Danny Huneycutt started strong with a 5-0 record in Block A
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA -- Day one of the 2016 USCA Golf Croquet National Championship at the National Croquet Center kicked off today in West Palm Beach, FLorida with a full slate of games. One late withdrawal in Championship Flight meant last minute adjustments to the four blocks, but everything appeared to run smoothly throughout the day.
Block A is lead by Danny Huneycutt at 5-0. John Richardson is not far behind with at 4-1. I played Huneycutt and he certainly had one of the best highlight shots of the day as he hit an in-off from near corner 1 at #5.
Blocks B, C and D still have scores to come in as it appears as though they are being bulk uploaded this evening.
Four players from each block will advance to the round of sixteen.
First round doubles championship BO3 matches started at 3:40, with Michael Albert/Cheryl Bromley advancing past Ian Harshman/Stephen Morgan 2-7, 7-2, 7-4. They will face Danny Huneycutt/Rich Lamm tomorrow.
Leo McBride/Jimmy Huff advanced past Matthew Harders/Paul Miller 7-2, 7-5 and will face John Richardson/Eric Sawyer next. The doubles event is single-elimination.
My partner is Khaled Kholief and we are tied 1-1 with Dan Pailas/Dick Sullivan with that final game slated to be played tomorrow. A similar situation is in play for Russ Dilley/Donna Dixon vs Matt Griffith/John Osborn -- they were tied 1-1, but had started game three. It looked like they were headed for a peg down.
It was a bit odd that the lighted courts planned to be available with BO3 matches starting at 3:50. It's quite possible the lights will be necessary tomorrow night.
First Flight had some singles play, but was more slanted toward doubles play on day one. The duos Karen Albert/Ellie Kemp and Gil Flowers/Steve Jackson each got a good start in doubles as they were 2-0.
UPDATED SCORES:
croquetscores.com/2016/gc/usca-nationals
Player Journal by Dylan Goodwin