The Front Page News & Features Letters & Opinion People The Game Contact Us Advertising INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES World Croquet Fed WWW Links World Rankings AMERICAN RESOURCES USCA Website National Center Clubs & Resorts Games & Rules Equipment USCA Calendar USCA Handicaps ARCHIVES 1996 Archives 1997 Archives 1998 Archives 1999 Archives 2000 Archives		The world's biggest mallet sports championship •  No, it's not the MacRobertson, it's the World Gateball Championship in Shanghai, for 600 competitors, backed by megabucks for sponsorship and spectacle. See News & Features Roque on the verge of extinction •  Once the mallet game for the masses, it's crowded out by Gateball on the plebeian end and croquet on the refined end, surviving, just barely, as a museum piece. Linked from ESPN Sports. World Teams & MacRobertson August 5 - 22 - England •  The United Kingdom narrowly bested New Zealand to retain the Shield, while Wales, Scotland, and the Czech Republic won in the lower divisions. See the Bulletin Board. Croquet in Denmark: How do they do it? •  In a country of scarcely more than five million, more than 5,000 pay annual dues to a national association, and 220 clubs compete locally, regionally, and nationally. See The Game. Cracking Croquet •  This story by a USCA player of American croquet's evolution includes good links, seldom-reported facts, and an informed point of view. See TAKI magazine. Wine, Wickets & Wheels July 1-4 - Fremont, Ohio •  Winners were the Hayes Presidential Center budget, visiting pros who competed for prize money, and the new Hayes Croquet Club, who now know how to do it. See the Bulletin Board Forum. Toxaway Mountain Challenge July 10, 2010 - North Carolina •  The USCA begins a series of promotional events combining top-player exhibition games with novice instruction. See the Bulletin Board. Jerry: The early years (and then some) •  A long-time friend of now-deceased croquet pro Jerry Stark tracks their parallel ascents from high school into the top ranks of croquet - in People. A desert paradise with croquet courts •  California's Mission Hills Croquet Club, with ten courts, has become American's western mecca for both players and tournaments. See News & Features. Hawkins book released by Crowood •  In 174 uniquely illustrated pages, it leads players from the rudiments of break play all the way to the esoterica of advanced Association tactics and strategy. In The Game Department. Jerry Stark remembered •  The long-time pro and much-beloved anchor of the USCA International team died in California on May 19, 2010. See the Forum Editors' Forum on the Women's World Championship •  Golf Croquet already has a World event, but not Association Croquet. Three prominent women players state the case for alternative ways of improving the standard of female play. In Letters & Opinion. WCF SEC-GENERAL RESIGNS •  Brian Storey's resignation and the swift appointment of Chris Clarke raises speculations confirmed by CROQUET WORLD in this breaking story. See the Bulletin Board Forum. USCA National Championship, AC April 19-24, Mission Hills •  Rothman emerged a winner in both reporting the event and in doubles with Grimsley, but Huneycutt grabbed the singles title for the second time. See the Bulletin Board. Playing through dementia •  Golf Croquet is a game that can create a bridge of communication and relationship to family members with Alzheimer's - see News & Features Intergalactic Winter Croquet Waterbury, Vermont, March 2010 •  The event expands significantly, as the winners take the trophy at least 40 minutes away until next year's big tourney. From Boston's NPR station, WBUR. USCA National Club Teams March 17-21 - Palm Beach •  Jim Taylor paired with Chuck Whitlow for PGA National won the Championship flight, but the Bombay Club, with their usual large contingent, won the Lyons Trophy going away. See the Bulletin Board. 17 WCF Member Nations to Compete in World Teams •  The milestone event is the first-ever Association Croquet World Team Championship, concurrent with the MacRobertson Shield. See the Bulletin Board. Short croquet videos worth watching •  The judges produce a modest guide to croquet players reluctant to navigate on their own the vast, insufficiently charted wilderness of youtube - in Letters & Opinion. Picture Perfect at International Polo •  A pro who's also a member at Polo favors us with photos that carry the whole story. In News & Features International Polo Purse Event Feb 17-21, Palm Beach •  Two Americans who started well ended in the money: Huneycutt first, Bent second. See the Bulletin Board. Rothman and Grimsley finish 1-2 in 2009 Grand Prix •  As America's winningest partnership, they'll compete for the top trophy in many 2010 events and fuel the USCA team effort at the MacRobertson Shield in England. See People. Palm Beach Invitational January 18 - 23, 2010 •  The "dream team" of John Young III and Peter Just took doubles, while Young defeated his partner to capture singles in a near-perfect tournament. See the Bulletin Board. Desert Classic - Jan 19-23 Rancho Mirage, California •  Rothman beats Lamm to take the biggest chunk of the year's first major purse prize. See the Bulletin Board for complete results. Shakespeare's take on the game •  In this unashamed whimsy, John Prince illustrates the trash talk he and Andrew Winn have irreverently penned for the bard - in Letters & Opinion. Europe united under one flag! •  The new flag of the European Croquet Federation bears a striking resemblance to the flag of the European Union, and it's no accident - in News & Features Solomon Trophy Test Match Dec 4-7, Mission Hills, California •  For the first time, the United States has won the mostly-annual test match against Great Britain, by a score of 11-9. See the Bulletin Board for details. Photo Contest Finals! •  The editors showcase the most arresting photos of people and venues submitted from everywhere for our 2009 contest. See Letters & Opinion. 3rd Women's Golf Croquet WCF World Championship November 21-28, Victoria •  Alix Verge of Australia threatens Egyptian dominance of Golf Croquet by toppling reigning women's champion Iman Elfaransawi in stunning 3-2 finals. See Bulletin Board. Diane Blow 1936-2009 A founding benefactor •  The croquet family loses an accomplished, beloved and generous member - in People USCA National Championships November 8-14, Mission Hills •  The Rich Curtis/Doug Grimsley partnership took the American rules trophy for the third time, while Carolinian Paul Scott captureed his third in singles. See the Bulletin Board for complete results. Finding a home for the croquet collection •  The collector's crowning achievement ensures that primary historical sources are permanently preserved and accessible to researchers - in News & Features Wine, Wickets & Wheels debuts in Ohio, July 2010 •  The Hayes Croquet Club hosts a Golf Croquet purse tournament and the first major SuperSize Croquet Championship - in News & Features Prince's portraits of the stars, Part I •  New Zealand's John Prince memorializes in graphite and pencil drawings and his own words some of the top players of our time - in News & Features A shot at greatness •  The legendary exploits of Kentucky farmer Archie Burchfield - America's most publicized croquet player - are recalled in new and exquisite detail. See Garden & Gun Magazine. Origins of croquet reconsidered •  In the year of Darwin, the likely evolutionary paths of modern croquet are traced, along with the footprints of its more primitive cousins - in The Game. Cruising with a portable grass court •  Samir Patel reports the first games on the biggest, the best, the first and the only, docked at Southampton. See News & Features Straight talk: a courtside chat with Australia's Liz Fleming •  The opinions in this long and lively interview are rooted in personal experience and range from gender bias to many forms of organizational dysfunction. See People. WCF Under 21 Golf Croquet Cairo, Egypt - July 18-23, 2009 •  World-class Golf Croquet comes of age as a Kiwi triumphs on Egyptian soil in a strong field of young players from many countries. See the Bulletin Board. Croquet's Bad Boy has left the courts •  Mik Mehas died in California on July 12, 2009, and no one will ever take his place in the sport of croquet. See People. 2009 Photo Contest Invites Entries •  Entries are being accepted for Croquet World's Fourth Annual Photo Contest until August 16. See full details in Letters & Opinion. The USCA's four-year transition •  The editor interviews the outgoing and incoming presidents of the USCA at a difficult time for the croquet world and the planet. In People. Management shifts at the National Croquet Center •  The end of the High Season in South Florida brings with it news of a financial shortfall, a new round of fundraising, a change in management, and optimistic predictions, but this summer there's something new: a rational business plan! See News & Features Croquet comes to college •  The University of Oregon blazes a trail for a sport that adds a huge portion of "mental" to "physical" in the Physical Education curriculum - in The Game. The World Championship Palm Beach, May 9-17, 2009 •  Reg Bamford won the Wimbledon Cup by defeating American Ben Rothman in three straight. See Bulletin Board. The Carter Challenge Palm Beach - May 3-6 •  USA 19, Ireland 2. See the Bulletin Board. The biggest game: strategic planning •  Four clubs in the USCA's Club Organizers' Workshop demonstrate a surprising range of problems, solutions, and breakthroughs in applying standard business principles to the local nonprofit - in News & Features On top for half a century •  Kiwi Tony Stephens demonstrates the "lifetime sport" by winning the New Zealand championship again 50 years after taking his first title at age 16. See Hawkes Bay Today. USCA "Association" Nationals Pinehurst, NC - April 14-19 •  Young pro Ben Rothman took his first national championship title by defeating in two games Jim Bast, a multiple former national champion on the comeback trail. See the Bulletin Board. Victoria Centre: a promise unfulfilled •  The Victoria Croquet Association neither explains nor corrects the failed forecasts around the opening of its new headquarters, but in the absence of answers, we offer pointed questions in abundance in Letters & Opinion. The game and the art of collecting •  First he learned to play. Then he built the biggest croquet collection in private hands. Now he’s giving it away. Interview by David Appleton in People. Can overthinking wreck your game? •  This study reported on the BBC shows that experienced competitors shouldn't talk or think between shots, but it's okay for novices. See BBC News for article and video clip. Playing Gateball in Japan •  A British croquet player transplanted in Japan reports on the spreading popularity of the miniaturized hoop-and-ball game from the country that started the buzz - in The Game. The pursuit of justice in tournament design •  Louis Nel and Bob Alman recommend simple changes in American Rules and Association Croquet events to increase the probability of fair results - in Letters & Opinion. Ben Rothman’s breakthrough year •  The 24-year-old reveals his ambition to become world champion and a full-time croquet pro in this courtside chat with Bob Alman. See People. Croquet in China? •  With the rapid emergence of China's affluent class, the growth of first-rate croquet facilities is inevitable, and the World Croquet Federation is planting the seeds - in News & Features Who Really Won the Election of 1876? •  In the most contentiously contested election in American history, a special commission put the loser of the popular vote -- America's croquet-playing president -- into the White House - in News & Features The China Diary Oct 22-27, 2008 - Shanghai •  WCF president David Openshaw, with Amir Ramsis and Khalid Younis, demonstrate the sport in a high-level four-day conference in Shanghai. See Openshaw's diary updates on the Bulletin Board. European Championship September 19-21 - Jersey •  For the tenth time, Stephen Mulliner of England won the top trophy, defeating Simon Williams of Ireland 2-1 in the best-of-three final. See the Bulletin Board. The eBay croquet art sting •  The bibliographer and the collector conspire with the Sussex police to recover irreplaceable croquet portraits from the Edwardian era - in News & Features. Chuck Steuber 1920 - 2008 •  The magnificent legacy of the National Croquet Center's founder and guiding spirit has yet to be fully realized - in People. 2008 Photo Contest Winners •  From 100 finalists, 40 are here online, with all due accolades from the judges. See Letters & Opinion. Why it's okay to cheat at croquet •  It's not, really. But you'll never convince the mainstream press of a notion firmly rooted in the culture of backyard croquet. See Letters & Opinion. Is croquet good for business? •  Local businesses are opposing East Lindsay's plan to convert their caravan park into a major croquet centre. See BBC videoclip. Touring the croquet clubs of Germany •  Good food, drink, and hospitality anchor a growing sport in the heart of Europe - in News & Features. Croquet in Norway •  One of its principal organizers reports that the sport of croquet is firmly rooted in the land of the midnight sun, and growing - in News & Features The fun, the feel, the photo •  The most ambitious photo shoot ever attempted by a croquet association aims at reshaping the sport's public image. See photos and interview in Letters & Opinion. 2008 revisions in the laws •  Consequential changes in the play of Association Croquet are outlined and explained, with pointers to the precise wording and interpretations in the new edition - in The Game. USCA Grand Prix awards, 2007 •  The numbers broke all previous records, and Stewart Jackson topped the lot - in The Game. Wouldn't you rather be at the bowling alley? •  In this republication of Leslie Fielding's controversial poem, we break precedent to give an irate bowler equal time - in Letters & Opinion. Golf Croquet World Championship March 8-16, Capetown •  Nasr defeats Bamford to retain world title for Egypt. See the Bulletin Board. Will golf's loss be croquet's gain? •  Deserting the fairways in droves, will golfers be attracted to a faster sport with smaller fees and bigger balls? From The New York Times. WCF World Championship Feb 2-10, 2008 - Christchurch •  Chris Clarke won the title for the second time by defeating fellow Brit Stephen Mulliner. See the New Zealand Bulletin Board. Huge Melbourne Centre launches first full season •  The new Victorian Croquet Centre boasts 12 courts and a clubhouse, outscaling anything in the Southern Hemisphere, and its owners are projecting financial self-sufficiency by 2010 - in News & Features Herb Swope, Jr. - 1915-2008 •  The USCA's strongest link to its Gatsby era roots has passed away. See his Palm Beach Daily News obituary and Croquet World's 2005 interview. Introducing the "Book of Puzzlers" •  These situations in American Rules croquet put you in the shoes of the player who has to decide what to do next - quickly! Can you figure out the right answer? - in The Game. Sarasota: The art and science of club building •  All it takes is knowing what to do and having someone who'll do whatever it takes. Someone like Jackie Jones - in News & Features. When triples go wrong •  Never use your mallet to put a bloody opponent out of the game permanently. It's rude. It's messy. From London's Telegraph The club as a business: Can it ever succeed? •  An Australian croquet club's experiment in direct-mailing advertising offers some tantalizing clues - in News & Features Australian Open Championships Melbourne, Nov 2-11, 2007 •  Bruce Fleming trounces Paddy Chapman 3-0 to win the singles title. See the Bulletin Board. Bad behavior helps define a genteel sport •  Harry Hurt III fights for your right to party, croquet-style. From The New York Times USCA National Championships October 1-7 - Southampton •  Paul Scott of North Carolina defeated his regular partner Jeff Soo to regain the singles championship, while the pair lost doubles to Jackson and Cumming. See the Bulletin Board. USCA announces Handicap Tracking Points giveaway •  The purpose is to boost play in the USCA Regionals; the price is compromising a system designed to reflect performance - in News & Features Williams & Clarke: The First Couple of Croquet •  Winning title after title both individually and as partners, their activities and interests are global, but they're planning to marry and settle in Christchurch - in People. Urban Croquet •  The radical vision of a German designer combines fun, fashion, and fantasy in one compelling retail package - in News & Features. THE VIEW FROM HERE •  Comparing the survival prospects of croquet's two mega-venues: Florida's National Croquet Center and Australia's Victoria Croquet Centre – in Letters & Opinion. British Open Championships Hurlingham 8 – 15 July •  Robert Fulford managed a clean sweep to retain both the 2007 British Open Singles and Doubles titles at the Hurlingham Club in London. Sextuple peels were abundant, with Fulford managing the rare feat of an octuple. See the Bulletin Board for details and reports. Canceling the '07 Solomon Trophy •  The controversy has produced a debate that promises to reinvigorate the US vs British team event and broaden the player base - in News & Features Remembering the Marsacs: 1915 to 2007 •  To croquet players in many countries, they embodied the best qualities of a genteel sport - in People. The Resort Invitational June 5-10, 2007, Oregon •  Fulford defeated Bamford in three games to win the biggest purse of the year, with Chris Clarke and Jerry Stark finishing in the money for third and fourth. See the Bulletin Board. The face of youth in American croquet •  They haven’t yet caused a revolution in the sport, but impressive victories here and there in America signal the growing strength of a new generation - in News & Features 2007 photo contest winners! •  Once again, the editors collect and judge winning photos taken by readers. More than 80 finalist photos from around the world are included – in Letters & Opinion..		BULLETIN BOARD The Forum Europe & UK The Americas Asia/Africa/Pacific New Zealand Australia  Search This Site Advanced Search   Last Updated   August 30, 2010 2 week index 1 month index 2 month index 3 month index 6 month index 1 year index
Back to Top		Copyright © 1996-2010 Croquet World Online Magazine. All rights reserved.