2016 US Open: Elimination Blocks (Day 4)

December 10, 2016

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

December 9, 2016

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

December 7, 2016

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

December 6, 2016

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

December 6, 2016

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 55^th 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.

2016 USCA Golf Croquet Nationals Photos

October 31, 2016

Catching up on last week's USCA GC Nationals, here are photo galleries for Day One, Day Two, Day Three and the Final Day.

Video: USCA GC Semifinal - Abdelwahab vs Morgan

October 30, 2016

US Golf Croquet National Championship at the NCC in West Palm Beach, Florida - 10/25/2016. This singles semifinal match features Sherif Abdelwahab and Stephen Morgan in an impressive display of the tactical value of aggressive hoop shooting.

Player Journal: 2016 US GC Nationals D4

October 27, 2016

Yesterday's final day of the 2016 USCA Golf Croquet National Championship featured strong winds as several finals matches played on the the lawns of the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. For the main event, Stephen Morgan seemed relatively comfortable battling the conditions as he cruised to a 7-3 win in game one against Matt Griffith. But Griffith came back strong in game two to snag a 3-1 early lead.

Player Journal: 2016 US GC Nationals D3

October 25, 2016

The schedule marched on for day three of the 2016 USCA Golf Croquet National Championship at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, with the all of the events slimming down to only finalists for tomorrow's final day.

Player Journal: 2016 US GC Nationals D2

October 24, 2016

The second day of the USCA's 2016 Golf Croquet National Championship at the National Croquet Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, was just as jam-packed with action as day one. In fact, doubles games under the lights were still under way when I left the NCC around 8:00 p.m. And there did seem to be one player protesting the extended action.