Jan 31 - Feb 3 - - Sarasota County Winter Singles Invitational
Sarasota County Croquet Club, Venice, FL crokpeople@aol.com
Feb 1 - Feb 3 - - USCA Croquet School
National Croquet Center, West Palm Beach, FL usca@msn.com
Feb 5 - Feb 9 - - ORAC Invitational
Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo, FL wgcamper@aol.com
Feb 12 - Feb 17 - - Useppa Island Invitational
Gasparilla & Useppa, Useppa Island, FL thecapstonegroup@comcast.net
Feb 15 - Feb 17 - - Mar-a-Lago Doubles Invitational
Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, FL Twenty6to2@aol.com
Feb 19 - Feb 24 - - Charles P. Steuber Invitational
National Croquet Center, West Palm Beach, FL archiepeck@aol.com
Feb 27 - Mar 2 - - Audobon Invitational
Audobon Croquet Club, Naples, FL jnjbalson@aol.com
Source: USCA Calendar Page (click for more details)
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Family Man: Back in the Game
The Austin Statesman has a nice profile on Jim Bast who took off eight years from competitive croquet to raise two daughters. Bast is back in the game now and will compete in this year's World Championships in New Zealand. As I read the piece, I was wondering if my wife would let me quit the day job and take on competitive croquet. Probably not. Oh well, this quote from Bast is something I think players of all levels can agree with:
"You never forget how to do it. Once it gets hold of you, it pretty much keeps hold of you."
"You never forget how to do it. Once it gets hold of you, it pretty much keeps hold of you."
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Palm Beach Results: Ben Rothman Wins
The Croquet World site reports that Ben Rothman defeated
John Osborn 26-2 to win the singles Championship flight
at the Palm Beach Invitational in Florida this weekend.
Link to Site
Friday, January 18, 2008
Interview With A Minnesota Pro Player
This is from an Edina, Minnesota promotional show. A pretty good interview on the basics and some nice footage of play at their club.
Resolutions for a New Croquet Year
Okay, so it's 18 days late, but here's a list of ideas for all you malletheads that is sure to enhance your 2008 croquet season:
1) Play in one event outside of your normal circle. If you normally play in a family game, find the nearest club and get in a game. The USCA site has a listing of clubs. If you normally play with a club, try hooking up with another club. Again, check the USCA website for clubs near you. If you normally play in the backyard by yourself, get a game going.
2) Join the USCA Nine wicket association. The provide a great service for croquet player and plus you get a magazine. If you're a nine-wicket member ($15), upgrade to full membership ($60) to recieve all three issues.
3) Go ahead upgrade to that tournament level mallet -- you won't regret it.
4) Try out a new game. One-ball players should try a team game or maybe golf croquet. Six-wicket pros should play a backyard game.
5) Check in with the Croquet Network blog every day.
6) Teach one person to play the game.
7) If you aren't already, organize a tournament or just volunteer to help out with one.
8) Add your club or croquet link to the Croquet Network Links page.
9) Support this site with a purchase from our Croquet Network Official Store at CafePress.com.
1) Play in one event outside of your normal circle. If you normally play in a family game, find the nearest club and get in a game. The USCA site has a listing of clubs. If you normally play with a club, try hooking up with another club. Again, check the USCA website for clubs near you. If you normally play in the backyard by yourself, get a game going.
2) Join the USCA Nine wicket association. The provide a great service for croquet player and plus you get a magazine. If you're a nine-wicket member ($15), upgrade to full membership ($60) to recieve all three issues.
3) Go ahead upgrade to that tournament level mallet -- you won't regret it.
4) Try out a new game. One-ball players should try a team game or maybe golf croquet. Six-wicket pros should play a backyard game.
5) Check in with the Croquet Network blog every day.
6) Teach one person to play the game.
7) If you aren't already, organize a tournament or just volunteer to help out with one.
8) Add your club or croquet link to the Croquet Network Links page.
9) Support this site with a purchase from our Croquet Network Official Store at CafePress.com.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Product Review: Croquet Store Brighton Mallet
Price: $110 (with aluminum shaft and grip)
Website: www.croquetstore.com (oakley woods)
Phone: 866-364-8895
Other: Rounded or square heads available (tested with round head)
For the casual player this is a great mallet that will get you through the social backyard game or allow you to play in some competitive tournaments. The Croquet Store/Oakley Woods taper-lock system gives the mallet a solid, one-piece feel. For backyard play (longer grass) the rounded head is nice because it is less likely to catch on un-even terrain. Of course, if you are a backyard player, $110 may seem a little excessive. You could easily go with an ash shaft and skip the grip to bring the price down to an affordable $65. The Croquet Store is based in Canada, so the shipping is a little more expensive, but the website ordering is fairly straight-forward. I generally order from this vendor once a year and they are good about shipping out in a timely fashion.
Another note for the casual player. If you are still using the “golf swing” for croquet , there are two things you should know. One, stop it. Two, the Brighton may be too heavy for you to stay consistent on your “Tiger Woods” swing. If you are dedicated to the golf swing, you should probably look into the Extreme Mallet (to be reviewed next week).
Recommendation: If you are playing in more than event per season, this is a great first “real” mallet.
Website: www.croquetstore.com (oakley woods)
Phone: 866-364-8895
Other: Rounded or square heads available (tested with round head)
For the casual player this is a great mallet that will get you through the social backyard game or allow you to play in some competitive tournaments. The Croquet Store/Oakley Woods taper-lock system gives the mallet a solid, one-piece feel. For backyard play (longer grass) the rounded head is nice because it is less likely to catch on un-even terrain. Of course, if you are a backyard player, $110 may seem a little excessive. You could easily go with an ash shaft and skip the grip to bring the price down to an affordable $65. The Croquet Store is based in Canada, so the shipping is a little more expensive, but the website ordering is fairly straight-forward. I generally order from this vendor once a year and they are good about shipping out in a timely fashion.
Another note for the casual player. If you are still using the “golf swing” for croquet , there are two things you should know. One, stop it. Two, the Brighton may be too heavy for you to stay consistent on your “Tiger Woods” swing. If you are dedicated to the golf swing, you should probably look into the Extreme Mallet (to be reviewed next week).
Recommendation: If you are playing in more than event per season, this is a great first “real” mallet.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Fall Update -- Midwest
We'll kick this blog off with an update on Missouri Croquet Association action from the Fall. Here's the rundown:
Oct 6 -- Missouri Veterans Home Benefit Tourney
Flight A: Billy Bob BreedenFlight B: Gary Harlan($823 raised for Missouri Veterans Home)
Sept 21 -- Lee's Summit Open
Championship Flight: Billy Bob Breeden
"B" Flight: Dennis Langley
Sept 15 -- Midwest Open Warrensburg, Mo.
Championship Flight: Troy White
B Flight: Jeff Hathsoll
Oct 6 -- Missouri Veterans Home Benefit Tourney
Flight A: Billy Bob BreedenFlight B: Gary Harlan($823 raised for Missouri Veterans Home)
Sept 21 -- Lee's Summit Open
Championship Flight: Billy Bob Breeden
"B" Flight: Dennis Langley
Sept 15 -- Midwest Open Warrensburg, Mo.
Championship Flight: Troy White
B Flight: Jeff Hathsoll
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