Game footage of the recent 2016 USCA AC Doubles Final between David Maloof/Jim Bast and Stuart Lawrence/Jeff Soo.
Morning Coffee: US Player Poll Results
Congratulations to Sherif Abdelwahab and Ben Rothman for each receiving nine votes to win the 2015 US Croquet Player of the Year Poll. Croquet Network has had pretty good success with online polls and while we had more votes for this year's poll versus the 2014 poll, it was clear that the poll carried the wrong title. Our result would better be characterized as the "Most Popular Player Poll."
Read MoreLightning Round: Andrea Pravettoni
#1 - Why is the Italian Federation wanting to move down to observer status in the WCF membership levels?
We asked to move down to “Observer” status because in 2015 we haven’t reached the number of affiliated players required to be an “Associate Member”, and we are not likely to reach that number in 2016 either.
#2 - How many members does the Italian Federation have and what is the requirement for Associate status?
The Italian Federation had about 15 members in 2015, while the threshold required by WCF Statute 102.1.2.1 is 20 Affiliated Players to obtain the Associate status.
2016 North Florida Cup
On February 13, 2016, near the St. John's River just south of downtown Jacksonville, Florida, 16 representatives of the Hammock Dunes Croquet Association met with 16 representatives of the Florida Yacht Club to compete for the new "North Florida Croquet Cup." It was the first of what the clubs hope will be many inter-club events among several new, and not so new, croquet clubs in North Florida.
Established in 1876, the Florida Yacht Club group is the first of two new groups to establish croquet in the Jacksonville area, with over 80 players active each week on two full-sized lawns with a beautiful setting directly on the river, next to their historic clubhouse.
Morning Coffee: WCF Grant to SCA
It was another busy week in the croquet world as the WCF released it's February PDF Newsletter. Highlights include coaching sessions in England in May and a one-day AC course held prior to the AC World Championship in Florida next month. The WCF also approved a grant to the Scottish Croquet Association for support of the Balgreen Club project in Edinburgh, which involves taking over bowling greens to create a new club.
Read MoreVideo: Drone View at the National Croquet Center
Slick drone video of Sandy Knuth Walsh running the last segment of a break at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Shot by Sherif Abdelwahab.
Croquet Poll: 2015 US Player of the Year
We've waited quite some time, but the results of the 2015 USCA Grand Prix have not been made public. So, this poll which ran in January last year has been delayed. The USCA traditionally announces their Player of the Year based on the winner of the Grand Prix. This Croquet Network poll is intended to provide a people's US player of the year choice. The nominees are based on the following:
Read MoreMorning Coffee: 9W Nationals to Denver
It was a big week in US croquet as David Maloof repeated as USCA AC National Champion and the USCA announced the site and dates for the 2016 USCA 9 Wicket National Championship. The event will be held in Denver, Colorado, June 16-19, 2016. Links for additional info on the AC Nationals results and 9W Nationals are provided below.
Read MoreUS AC Nationals Final Four
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA -- The USCA National Association Rules Championship has narrowed down to Stuart Lawrence, Doug Grimsley, Brian Cumming and David Maloof. The quarterfinal action had Stuart Lawrence over Mike Todorovich 26tp-0, 26-18. Doug Grimsley took out Jim Hanks 26-0, 26tp-10. Brian Cumming worked past Paul Bennett 26tp-9, 0-26tp, 26-23, while David Maloof beat Sherif Abdelwahab 26tp-0, 26-18.
Read MoreMorgan Takes Grand Prix Lead
An updated look at the 2016 USCA Grand Prix shows that Stephen Morgan has jumped to the front of the pack: