA — Association Croquet)The Solomon Trophy (the ongoing test match series in Association Croquet between England and USA) will be contested from 7–10 August 2018 at the Surbiton Croquet Club in London, England. If you are available to participate in this event and would like to be considered for selection to the US Team please reply to: Tournament@uscroquet.com. While some money may be made available from the Olsen Fund, travel expenses are the players' responsibility. 6 players for the US Team will be selected based on the USCA TEAM & INDIVIDUAL EVENT SELECTION POLICY guidelines. Reply deadline for the availability list is April 12. Any reply after this date will not be considered. ADDED BONUS:Potential team members and supporters should know that Surbiton – a fantastic volunteer-driven club that every croquet player should visit will host the annual Championship of Surrey over the weekend prior to the Solomon (Saturday-Monday, 4-6 August), providing an ideal warmup for those who can make it.
Thank you, Southeast Regional Championship (6W) Announced
Dear USCA member, We invite you to participate in the Southeast Regional American Rules tournament (singles & doubles) May 24-27, 2018. To be held at the Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club in Hartfield, VA. We are now accepting entries! The entry form is in Official Forms. The entry deadline is May 10th. Players from ALL regions are welcomed to participate. To sign up for this event, submit your completed entry form with payment to the USCA Office, or call (561) 478-0760 for more information, or to sign up by phone. Entries can also be mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. Practice day, clinic & opening dinner will be on May 23rd. The tournament includes a free coaching clinic and practice court time for players and guests. Lunch is served courtside on all days including practice day. Lunch and opening-night courtside dinner are included in the entry fee. Meal packages are available. Each day of tournament play, a full country-style breakfast is available in the morning, as well as dinner every night which will include local delights like steamed crabs, oysters, and other seafood that is in season. We hope to see you there! Thank you, Macey White, Tournament Manager (804) 694-9771 John's Island Invitational (GC) Announced
Dear USCA member, You are cordially invited
to the
John’s Island Club Invitational Golf Croquet tournament
in Vero Beach, FL, on Friday March 9, 2018,
through
Sunday March 11, 2018. For more information, please contact Brandon Frazier. Southeast Regional Championship (AC) Announced
Dear USCA member, We invite you to participate in the Southeast Regional Association Croquet tournament (singles & doubles) April 5-8, 2018. To be held at the Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club in Hartfield, VA. We are now accepting entries! The entry form is in Official Forms. The entry deadline is March 25th. Players from ALL regions are welcomed to participate. To sign up for this event, submit your completed entry form with payment to the USCA Office, or call (561) 478-0760 for more information, or to sign up by phone. Entries can also be mailed to 700 Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. Practice day, clinic & opening dinner will be on April 4th. The tournament includes a free coaching clinic and practice court time for players and guests. Lunch is served courtside on all days including practice day. Lunch and opening-night courtside dinner are included in the entry fee. Meal packages are available. Each day of tournament play, a full country-style breakfast is available in the morning, as well as dinner every night which will include local delights like steamed crabs, oysters, and other seafood that is in season. We hope to see you there! Thank you, Doug Grimsley, Tournament Director (703) 674-6136 Croquet News Magazine Published
The 2017 Volume 3 issue of the USCA's Croquet News magazine is now available as a PDF for USCA members on the magazine page of the USCA website (log in required). All website and e-mail links are live in the PDF. If you see an interesting reference, you can click through to dig deeper or reach a contact right away. On computers, the PDF version is best viewed as "two-up" and "show cover page" if you want to see the full spreads (on your Adobe Reader top menu: View/Page Display). The PDF should also be viewable on most tablets. New Digital EditionThrough the efforts of the USCA Management Committee and President Sara Low, I am pleased to announce that the 2017 Volume 3 issue of the Croquet News magazine is now also available as a true digital edition and open to the public. A full intro is below, but the timing is perfect as this overdue edition is a tribute to the 40-year anniversary for the USCA. We are incredibly pleased to provide this issue to everyone who shares a passion for the sport. The print copies are on press and should be starting the mail process for USCA members next week. 2017 Volume 3In the 20 years I have played the sport of croquet, I've never had a more challenging and rewarding experience than I did in working through this long overdue 2017 Volume 3 Croquet News tribute to the 40 year anniversary. The central feature is a 22-page look at just some of the players, leaders, supporters, moments and events that make up the fascinating story of croquet in America. Of course, the full magazine was a team effort across the board, but Bert Myer was the engine behind the tribute and beside providing photos and copy, he kept the project moving steadily along even as I would disappear to work on the advertising side or help chase down missing tournament pieces. The full story of how this issue was built is a tale for another day, but the greatest challenge from my perspective was accepting early on that there would be no way to cover the entire of story of American croquet in a single magazine issue. So what our work evolved into is what I would call more of a visual outline with sporadic detail limited by space and in some cases limited research material. In fact, from our early notes, I can confidently confess that we've left dozens of people and events off the table that I think are key to the overall history. I do know those omissions will disappoint many as they have disappointed me. I've simply had to box up that list up in my mind as opportunities for future articles or as known gaps for the release of a more comprehensive project on the history croquet in America. On the upside, the deep dive into the project has given me a much greater appreciation for what has come before and how fast the sport has evolved here and how the progress continues. I have certainly read my share of croquet history and have heard a number of entertaining stories, but I had never before tried to grasp the full timeline and how it all had to stack up to bring us to current era. In the majority of my free time over the past several months, I've lived in a bubble of croquet history. And what I've learned from that time, is simply that we are where we are now -- with a growing number of multi-court facilities, a robust tournament schedule and competitive international players/teams -- through the great efforts, perseverance and passion of the many leaders, supporters, benefactors and players that built the USCA. I am grateful for those efforts and I hope this issue demonstrates the gratitude for all who took part in the founding and building of the USCA. ContributorsAs I mentioned before, Bert Myer was the major collaborator to the tribute piece. Jeff Soo helped out knowingly and unkowningly, Eric Sawyer offered input on GC, Anne Frost Robinson and Rhys Thomas answered questions. Bob Alman provided info. I even checked in briefly with Myles Ludwig on a photo from his era as publisher. I checked in with Karen Kaplan as well. My long time editor Julie Jantzer-Ward powered through the 15,000 word tribute with ease. And our new art director, Brandy Ferguson made record time in piecing together a 64-page layout that had a lot of back and forth. It was a giant collaboration and though challenging, everyone involved embraced the concept. Thank you to all of the contributors for the 2017 Volume 3 Issue:
In This Issue
Thank You, Dylan Goodwin, Croquet News Publisher & Editor 913-636-7231. Southeast Regional Championship (GC) Announced
Dear USCA member, We are now accepting entries! The entry form is in Official Forms. The entry deadline is April 5th. Players from all regions are welcomed to participate. Thank you, Cheryl Bromley, Tournament Director (954) 242-8601 Croquet Week Announced
Sarasota County Croquet Club Invitational (AC) Announced
Dear USCA member, The Sarasota County Croquet Club Invitational Association Croquet tournament will be played in Venice, FL, on 22-25 March 2018.
(Guest housing is available upon request to tournament manager) This sanctioned AC singles tournament is open to 32 players, 3 or 4 flights, Block play with knockout playoffs. Even if you have never played in an Association Croquet tournament, we invite you to come and play. You will find it to be a fun and worthwhile experience. The entry form is in Official Forms. The entry deadline is 10 March 2018. Thank you, Hans Peterson, SCCC President and Tournament Director Croquet Week (GC) and Club Team Championship (US) AnnouncedDear USCA member, The Croquet Week Golf Croquet tournament will be played at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, FL, on 9-11 March 2018. The Club Team Championship of American Croquet will be played at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, FL, on 14-18 March 2018. This is a great opportunity to enjoy Croquet Week, and to play in back-to-back tournaments. The entry form is in Official Forms. The entry deadline is 1 March 2018. Thank you, John Osborn, Tournament Director Audubon Invitational (US) Announced
Save these dates! 21-25 February 2018 Audubon Croquet Club, Naples, FL. 24th annual Audubon Invitational American Croquet tournament. Singles only – 20 players in three flights – championship, first, and second flights. Play will be on one full-size and one ¾ courts. Enjoy a full complement of meals: daily continental breakfasts, buffet lunches, parties, a dinner, and awards brunch. Tournament Director – Fred Jones National Championship (AC) AnnouncedThe National Championship of Association Croquet will be held on 18-24 February 2018 at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA. The tournament will be hosted by the Mission Hills Croquet Club. The tournament director will be Mission Hills' new croquet professional Wayne Davies. The entry form is in Official Forms. The entry deadline is 5 February 2018. For more information, please contact Jennifer Othen (561-478-0760) in Tournament Services. World Championship (AC) ReminderAssociation Croquet Players: Don't forget to get your availability in! The deadline is fast approaching for the 2018 Association Croquet World Championship to be held Saturday, Feb. 3 - Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018 at the Kelburn Croquet Club, Wellington, New Zealand. Availability forms received to date:
Six-Wicket Croquet Referee On-Court Video Series Completed
Expert Croquet Tactics Now Available Online
Oxford Croquet is pleased to announce an online version of Keith Wylie's seminal work Expert Croquet Tactics by kind permission of the Croquet Association [of England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man]. Expert Croquet Tactics is the bible of Association Croquet strategy for A-class and International players. It details the intricacies of the Triple Peel, Advanced Break Building, and Openings. Some of what is there will be bewildering to players with handicaps much above 1, but the Openings Article (Article 4) is accessible to most croquet players. The largest section (Article 1) is dedicated to the Triple Peel, and is essential reading for anyone wishing to master that part of their game. This book rewards repeated reading as your play improves. It should be on every aspiring A-class player's bookshelf. Softback copies of the book are available from the Croquet Association Shop for £13.99. Dr. Ian Plummer, Oxford Croquet Editor CroquetBuddy Golf Croquet App ReleasedCroquetBuddy helps you while you're playing golf croquet. It helps you keep track of the score and time in a game and can also randomly pick partners at the start of a game. Download the iPhone app for free from Addict3D. Click screen shots below to enlarge.
Croquet Club World GazetteerA world map showing the location of croquet clubs has been added to the Oxford Croquet Site. Croquet SecretsA new book entitled Croquet Secrets by John Riches and Wayne Davies is available from Xlibris. It is a compilation of nearly all of John Riches booklets into one 803-page book. Selection Events CalendarA Selection Events Calendar has been added to the calendar searches on the website. All the Selection Event dates and forms can be found here, as well as on the Official Forms page. Team and Individual Event Selection PolicyThe Team and Individual Event Selection Policy has been added to the Official Forms page. Also posted there are the application and indemnity forms. Golf Croquet RankingsLinks to the official Golf Croquet ranking lists have been added to the Rankings page. International Croquet Rules AmendedThe rules of International Croquet have been amended effective 15 March 2008. Read a summary, or the details, or the full set of laws with amendments. Download or print the changes. New law books will be available from the USCA office. RulesThe synopses of the rules of American Croquet, Association Croquet, Nine-Wicket Croquet, and Golf Croquet, have been revised, and new diagrams added. The 2007 Rules of Nine-Wicket Croquet are now on this website, and can be downloaded as a Microsoft Word document. The 2006 Official Rules of American Croquet are now on this website for your easy viewing and searching. This is a copy of the The Official Rules of the United States Croquet Association Revised 2006 rule book which is also available here for you to print or download. Stock PhotographsA collection of stock photographs have been posted that can be used to promote the game of croquet. |
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