Palmetto Invitational
April 19-20, 2024
Green Boundary Croquet Club
Between April 19 – 21, The Green Boundary Club hosted the resumption of the Palmetto Invitational croquet tournament last played in 2015. The Palmetto Invitational is the South Carolina championship in six wicket croquet. Ten teams coming from across the southeastern United States competed in doubles competition over two days of play.
The winners of the event were James Podraza (6) and Alvin Thurman (6) representing Dataw Island Club, Dataw Island SC. They defeated Scott Brown (9) and Marc Blumberg (12) representing The Green Boundary Club, Aiken SC. The score of the championship match was 11 – 8.
In the semi-final round Podraza and Thurman defeated Bill Lichtenberger (9) and Dan Phelan (12) representing St. James Croquet Club, Southport, NC by a score of 13 – 12. In the other semi-final round Brown and Blumberg defeated George (3) and Patricia (10) Peterkin representing the Houston TX Croquet Association by a score of 13 – 10.
The Green Boundary Club was established in 1956. The historic Georgian style structure dates to 1928 when it was a private cottage of the Winter Colony named “Sunshine”. Croquet has been played here for almost a century.
The Palmetto Invitational Cup is the permanent trophy of the tournament and will be on display in the library at the Club. The silver trophy from England dates to the late 1800’s and is reminiscent of the Old Claret Jug awarded to the winner of the British Open.
For more information:
Marc Blumberg, Tournament Director and Member
404 229 7052
ppimab@aol.com
Championship Doubles
1. Alvin Thurman & Jim Podraza
2. Scott Brown & Marc Blumberg
3. George & Patricia Peterkin
4. William Lichtenberger & Daniel Phelan
First Flight Doubles
1. Charles Hayes & Nina Milton
2. Mark & Sue Williams
3. Rocky & Elaine Smith
4. Steve & Karen Miller
5. Mary Blumberg & John Harte
6. Scott & Beth Glass