Croquet Canada held its Annual General Meeting as online meeting on November 18, 2025, chaired by President Jim Wright. A key feature of the Annual meeting is the recognition of outstanding achievements through the Player-of-the-Year (POY) and Club-of-the-Year (COY) awards.
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Robert Fulford in play during the semifinals. Photo by Andrew Moss.
Fulford Wins Spectacular Final to Claim Sixth WCF AC World Title
Today’s WCF Association Croquet World Championship final at the Hurlingham Club in London featured a thrilling display of croquet as England’s Robert Fulford battled back from 2-0 to take a 3-2 win over American Matthew Essick by a final of 9-26tp, 9-26tp, 26tp-22, 26tp-0, 26otp-18.
Fulford had the first break in all five games but game three looked relatively bleak for Fulford as Essick set up for a sextuple finish. It did loosen up a bit as the turn progressed, but Essick was looking to end with a straight triple finish before a complication arose at 4B (H10).
Read MoreClark: Playoff Battles on Deck #04
I spent today at Kelburn and I’m pleased to say that the lawns have improved in pace over the past couple of days. There was the odd fast patch in front of some hoops, but the main difficulty was caused by the wind which averaged 30 kmph and had gusts up to 60 kmph.
Read MoreSoo #05: AC Nationals Down to Four
Ian HarshmanIn the singles quarterfinals, Danny Huneycutt's uncharacteristically shaky form continued, which allowed me to win 2-0. Dan Pailas gave plenty of fight but likewise went down 2-0 to Stuart Lawrence. Brian Cumming v. Chris Patmore opened with a quick Cumming triple, but Patmore fought back with an extended 3-ball ending and leveled the match. The third game was more error-prone, Cumming winning. Simon Jenkins v. Stephen Morgan had some similarities, particularly in the error-prone game 3. Morgan survived, ending an impressive run by Jenkins, who had started the singles blocks 0-4.
The singles plate is underway as a flexible Swiss. Jim Bast and Wayne Davies are undefeated.
The pegged-down doubles match had to wait for the end of the Jenkins v. Morgan quarterfinal, leaving just over an hour to play. The match has once again been pegged down in game 2, and will resume first thing Friday.
Jeff Soo vs Stuart Lawrence
Brian Cumming vs Stephen Morgan
2017 USCA AC Nationals Singles Knockout:
croquetscores.com/2017/ac/us-national-championship/singles-ko
Soo #03: Tiebreakers Dead Ahead
Mike TaylorWhile there were some faster games today, there were still plenty of games going to time, including a 14-11 barn-burner in which Jenkins played Aunt Emma tactics to beat Pailas. Pailas has now beaten the top four seeds in his block but lost to two of the lower-ranked players; he can guarantee a spot in the knockout by winning his final game. A four-way tie for second place remains possible in this block. As does a four-way tie for fourth place. Which could also happen in the other block. The manager rather hopes that none of these scenarios transpires. But it does look highly likely that playoff games will be needed to determine the Elite Eight.
Some key matches for the final block games:
Huneycutt v. Lawrence: Lawrence is already in the KO; Huneycutt needs a win, or a loss from Bast.
Bast v. Osborn: An Osborn win and a Huneycutt loss creates at least a three-way tie for fourth in Block A
Patmore v. Morgan: Morgan is already in; Patmore assures himself a spot by winning
Cumming v. Taylor: Taylor desperately wants a win, although even with a loss he could still make a playoff
Jenkins v. Harshman: Jenkins still has an outside chance to make a playoff with a win; Harshman can guarantee at least a playoff spot with a win
2016 Croquet News Volume 3, Web Edition
The 2016 Volume 3 issue of the USCA's Croquet News magazine went to press earlier this month and should be mailing to members soon. The web edition PDF is also now available to USCA members on the magazine page of the USCA website (log in required).
Here's the full run-down of articles you'll find in this issue:
- Ideas to Kickstart Nearby Club Croquet Activity
- 2016 Selection Eights
- Golf Croquet National Championship
- 2016 US National Championship
- 2016 Seniors Masters Championships
- Member Profile: David Maloof
- Club Profile: Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club
- On Tactics: Peel to Get Clean
2016 US Open: Cumming Over Grimsley in Five
PLAYER JOURNAL BY LEO NIKORA:
Finals were played on Saturday in both flights. They were accompanied by a courtside bar and luncheon.
2016 US Open: Elimination Blocks (Day 4)
PLAYER JOURNAL BY LEO NIKORA:
For the first time in its 29-year history, the United States Open did not have a single-elimination playoff. Instead, each flight of ten players was reduced to two round-robins of four players each, seeded according to the block results. The winners will advance to the finals. There was some trepidation in the players, but I thought it worked well.
2016 US Open: Block Day 3
US OPEN PLAYER JOURNAL FROM LEO NIKORA:
The third day of Block play had the best weather yet. Each player played another three games. Afterword, the Toast & Tally was held at the home of Donna Dixon.
2016 US Open: Block Day 2
PLAYER JOURNAL FROM LEO NIKORA:
The second day of Block play was another perfect croquet day. Each player played another three games.