2023 AC World Champion Matthew Essick Played Five-Time AC National Champion Stephen Morgan in Atlanta

Peachtree Hills Place Croquet Club co-hosted an exhibition match with the United States Croquet Association (USCA) on Sunday, October 15. Reigning GC World Champion Matthew Essick (24) played five-time AC National Champion Stephen Morgan (35) in an exciting exhibition match that was announced by USCA President Damon Bidencope.

The exhibition match was part of a day-long croquet event that included an early-bird Bloody Mary and mimosa bar, mixed and open croquet play by members of the Peachtree Hills Place Croquet Club, a courtyard luncheon curated by Peachtree Hills Place Culinary Director Gabriel Gotchev, and the headline exhibition match. Essick began playing croquet at the age of six and has played competitively ever since, winning the 2022 GC World Championships and was a silver medalist the 2020 and 2023 AC World Championships. Morgan, who is a croquet coach as well as a competitor, has won two AC National Championships in singles and three in doubles and is also the winner of the World Championship Plate in 2019.

“As the game of croquet continues growing in popularity in the Southeast and Georgia, we will see more of these high-caliber USCA events locally,” shared Peachtree Hills Place Croquet Club Chairman Bill Mullican. “Peachtree Hills Place Croquet Club is proud to be leading the growth of the sport in metro Atlanta.”

Croquet’s popularity is on the rise as Americans seek more outdoor social activities that promote a healthy lifestyle. Adding to the sport’s popularity is the multigenerational aspect as people of all ages can be competitive. Many golf clubs, resorts, and municipal parks have added croquet courts to the mix, as croquet is one of the fastest growing sports among active adults – second to pickleball.

“Peachtree Hills Place provides an amazing venue for croquet tournaments and exhibitions, and the USCA is proud to collaborate with the Peachtree Hills Place Croquet Club once again to showcase the sport,” said Bidencope. “Croquet is a fantastic sport for people of all ages who enjoy the mental challenge of strategizing two or three turns ahead, combined with long-standing traditions and engaging social interaction.”

In addition to the exhibition match, Peachtree Hills Place Croquet Club has hosted the Georgia Cup Tournament, and has plans for charitable exhibition games and tournament play with other teams in the near future. Peachtree Hills Place is also a host venue for the USCA High Performance and Talent Development Program, which is dedicated to improving the performance of US representatives in international team and individual competitions.

Peachtree Hills Place Croquet Club

Established in 2019, the Peachtree Hills Place Croquet Club originated from the Peachtree Hills Place members’ collective passion for the game of croquet. Inspired by English country garden designs, the Peachtree Hills Place Central Courtyard features two TifEagle Bermuda grass regulation-sized croquet lawns – the only regulation-sized lawns in Atlanta. Open exclusively to Peachtree Hills Place members and their guests, the manicured greens are the perfect place for lawn sports and socializing while sporting croquet whites. Members enjoy private instruction from world-class players, competitive game play through Men’s, Women’s and Mixed matches, and casual, social game play at weekly Wine & Wickets gatherings. For more information, visit www.peachtreehillsplace.com/croquet-club.