Eighteen players from New York, Maryland, Wisconsin, Missouri, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia competed in the 2018 USCA SE GC Regional held recently at the Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club in Hartfield, VA. Players were treated to extra helpings of warm southern hospitality as they competed over four days of singles and doubles block play and knock out rounds.
Read More2018 Croquet Mallet Directory
It was a battle for the ages. The defending champion Brass Spot Mallets went up against local Spanish rival JC Mazdos de Croquet in a friendly marketing/social media battle for the title of 2018 Most Popular Mallet in our annual poll held in March. When the dust settled, Brass Spot stood victorious with a repeat win by a count of 962 to 900 votes.
Read MoreCroquet Phenom from Mission Hills
The USCA Club at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California is extremely proud of its youngest member, Blake Fields. At just 11 years of age, Blake has recently made a name for himself by winning the first flight singles and the first flight doubles (with his father, Justin Fields at the USCA National Golf Croquet Championship (December 12-19, Mission Hills Country Club)! In these victories Blake bested a strong field consisting of top-ranked players from across the county.
Read MoreCroquet Poll: 2018 Most Popular Croquet Mallet
Ready, set, go! It's time for our Fourth Annual Croquet Network Most Popular Mallet Poll. The annual poll and follow-up directory has quickly proven to be the most popular annual feature on Croquet Network. As we roll out the 2018 edition all eyes will be on Brass Spot Mallets to see if they can claim back-to-back wins after knocking off RPM Mallets last year.
Read MoreClark: 2018 AC Worlds Overview
Many congratulations to Paddy Chapman on becoming our new AC World Champion! The final was a good quality match played in easy conditions – apart from during one downpour when the lawns became unplayable for about 10-15 minutes. Unfortunately, the hoops were left in the same holes that had been created on Wednesday and which had become wet inside with overnight rain. This made the final very much a shooting contest rather than a more complete test of skill. We need to ensure that hoops are in fresh holes for finals – as is normally the case.
Soo: Chapman Crowned World Champion in New Zealand #10
One of the most well-liked and respected players in the game, it seemed only a matter of time until Paddy Chapman (NZ) would add the title of AC Singles World Champion to his croquet resumé. A past winner of the NZ Open, the NZ President's Invitation, the UK President's Cup, and a leading member of NZ's victorious MacRobertson Shield team, Chapman did not lack for impressive accomplishments. But the world singles title cements his reputation as one of the very best.
Read MoreChapman is AC World Champion
Paddy Chapman found a way back from down 2-1 to claim his first WCF Association Croquet World Championship with a 26tp-19, 0-26tp, 0-26tp, 26tp-11, 26tp-9 win over Reg Bamford yesterday at Kelburn Municipal Croquet Club in Wellington, New Zealand. It was Chapman's second appearance in the final after he made it in 2013, but lost to Robert Fletcher. Bamford made his fifth appearance and is now 4-1 in AC World finals play.
Read MoreSoo: No Time Limits Needed #09
The Main KO semifinals were played at the Wellington Municipal Croquet Club, a hundred year old club with three lawns south of the city center. Weather was calm and overcast with occasional sprinkles, and fog developing throughout the day. The lawns were about the same medium-slowish pace we've seen at most venues throughout the week, with some lusher areas and a few tricky hoop approaches, but overall quite true. The main challenges were the hoops -- based on the number of failed shots these must have been quite solid -- and the pressure of the situation.
Read MoreClarke: Bamford and Chapman for the Title #09
The semifinals were played at the Wellington club. The lawns were only running at 10 seconds after overnight rain, but the hoops were in fresh firm ground, albeit they were set much wider than a standard Wellington Open weekend. The day started overcast and there was the occasional light drizzle as it progressed.
Read MoreSoo: Riva Back from 0-2 to Advance #08
Plate, Bowl, and of course Main KO quarterfinals were played today. The Shield (for players knocked out in the round of 16) has a doubtful level of interest. The widely dispersed venues are probably a factor (participation in the Bowl was also on the low side). Now that the tournament is in its final stages it feels like a unified event again. Those on hand to watch the Main KO quarterfinals were treated to four great matches, each with its own character.
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