Rhys Thomas Takes PCC Invitational

Rhys Thomas accepts PCC Cup from Eric SawyerMichael Rumbin wins first flightRhys Thomas won the Pasadena Croquet Club Invitational assocation rules tournament held over Memorial Day weekend after going 5-1 in a double round robin format, including games in which he pegged out.

Thomas becomes the fourth person to win the vaunted PCC Cup, joining David Collins ('07), Frank Estrada ('08), and Xandra Kayden ('10). Eric Sawyer finished second with a record of 4-2.

PHOTO GALLERY (By Kim Lum)

This was the first year that the event had a first flight and Michael Rumbin of the WoodRanch Croquet Club in Simi Valley went undefeated and won the division. Rumbin is on a tear as this is his second tournament win in a row and has actually claimed three out of his last four (finished second with his doubles partner in the fourth event).Second place went to Val Terry of San Marcos, who was playing in her first ever Association Rules tournament.

The fledging event continues to gain momentum as this year's tournament tied the previous paid entry record of eight. Players came in from the SF Valley, Covina, San Diego, and Simi Valley. The PCC is already focusing on next year's event (next Memorial Day weekend) as they are expecting players to join in from the Rancho Mirage Desert area and have additional club members who are learning how to play Association Rules croquet.

There is also a well-confirmed rumor going around that past champion David Collins has already started practicing for next year's quest to reclaim the title he won during the first year of the tournament.