Morning Coffee: Huneycutt, Fulford and Mulliner

Danny Huneycutt protected his #1 U.S. ranking by snagging a 2-1 match victory over Ben Rothman at the USCA Association Rules National Championship at Mission Hills in California this past weekend. Rothman didn't get blanked though as he partnered with Doug Grimsley to take a 2-1 victory (+13tp, -14tp, +17tp) over Bob Van Tassell and Johnny Mitchell for the doubles title. You can check out Rothman's full report in the Croquet World Online Forum.

In weekend U.K. action, Rob Fulford took the Colchester Open with a 6-2 record that was matched only by David Maugham. Fulford won the head-to-head match to claim the title.

Earlier this month, Stephen Mulliner took the Surbiton Golf Croquet tournament with a 7-4, 7-3 victory over Nelson Morrow in the finals. Knockout results:

Stephen Mulliner beat William Gee 7-1 7-4
Andrew Johnson beat Roger Barnacle 7-2 6-7 7-6
Howard Cheyne beat Dick Stover 7-5 5-7 7-4
Nelson Morrow beat Jamie Burch 7-4 7-2

Mulliner beat Johnson 7-3 7-4
Morrow beat Cheyne 7-5 7-6

Mulliner beat Morrow 7-4 7-3

Croquet Video: Fewest Shots in Association Croquet

Members of the Fylde Croquet Club answer a question from the CA's Croquet Gazette. What is the fewest number of shots needed to complete a game of association croquet. Make your guess before the video. Not sure if it is really possible to have a makeable double stake shot with the balls resting together after completing an Irish peel throught the rover wicket ... thoughts?

Morning Coffee: Annapolis Cup, Hayes Center and USCA Association Championship

Available for purchase, click for detailsSt. John's ruled the Annapolis Cup again beating Navy 5-0 last Saturday. St. John's now leads the series 23-5 and have pushed their current streak to five straight. Probably the biggest surprise to come out of the event is that the St. John's president took the opportunity to trash the sport of croquet:

"St. John's President Chris Nelson proclaimed croquet the "slowest sport" and invited the campus' guests to 'enjoy the picnic and watch the grass grow.'"

The Rutherford B. Hayes Center Croquet Club continues to generate headlines in their local media. The week they got a write-up on their season openining session.

The USCA Association National Championship kicked off day one yesterday at the Mission Hills Club in Rancho Mirage, California. Check the Croquet World forum for daily reports. Here is the line-up:

Championship Singles
Danny Huneycutt
Ben Rothman
Doug Grimsley
Jeff Soo
Rich Lamm
Brian Cumming
Paul Bennett
Jim Bast  
Paul Billings
Johnny Mitchell
Bob Van Tassell
Ron Lloyd
Jim Butts
Charles Smith
Ron Hendry
Steve Scalpone
Steve Summer
Martyn Selman
Steve Johnston
Tony Reaves

First Flight Singles
Donna Dixon
Dick Engebretson
Marvin Salles
Phyllis    Butts
Sheri Foroughi
Mary Rodeberg
Jane Beharriel
Steve Mossbrook
Judy Dahlstom
Jean Engebretson
Toni Kemp

Doubles Championship
Rothman/Grimsley
Soo/Lamm
Cumming/Bast
Bennett/Billings
Huneycutt/Summer
Mitchell/Van Tassell
Butts/Hendry
Scalpone/Selman
Smith/Johnston
Lloyd/Reaves

First Flight Doubles
Engebretson/Salles
Dixon/Mossbrook
Rodeberg/Behariel
Dahlstrom/Kemp

Croquet Network Magazine (April Issue Available)

Click to launch the full edition in a new window

The April issue of Croquet Network was released on Wednesday morning and features coverage of Bob Van Tassell's recent win at the Mission Hills Invitational. Under-21 World GC Champion Duncan Dixon is the player profile of the month. Ben Rothman explores the dual personalities that a croquet player must utilize in his "Nerd and Jock" tactics column. To be notified of future issues, sign up for the Croquet Network newsletter in the right column. View the back issues here -- password free.