2019 States Shield Qualifier, Southeast Quad

June 8–9, Tega Cay Croquet Club, Tega Cay, South Carolina

For complete scores see the croquetscores.com listing for the tournament.

Team Florida: Jim Teel, Gene Raymond, Chris Barley, David Maloof.
For more photos see the Tega Cay Croquet Club Photo Gallery.

The tournament was hosted by the Tega Cay Croquet Club and sponsored by Croquet Network. The Croquet Network States Shield is a sanctioned USCA event and all singles games count in the WCF world rankings. However, the event is not a USCA managed event.

There were 14 players from four states. The teams:

North Carolina

• Jeff Soo (Team Director)
• Matthew Essick
• Peter Carlin
• Rob Byrd

South Carolina

• Damon Bidencope (Team Director)
• Simon Jenkins
• Robert Hurst

Georgia

• Jimmy Huff (Team Director)
• Kent Lovvorn
• Roy Gee

Florida

• Chris Barley (Team Director)
• David Maloof
• Gene Raymond
• Jim Teel

Four test matches (best-of-11 games between two state teams) were played on Saturday and Sunday, June 8 & 9, 2019 on the Tega Cay’s croquet court.

On Saturday (National Croquet Day), NC defeated SC 6-2 and FL beat GA 6-4. Despite widespread heavy rain across the region there was very little rain at Tega Cay until the last game, but there were no rain delays.

On Sunday, the first two games were played under heavy showers but the players put on their rain gear and never stopped playing. The rest of the games were played under fairly dry conditions with only a few brief showers. FL beat NC 8 to 2 to win the Southeast Regional “Quad” and advance to the National Shield Tournament in August. In the consolation match, GA and SC played three games and then called it a day because of other commitments and their long drive home. There were thirteen games played on Sunday between 9 am and 4 pm and there were no rain delays.

The players all complimented the condition of the court. The court drained exceptionally well during the few showers that we had over the two days. The ball stops worked well and were really needed. No one hit into the orange netting below the southwest corner but this was a possibility with the speed of some of the shots and the jump shots being played. The special Quadway Hoops used during the Tournament were loaned to the Club by Simon Jenkins.

Overall, the tournament was a great success. The volunteers, hosts for the players and Club members got to meet and talk with the players at the Reception on Friday evening, at the dinner at the Dixie Pig Restaurant on Saturday evening and during the tournament when the players were between games. Gift bags were given to all of the players with items supplied by Visit York County, the City of Tega Cay and George Fiegel. Each member of the winning team received a trophy, handmade by George Fiegel.

Tournament Directors Damon Bidencope and Alan Bensch and Tournament Manager Terry Hunt would like to thank all of the volunteers and hosts who helped set up the court, schedule the games, keep track of the scores, set up for the Reception, provide snacks, drinks and lunches for the players, set up the tent and chairs for the players and provided rooms for some of the players. They would also like to recognize Chuck Smith, the Maintenance Superintendent for Tega Cay Golf, and his crew for getting the croquet court and the surrounding area in excellent condition. The support of Josh Brownell, Director of Tega Cay Golf, and Tega Cay Mayor, David O’Neal, was greatly appreciated.

—Article by Terry Hunt