2025 U21 GC World Championship: September 11 USCA Deadline

The 2025 U21 Golf Croquet World Championship will take place at the Sarasota County Croquet Club in Venice, Florida, from April 14-18, 2025. This prestigious event will host 24 of the world’s top young croquet players as they compete for the title on the club’s seven high-quality lawns.

Entries and Age Limit

The championship will feature 24 competitors, with no entry fee required for U21 events. According to WCF Sports Regulations clause 5.1.5, all participants must be under 21 years of age as of December 31, 2024.

Host Club

The tournament will be held at the Sarasota County Croquet Club, known for its exceptional facilities. The club aims for lawn speeds of 10+ seconds, using rigid Quadway hoops set in new holes at the start of the event. Hoops will be set with precise tolerances to ensure competitive play. Learn more about the club by visiting the Sarasota Croquet Club.

Championship Format

  • Main Event (Block Play): 24 players will be divided into 4 blocks of 6, with each match played as best-of-three (Bo3) games over three days. The top four players from each block will advance to the Knock-Out Stage.

  • Knock-Out Stage: The top 16 players will compete in a knockout format, with best-of-three matches. If time allows, the final will be best-of-five. Seeding and draws will be conducted according to WCF Sports Regulations.

  • Plate Event: Open to players who do not qualify for the Knock-Out Stage. It will feature block play and single-game matches, followed by knockout rounds (semi-finals and finals will be best-of-three).

  • Bowl Event: Open to first-round losers of the Knock-Out Stage, this will be a knockout competition with best-of-three matches.

  • Shield Event: Open to quarter-final losers from the Knock-Out Stage, this knockout event will also be best-of-three matches.

Event Management

  • Event Lead & Tournament Manager: Jeff Soo

  • Tournament Director: Michael Albert

  • Assistant Managers: TBD

  • Tournament Referees: Ellen Nielsen, Ellie Griffith, Doug Ledgett, Bob Gelineau

Meetings, Socials, and Practice Sessions

  • Players Meeting: A meeting will be held on April 13, 2025, the day before the event, at Sarasota Croquet Club.

  • Practice Sessions: Players will have access to the lawns for practice after 12 p.m. on April 13.

  • Opening Ceremony: The official welcome ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. on April 13, with local dignitaries in attendance.

  • Knock-Out Draw: The draw for the Knock-Out Stage will be conducted publicly after the completion of block play.

  • Closing Ceremony: Winners will be recognized at a closing ceremony following the final match.

Interested USCA players must send an Application Form to tournament@croquetamerica.com by September 11, 2024. For more information, visit the official event page.