In anticipation of the upcoming MacRobertson Shield Tier 1 World Team Championship between Australia, England, New Zealand and the United States this coming April, this is the second of a three-part statistical look at the team line-ups. This week we'll focus on a pair of charts on Tripling Percentage by Games Played and Wins and follow with two charts based on Dynamic Grade and World Rank. As a note, this week's charts do include Chris Shilling in place of Paul Skinley for team New Zealand as that line-up switch was announced this week. All statistics are sourced from croquetrecords.com.
Read More2017 MacRobertson Shield Statistical Preview: Part 1
With the recent announcement of all four rosters for the 2017 MacRobertson Shield to be held in Rancho Mirage, California, in April and early May, we can now take a snapshot look at how the rosters stack up from a statistical perspective. I am going to present this in three separate postings starting with today's look at individual stats. The future postings will include a Trendline Player Rank look and a Cumulative Team Stats Analysis.
For the tables below, I'll offer some comments on items that caught my eye, but it's primarily from a statistical look as I rarely get to watch even the US players and have no in-person experience watching players from the other three teams. I would encourage anyone with more insight to fill up the comments section with feedback.
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.
2016 US Open: Block Day 1
PLAYER JOURNAL BY LEO NIKORA:
The first day of Block play was perfect croquet weather – cool air and warm sun. Each player played three games.
2016 United States Open: Opening Party
The 2016 United States Open is being held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA, on December 6-10. It is hosted by the Mission Hills Croquet Club.
The opening party was held at the 55th Hole bar at the Country Club. Twenty players and nine guest attended the gala. Tournament Director Rory Kelley, demurred, and Assistant Tournament Director Doug Grimsley presided.
Video: Cumming vs Hurst - 2016 Country Boys
Country Boys AC croquet tournament on the lawns of Danny Huneycutt and Steve Summer near Winston Salem, North Carolina. Block play game between Brian Cumming and Robert Hurst on Danny's lawn. There's a lot of back and forth, some the result of the substantial "character" of the lawn and some not.
Read MoreVideo: 2016 Country Boys Final-Essick vs Watson
Country Boys AC croquet tournament on the lawns of Danny Huneycutt and Steve Summer near Winston Salem, North Carolina. This semifinal game between Matthew Essick and Zack Watson features an attempted tpo, lots of interactivity and an educational one ball finish from hoops 2 and 4. The winner has to beat Danny Huneycutt twice in the final to prevail.
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