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Date: 5/13/2026
Subject: Croquet Break - Remembering Uncle Fred
From: United States Croquet Association

CROQUET BREAK

provided as a USCA member benefit.

May 13, 2026

REMEMBERING "UNCLE FRED" HEALD

MICHAEL KOLOWICH

Fred Heald, affectionately known throughout the USCA family as “Uncle Fred,” passed away in Naples, Florida, in early April.

A beloved member of the Naples Croquet Club, Fred was, in many ways, the club’s heart and soul. He helped create the welcoming spirit that made the club feel like a community, most notably through his organization of the club’s weekly Wine and Wickets events as well as innumerable instructional sessions for aspiring new players. In recognition of his lasting impact, the Naples Croquet Club named its permanent club championship trophy in his memory.

Fred was also known and loved across the USCA for his wonderfully humorous takes on golf croquet rules, published in the association’s Croquet Break newsletter. Over time, he wrote 36 episodes in the series, using wit, good sense, and a deep affection for the game to make even the finer points of the rules memorable and fun.

In tribute to Fred, we are pleased to share the very first installment of that series.

Hey, Uncle Fred: riddle me this. In yesterday's game, all four balls got jammed up close to the hoop and we all took turns passing. This went on for three hours till my partner's wife showed up and dragged him off the court. My opponents claimed we forfeited. I disagree. Who's right?

Signed, Croquet Rock Star

Dear Croquet Rock Star:

You are an idiot.

Signed, Uncle Fred

Seriously, the situation described here is an impasse and is covered in the USCA Golf Croquet Rules Manual Sixth Edition, sections 15.3 and 17.2. In essence, if neither team is willing to take a shot after several rounds, an impasse is declared. You flip a coin, and the winner gets first shot to the wicket from one of the two penalty areas. The loser of the coin flip gets to choose which penalty area to play from.

Michael Kolowich is executive producer of Croquet TV for the United States Croquet Association and leads the USCA's Video Working Group. A resident of Naples, Florida, he is a member of Bonita Bay Club, Naples Croquet Club, and Sarasota County Croquet Club, and is an active tournament player in American Rules, Golf Croquet, and, more recently, Association Croquet. Before turning his cameras toward croquet, Michael was an Emmy-winning television news reporter and a six-time founder and entrepreneur in technology and media ventures. He currently designs artificial intelligence products — when he is not on the court, behind a camera, or trying to remember which ball is dead.

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The views and opinions expressed in the Croquet Break are those of the article authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United States Croquet Association.

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