2026 Women's GC National Qualifier
National Croquet Center
April 23-26, 2026
Barley Tops the Field at USCA Women’s Golf Croquet National Qualifier
National Croquet Center, West Palm Beach, Florida
April 23 – 26, 2026
Singles Finalist Rania Gabr (L) with 2026 Singles Champion Gail Barley
This inaugural tournament is part of an exciting lead-up to the 2027 USCA Women’s GC Nationals. Building on the momentum and success of both the Women’s GC Open held in January and the WGCA Women’s International Friendship Cup held in March, along with the upcoming WGCA Women’s Doubles Open in October, there are now several more exciting opportunities for women to gain a foothold and climb the ranks in Golf Croquet.
The top four finishers in singles and the top two doubles teams from this qualifier event have now earned their spots in the USCA Women’s GC Nationals slated for March 2027.
Day One featured action in the Doubles Knockout with several close matches leading up to a 3-hour semi-final between Lucia Morales-Halaby and Cami Russack against the formidable team of Dorothy Silliman and Gail Barley. Morales-Halaby/Russack prevailed with a 10-8 win to advance into the final.
On the other half of the draw, Diane Waterfall and Polly Joa steadily moved past their opponents enroute to the final with a 10-4 win against Mary Hennelly and Kim Jones in the semis. With the top two finalists now qualified, a modified playoff due to the late hour of the day established the final positions.
Day two and three consisted of singles block play. After playing each player in their respective block, the top four finishers from each of the three groups moved into the Knockout with remaining players moving into the Plate consolation.
Each of the matches in the Singles Knockout proved to be close competitive games. After getting past top seed Morales-Halaby in the quarterfinals 10-9, Rania Gabr continued her run deep into the tournament displaying incredible hoop shots, long clears, and precision placement.
On the other side of the draw Gail Barley was calmly and methodically taking apart her opponents one by one with impressive long distance clearing shots and smart, steady play. Something quite rare emerged after the first two rounds of Knockout in that the four players who made it into the semi-finals all had come out of the same block.
The Singles Final between Gail Barley and Rania Gabr was beautifully played complete with an assortment of incredible shot-making, sheer determination and focus from both players. The match went the distance with Barley pulling out the win at the hook 10-9.
All of the match results may be found at www.Croquetscores.com with the final match available on the USCA Youtube channel.
Heartfelt thanks to Lynda Bjorklund, the indefatigable Tournament Manager, Tom Hennelly, Tournament Scorekeeper, Adam Peck USCA, Brian Hovis, USCA Tournaments, Ursula Peck USCA, Franck Meunier NCC, and Scott Reiser of Sandy James catering.
Submitted by, Cheryl Bromley, Tournament Director
Doubles Finalists Polly Joa and Diane Waterfall (L) with Doubles
Winners Lucia Morales-Halaby and Cami Russack. Both teams have advanced into the Women's GC Nationals
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT SINGLES
| 01. |
Gail |
Barley |
| 02. |
Rania |
Gabr |
| 03. |
Cami |
Russack |
| 04. |
Priscilla |
Flowers |
| 05. |
Lucia |
Morales-Halaby |
| 05. |
Dorothy |
Silliman |
| 05. |
Jodie |
Rugart |
| 05. |
Sandy |
Knuth |
| 09. |
Diane |
Waterfall |
| 09. |
Caryl |
Firth |
| 09. |
Karen |
Weihs |
| 09. |
Susan |
Hogan |
| 13. |
Debby |
Jacobson |
| 14. |
Glo |
Ghegan |
| 15. |
Lynn |
DeVault |
| 15. |
Mary |
Hennelly |
| 17. |
Emily |
Martin |
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT DOUBLES
| 01. |
LUCIA MORALES-HALABY & CAMI RUSSACK |
| 02. |
DIANE WATERFALL & POLLY JOA |
| 03. |
DOROTHY SILLIMAN & GAIL BARLEY |
| 03. |
MARY HENNELLY & KIM JONES |
| 05. |
GLO GHEGAN & DEBBY JACOBSON |
| 06. |
SANDY KNUTH & PRISCILLA FLOWERS |
| 07. |
CARYL FIRTH & KAREN WEIHS |
| 08. |
SUSAN HOGAN & JODIE RUGART |
| 08. |
EMILY MARTIN & LYNN DEVAULT |
SINGLES PLATE WINNER
Debby Jacobson
DOUBLES PLATE WINNER
Sandy Knuth & Priscilla Flowers