Croquet News 2026 Volume 1: Abdelwahab Profile

CroquetNews

STAYING POWER

AMERICAN CROQUET LEGEND SHERIF ABDELWAHAB REFLECTS ON A CAREER THAT SPANS SIX DECADES

Croquet & Luxury Living in Buckhead

When you see the two immaculately manicured croquet lawns at the heart of Peachtree Hills Place, it’s easy to understand why croquet enthusiasts love this luxury Life Plan Community in the heart of Atlanta.

Here you’ll find elegant homes, upscale dining, attentive staff, fitness center with resort-style pool, and an on-site Wellness Center...all in an historic Buckhead neighborhood. Visit us to meet a lively group of friends you can don your whites with every day.

courtside

Energizing Our Media and Membership

“Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.” — Dan Gable

This issue of Croquet News highlights several of our most competitive USCA tournaments: the A6W and GC Seniors Masters, GC Club Teams and our American Rules 6W National Championship. The players who compete in these events practice, prepare and bring their best to face some of the most talented athletes in our sport. It is inspiring to play with them or against them, or to simply sit on the sidelines and learn from them.

The fall months gave me many opportunities to play tournaments and visit clubs and friends across the country. I put my Facebook page to good use, highlighting the tournaments, the people and the beauty and uniqueness of each venue. It was my great pleasure to reconnect with so many croquet friends.

One of my favorite venues is Mission Hills in Palm Springs, Calif., where the American Rules 6W Nationals were held this year. The croquet lawns are nestled in the Coachella Valley with a dramatic mountain landscape rising in the distance. The early morning glow on the dewy courts each morning provides a serene start to the day — except for the steady pounding of hoops by Doug Grimsley. (He’s always there getting the job done. Thank you, Doug!) The competition was strong all week. Congratulations to Stuart Lawrence and Brian Cumming, our 2025 A6W National Doubles Champions, and to Sherif Abdelwahab, the 2025 A6W National Champion.

In December, Randy Cardo and I partnered for the GC Club Teams at the Sarasota County Croquet Club. SCCC is recognized for its strong volunteer base and impeccable lawns. They take pride in their club and offer warm hospitality to all who come to play. Randy and I met up with Sherif Abdelwahab and Julie Wright in the finals, where they played a flawless match against us, taking the title.

Looking ahead, the USCA is focused on a few new projects, including the development of a series of educational videos for the USCA YouTube Channel. With Michael Kolowich serving as Executive Producer, we are excited to refresh and energize our channel to bring you the content you have been asking for.

Trula Meyers has stepped into the role of Chair of the Membership Committee, and with her sparkle and enthusiasm she has assembled an A-Team of volunteers. Together, they are infusing new energy and fresh ideas into building membership through teamwork and relationships.

Will you be joining us for Club Teams in March? Tish Peterkin and her committee have a fantastic week of social events to complement the tournament, and our USCA Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner will also take place that week. We hope you will consider coming and joining in the fun with croquet friends from around the country.

Bev Cardo

USCA President President@croquetamerica.com / www.croquetamerica.com

USCA Management Committee

President Beverley Cardo president@uscroquet.com

First Vice President John Brown firstvp@uscroquet.com

Second Vice President Adam Lassiter secondvp@uscroquet.com

Treasurer David Isaacs treasurer@uscroquet.com

Secretary John Craddock secretary@uscroquet.com

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS

Florida Alex Galasso floridarvp@uscroquet.com

Mid-Atlantic Chris Morris midatlanticrvp@uscroquet.com

Midwest Scott Spradling midwestrvp@uscroquet.com

Northeast Kathleen Green northeastrvp@uscroquet.com

Southeast Linda Trifone southeastrvp@uscroquet.com

Western Patrick Sweeney westernrvp@uscroquet.com

USCA STAFF Office Manager Ursula Peck membership@uscroquet.com

Tournament Brian Hovis tournament@uscroquet.com

Tournament & Schools Adam Peck usca@uscroquet.com

Membership Coordinator Stephanie Lutge croquetoffice@uscroquet.com

United States Croquet Association

700 Florida Mango Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406

www.croquetamerica.com

Tel. (561) 478-0760 Fax (561) 686-5507

CroquetNews

Sherif Abdelwahab enjoying croquet at the Bonita Bay Club in Bonita Springs, Fla. See the full article on page 16. Photo provided by Abdelwahab.

Publisher

Dylan Goodwin | croquetnetwork@gmail.com

Managing Editor

Julie Jantzer-Ward | uscacroquetnews@yahoo.com Submissions

Text should be submitted as a Microsoft Word file and photos should be submitted as separate individual high resolution (300 dpi) files. All content may be edited for length and photos will be adjusted appropriately. Croquet News is produced four times per year and is distributed as a benefit to USCA membership. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. Views expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USCA. © 2026 United States Croquet Association

theclubhouse

2026 REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT ELECTIONS

The following candidates are running for your Regional Vice-President positions:

• Alex Galasso, Florida Region

• Scott Spradling, Midwest Region

• Patrick Sweeney, Western Region

According to the USCA By-Laws, the candidates were chosen to be on the election slate and the USCA members of each region represented will vote in the Regional Vice President election. Each candidate is running uncontested as there were no additional candidates for each respective region.

The position is elected for a three-year term. This year’s RVPs will be announced at the USCA Annual Meeting in March 2026.

The USCA By-Laws describe the Regional Vice President (RVP) position in Article VIII.

6. One Regional Vice President shall be elected from each of the Regions.

7. Each Regional Vice President shall represent the Association in his Region, perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the President, coordinate the work of the Sections and Districts within his region with the work of the Association and report on the foregoing to the President and to the Management Committee.

USCA Appoints Kolowich as Executive Producer of YouTube Channel

The USCA is pleased to announce that Michael Kolowich has been named Executive Producer of the USCA YouTube Channel. In this volunteer role, Kolowich will oversee programming, quality control, channel management and the production side of vendor relations as the USCA continues to expand and elevate its digital content.

Kolowich brings decades of experience as a broadcast journalist, media executive and technology entrepreneur. His career includes Emmy Award-winning work in public television, executive production for a national presidential campaign, leadership of an award-winning media production company and senior content roles in large-scale livestreaming and video platform organizations. The USCA is deeply grateful for Kolowich’s willingness to contribute his expertise in support of the organization’s mission and the continued growth of the sport.

CONTRIBUTE TO CROQUET NEWS

Please submit all inquiries and stories to uscacroquetnews@yahoo.com. Articles and reports should be submitted as Microsoft Word files and photos should be full resolution (300 dpi). The best approach when writing a press release or story is to keep it simple, short and to the point. Start with the most important news, as opposed to who announced it. A good first paragraph answers the key questions: What? When? Where? Why? Who? How? The idea is to anticipate the questions a reader might have. Or, think of what you would want to know. If you would like a byline, please include one at the beginning of the article.

Provide photos by using a filesharing service like Dropbox, Google Drive or Box. Pick your best photos: eight to 12 good photos is enough. Twenty photos maximum. If you are unsure if the photos are high enough resolution to print, check the file size. Generally, we can make files above 1 MB work. Files under 500 KB are in the danger zone, but we will do our best to make them work. Captions are important. If photo credits are needed, make sure they are part of the caption..

2026 MacRobertson Shield Team Announced

The USCA has finalized its selection process and officially announced the six-player team that will represent the United States at the 2026 MacRobertson Shield to be held this summer in England, one of the sport’s most prestigious international competitions. Following a comprehensive selection process, the USCA has named the following players to the 2026 team:

• Zack Watson

• Matthew Essick

• Tom Balding

• Ben Rothman

• Stephen Morgan

• Kyle Maloof

• Alternate: Blake Fields

The MacRobertson Shield is widely regarded as the premier AC team event, contested among the world’s leading croquet nations in a multi-test match format that emphasizes endurance, adaptability and elite match play. The 2026 Shield will take place in England from July 24 to August 9, 2026, and will be hosted by several clubs, including the Roehampton Club, the Hurlingham Club, Sussex County Croquet Club and Surbiton Croquet Club.

Supporting International Croquet

The USCA can support team and individual participation at international events through the Lee Olsen Fund, which plays a critical role in ensuring American players can compete at the highest levels of the sport worldwide. Established in 1985, the Lee Olsen Fund helps offset travel expenses for U.S. teams selected to represent the USCA in international competition. The fund is named in honor of Lee Olsen, a longtime member of the Westhampton Mallet Club in New York and The Beach Club in Florida, who was a tireless ambassador for croquet and international competition.

The fund provides stipends to assist with travel costs for all players selected for international team competitions, as well as support for youth competitors participating in international events. Beginning in 2018, the Lee Olsen Fund also designed and procured official U.S. team uniforms, which are provided at no cost to any USCA member selected to represent the United States internationally.

CONTRIBUTION LINK: https://www.croquetamerica.com/ content.aspx?page_id=305&club_ id=962311&item_id=8358

United States Croquet Association

Debbie Lines Inducted into WCF Hall of Fame

Our beautifully manicured, regulation Croquet Lawn is just one of the many reasons why engaged seniors are choosing Lenbrook, located in the heart of Atlanta's dynamic Buckhead community. Give us a call to learn how you can Experience the Lenbrook Di erence Here you can.

TheInbox

CROQUET HORSE GAME

When I was a child, I spent many hours playing a basketball game called horse. This game could be played by two, sometimes three people, was fun to play and made everyone who played it a better basketball player. Now my game is croquet. Horse is a great game with croquet, too. If you haven’t played this game before, here are the rules:

1. The croquet game H-O-R-S-E is very similar to the basketball game H-O-R-S-E and is played by two or more people. The first player to accumulate all five letters (H-O-R-S-E) loses, while the last player remaining wins.

2. The first player (Player A) starts as the challenger and chooses a shot. If Player A misses the shot they attempt, Player B becomes the challenger and chooses a shot.

3. If a challenger makes their shot, the other player must duplicate the exact same shot. If they miss, they get the letter "H,” and the challenger is the challenger again and chooses another shot.

4. The croquet game H-O-R-S-E can involve any number of game situation shots including:

a. Hoop shots

b. Jump shots

c. Approach and hoop shot combos

d. Advancements/rushes

e. Block

f. Ricochets

g. Peals

h. Any shot you make up ... Whatever you do with croquet, play well and have fun!

Macey White, National Level Instructor and Referee

From Soccer Field to True Lawn: Croquet in Tega Cay

Tega Cay is a city located just south of Charlotte, N.C. Nearly 20 years ago, in 2007, Tom and Betty Anderson, along with a group of friends from Tega Cay, traveled to the Andersons’ second home in Pinehurst, N.C. During their visit, they were introduced to Golf Croquet by Gene Young, a member of the Croquet Hall of Fame. Inspired by the experience, the Andersons decided to establish a croquet club upon their return to Tega Cay.

Initially, Tega Cay didn’t have a croquet lawn, so the group improvised by setting up wickets on a soccer field under the power lines near hole five of the Grandview course. However, Tom Anderson aspired to fulfill the second part of his dream: creating an authentic, full-sized croquet lawn. True croquet lawns are expansive, measuring 84 by 105 feet, and are typically level within two inches. Through determination and networking, Anderson and his croquet friends managed to secure funding and have a true croquet lawn installed. The court officially opened in September 2010.

Croquet lawns require maintenance like golf greens, and the high cost of upkeep is entirely covered by the 90+ members of the croquet club. Members play daily with the court often in use for at least six hours on some days.

The Tega Cay Croquet Club is welcome to newcomers. Special times are set aside for introductory lessons every Wednesday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and every Thursday afternoon from noon to 2:00 p.m. The club also hosts monthly social events featuring refreshments and fun games, as well as two or three annual club tournaments. For more information or to attend lessons or social events, visitors are encouraged to visit the club’s website at TegaCayCroquet.com.

—Richard Watson

The 49th Useppa Island 9-Wicket Tournament Marks a Fresh Start

The morning of December 30, 2025, was sunny and bright in the high 50s when the 49th annual Useppa Island 9-Wicket croquet tournament began. Thirty-two players showed up on this beautiful morning to test their skills against one another in a high-low pairing format. The tournament began in 1976 when Bob Sumwalt, the father of croquet on Useppa Island, decided it would be fun to do during the holidays. The tournament was limited to 64 players, and the courts were set up all over the island wherever there was a patch of grass. Back then, players had to deal with tortoise holes, sand spurs and fire ants, but they still managed to have a grand time. Most years saw so much demand there was a waiting list to play.

The format has always been a compass draw with winners of each quadrant winning a mallet engraved with the tournament information. The final was played for first and second place mallets and year-long bragging rights. Many longtime members have complete sets now after so many years of competing.

and the tournament was now played on the beach for the next 20 years.

The main croquet court was rebuilt and provided many years of service until Hurricane Ian made a direct hit on Useppa in October 2022. The croquet court became a landing pad for emergency helicopters and once again fell into disrepair. Two more storms in late 2024 caused more catastrophic damage to our beloved island.

After Hurricane Charlie made a direct hit on the island in August 2004, the croquet court was temporarily ruined and used as a staging area for building materials. The decision was made to rake the beach as flat and smooth as possible and set up courts on the sand. A new tradition was born,

This year, the island is celebrating the beginning of a new chapter in its history. A group of homeowners came together in 2025 and purchased it from the Beckstead family, who had been the stewards of the island since 1976. One of the early projects in the restoration of the island after three devastating hurricanes was the reconstruction of the croquet court and

its surrounding area. The results are indeed a thing of beauty. The grass on the court, while still very young at only 10 weeks old, played fast and true. There were eight 9W courts set up on the main croquet lawn and the group of 32 players (16 teams) played a four-round compass draw to see who would have bragging rights for 2026. The final was contested between Andrew Greenwell of Sarasota and Useppa and his partner Max Coyle McDonald of La Jolla, Calif., and Useppa against Matt Eisen of San Francisco, Calif., and his partner John Swinky of Sarasota, Fla. Matt Eisen and John Swinky were victorious and claimed the championship crown, which, in this case, was a pair of vintage red Useppa Croquet hats from 2011.

Well done Eisen and Swinky, and a huge round of applause to the 32 players who came out and played in this 49th Useppa Island 9-Wicket Croquet Tournament.

—Michael Albert, President, Useppa Island Croquet Club

Strong Field and Familiar Champion at the Desert Classic

The Desert Classic was the first association croquet tournament to ring in 2026 in the USA. Held January 5-10, 2026, at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., the event featured 14 participants, with four in the First Flight and 10 in the Championship. This marked Brian Cumming’s fifth victory in the event

The first game in a best-of-three series was won by Cumming against Doug Grimsley. It was an active match with many hit-ins and several innings of good play. It was a battle that could have easily gone either way. In Cumming’s first game, he avoided one difficult position by jumping a ball he was dead on. The second game was a perfect clinic on how to play the Super Shot opening, hit in corner two on the third turn and finish with a triple peel in the fifth turn.

Those not making the playoff played for seeding, and those losing in the first round of the playoff competed in the Championship Plate event. The winner, Karl-Heinz Kempfer, defeated Nick Gray in the finals.

In First Flight, Greg Fisher was undefeated in block play and playoff rounds, defeating Barbara Wills in the finals. This was Fisher’s first tournament play in Association croquet.

New players welcomed were Rick Smith, Susan Wall, Barbara Wills and Greg Frisher to this wonderful game.

—Paul Bennett

AUTUMN LEAVES WINNERS

Congratulations go to Kimberly Leedy, who won First Flight and Greg Houck, who won Championship Flight in the Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Autumn Leaves Challenge. Special thanks go to Billy James for doing the data entry.

Macey White

NEW YEAR, NEW ROLES

Momentum and Opportunity Part III

Jiminy Wicket 2025: Another Year of Growth, Inclusion and Joy

Play is our passion and croquet is our game. We use the transformative power of play to create inclusion, joy and friendship for people of all ages and abilities. Threeyear-olds to 103-year-olds from 131 different countries, with a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities, have successfully played croquet with us. They all go home with a pocketful of smiles!

The Jiminy Wicket organization made remarkable strides in 2025, expanding its mission. The year was marked by milestones, collaborations and transformative events, showcasing the way that croquet can bring people together across all ages and abilities.

With the help of our volunteers and the financial support of our generous donors, we’re opening croquet programs with Special Olympics in five more states, and we stand on the threshold of five more in 2026. Here are examples of our organization’s program at work in one school.

Jose is a student at East High School in Denver, Colo. Jose is deaf and our communication is by smiles and gestures, but when more precise detail is necessary, we use a sign language interpreter. Most of the time he is confined to his wheelchair, but when he stands up to hit his croquet ball you should see the smile on his face. It lights up the whole football field, and then he sits down again, beaming from ear to ear to await his next turn!

Ashley is a participant in our program at East High School. She has Down Syndrome. When she refused to come to the Denver Public School Adaptive Sports Day in September, her Special Education teacher called me early that morning and said, “James, we’ve got a problem.” He explained that the only way Ashley would attend Adaptive Sports Day was if she could be a croquet coach and teach her peers how to play croquet. “Absolutely!” I said, and all day long, one after another, she taught other students with intellectual and physical challenges how to play the game she loves.

When the able and the disabled play croquet together, it creates communities of inclusion and friendship for people of all abilities. Since its founding in 2010, Jiminy Wicket has transformed lives on both sides of the Atlantic through the game of croquet, introducing more than 5,000 people to this easy, accessible and inclusive sport.

Our “7 Skills to Play Like a Champion” clinics for croquet clubs and our five-star luxury “Castles & Croquet” trips to the United Kingdom are two of the ways we help fund this mission.

Jiminy Wicket will be attending the 2026 Special Olympics USA Summer Games in Minneapolis, Minn., June 21-26. This is a huge opportunity to network and promote the sport of croquet more deeply into this community across the country and beyond. For more information about Jiminy Wicket's mission and upcoming initiatives, visit jiminywicket.org.

For Part I, see Croquet News 2024 Vol 1, page 12: https://issuu.com/uscacroquetnews/ docs/croquet_news_2024_volume_1-digital_ edition

For Part II, see Croquet News 2025 Vol 1 page 14: https://issuu.com/uscacroquetnews/ docs/2025_croquet_news_volume_1_ fletcher_wins_us_open_

NEW MEMBERS

CALIFORNIA

Rancho Mirage–Mission Hills Croquet Club

Lee Adams

Rajvi Berry

Lara Bloomquist

Erica Carpenter

Kevin Carpenter

Lori Daigle

Bobby Duthie

Lana Duthie

Gurinder Kalra

Myron Lea

Bobby McCleskey

Nancy McGoon

Mary Molidor

Frank Nadasdy

Lisa Nadasdy

Steve Rothenberg

Dean Stolber

Jackie Stolber

FLORIDA

Belleair–Belleair Country Club Croquet

Jeffrey Jennings

Mary Jennings

Cape Coral–At Large Member

Bryce Millican

Venice–Sarasota County Croquet Club

Paulette Armstead

Neil Comber

Gene Crossland

John Delappa

Vivian Ferry

Bob Foster

Ellen Gordon

Colin Gordon

Charlie Jeffrey

Brenda Page

Dave Schoenthaler

William Spivey

Chad Sterrett

PASSAGES

Rodney Calver................Croquet Club of Annapolis

Charles Cole Hillsboro Club

Sandra Feeney National Croquet Club

Lynn McCann The Plantation of Ponte Vedra

Susie McIntosh Mountain Lake Croquet Club

W. Stevens Sheppard Mountain Lake Croquet Club

Carlos Trower Mountain Lake Croquet Club

NEW CLUB

Sarasota Lawn Bowling Club ............................................. Sarasota, Florida

Vero Beach–At Large Member

Todd Ching

West Palm Beach–National Croquet Club

Peter Brav

Janet Brav

Becky Foley

Sean Foley

Arturo Galvez

Anne Ilyinsky

Walter Krauss

Michael Minieka

Johanna Quinlan

David Quinlan

Louis Urban

West Palm Beach–Palm Beach Atlantic University

Dean Burgin

Ella Gustafsson

Madeleine Jones

Adam Leatherman

Mary-Allison McGuire

Jackson Overholt

Brayden Valliere

Olivia Weaver

GEORGIA

Sky Valley–Sky Valley Club, Inc.

Carolyn McLendon

ILLINOIS

Glencoe–Village of Glencoe Croquet Club

Jo-Ann Jahant

Jo McMahon

KENTUCKY

St. Matthews–At Large Member

Tonia Hildebrand

MARYLAND

Annapolis–Ginger Cove Croquet Club

Bruce Jamieson

MISSISSIPPI

Jackson–Highlands Mallet Club

Sarah Dickenson

Seth Dickenson

Ridgeland–Highlands Mallet Club

Michael Van Velkinburgh

NEW YORK

Brooklyn–At Large Member

Tamara Peterson

NORTH CAROLINA

Belvidere–Albemarle Croquet Club

Debra Boyce

Pinehurst–Pinehurst Croquet Club

JoAnne Cutrer

Mark Van de Water

Read Van de Water

Winston Salem–Arbor Acres Croquet

Gordon Jones

RHODE ISLAND

Newport–Newport Croquet Club

David Little

SOUTH CAROLINA

Aiken–Green Boundary Croquet Club

Sherrod Krabbe

Sarah Thompson

TENNESSEE

Memphis–University Club of Memphis

Sheila Carro

Manuel Carro

Still Winning, Still Growing Sherif Abdelwahab:

SHERIF ABDELWAHAB’S RECENT VICTORY AT THE AMERICAN SIXWICKET SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP IN NOVEMBER 2025 AT MISSION HILLS COUNTRY CLUB IN RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF., ADDS YET ANOTHER TITLE TO A CAREER SPANNING 55 YEARS AND MULTIPLE CONTINENTS. BUT FOR THE U.S. CROQUET HALL OF FAMER, IT’S JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE, OR RATHER, ON THE LAWN. WHILE AMERICAN CROQUET FANS HAVE SPENT THE WINTER PONDERING ABDELWAHAB’S STAGGERING COLLECTION OF NATIONAL TITLES, HE REMAINED CHARACTERISTICALLY CASUAL ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT.

BY DYLAN GOODWIN

“I don’t really know the exact number,” he says. “I think it’s 21 or maybe 22. What I’m trying to figure out is how many times I lost in the national finals. I may have lost more than I won, believe it or not.”

It’s a refreshingly humble perspective from a player who has been a force on the American croquet scene for decades, winning national titles in three of the four major codes and partnering with some of the sport’s greatest players along the way.

In fact, the win at Mission Hills was his 22nd overall U.S. national title, moving him to the top of the list for American players, just ahead of Jeff Soo at 21 titles and Ben Rothman, who has collected 20.

From Cairo to Newport

Abdelwahab’s croquet journey began in Cairo, Egypt, where he joined a country club at age 10. “Croquet is only played in country clubs in Egypt,” he explains. “If you’re lucky enough to join one of these clubs, they have all kinds of activities — soccer, tennis, swimming — and croquet is usually one of them.”

What started as watching matches between rival clubs soon became a family passion. “We’d cheer them on. It was interesting. My father and mother backed the game, and my older brother too. Then we got involved.”

By 1987, when Abdelwahab relocated to the United States, he was already one of Egypt’s top players. But arriving in Newport, Rhode Island, he faced an unexpected challenge: no one in America played the golf croquet he had mastered.

“In the old days, there was no internet to know what’s going on in different parts of the world,” he recalls. “I brought all my equipment — my mallets, croquet balls, hoops, all that stuff — hoping we could find a flat surface to play on as a family.”

After weeks of searching, he discovered croquet at the Newport International Tennis Hall of Fame, where he met Bob Kroeger and Foxy Carter from the United States Croquet

Association. They were playing American Rules, a completely foreign game to the young Egyptian player.

“This strange game with a deadness board. I did not understand,” Abdelwahab laughs. “I actually got a camera and recorded them for a couple of days; tried to figure it out. It didn’t click.”

A Champion Across Codes

Few players have embraced croquet’s diversity the way Abdelwahab has. Although he is widely recognized for establishing Golf Croquet in the U.S., his resume includes national championships across multiple formats, and he is one of the few elite players to play in the nine wicket national events.

“Every code has its own flavor,” he says. “They all complete each other. At the end of the day, you pick up the mallet and enjoy your time.”

With the mallet, Abdelwahab’s striking power is legendary; he has been clocked hitting balls over 35 miles per hour and attributes the speed entirely to technique instead of physical strength.

“You don’t have to be a muscle guy to hit the ball hard,” he insists. “It’s just technique, and that’s how we grew up playing in Egypt, with lots of hard hitting. I’m 65 right now, getting older in age, but I can still hit it hard. So, it’s technique, not physical.”

But the hard-hitting Egyptian style is only part of his game. “I also take pride in my touch shots,” he says. “In golf croquet especially, there’s maneuvering. You cannot just shoot your way to a win. You have to massage things and have a very soft touch when you need it. I hope I’ll be remembered as a good soft-touch guy too, not just hard-hitting.”

Partner, Mentor, Builder

Beyond individual success, Abdelwahab has been a cornerstone of American doubles play, partnering with a who’s-who of U.S. champions. He won four national doubles titles with Ben Rothman. With Stephen Morgan, he captured championships in three different codes. And then there’s the remarkable eight-year streak of consecutive golf croquet doubles national titles spanning 2012-2018.

He credits chemistry as the key ingredient. “You can win with different styles,” he says. “But when the chemistry is right, it’s special.”

He also enjoyed playing with Blake Fields, who was just 11 years old when they first teamed up. “Blake also taught me a lot,” Abdelwahab says. “He was 11 years old at that time, and it was just a joy to play with him.”

But Abdelwahab notes that one partner, in particular, stood out. He says, “My favorite partner, without a doubt, is Sandra Knuth. We came very close to winning a national title together. I believe she is the only female player to reach a national final three times — twice in American Rules and once in Association Croquet.”

Equally important to Abdelwahab is his role as a croquet director and teacher. As director at Bonita Bay Club and Indian Creek Country Club, both in Florida, he has introduced countless newcomers to the sport, often in a matter of minutes.

“That’s the joy of my life — to bring people to croquet,” he says. “We’re the lucky ones to discover it. Many people still have a bad stigma about it. I try to change that stigma as much as I can and get people to see that croquet is a sport, not a game. It’s my passion to get someone engaged for just 10 minutes, teach them croquet and have them start playing.”

Teaching, he says, has also sharpened his own understanding of the game. Explaining fundamentals to beginners forces clarity, patience and adaptability — qualities that translate directly back to competition. “When you teach,” he says, “you’re always learning again.”

SNAPSHOT: SHERIF ABDELWAHAB

Age: 65

Home Clubs: Bonita Bay Club (Fla.), Indian Creek Country Club (Fla.)

Current Roles: Croquet Director at Bonita Bay and Indian Creek

Grip: Irish

How long have you been playing croquet? I started playing when I was 10 years old, so that makes it about 55 years.

Favorite croquet venues?

Lake Toxaway and Ocean House are two of my favorites. Indian Creek is special as well.

Do you have a favorite tournament?

No. I enjoy all tournaments. Each one has something different to offer.

Do you play any other sports?

I still play golf and tennis. I used to play squash, but not anymore.

What are your favorite sports teams?

I used to follow American football closely — the New England Patriots — but I work most Sundays now. I still follow the Boston Celtics.

What is the best thing the USCA has done for croquet?

Live streaming tournaments has been huge. Russ Dilley’s recorded games helped tremendously. The USCA is essential — we could not exist without it.

What would you like to see happen in croquet over the next 10 years?

A professional-style tour. Even if it’s not full-time, better-organized, world-class events would be a powerful way to show people what croquet really is.

One piece of advice for players looking to improve?

Focus on your execution. Don’t worry about your opponent. Don’t let them rattle you — focus on what you need to do. Positioning is crucial, and you must learn to play under pressure. Also, experiment. Try different grips and techniques. Get out of your comfort zone.

ABDELEWAHAB’S

USCA NATIONAL TITLES

SINGLES

2002 - Golf Croquet

2017 - Golf Croquet

2017 - American Six

2018 - Golf Croquet

2019 - Golf Croquet

2021 - Nine Wicket

2022 - Nine Wicket

2023 - Golf Croquet

2025 - American Six

DOUBLES

1999 - Golf Croquet with Mik Mehas

2012 - Golf Croquet with Ben Rothman

2013 - Golf Croquet with Ben Rothman

2014 - Golf Croquet with Ben Rothman

2014 - Association Croquet with Paul Bennett

2015 - Golf Croquet with Ben Rothman

2016 - Golf Croquet with David Maloof

2017 - Golf Croquet with Stephen Morgan

2018 - Golf Croquet with Blake Fields

2019 - American Six with Stephen Morgan

2019 - Golf Croquet with David Maloof

2019 - Association Croquet with Stephen Morgan

2022 - Association Croquet with Stephen Morgan

Egypt vs. The World

A career highlight came in 2009 when Abdelwahab was selected to play for the Best of the World team against Egypt at an invitational event in England. At the time, Egyptian players dominated international golf croquet, as top players from other countries had yet to fully embrace the code.

“Up to that point, players like Reg Bamford or Robert Fulford didn’t play GC,” Abdelwahab explains. “England used to send second or third-tier players who weren’t very good competition for the Egyptians.”

But when the world’s best finally assembled, the match was historic. “We beat them 12-11 or something like that. It was very close but very sweet,” Abdelwahab recalls. The victory helped establish that golf croquet had become a truly global sport.

Looking Ahead

Asked whether winning a singles title in all four major croquet codes is a goal, Abdelwahab shrugged. “I don’t dream,” he says. “I live in the moment. If it happens, it happens.”

Grounded, unsentimental and quietly confident, his mindset has defined his career as much as any trophy. He is neither chasing the past nor retreating into legacy. Instead, he continues to compete, teach and contribute, choosing challenges that interest him and letting results follow.

For now, that moment includes another national championship, another reminder that experience still matters and another example of why Abdelwahab remains one of the sport’s most enduring competitors. Still evolving, still testing himself and still very much present on the court.

USCA A6W Nationals Return to West Coast

BY PAUL BENNETT

The United States Croquet Association American Six-Wicket Nationals was hosted at the Mission Hills Country Club in Palm Springs, Calif., November 16-22, 2025. A field of 32 players participated in two events. The first three days were doubles followed by four days of singles format. The players came from all corners of the U.S., Canada, Virginia, Oklahoma and Texas.

The American Six Wicket croquet rules were developed by Jack Osborn after forming the association in 1977. The USCA will soon be celebrating its 50th anniversary. The game is like the game of croquet we used to play in our backyards with colored balls that play in sequence (called rotation), and after hitting (or roqueting) a ball, the striker gets two more shots to advance both balls to a strategic position on the lawn. After scoring a wicket (or hoop), the player earns an additional stroke to carry on making more wickets, yielding an all-around break play.

The lawn is unlike your backyard area and is more like a finely cut putting green on one of Mission Hills three golf courses. In California, like most of the Southwest, the greens are reseeded in the fall. This year, additional maintenance was done to rework the surface and sub-surface of lawns 1-4. Courts 5-7 are mostly used by the grass tennis players. Court 10 is the original grass tennis lawn. Several National Championships have been held at this venue and the MacRobertson Shield Tier 1 AC World Team Championship was held here in 2017, with teams from four countries competing for about three weeks.

This year’s field consisted of several past participants and 10 past title holders. It was heavily weighted toward the Championship field with only seven First Flight players. It was organized into four blocks of seven to eight players, with 12 advancing to the Championship double-elimination knockout format, six advancing to the First Flight knockout and seven advancing to the Championship Plate knockout.

The play was competitive, and each player exhibited a variety of strategies. The games were timed at 90 minutes and many games finished with the clock determining the end game and one final complete rotation of play. The maximum score per game is 26 points (12 hoops per ball and two peg points).

Like many popular American games (football and basketball), when the clock gets down to the last 15 minutes, the rules change to allow players to stop the clock for various reasons. To provide efficient use of court space, two games may be played simultaneously and interference caused by double banking may allow a player to stop the clock. When a ball crosses the line (by going out of bounds), one side may ask for the clock be stopped until the ball is properly found and marked back into the court’s boundary line. And players are awarded three timeouts they can use to collect their thoughts and put together their best strategies. This tends to add up and extend some scheduled games well beyond the allotted time limit.

Play began at 8:00 a.m. and with five game slots scheduled, play did not finish until darkness came upon the field at 4:45 p.m. On the first day, four games were “pegged down,” which meant all the ball positions were carefully measured and recorded on a piece of paper, the clock time was recorded, the deadness of each ball was recorded and the players and the colors played recorded. Those pegged-down games were played after the completion of the other scheduled games on the following day.

This year’s Nationals had five women signed up to participate in Championship Flight. The Peyton Ballenger Award is given to the woman that completes at the highest finishing spot in the Championship Flight of the Nationals. Only 12 of the 31 participants qualified for the knockout ladder and while none of the women qualified for that knockout, they all competed in the Championship plate. Beverley Cardo ended up at the top spot in block play with two wins and all the rest with one win. In the plate, she also managed to play the best and make the finals on Saturday, losing to Patrick Sweeney. Congratulations to Cardo on her excellent play and on winning the award. She will receive an engraved trophy for her play.

Randy Cardo worked his way through the Championship playoff to a best-of-three match against Sherif Abdelwahab. Abdelwahab and Cardo both hold National titles and it proved to be a good matchup. Abdelwahab won the first game and Cardo won the second game both with flawless play and all-around breaks. In the third game, the match was close all the way up to the end and Abdelwahab pulled out the victory against Cardo, earning him his 9th National singles title and 22nd overall.

Abdelwahab is long known for his excellent play in Golf Croquet (or Egyptian Golf Croquet). After becoming a master at that game, he went on to win doubles Nationals in Association Croquet in 2014 and then, in 2017, won his first American Six Wicket Nationals Singles title. Congrats to Abdelwahab on all his wins.

Patrick Sweeney took home the Plate title after defeating Joshua Lassiter and Beverley Cardo.

In First Flight, Ron Eccles defeated John Donohue in their finals on Saturday.

In Doubles, Stuart Lawrence and Brian Cumming worked their way through the playoffs earlier in the week to meet Rich Lamm and Rodney Lassiter. Cumming and Lawrence won the event and took home the National Doubles trophy for their third time, each holding other national titles.

In the Doubles plate event, Adam and Joshua Lassiter took the title from Jim Houser and Britt Ruby, one of our oldest titlist holders who won the Nationals in 1997.

CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES

01. Sherif Abdelwahab

02. Randy Cardo

03. Brian Cumming

03. Danny Huneycutt

05. Macey White

05. Matt Smith

07. Rich Lamm

07. Steve Scalpone

09. Adam Lassiter

09. John Brown

09. Paul Bennett

09. Stuart Lawrence

13. Rich Curtis

14. Doug Grimsley

15. Patrick Sweeney

16. Carl Uhlman

17. Jim Houser

19. Beverly Cardo

20. Rodney Lassiter

21. Josh Lassiter

22. Britt Ruby

23. Nancy Crouch

25. Donna Dixon

29. Sandra Knuth

FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES

01. Ron Eccles

02. John Donohue

03. Randy Lassiter

04. Jon Spaulding

05. Bill Sullivan

CHAMPIONSHIP PLATE SINGLES

01. Patrick Sweeney

02. Beverly Cardo

03. Nancy Crouch

03. Josh Lassiter

04. Rodney Lassiter

05. Sandra Knuth

06. Donna Dixon

CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES

01. Brian Cumming/Stuart Lawrence

02. Rich Lamm/Rodney Lassiter

03. Sandra Knuth/Sherif Abdelwahab

04. Danny Huneycutt/Randy Cardo

05. Paul Bennett/Patrick Sweeney

05. Rich Curtis/Doug Grimsley

07. Nancy Crouch/Macey White

07. Beverly Cardo/John Brown

CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES PLATE

01. Adam Lassiter/Josh Lassiter

02. Britt Ruby/Jim Houser

03. Ron Eccles/Steve Scalpone

03. Donna Dixon/John Donohue

05. Randy Lassiter/Jon Spaulding

PEYTON BALLENGER AWARD

01. Beverley Cardo

02. Nancy Crouch

03. Donna Dixon

04. Sandra Knuth

Precision and Passion: 2025 GC Seniors Masters Recap

BY FRANCK MEUNIER

Here’s to another great edition of the GC Seniors–Masters Tournament! Over four days, 18 Seniors (ages 60–69) and 42 Masters (70+) gave us an outstanding display of talent in Singles plays.

Thursday and Friday were all about block games. Seniors competed in two flights (Championship and First Flight), each playing eight games. The Masters field split into three flights, each with two groups, playing six games. Players moved to knockout on Saturday and Sunday (with Plate and Shield consolation games). Invictus balls (primary, secondary colors) and Quadways Hoops were used.

A big shoutout to David McCoy and Jane Louise Smith, who stepped in with less than an hour’s notice to fill two open spots.

Seniors Highlights

First Flight kept us on edge with some truly exciting matches. In Championship Flight, Matt Griffith and Cami Russack entered the knockouts with seven victories each. In First Flight, Lucia Morales-Halaby and Susan Langston led the pack with seven and six wins.

Several newer players showed impressive skill and determination. Quiet and composed, Morales-Halaby topped the block leaderboard with precise, steady play — an incredible debut performance for her first tournament.

We also celebrated a milestone: James Welch rang in a birthday and will officially move from Senior to Master next year. Happy birthday, James!

Players eliminated in the first round of the knockout moved to Shield play: Alex Galasso won in Championship Flight, while Mary Galasso won First Flight.

2025 USCA GC Seniors Masters West Palm Beach, Florida | November 20-23, 2025

The semifinals brought some nail-biting action. In Championship Flight, Matt Griffith and Bill Simmons delivered a beautifully measured match that ended right at the hook, earning Griffith a thrilling win. On the other side, James Welch and Mike Hatcher played a thoughtful, strategic game. Across the board, the sportsmanship and camaraderie were outstanding.

Championship Action

The Championship Flight featured some of the country’s top competitors, with many matches going down to the wire (several ending 7-6 or 7-5).

Kent Lovvorn and Mike Hoggart emerged undefeated from block play as the field tightened. We saw everything from lightning-fast victories in under 40 minutes to one unforgettable 40-minute battle over a single hoop — a masterclass in clearing! And thanks to Caryl Firth, “hoop-itis” (or should it be called “hoop-phobia?”) became the phrase of the day.

Knockout players eliminated in the first round moved to Plate; those eliminated in the second round moved to Shield.

Championship Plate: A balanced and exciting match between Nancy Rendleman and Bruce Hindin, with Hindin edging it out 7-6 at the hook.

First Flight Plate: A dramatic start for Britt Bell, who had to forfeit his first game due to a flat tire, but bounced back strong to win the Plate over Dick Rendleman.

Second Flight Plate: A delightful match between two of the friendliest competitors, Lynn DeVault and Ned Fleming, with Fleming taking the win 7-2.

The Championship Finals showcased top-tier play between Kent Lovvorn and Jim Jamison, with Jamison securing a 10-7 victory and repeating his win from last year.

In First Flight, Priscilla Flowers and MaryCarol Stearns brought both competitive fire and genuine friendship to the court. After a tight, well-played match, Stearns claimed the win 10–6.

In Second Flight, Luke Sand and Curtis Loftin delivered a composed, precise final that was a pleasure to watch.

Congratulations to all the players on a fantastic tournament! The skills, sportsmanship and passion made this event truly memorable. Full results are available at https://croquetscores.com/2025/gc/usca-seniors-masters-tournament

SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT

01. James Welch

02. Matt Griffith

03. Bill Simmons

03. Mike Hatcher

05. Alex Galasso

05. Conrad Rugart

05. Jodie Rugart

05. Cami Russack

09. Tate Russack

SENIORS FIRST FLIGHT

01. Lucia Morales-Halaby

02. Glenn McAndrews

03. Mary Hennelly

03. Susan Langston

05. Tom Hennelly

05. Rick Pratt

05. Briggs Stahl

05. Mary Galasso

09. Kim Beaty

MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT

01. Jim Jamison

02. Kent Lovvorn

03. Bill Trower

03. Mike Hoggatt

05. Marc Stearns

05. Chris Weihs

05. Billie Ray

05. Jose Benjumea

09. James Creasey

09. Nancy Rendleman

09. David Ekstrom

09. Don Eastman

09. Rick Brown

09. Bruce Hindin

MASTERS

FIRST FLIGHT

01. MaryCarol Stearns

02. Priscilla Flowers

03. John Grout

03. David McCoy

05. David Scott

05. Rick Hayes

05. Jane Louise Smith

05. Jeff Morrison

09. Peter Markarian

09. John Dillon

09. Britt Bell

09. Richard Rendleman

09. Caryl Firth

09. Karen Weihs

MASTERS SECOND FLIGHT

01. Curtis Loftin

02. Luke Sand

03. Jay Carey

03. Janice Sand

05. Violet Frizzell

05. Pam Groh

05. Gregory Presley

05. Glo Ghegan

09. Gay Cinque

09. Lynn DeVault

09. Vita Reinoso

09. Frances Alexakos

09. Ned Fleming

09. Diana Vought

EVENT PERSONNEL

Tournament Director: Franck Meunier

Tournament Manager: Julia Johnston

Tournament Team: Susan Langston, Rick Hayes, Lynda Sudderberg, Adam Peck

Referees: Matt Griffith, Kent Lovvorn, Priscilla Flowers, Marc Stears, Rick Pratt, Franck Meunier

2025 Senior Masters: Age Is Just a Number

BY TOM AND LORETTA COOPER

If we are not getting older, only getting better as the old saw goes… how is it that the Seniors were outnumbered three to one? How about we’re getting older and better. That is most accurate (and sentimental).

The 2025 Senior Masters featured 26 Masters and seven Seniors, plus Larry Lynch, who is so young looking he was misplaced. The venue was the National Croquet Center, which was an excellent host supplying great lunches and drinks for after-play. The weather also cooperated with warm sunshine illuminating picture perfect courts.

The doubles were divided into a total group broken into Championship and First Flight.

The singles were different — with only eight Seniors, ranging from a mere -3 to a high of 3.5, it was difficult to win. The Masters side contained three flights with eight to 10 players in each.

We congratulate Championship Doubles winners Dan Huneycutt and Connor Helms who won a close shaver to Matt Griffith and Jodie Rugart. Larry Lynch and John Grout took a 16-6 win over Michael Kolowich and Priscilla Flowers to win First Flight Doubles,

In the Senior Singles, Huneycutt was again victorious over Tom Cooper who forgot the Chernobyl can make it to a sideline on the attack (ouch).

In Masters First Flight, we saw John Grabow defeating Jeff Morrison by 21-19 to take the final. Second Flight Singles in the Masters arena was decided by one point. Jeff Cohen of Sarasota was runner-up and Wyndemere’s Priscilla Flowers took the title.

And in the Masters Championship Flight, a new perennial rivalry surfaced with Bob Van Tassel winning by just a few points over Linda Sudderberg. We say that because at this printing he has just beaten Sudderberg again in the final of the NCC Club Singles event. The future is bright!

Never count out the Grand Master who was Dick Sullivan. He is always a threat and narrowly missed in the semifinal. He was followed by David Ekstrom, another great player we never want to meet in a final.

SENIORS CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES

01. Danny Huneycut

02. Tom Cooper

03. Matt Griffith

03. Jodie Rugart

05. Conner Helms

05. Larry Lynch

05. Stuart Price

05. Greg Clouse

SENIORS/ MASTERS DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT

01. Danny Huneycutt/Conner Helms

02. Matt Griffith/Jodie Rugart

03. David Ekstrom/Rick Hayes

03. Bob Van Tassel/Dick Sullivan

05. Ron Millican/Greg Clouse

05. Ron Eccles/Gene Raymond

05. Yen Sullivan/John Grabow

05. Bill Trower/Jeff Morrison

SENIORS/MASTERS DOUBLES FIRST FLIGHT

01. Larry Lynch/John Grout

02. Michael Kolowich/Priscilla Flowers

03. Steve Grassbaugh/Pat Spratt

03. Deb Millican/Jan Fisher

05. Fred Beck/Jeff Cohen

05. Carl Archiniaco/Fei Fei Williams

MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES

01. Bob Van Tassell

02. Lynda Sudderberg

03. Dick Sullivan

03. Michael Todorovich

05. David Ekstrom

05. Gene Raymond

05. Bill Trower

05. John Curington

MASTERS FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES

01. John Grabow

02. Jeff Morrison

03. Ron Millican

03. Rick Hayes

05. Ron Eccles

05. Yen Sullivan

05. Deb Millican

05. Jan Fisher

09. Steve Grassbaugh

09. Carl Archiniaco

09. Pat Spratt

09. Fred Beck

MASTERS SECOND FLIGHT SINGLES

01. Priscilla Flowers

02. Jeff Cohen

03. Michael Kolowich

03. Trula Myers

05. Danna Huneycutt

05. John Grout

05. Henry Hagan

05. Fei Fei Williams

2026 USCA CLUB DIRECTORY

Croquet News magazine proudly presents the seventh edition of the USCA Club Directory, celebrating the clubs throughout the association that serve as the foundation for participation, development and growth of the sport. Please send any changes or corrections to croquetoffice@uscroquet.com

ALABAMA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Todd Marshall

BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham Croquet Club (205) 249-0535

Mountain Brook Croquet Club (205) 967-3301

EUFAULA

Eufaula Country Club-Croquet Club (334) 695-3520

FAIRHOPE

The Lakewood Club (251) 990-4268

LOXLEY

Steelwood Croquet Association (251) 964-5308

ALASKA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Gary L. Anderson

GIRDWOOD

Creaux Crique Croquet Club (907) 382-0099

ARIZONA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Scott Spradling

SCOTTSDALE

Arizona Croquet Club (602) 956-8966

Mountain Mallets (480) 595-4346

CALIFORNIA

DISTRICT PRESIDENTS:

Northern, Michael Orgill

Southern, Mary Rodeberg

OAKLAND

Oakland Croquet Club (415) 342-9289

PASADENA

Pasadena Croquet Club (626) 794-8675

RANCHO MIRAGE

Mission Hills Croquet Club (316) 761-0838

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco Croquet Club (415) 342-9289

SAN MARINO

Zamalek West Croquet Club (626) 737-1671

ST. HELENA

Meadowood Mallet Club (800) 458-8080

THOUSAND OAKS

Sherwood Club (805) 496-3036

WINDSOR

Sonoma Croquet Club (707) 547-7146

COLORADO

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Ronald L. Eccles

BOULDER

Boulder Long Grass Croquet (303) 817-1074

DENVER

Colorado Croquet (720) 937-2056

Denver Country Club (303) 862-3456

Denver Croquet Club (303) 520-9023

CONNECTICUT

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Sarah Persons

GREENWICH

Greenwich Croquet Club (203) 789-2434

HAMDEN

Special Olympics Connecticut (203) 230-1201

DELAWARE

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Karin Karel

MILLSBORO

Baywood Greens Croquet (610) 217-1944

FLORIDA

DISTRICT PRESIDENTS:

Northeast, MaryCarol Stearns, Southeastern, Jodie Rugart

Southwest, Jennifer Joseph

Treasure Coast, Bo Prillaman

West and Central, Alex Galasso

ATLANTIC BEACH

Fleet Landing Croquet Club (386) 793-3944

BELLEAIR

Belleair Country Club Croquet (727) 461-7171

BOCA GRANDE

Boca Grande Croquet (978) 929-9000

Gasparilla Inn Mallet Club (941) 964-2201

BOCA RATON

Boca Raton Croquet Club (561) 289-6522

BOKEELIA

Useppa Island Croquet Club -

BONITA SPRINGS

Bonita Bay Club (239) 495-0200

DELRAY BEACH

St. Andrews Club (561) 243-0557

FLORIDA

Sandhill Cove Croquet Club (772) 288-2726

FORT MYERS

Shell Point Croquet Association (860) 248-0357

FT LAUDERDALE

Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward Cnty (954) 537-1010

GULF STREAM

The Little Club (561) 278-1010

HILLSBORO BEACH

Hillsboro Club, Inc. (954) 941-2220

HOBE SOUND

Jupiter Island Club-Croquet Club (772) 545-9474

KEY LARGO

Key Largo Anglers Club (520) 665-8194

Ocean Reef Club (305) 367-3808

LAKE WALES

Mountain Lake Croquet Club (863) 676-3494

LAKE WORTH

Special Olympics PBCty Croquet Club (561) 312- 4956

MELBOURNE

Indian River Colony Club (321) 255-6051

MIAMI BEACH

Indian Creek Country Club (305) 866-5751

NAPLES

Audubon Croquet Association (239) 566-9800

Grey Oaks Country Club (305) 778-1996

Naples Croquet Club of Florida (239) 207-2735

The Club at the Strand (239) 592-9944

The Club Pelican Bay (239) 597-1183

Wilderness Country Club (239) 261-6060

Wyndemere Country Club (239) 263-1700

ORLANDO

The Country Club of Orlando (407) 849-0990

OSPREY

The Oaks Club (941) 966-2161

PALM BEACH

Everglades Club, Inc. (561) 655-7810

The Beach Club, Inc. (203) 570-1866

PALM BEACH GARDENS

Devonshire at PGA National (561) 227-2446

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL

Croquet Club at PGA National (860) 810-7055

PALM COAST

Grand Haven Croquet Club (847) 309-6233

Hammock Dunes Croquet Association (248) 212-4100

PONTE VEDRA BEACH

Northeast Florida Croquet Club LLC (908) 625-9189

Ponte Vedra Croquet Club (904) 273-0806

The Plantation of Ponte Vedra (904) 543-7537

Vicar’s Landing Croquet Club (904) 612-5511

SAINT AUGUSTINE

St. Johns Croquet Club, Inc. (904) 679-5190

SARASOTA

Sarasota Lawn Bowling Club (705) 646-0086

SEWALL’S POINT

Sailfish Point (772) 225-1000

STUART

Mariner Sands Country Club (772) 631-2181

THE VILLAGES

The Villages Croquet Club (413) 281-8620

VENICE

Sarasota County Croquet Club (978) 929-9000

VERO BEACH

Indian River Estates (772) 234-2750

John’s Island Club (772) 231-1220

Oak Harbor Club (772) 562-3808

Quail Valley Golf & River Club (772) 299-0093

Riomar Country Club (772) 231-6426

The Moorings Club (772) 569-9402

The Windsor Club (772) 388-0757

Vero Beach Country Club (772) 567-3320

VILLAGE OF GOLF

The Country Club of Florida (561) 732-9771

WELLINGTON

Palm Beach Polo Golf & Country Club (561) 862-8660

WEST PALM BEACH

National Croquet Club (561) 478-2300

WINTER PARK

Interlachen Country Club (407) 657-0850

Winter Park Croquet Club (561) 789-2858

GEORGIA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Kent Lovvorn

ATLANTA

Lenbrook (404) 233-3000

Peachtree Hills Place Croquet Club (828) 329-3125

CAROLLTON

Carroll County Croquet Players (770) 832-6272

JEKYLL ISLAND

Jekyll Island Croquet Club (479) 685-6847

JOHNS CREEK

Atlanta Athletic Club (770) 368-7740

SAVANNAH

The Landings Golf and Athletic Club (912) 598-3500

SKY VALLEY

Sky Valley Croquet (407) -921-5630

HAWAII

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Bruno Amby

IDAHO

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Rory Kelley

ILLINOIS

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Jeff Lee

CHICAGO

Chicago Croquet Club (630) 291-3377

GLENCOE

Village of Glencoe Croquet Club (312) 659-7572

LAKE FOREST

Onwentsia Club (847) 234-0120

MANHATTAN

Prairie Lights Croquet Club (815) 478-4172

INDIANA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Scott Spradling

INDIANA

Hawthorns Golf and Country Club (317) 854-9100

LOGANSPORT

Heartland Croquet Club (574) 722-3449

IOWA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Deborah Millican

KANSAS

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Dylan Goodwin

KENTUCKY

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Brian Hovis

LOUISVILLE

Derby City Croquet (Private) (585) 474-3753

LOUISIANA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: George Cochran

BATON ROUGE

Red Stick Croquet Club (225) 954-6019

SHREVEPORT

Cajun Croquet Club (318) 865-4848

MAINE

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Kathleen Green

ELLSWORTH

Woodlawn Croquet Program (207) 667-8671

MARYLAND

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Chris Morris

ANNAPOLIS

Ginger Cove Croquet Club (410) 919-3177

EDGEWATER/HARWOOD

Croquet Club of Annapolis (410) 693-7035 (formerly West River Wickets)

FREDERICK

Mid Atlantic Croquet Club (301) 831-8099

GIBSON ISLAND

Gibson Island Club (410) 255-1414

MYERSVILLE

Six Wicket Vineyards Croquet Club (410) 598-1600

TOWSON

Blakehurst Croquet Club (410) 494-1125

MASSACHUSETTS

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Courtney Green

BREWSTER

Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club (774) 323-6220

EAST SANDWICH

Sandwich Croquet Club (617) 835-5527

EDGARTOWN

Edgartown Croquet Club (508) 693-7056

LENOX

Lenox Croquet Club (646) 483-3000

MARION

Marion Mallet Club Inc. (978) 697-9496

NANTUCKET

The Westmoor Club (508) 228-9494

2026 USCA CLUB DIRECTORY

MICHIGAN

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: David Theiste

BYRON CENTER

Heatherwood Hills Croquet Club (616) 784-4438

HARBOR SPRINGS

Wequetonsing Croquet Club (734) 665-6456

LOWELL

Flat River Croquet Society (616) 263-7209

SOUTHFIELD

Oakland County Women’s Croquet Club (313) 229-9918

MINNESOTA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Scott Spradling

BRAINERD

Madden Brother’s, Inc. (218) 829-2811

MINNEAPOLIS

City of Lakes Croquet Club (612-618-5733)

MISSISSIPPI

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Mark Fields

JACKSON

Highlands Mallet Club (601) 949-3103

Pocahontas Mallet Club (601) 672-7423

The Country Club of Jackson (601) 956-1411

MISSOURI

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Deborah Millican

KANSAS CITY

Kansas City Croquet Club (913) 636-7231

PARKVILLE

Kactus Creek Croquet Club (816) 891-6762

SAINT LOUIS

Tiger Croquet Club (314) 406-4455

ST. LOUIS

Decker Lawn Croquet (314) 406-0987

MONTANA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Patrick Sweeney

NEBRASKA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Deborah Millican

NEVADA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Ronald L. Eccles

NEW HAMPSHIRE

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: James McLaughlin

BENNINGTON

Bennington Croquet Club (603) 588-2106

RYE

Strawbery Banke Croquet Club (603) 433-5382

NEW JERSEY

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Pat Richmond

MANTOLOKING

Mantoloking Yacht Club (732) 892-6281

MONROE TOWNSHIP

Rossmoor Croquet Club (609) 273-2455

RUMSON

Rumson Country Club (742) 842 3333

SEA GIRT

Green Gables Croquet Club (732) 532-7567

NEW YORK

DISTRICT PRESIDENTS:

New York, Justin Berbig

E. Long Island, Alex Muradian

Western, Robert Gannon

BRIDGEHAMPTON

The Bridgehampton Club (631) 537-7399

BUFFALO

Buffalo Croquet Club (716) 432-1500

CAMILLUS

West Hill Golf & Croquet Club (315) 672-3540

HILTON

Rochester Croquet Club

@ G&T SportsPark (585) 287-4531

LOCUST VALLEY

Piping Rock Club (516) 676-2332

The Creek Club (516) 676-1405

NEW YORK

Empire State Croquet Foundation (862) 222-0381

New York Croquet Club (716) 359-6018

PAWLING

Quaker Hill Country Club (845) 855-1070

QUOGUE

Quogue Field Club (631) 653-9890

SARATOGA SPRINGS

AIM for Saratoga Croquet Club (518) 587-3208

SOUTHAMPTON

Meadow Club of Southampton -

TUXEDO PARK

Pine Court (914) 351-2547

WESTHAMPTON

Westhampton Mallet Club (516) 480 9930

NORTH CAROLINA

DISTRICT PRESIDENTS:

Eastern, Mike Taylor

Western, Lynda Bjorklund

ASHVILLE

Deerfield Croquet Club (828) 232-7102

BALD HEAD ISLAND

Bald Head Island Croquet Club (919) 673-6776

BELVIDERE

Albemarle Croquet Club (252) 326-1231

BLACK MOUNTAIN

Black Mountain Croquet Club (828) 287-4133

BLOWING ROCK

Blowing Rock Country Club (828) 295-3171

CASHIERS

Cedar Creek Club (828) 743-9380

High Hampton (800) 334-2551

The Chattooga Club (828) 743-3640

The Country Club of Sapphire Valley (828) 743-2462

Trillium Links and Lake Club (828) 743-6161

HIGHLANDS

Cullasaja Club (828) 526-3531

Highlands Falls Country Club (828) 526-4118

Highlands Strikers Croquet Club (828) 526-0501

VZ Top Croquet Club (404) 229-7052

Wildcat Cliffs Country Club, Inc (828) 526-5850

LAKE TOXAWAY

Lake Toxaway Mallet Club (864) 205-7375

LINVILLE

Grandfather Golf & Country Club (828) 898-4635

Linville Golf Club (828) 733-4311

Linville Ridge Croquet Club (828) 742-4140

PINEHURST

Pinehurst Croquet Club (910) 986-3164

PITTSBORO

Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club (817) 565-8145

ROARING GAP

Roaring Gap Club (336) 363-9169

SAPPHIRE

Burlingame Country Club (828) 966-9200

SOUTHPORT

The Clubs at St James (910) 477-8500

WINSTON SALEM

Arbor Acres Croquet (336) 724-7921

NORTH DAKOTA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Deborah Millican

OHIO

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Jennifer Joseph

NEW ALBANY

New Albany Country Club (614) 488-0890

OKLAHOMA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Bob Baker

NICHOLS HILLS

ScissorTail Croquet Club (405) 590-7264

TULSA

Tulsa Croquet Club (918) 688-7777

OREGON

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Steve Scalpone

ASHLAND

Classic Croquet Club (541) 488-3031

KING CITY

King City Croquet ClubPORTLAND

Portland Croquet Club (503) 244-2080

PENNSYLVANIA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Chris Morris

DALTON

Manataka Mallet Club (570) 510-8446

GREENSBURG

Westmoreland Croquet Club (724) 836-1000

HARLEYSVILLE

Harleysville Croquet Club (610) 633-9999

HAVERFORD

Merion Cricket Club (610) 642-5800

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY

New London Croquet Club (202) 210-3812

PHILADELPHIA

The Croquet Club at Philadelphia Cricket (215) 643-9222

RHODE ISLAND

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Sean Hartley

NEWPORT

International Tennis Hall of Fame (401) 846-0642

Newport Croquet Club (610) 348-0926

WATCH HILL

Ocean House Mallet Club (860) 227-7297

WESTERLY

Weekapaug Croquet Club (401) 339-6258

SOUTH CAROLINA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Charles Hayes

AIKEN

Green Boundary Croquet Club (781) 706-1468

BLUFFTON

Belfair (843) 757-0701

Sun City Croquet Club (561) 339-4147

CHARLESTON

Bishop Gadsden (843) 861-9233

Daniel Island Golf Club, LLC (843) 971-3555

St. James Croquet Club (843) 224-8186

DATAW ISLAND

Croquet Club of Dataw Island (843) 838-3401

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Wexford (843) 686-8828

OKATIE

Spring Island Croquet Club (843) 987-2003

TEGA CAY

Tega Cay Croquet Club (803) 295-3071

WEST COLUMBIA

Susan Boyd Croquet Court & Pavilion (910) 367-9711

SOUTH DAKOTA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Deborah Millican

TENNESSEE

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Linda Trifone

MEMPHIS

University Club of Memphis (901) 722-3700

NASHVILLE

TEXAS

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: John Watson

HOUSTON

Antler Bluff Croquet Club (713) 876-7508

Bayou Club of Houston (713) 686-4000

Houston Croquet Association (713) 876-1508

UTAH

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Ronald L. Eccles

VERMONT

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Kim Beaty

DORSET

Dorset Field Club (802) 867-4002

MANCHESTER

Ekwanok Country Club (802) 362-2220

MANCHESTER

Ekwanok Country Club (802) 362-2220

VIRGINIA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Bo Prillaman

HARTFIELD

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club -

HIGHLAND SPRINGS

The Springs Croquet Club (804) 516-5386

ROANOKE

Ogden Croquet Club (914) 582-9488

SCOTTSVILLE

Centenary Croquet Club (434) 286-4638

TIMBERVILLE

WASHINGTON

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Gary L. Anderson

SEATTLE

Woodland Park Lawn Bowling Club (206) 694-9065

WASHINGTON, DC

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Chris Morris

WEST VIRGINIA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Linda Trifone

WISCONSIN

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Cheryl Bromley

MILWAUKEE

Milwaukee Croquet Club (414) 405-5468

Milwaukee Country Club (414) 362-5200

WYOMING

Ronald L. Eccles

2026 USCA CLUB DIRECTORY

INTERNATIONAL

BERMUDA

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: John Young III

SANDYS PARISH

Croquet Club of Bermuda (441) 238-7308

CANADA

DISTRICT PRESIDENTS:

Eastern, Adam Barr

Western, Patrick Sweeney

ONTARIO

ST. CATHARINES

Royal St. Catharines Croquet Club (905) 685-6939

STONEY CREEK

Northern Lights Croquet Club (905) 643-4545

TORONTO

North Toronto Croquet Club (647) 267-5656

Kew Beach Croquet Club (416) 483-2800

QUEBEC

RIQAUD

Mount Royal Croquet Club (450) 451-9989

Mexico

DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Paul T. Bennett

ENSENADA

Croquet Mexico (818) 306-0240

SCHOOLS

ARKANSAS

LITTLE ROCK

Sylvan Hills Middle School (501) 833-1120

CALIFORNIA

RANCHO MIRAGE

Palm Valley School (818) 585-3385 FLORIDA

DELAND

Stetson University (386) 822-7182

LAKE WALES

Edward W. Bok Academy (863) 638-1010

WEST PALM BEACH

Palm Beach Atlantic University -

MAINE

ISLE AU HAUT

Isle Au Haut School House (207) 335-2521

ISLESBORO

Islesboro School (207) 734-2251

ISLESFORD

Islesford (207) 244-7377

MATINICUS

Matinicus Elementary School (207) 366-3695

MONHEGAN

Monhegan Island School (207) 594-5895

NORTH HAVEN

North Haven Community School (207) 867-4707

ROCKPORT

The Riley School (207) 596-6405

SWANS ISLAND

Frenchboro School (207) 334-2944

Swan’s Island School (207) 526-4300

VINALHAVEN

Vinalhaven School (207) 863-4664

MARYLAND

ANNAPOLIS

St. Johns College (347) 204-2545

United States Naval Academy (410) 745-5470

SPARKS GLENCOE

Sparks Elementary School (410) 887-7900

MASSACHUSETTS

CAMBRIDGE

Harvard College (617) 495-1000

WALTHAM

Bentley University Club Team

HOW TO START A CROQUET CLUB

1. EDUCATE YOURSELF by getting all the information you will need to organize your club and facility. Start by contacting the USCA and asking them to send you their member club information packet.

2. START TALKING to friends, family and working associates about croquet and enrolling them in the idea of the club.

3. GET THE EQUIPMENT TOGETHER. Croquet equipment comes in a broad range of quality and price levels. You don’t have to start with tournament-grade equipment; good-

quality basic sets can be found for $200 to $300.

4. BUILD OR FIND THE BEST LAWN AVAILABLE to you for your initial adventures with equipment, rules and potential members. The lawn should be as flat and as fast as possible. Arrange for using a bowling lawn or a practice putting green, if possible. If you’re clever and make the right contacts, you can engineer a permanent arrangement with an existing underused facility by fitting into the other lawn sport’s schedule.

MISSISSIPPI

GAUTIER

Mississippi State Croquet Club (210) 845-3752

MISSOURI

WARRENSBURG

University Central Missouri (660) 909-4747

NEW JERSEY

SOMERSET

Rutgers Preparatory School (732) 545-5600

WEST LONG BRANCH

Monmouth University (732) 263-5187

NEW YORK

BRONX

NY Maritime College (347) 541-1031

NEW PALTZ

State University of NY at New Paltz (516) 708-3623

NORTH CAROLINA

GREENSBORO

Bennett College (919) 323-2350

NORTH DAKOTA

FARGO

Fargo South High School (701) 446-2000

OKLAHOMA

BARTLESVILLE

Oklahoma Wesleyan University (918) 440-4848

PENNSYLVANIA

UNIVERSITY PARK

Penn State University (814) 865-9202

TEXAS

COLLEGE STATION

Texas A&M University (817) 514-6554

DALLAS

SMU Flying Wickets (214) 768-2760

UTAH LEHI Lehi High School (801) 318-4902

VERMONT

MARLBORO

Marlboro College (802) 579-8238

5. JOIN THE USCA AS A MEMBER CLUB to benefit from their regular communications and publications about all aspects of croquet, including member clubs and tournaments, rule books and the USCA’s Croquet News magazine.

6. CONTACT THE NEAREST CLUB or USCA member willing to give you organizing advice and coaching.

7. LOCATE A 2- TO 5-DAY TOURNAMENT on the calendar that you can visit with some of your members. Every major club and many smaller ones have at

least one of these tournaments a year. They are virtual “croquet conventions” where you can make all the connections you need to develop your club and with coaching assistance from experienced players in your area.

8. BUILD A CLUB WEBSITE to provide information about your club to its members and the rest of the world. Be sure to provide a link to the USCA site and the USCA will link back to your site.

THE POINT (OR POINTS) OF TACTICS

BY JEFF SOO

Abbreviations used: blUe, Red, blacK, Yellow

How many games have you won or lost because of tactics? The answer is exactly none. Tactics exist only in your head, but to score points, you must hit balls through wickets. Tactics are — literally — pointless.

Speaking of points, it’s natural to think of tactics as a sort of roadmap, the sequence of steps you need to get from point A to point B. And this is not a bad metaphor, as long as we understand that what we’re trying to plot out is not a direct route. The court diagram in Rule 1 has a lovely map of the shortest route through all the wickets. Playing a ball along this path in the fewest possible strokes makes for a pretty good practice drill. But in a practice drill, we can play as many shots in a row as we need. In a game, our turn ends as soon as we fail to earn a continuation shot, either by scoring a wicket or by making a roquet and playing a croquet shot without sending a ball out of bounds. As a tactical guide, this map merely shows us the next wicket; it tells us nothing about the best way to get there.

And this is a problem, especially for beginning and low-intermediate players, who naturally tend to focus on getting to the wicket, rather than getting through the wicket. Getting close to a wicket is easy enough to do from most positions on the court, especially if you are joined with your partner and can take two shots to get there. And getting through a wicket is possible from a wide range of positions. But you don’t win games with possible wicket shots. The main goal of tactics is to help you get position for highly probable wicket shots. And this is where the path from A to B gets interesting.

Figure 1 shows the start of a Second Flight game, in which Y rushed R to 2, hoping to score the wicket and rush R to 3. Y did score the wicket but went too far through for a rush to 3 and opted to play to the boundary instead of going dead on partner. Even though this leaves U a potential three-ball break, Y made a prudent choice to stay clean; three-ball breaks at the Second Flight level tend not to last very long. And, indeed, U is not even thinking about trying one, knowing from bitter experience how often three-ball break attempts end in tears. U will be happy to score a wicket or two and get off the court safely.

U is already set with a rush on K, offering a simple and direct path to the wicket. Having set up that rush, and with R on the non-playing side of the wicket, very many players at this level will opt for that direct path, giving no thought to using R until after scoring the wicket. At most, they will think of R as a backup plan in case the rush on K goes poorly.

But rushes often do go poorly. Again, the question is how to maximize the odds of getting through the wicket. This gets us

back to what I have repeatedly stressed in these articles as the most important of all tactical concepts: look for the play that gives you the best chance to take croquet near your wicket, preferably from the playing side (see “One Rule to Ring Them All,” Croquet News, 2022, Volume 3).

You probably noticed I stuck a question mark in Figure 1. It doesn’t take a particularly poor stroke for U’s rush on K to end there: playing the shot a little off-line and not quite connecting solidly with K will do it, two swing errors that often go together. Not only is that an uncomfortable spot from which to approach the wicket, it is also an awkward spot from which to take off to R to get a rush back to the playing side of the wicket, due to the length of the take-off and the fact that the wicket is in the way.

As soon as you see R so close to the wicket, you should be thinking of how to use it to its best advantage. Instead of aiming at the wicket, try to rush K all the way to R, or just past it. That leaves an easy croquet shot to get an excellent rush on R, and with R so close to the wicket, you have the best possible chance of getting good scoring position. If the rush on K comes up short, it may well stop right in front of the wicket, in which case you can opt for Plan B and approach the wicket directly, leaving R alone until after the wicket.

Another advantage of this plan over the direct rush on K to 2 is that if it goes well, you will be better positioned to use R and K to arrange an easy rush to 3, rushing your friend K there instead of the dangerous R. Try it out on the court and see if you can discover why.

GC Practice Drills and Scenario

BY CHERYL BROMLEY

Below are a couple of drills to try the next time you get out on the lawn to practice. You can do these with a friend or on your own.

Drill 1 - Worst Ball: This is a positioning and hoop shooting drill. Begin at the Starting Area. Hit all four balls into position at Hoop 1. Select and mark the ball with the worst position. This is where you will hit all balls from next. You can choose to shoot the hoop or improve the position. Continue selecting the worst ball position until the hoop has been scored and then continue around the entire court to complete the circuit. If playing against a friend, earn a point each time you score a hoop.

Variation. Best Ball. Do the same drill again, using the best ball position each time. This variation, hopefully, will provide many more hoop shooting opportunities.

Drill 2 - End of Game Practice: Start with all balls in proximity of Hoop 10 and play the remaining hoops, including Hoop 13. When Hoop 12 is made, play on as though the score is 6-6 and finish at the hook.

Hoop 11 Challenge: When running Hoop 11, try to have the hoop-running ball end up in a favorable position in front of Hoop 12. If there is an opportunity to “jaws” Hoop 11 without being cleared out, this will give you a premium shot to get down to Hoop 12 while the other balls are only permitted to go halfway until the hoop has been scored.

GC SCENARIO

It is Yellow’s turn to play and is six yards from the hoop on an angle What would you do based on your skills?

OPTIONS

Place a block between Blue and Red? Attempt to get up very close to the hoop or in the jaws? Clear Blue? Clear Black? Shoot the hoop?

2025 A6W OVERALL FINAL GP STANDINGS

01 Cardo, Randy 12315 16000 28315

02 Huneycutt, Danny 6924 13636 20560

03 Brown, John O 7520 10714 18234

04 Cochran, George 4440 9150 13590

05 Ruby, Britt 4904 7314 12218

06 Helms, Conner L. 5592 6554 12146

07 Lassiter, Adam 2805 9250 12055 08 Hovis, Brian D. 3152 8768 11920 09 Van Tassell, Robert 1500 10300 11800 10 Ekstrom, David 4541 6450 10991 11 Green, Courtney 3240 7240 10480 12 Abdelwahab, Sherif 1800 7800 9600 13 Eccles, Ronald L. 3335 6240 9575 14 Zindel, Brian 5052 4373 9425

15 Gannon, Robert 4700 4450 9150

16 Smith, Matt B. 2512 6618 9130

17 Lawrence, Stuart 4501 4500 9001

18 Cumming, Brian 4500 4200 8700

19 Lassiter, Rodney 4428 4052 8480 20 Sweeney, Patrick 750 7428 8178

Total players: 380 Updated 12/31/2025. 2025 GC OVERALL FINAL GP STANDINGS

Beverley

Jodie

Ramey, Missy 2730

2026 NCC A6W Singles Championship

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, Florida

January 9-11, 2026

Championship Flight

01. Bob Van Tassell

02. Lynda Sudderberg

03. Randy Cardo

03. Bob Pulitzer

04. Bill Trower

05. Mike Todorovich

06. Calvert Chaney

07. David McCoy

First Flight

01. Larry Lynch

02. Ron Eccles

03. Lucas Van Alen

03. Casey Knoll

04. Mark Ski

05. Quinn Reinhardt

06. Steve Grassbaugh

07. Jan Fisher

Second Flight

01. Sonja Alexandra

02. Devin Burress

03. Alex Galasso

03. Brian Mitchell

Third Flight

01. FeiFei Williams

02. John Bannister

03. Jerry Kagan

03. Chris Darton

04. Ralph Worthington

2026 SCCC GC Club Doubles

Sarasota County Croquet Club

Venice, Florida

January 8-9, 2026

Championship Flight

01. Scott Spoerl/Jan Spoerl

02. Matt Griffith/Billie Ray

03. Gene Raymond/Webster Bull

04. Mike Hoggatt/Jose Benjumea

05. Sheldon Campbell/Anna Campbell

06. Stephen Errickson/Teresa Errickson

First Flight

01. Joe Fairbanks/Jon Ayers

02. Christoph Weihs/Karen Weihs

03. Michael Kukla/Anne Kukla

04. Bob Gelineau/Rusty Rose

05. Nancy Hart/Roberta Taylor

06. Michael Kolowich/Pauline Harvey

Second Flight

01. Dean Ricci/Shirley Ricci

02. Kathie Hart/Debbie Martin

03. Mike Carroll/Janet Carroll

04. Katie Bull/Christine Smith

05. Ron Doering/Lee Anderson

06. Ken Northrop/Sidna Mitchell

Third Flight

01. Ronald Baysden/Jan Baysden

02. Murray Walker/Theresa Chick

03. Geri O’Neill/Kathleen Skoog

04. Alex Feinstein/Robert Ferraro

05. Linda Kemerer/John Delappa

Florida State GC Tournament

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, Florida

December 26-28, 2025

Championship Flight

01. Scott Scharlau

02. Bill Trower

03. John Strasser

04. Franck Meunier

05. Rich Rose

06. Richard Hayes

07. Robert Smother

08. Richard Allen

First Flight

01. Trudy Crowetz

02. Jason Collins

03. Diane Rose

04. Ursula Peck

05. Kit Pannill

Seahorse GC Tournament

The Beach Club

Palm Beach, Florida

December 12-14, 2025

Championship Flight

01. Randy Cardo

02. Mike Hoggatt

03. Adam Peck

03. Crayton Morrow

05. Tate Russack

05. Alex Galasso

05. Chris Morris

05. Conrad Rugart

09. Kendall Hendrick

09. Jodie Rugart

09. Beverley Cardo

09. Bruce Hindin

13. Stephen Tasker

13. Cami Russack

15. Priscilla Flowers

15. Caryl Firth

First Flight

01. George Claffey

02. Mary Galasso

03. Laura Hendrick

03. Allison Worthington

05. Neill Trimble

05. Jeanne Branthover

05. Gregory Presley

05. Glo Ghegan

09. Jacquie Harris

09. Gay Cinque

11. Violet Frizzell

11. Franck Meunier

13. Ralph Worthington

13. Lynn DeVault

13. Ted Blount

2025 Holiday Classic

Sarasota County Croquet Club

Venice, Florida

December 12-14, 2025

Championship Flight

01. Brian Zindel

02. Ron Eccles

03. Brian Hovis

03. Matt Griffith

05. David Ekstrom

05. Bob Gannon

05. Steve Errickson

05. Steve Thurston

First Flight

01. Richard Watson

02. Teresa Errickson

03. Cameron James

03. Dave Dill

05. Jan Fisher

05. John Joseph

05. Roger Vorraber

Second Flight

01. Michael Kolowich

02. Mervyn Harvey

03. Christine Smith

03. Kathie Hart

05. David Kepner

05. Debbie Martin

05. Jennifer Joseph

Third Flight

01. Bill Simmons

02. John Clark

03. Henry Hagan

03. Linda Merk

05. Jeffrey Cohen

05. Julie Doric

05. Pauline Harvey

GC Club Teams

Sarasota County Croquet Club

Venice, Florida

December 5-7, 2025

Chamopionship Flight

01. Julie Wright/Sherif Abdelwahab

02. Bev Cardo/Randy Cardo

03. Tim Wright/Michael Hoggatt

04. Todd Russell/Ellen Nielsen

05. Ellie Griffith/Jose Benumea

06. Wy Louw/Curtis Drake

06. Susan Creasey/Cecil Creasey

06. Billie Ray/Matt Griffith

06. Caryl Firth/Adam Peck

06. Cami Russack/Bill Simmons

First Flight

01. Frank LaValla/Jim Watrous

02. Karen Weihs/Chris Weihs

03. John Grout/Michael Kolowich

04. Bruce Hindin/Neil Trimble

05. Gay Cinque/Lucia Morales-Halaby

06. Mary Miech/Gil Goetz

06. Christine Smith/Ellen Goldener

06. Raymond George/Diane Walker

06. Madeleine d’Ambrosio/ William Kuhn

06. Susie Day/Susu Day

Second Flight

01. James Orr/Nancy Hunt

02. Norwood Jackson/Karen Jackson

03. Julie Doric/Kathy Hart

04. Jeanmarie Dellosso/Betty Robinson

05. Barbara Knight/Bob Krimsier

06. Jeanette Hodgkins/Chris Hodgkins

06. Lewis Carlisle/John Guido

06. Mary Hennelly/Bob Piekenbrock

06. Craig Froh/Don Miech

Castles & Croquet

5-STAR LUXURY CROQUET TRIPS IN ENGLAND

May 18-23; 25-30

June 1-6; 8-13

July 20-25

$9,950

Stay in the Elizabethan splendour of the Gravetye Manor, with their Michelin Star restaurant, and the outrageous, palatial elegance of Cliveden House. Play at 750yr old Hever Castle and Penshurst Place, visit Sir Winston Churchill’s c ountry home then play on his croquet lawn. Compete in our international Tell ‘em that the Yanks are Coming tournament with the Royal Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club and much more!

Learn the 7 Skills to Play Like a Champion as taught by Jiminy Wicket® plus 5 of our 21 Ways to Play Better Croquet. Celebrate your wins with a Roaring ’20s awards dinner (stripey blazers, bow ties, flapper dresses and fascinators). And all this with door-to-door transport by legendary and luxurious Land Rover Inclusive of rooms, meals, activities, admissions, gratuities and taxes.

100% of proceeds support our mission. Limit 4 - 8 guests

To register or for more information: info@JiminyWicket.org

U.S. Open

Mission Hills CC

Palm Springs, California

December 2-6, 2025

Championship Flight

01. Brian Cumming

02. Michael Albert

03. Doug Grimsley

03. Rich Lamm

05. Steve Scalpone

05. Rory Kelley

05. Jim Houser

05. Peter Bach

09. Karl-Heinz Kempfer

10. Martyn Selman

11. Arlene Parker

12. Ron Eccles

12. Charlie Smith

12. Chuck Anders

12. Lynda Sudderberg

12. Sandra Knuth

12. Nick Gray

12. Jim Hermann

12. Donna Dixon

12. Mike Todorovich

12. Erv Peterson

Scissortail 6W Club Championship

Oklahoma Golf & Country Club

Nichols Hills, Oklahoma

November 15-16, 2025

Championship Flight

01. Conner Helms

02. Scott Spradling

03. Carl Archiniaco

First Flight

01. Jane Helms

02. Suzanne Spradling

03. Ford Austin

04. Mary Ellen Gumerson

2025 Shark Tooth Open

Sarasota County Croquet Club

Venice, Florida

November 14-16, 2025

Championship Flight

01. Kendall Hendricks

02. Matt Griffith

03. Mike Hoggatt

03. Brett Fullerton

05. Tate Russack

05. Ellie Griffith

05. Chris Morris

05. Curtis Drake

First Flight

01. Adam Peck

02. Gene Raymond

03. Ivo Dentchev

03. Alex Galasso

05. Simon Dentchev

05. Ron Taylor

05. Cami Russack

05. Chris Weihs

Second Flight

01. Todd Russell

02. Joe Fairbanks

03. Ellen Nielsen

03. Billie Simmons

05. J Billie Ray

05. Caryl Firth

05. Mike Carroll

05. Tom Eggleston

Third Flight

01. Michael Kukla

02. Rusty Rose

03. Mary Galasso

03. John Rymer

05. Rich Rose

05. John Grout

05. Graydon Bell

05. Michael Kolowich

Fourth Flight

01. Kathie Hart

02. Susan Langston

03. Debbie Martin

03. Chris Smith

05. Jane Louise Smith

05. Jon Ayers

05. Jay Carey

05. Kim Jones

Fifth Flight

01. Robert C. Smith

02. Gregory Presley

03. Suzanne Turner

03. Jane Grandusky

05. Scott Langston

05. Pam Groh

05. Trudy Crowetz

05. Alex Feinstein

Sixth Flight:

01. Ronald Baysden

02. Bill Wunder

03. Julie Doric

03. Diane Rose

05. Barbara Taylor

05. George Quallich

05. John Delappa

Green Boundary Invitational

Green Boundary Croquet Club

Aiken, South Carolina

October 31 - November 2, 2025

Championship Flight

01. Bo Prillaman/Mark Tatusko

02. Ray Barrett/Rick Brown

03. Chris Eaton/Sandy Knuth

04. Kathy Brown/Scott Brown

05. Lou Hethington/Jim Podraza

06. Lynn DeVault/Glo Ghegan

07. Janet Anthos/Amy Hempt

First Flight

01. George Enochs/Elsa McDowell

02. Nancy Hart/Kathleen Skoog

03. Kerie Pohlidal/Susan Valle

04. Berkeley Burbank/ Virginia Burbank

05. Richard McNeil/Sara McNeil

06. Manuel Carro/Sheila Carro

07. Harriet Engle/Ann McLaughlin

08. Ann Clemons/Jan Eubank

Scissortail GC Club Championship

Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club

Nichols Hills, Oklahoma

October 25-26, 2025

Championship Flight

01. Conner Helms

02. Carl Archiniaco

03. Scott Spradling

First Flight

01. Ford Austin

02. Suzanne Spradling

03. Mary Ellen Gumerson

04. Bob Anthony

05. Tina Day

06. Linda Carpenter

07. Diana Robinson

08. Janet Cook

09. Mary Wolf

Manatee 6W Challenge

Grand Haven Croquet Club

Palm Coast, Florida

September 15 - November 9, 2025

01. Howard Chodak

02. Mike Debitetto

03. Peter Gordon

04. Billy Roche

05. Brett Fullerton

06. Edmund Giancola

07. Carmen Roche

08. Gloria Gordon

09. John Licata

The Little Rhody

Ocean House

Watch Hill, Rhode Island

September 15-18, 2025

Championship Flight

01. Norris Settlemyre

02. Douglas Moore

03. Bob Gannon

03. Cecil Creasey

05. Ron Eccles

05. Quinn Reinhardt

07. Mark Ski

08. Sally McGrath

09. Dennis Leddy

10. Sean Hartley

11. Patricia Spratt

12. Kathleen Green

First Flight

01. David Kepner

02. George Claffey

03. Debbie Martin

03. Michael Kolowich

05. John McGrath

05. Cheryl Harders

07. Susan Creasey

08. Stephen Hayes

09. Cecily Greenaway

10. Ann Clemens

Championship Flight Doubles

01. Dennis Leddy/Kathleen Green

02. Sean Hartley/Susan Creasey

03. Patricia Spratt/Sally McGrath

04. Mark Ski/Ann Clemens

Beyond the Court

Four Issues to Engage and Expand Your Audience

The USCA’s full-color Croquet News magazine is now quarterly with all four issues released in print + the interactive digital edition. Since the Croquet News digital magazine was launched, it continues to set new standards for reader engagement and advertiser click-throughs. Plus, the digital edition goes beyond the USCA membership and offers a global reach of more than 4,000 total readers per issue for the print + digital editions.

Each issue of the magazine includes tactics columns, tournament dates, news, results, national event coverage and features full of the best croquet photography.

Get Started

For a Croquet News media kit, contact Dylan Goodwin at croquetnetwork@gmail.com

Upcoming Ad/Copy Deadlines

2026 May Issue (Summer) – 4/17/26

2026 August Issue (Fall) – 7/17/26

2026 November Issue (Winter) – 10/23/26

2027 February Issue (Spring) – 1/15/27

uscaevents

February

2/15/26 - 2/18/26

Womens AC National

Championship

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Brian Hovis | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

2/15/26 - 2/16/26

Kamal Cup: USA vs. Egypt (GC) Mountain Lake Croquet Club Lake Wales, FL

2/20/26 - 2/22/26

The GC Shootout

Sarasota County Croquet Club Venice, FL

Nancy Hart | 803-530-2035 nh13sc@gmail.com

2/23/26 - 2/28/26

Mission Hills Invitational A6W Mission Hills Country Club Rancho Mirage, CA

Nicholas Gray | 760-770-2052 nickgray723@comcast.net

2/25/26 - 3/1/26

The Steuber Classic A6W & GC

National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, FL

Loretta Cooper | 609-941-5057 Loretta@coopergroupnj.com

2/27/26 - 2/27/26

Hall of Fame Induction & Gala

National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, FL

Franck Meunier | 561-478-2300 membership.director@ croquetnational.com

March

3/3/26 - 3/5/26

USCA A6W School

National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, FL

Adam Peck | 561-478-0760 usca@uscroquet.com

3/4/26 - 3/5/26

USCA GC School

National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, FL Adam Peck | 561-478-0760 usca@uscroquet.com

3/5/26 - 3/8/26

USCA FL Regional GC

National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, FL

Brian Hovis | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

3/5/26 - 3/8/26

Blaine Davis Invitational

Gasparilla Mallet Club Boca Grande, FL

Tina Malasica | 941-964-2201 tmalasics@gasparillainn.com

3/10/26 - 3/11/26

USCA School GC - Private

National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, FL

Adam Peck | 561-478-0760 usca@uscroquet.com

3/13/26 - 3/15/26

SCCC Club A6W Singles

Championship Sarasota County Croquet Club Venice, FL

Nancy Hart | 803-530-2035 nh13sc@gmail.com

3/13/26 - 3/15/26

USCA Croquet Week GC Tournament

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Brian Hovis | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

3/19/26 - 3/22/26

USCA Club Teams 6W

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Brian Hovis | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

3/25/26 - 3/27/26

WGCA Women’s International Friendship Cup (GC)

National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, FL

Marc H Stearns | 562-762-5400 mstearns2@bellsouth.net

3/27/26 - 3/29/26

SCCC Club AC Singles Championship Sarasota County Croquet Club Venice, FL

Nancy Hart | 803-530-2035 nh13sc@gmail.com

April

4/7/26 - 4/8/26

USCA GC School

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Adam Peck | 561-478-0760 usca@uscroquet.com

4/8/26 - 4/11/26

Albermarle Croquet Club

GC Open

Albemarle Croquet Club

Belvidere, NC

Adam Lassiter | 252-326-1231 adamllassiter@gmail.com

4/9/26 - 4/12/26

Flagler Cup A6W

Grand Haven Croquet Club

Palm Coast, FL

Brian Zindel | 217-972-1179 bzindel@frontier.com

4/11/26 - 4/12/26

NCC Club GC Singles

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Julia Johnston | 561-852-1413 medstone100@me.com

4/12/26 - 4/18/26

USCA Association Laws

National Championship

Sarasota County Croquet Club Venice, FL

Brian Hovis | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

4/16/26 - 4/18/26

Florida Southwest District Golf Croquet Championship

Wyndemere Country Club

Naples, FL

Jennifer Joseph | 614-288-6098 jandjoseph@aol.com

4/23/26 - 4/26/26

USCA Women’s GC Qualifier

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Cheryl Bromley | 954-242-8601 bromleycroquet@gmail.com

4/24/26 - 4/25/26

FL Treasure Coast District GC Championship

The Moorings Yacht Country Club

Vero Beach, FL

Brian Hovis | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

4/30/26 - 5/3/26

Croquet Fools

Grandview Lawn Bowls Club

OR Patrick Sweeney | 503-452-2191 sweeney@503law.com

4/30/26 - 5/3/26

The Grand Cup

The Lakewood Club

Fairhope, AL

Cheryl Bromley | 954-242-8601 bromleycroquet@gmail.com

May

5/1/26 - 5/3/26

Palmetto Invitational

Green Boundary Club

Aiken, SC

Marc Blumberg | 404-229-7052 ppimab@aol.com

5/7/26 - 5/10/26

NC Open AC Championship

Pinehurst Country Club

Pinehurst, NC

Mike Taylor | 910-986-3343 mrtaylor1022@gmail.com

5/14/26 - 5/16/26

Albemarle Croquet Club GC

Doubles Open

Albemarle Croquet Club

Belvidere, NC

Adam Lassiter | 252-326-1231 adamllassiter@gmail.com

5/21/26 - 5/24/26

Blue Crab A6W Tournament

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, VA

Macey W White maceywhite@gmail.com

5/21/26 - 5/24/26

2026 Rockfish GC Tournament

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, VA

Macey W White maceywhite@gmail.com

5/28/26 - 5/31/26

9-Wicket National Championship

Morehead City Park Complex

Morehead, KY

Ronald L Eccles | 720-937-2056 coloradocroquet@gmail.com

June

6/4/26 - 6/7/26

ScissorTail Oklahoma Championship

Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club

Nichols Hills, OK

Suzanne Spradling | 405-590-7264 sshawsprad@cox.net

6/4/26 - 6/7/26

GC Eights

Bald Head Island

Bald Head Island, NC

Jeff Soo | 919-419-3165 jeff@ipsedixit.net

6/11/26 - 6/14/26

2026 Southeast Regional A6W Championship

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, VA

Linda Trifone | 601-955-6227 l.trifone@gmail.com

6/12/26 - 6/14/26

US Golf Croquet Classic

Denver Croquet Club Denver, CO

Matt B Smith | 660-238-7035 croquet1@hotmail.com

6/25/26 - 6/28/26

Woodlawn Invitational

Woodlawn Croquet Court Ellsworth, ME

Perry A Mattson | 207-667-9335 newburyneckshore@gmail.com

July

7/30/26 - 8/2/26 NC Club Teams NC

Thomas C Balding V | 631-708-7575 tclareb5@gmail.com

August

8/7/26 - 8/9/26

Rochester Invitational A6W Croquet Tournament

Rochester Croquet Club Hilton, NY

Richard G Curtis | 585-461-2365 rgcrover@aol.com

8/7/26 - 8/9/26

USCA Northeast Regional A6W Championship

Sandwich Croquet Club East Sandwich, MA

Robert Kroeger | 617-413-3316 Bobkroeger@aol.com

8/13/26 - 8/16/26

Woodlawn Vacationland GC Tournament

Woodlawn Croquet Club Ellsworth, ME

Timothy McCormick 207-329-5343 tmccorm1@gmail.com

September

9/4/26 - 9/7/26

NC State A6W Singles Championship Albemarle Croquet Club Belvidere, NC

Adam Lassiter | 252-326-1231 adamllassiter@gmail.com

9/9/26 - 9/13/26

Woodlawn Big Lobster Woodlawn Croquet Club Ellsworth, ME

Perry A Mattson | 207-667-9335 newburyneckshore@gmail.com

9/13/26 - 9/19/26

USCA Golf Croquet Nationals

National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, FL

Brian Hovis | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

October

10/1/26 - 10/4/26

Albemarle Croquet Club Fall GC Open

Albemarle Croquet Club Belvidere, NC

Elaine Smith | 330-231-1071 elainesmith8543@gmail.com

10/4/26 - 10/10/26

USCA A6W National Championship

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Brian Hovis | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

10/6/26 - 10/7/26

USCA GC School

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Adam Peck | 561-478-0760 usca@uscroquet.com

10/13/26 - 10/14/26

USCA Association School

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Adam Peck | 561-478-0760 usca@uscroquet.com

10/15/26 - 10/18/26

North American Open GC Tournament

Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club Hartfield, VA

Macey White | maceywhite@gmail.com

10/20/26 - 10/23/26

WGCA Women’s Doubles Open Albemarle Croquet Club Belvidere, NC

Brian Hovis | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

10/20/26 - 10/22/26

USCA A6W School

National Croquet Center West Palm Beach, FL Adam Peck | 561-478-0760 usca@uscroquet.com

10/22/26 - 10/25/26

USCA Selection Eights (AC)

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Brian Hovis | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

November

11/4/26 - 11/8/26

USCA Seniors & Masters A6W

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Brian Hovis | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

11/13/26 - 11/15/26 The GC Shark Tooth Open

Sarasota County Croquet Club Venice, FL

Nancy Hart | 803-530-2035 nh13sc@gmail.com

11/19/26 - 11/22/26

USCA GC Seniors & Masters

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Brian Hovis | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

December

12/1/26 - 12/2/26

USCA GC School

National Croquet Center

West Palm Beach, FL

Adam Peck | 561-478-0760 usca@uscroquet.com

12/3/26 - 12/6/26

USCA GC Club Teams

Sarasota County Croquet Club Venice, FL

Brian Hovis | 561-478-0760 tournament@uscroquet.com

USCA SCHOOLS

Our schools are taught by top USCA-certified instructors who are qualified and experienced players selected by our staff because of their croquet expertise and ability to communicate to those who wish to learn to play the game correctly. Students will have the opportunity to play croquet in a structured environment. Classes are small (8:1 or less student-to-teacher ratio) and are tailored to the specific playing levels of the participants.

AMERICAN 6W (3 days)

Mar 03-05, 2026

Oct 20-22, 2026

GOLF CROQUET (2 days)

March 4-5, 2026

April 7-8, 2026

October 6-7, 2026

December 1-2, 2026

ASSOCIATION (2 days) October 13-14, 2026

5 hours/day of on-court instruction

Use of equipment

Official Rulebook (New A6W or GC members)

USCA Shot-making Manual (1st time A6W)

United States Croquet Association

Continental Breakfast and Lunches Certificate of Completion & Photograph

and Cheese Graduation Party