USCA Florida 9W Regional
April 25-27, 2024
National Croquet Center
Eight hardy croquet players endured the challenge of 9 wicket croquet on the back courts of the National Croquet Center, April 25-27. Endured not only because of the rough grass and uneven terrain, but each player had five block matches consisting of both singles and doubles for the first two days. Five games each day in the heat was exhausting. The group consisted of both 6 wicket and golf croquet players. One entry, Mary Walters had never swung a croquet mallet or played a game. Everyone enjoyed the challenge and were able to use their own unique expertise in playing. The first four seeds of the singles block of eight earned the opportunity to play in the championship flight, the other four competed in first flight. The doubles portion of the tournament consisted of four teams. The top two seeds played in the championship flight, the other two played in first flight. Johnny Mitchell (32) bested Devin Burress (24) to capture the singles championship flight. Billy Simmons (25) bested Caryl Firth (22) to win the singles first flight. Bill Trower – Devin Burress (29) defeated Johnny Mitchell – Caryl Firth (23) to win the championship doubles. Priscilla Flowers – Suzanne Turner (26) defeated Mary Walters – Billy Simmons (24) to win first flight doubles.
Special thanks to Dave Spivey for managing Croquet Scores and Ursula Peck for the photographs.
Singles
Championship Flight
1 Johnny Mitchell
2 Devin Burress
3 Priscilla Flowres
3 Bill Trower
First Flight
1.Billy Simmons
2.Caryl Firth
3.Suzanne Turner
3 Mary Walters
Doubles
Championship Flight
1. Bill Trower & Devin Burress
2. Johnny Mitchell & Caryl Firth
First Flight
1. Priscilla Flowers & Suzanne Turner
2. Bill Simmons & Mary Walters
Bill Trower
Tournament Director