For long-time croquet enthusiasts, golf croquet seems like a relatively new sensation and certainly, the rapid world growth that tracks back roughly to the start of this century creates an aura of a game that is brand new. However, Chris Williams, Archivist for Croquet England, says the birth of the popular croquet version was documented in an issue of the Croquet Gazette that says the rules for Golf Croquet had been approved and were to “be embodied in the Laws of Croquet and Regulations for Official Tournaments and C.A. Year Book for 1934” during a Council meeting held on December 14, 1933.
Read MoreThe 2023 Volume 3 Digital Edition of the USCA's Croquet News magazine is now available for viewing as an eMag. This Fall issue features extended coverage of the 2023 WCF AC World Championship which saw 12 US players participate in the event. In addition, the issue also showcases the USCA's 2023 National Croquet Day winners and the Annual Club Directory. Going deeper into the edition, readers will also find the usual line-up of departments plus a member profile on Brian Hovis.
Read MoreEntering the final day of play with six singles matches on the schedule, Team USA needed just one match win over Great Britain to claim the 2023 Solomon Trophy. The test was held over four days at the Sarasota County Croquet Club in Venice, Florida, and U.S. fans didn’t have to wait long on Sunday as Zack Watson ended the suspense early with a test-clinching 26tp-0, 26tp-0 win over Gabrielle Higgins.
Read MoreThe third day of action at the 2023 Solomon Trophy test being held at the Sarasota County Croquet Club in Venice, Florida, saw the U.S. team take all five matches to push out to a 10-5 lead. As Sunday singles play prepares to get underway, Team USA only needs one win out of six scheduled singles matches to claim their third win in the series.
Read MoreDay two of the 2023 Solomon Trophy test between the U.S. and Great Britain saw the first round of singles split at 3-3 to keep the overall score deadlocked at 5-5. Playing at the Sarasota County Coquet Club (SCCC) in Venice, Florida, Team USA jumped out fast on Friday winning the first game in five out of the six matches.
Read MorePeachtree 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.
Read MoreThe final day of the 2023 USCA Selection Eights held at the National Croquet Center had key games played in both the First Eight and Second Eight. In the First, Stephen Morgan started the morning by picking up the one win he needed to clinch the First Eight title. He took care of business early with a 26tp-4 win over Sherif Abdelwahab to secure his first First Eight win. He was 8-4 overall in the event and is ranked fifth in the U.S. player AC rankings and #37 in the world. Morgan says it was his 12th year in the event and first time winning the First Eight.
Read MoreThe 2023 USCA Selection Eights worked through the third day with the the Second and Third Eights now having played 12 of the 14 scheduled games. It looks like the First Eight will be playing 12 games and Stephen Morgan is still at the top of the standings with a 7-3 record. On Sunday morning, he still has Zack Watson (5-5) and Sherif Abdelwahab (4-6) to play.
Read MoreThe 2023 USCA Selection Eights moved through Day Two yesterday and with eight of 14 games in the books for the Second and Third Eights. In the First Eight, Stephen Morgan is at the top of the standings with a 4-2 record, but Brian Cumming, Doug Grimsley and Randy Cardo are close behind at 4-3. Rich Lamm is a scratch, so that seems to be impacting the number of games played for the group.
Read MoreThe 2023 edition of the USCA Selection Eights kicked off yesterday with three groups. It’s definitely a smaller overall group than expected, with five groups of eight being more of the standard. I suspect the recent AC Worlds and next year’s GC Worlds set for October in the U.S. are having an impact. Top players might be looking to shift more playing time and travel budget to GC to prepare for next fall.
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