USCA Croquet News, 2015 Volume 2 Web Edition

Click to ZoomThe 2015 Volume 2 issue of the Croquet News mailed this week and should be hitting mailboxes soon. The web edition is also now available to USCA members on the magazine page. This time around we've created a few little extras in the web edition, so have fun checking those out. A few of the highlights include:

FROM THE SOLOMON TROPHY COVERAGE
When Captain Samir Patel was bringing the sterling silver Solomon Trophy through customs, he was asked if he was planning to leave anything of value in the USA. His response, "Of course not."

FROM THE JOHN OSBORN PROFILE
Ted 
Prentis was my partner and he told me, toward the end of a match, 
that if I missed a shot we would lose. We were so far ahead I argued 
with him, then missed the shot ... and then lost. There is a lesson 
there, and one day I will figure out what it might be.

FROM
JEFF SOO'S CLANKOPHOBIA ARTICLE
I bore you with all this because one of the most persistent myths 
about hoop-running is that you should play the stroke so as to impart topspin to the ball. This is impossible, if we take “topspin” to mean forward rotation beyond that of a normally rolling ball. What you want is not topspin, but instead a ball that is rolling rather than skidding when it reaches the hoop.
In addition, you will find coverage on:
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USCA Croquet News, 2015 Volume 1 Web Edition

The 2015 Volume 1 issue of the Croquet News is now available to USCA members on the magazine page. The issue includes:

  • 2015 Club Teams Championship
  • Chattooga Club Profile
  • Croquet Week GC Tournament
  • Florida Golf Croquet Regional
  • Florida Six Wicket Regional
  • Matthew Essick Profile
  • On Tactics: Insurance Play and Swap

ABOUT THE PDF EDITION: All website and e-mail links should be live in the PDF. If you see an interesting reference, you can click through to dig deeper or reach a contact right away. On computers, the PDF version is best viewed as "two-up" and "show cover page" if you want to see the full spreads (on your Adobe Reader top menu: View/Page Display). The PDF should also be viewable on most tablets.

USCA's Croquet News: 2014 Volume 3 Edition

The USCA's Croquet News Volume 3 for 2014 went to press just prior to the holidays and is hopefully mailing this week. If you would like to enjoy a sneak preview, you can now access a PDF of this issue in the member's section of the USCA website along with back issues all the way back to 2007.

USCA Croquet News 2014, Volume 3This issue is overloaded as we’ve squeezed in features on Nine Wicket Nationals, USCA Nationals, Seniors Masters, GC Nationals and Selection Eights. We are excited to bring back feature level coverage to the Eights, which many players consider to be our premier event. And with Nine Wicket Nationals taking a quantum leap by hosting the 2014 edition at the historic Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, we are excited to provide an in-depth report on the growing success of the newest USCA championship series.

We have also launched a new Committee Guest Column and Club Profile department. The guest column this issue is from Cheryl Bromley on the Golf Croquet Committee. Going forward we will rotate the column each issue to include all of the key USCA committees. Our goal is to give members a view into the overall progress of the USCA across all sectors of the organization. Our club profile features the New York Croquet Club in this issue and again, we'll continue to explore new clubs in future editions.

Unfortunately, the sport lost a few key figures this fall. Ted Prentis and Jeff Soo have written wonderful tributes to John Solomon and Mack Penwell that are essential reading for all American croquet players. Beyond just recognizing Solomon and Penwell, both pieces provide valuable insight into the history of croquet in the US.

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USCA's Croquet News: 2014 Volume 2 Edition

2014 Volume 2The USCA's Croquet News Magazine Volume 2 for 2014 has been mailed and members are already receiving copies. In addition to the paper version, you can now access a PDF of this issue in the member's section of the USCA website along with back issues all the way back to 2007. This allows you to enjoy the Croquet News on your tablet or computer.

The 2014 Volume 2 edition features a recap of the 2014 AC National Championship won by Jeff Soo as well as in-depth biographies on CFA Hall of Fame nominees Erv Peterson and David McCoy. Four regional events are also covered in this issue. We have an outstanding player profile on Rich Schiller and you will find the usual line-up of columns and departments throughout the magazine.

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USCA Croquet News Magazine 2014 Volume 1

The USCA's Croquet News Magazine Volume 1 for 2014 features Team USCA member David Maloof on the cover and the print edition should have reached most members in April. You can also now enjoy the PDF version which is available in the member's section of the USCA website along with back issues all the way back to 2007.
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USCA Croquet News Magazine 2013 Volume 3

The USCA's Croquet News Magazine Volume 3 for 2013 mailed out in December and has reached most members by now. You can also now enjoy the PDF version which is available in the member's section of the USCA website along with back issues all the way back to 2007.

One advantage of the PDF is that all website and e-mail links are live, so if you see an interesting reference you can reach out right away. The PDF version is best viewed as "two-up" and "show cover page" if you want to see the full spreads (on your Adobe Reader top menu: View/Page Display).
 
This issue features articles on both the GC National Championship and the US Rules National Championship. You will also find an interview with Western North Carolina District President Michael Albert on the keys to the recent success with golf croquet in his district. And, there is coverage of the Solomon Trophy Test from August and an interview with Stuart Lawrence that sheds light on his experiences at the 2013 WCF Association World Singles Championship. Cheryl Bromley is our player profile and the usual line-up of columns and departments are on deck for your enjoyment.

 

Please continue to send your letters or questions to uscacroquetnews@yahoo.com so we can keep the "Inbox" page active and informative. Also note that due to the limited page space, brevity is greatly appreciated.

Hope your New Year is filled with plenty of croquet!

Best Regards,

Dylan Goodwin, Croquet News Publisher

USCA Publisher's Desk: Vision for the Croquet News

As many of you know, I took over as publisher and editor of the USCA's Croquet News at the beginning of the year. Finally, on this third issue, I've found a way to add in a publisher's letter. Space is of course tight, so the print magazine has a website URL and QR code for mobile devices that directs you to this web posting. We've done the same for Michael Rumbin's Nine-Wicket Update. It's maybe not the most elegant solution, but at least we can say we are giving you a full magazine and more. And, we are absolutely committed to keeping the USCA up to date with all of the latest trends in digital media.

Susan (my wife) has just come in with the mail and I see my advance copies of the issue have arrived. Hopefully that is a good sign that USCA members will see their issues later this week and ideally before the holidays arrive. I will note that this issue was challenging. All kinds of events converged on what should have been production week and that along with my desire to cram new elements into this edition nearly sent me over the edge.

Those new elements include a letters section which you will find on page six along with a

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