U.S. SCORES HISTORIC SOLOMON TROPHY WIN -- I suppose it doesn't quite compare with the Miracle on Ice from the 1980 Winter Olympics, but the 11-9 U.S. win over Great Britain for the Solomon Trophy certainly represents a huge step forward for U.S. croquet. Great Britain came into the year's event with a perfect 17-0 record versus the Americans. However, based on world rankings, it appeared to be a close match on paper and it certainly was. If I am deciphering the Nottingham board reports properly, the home field advantage gave the Americans the final edge. Congratulations to the U.S. team for a great win.
Full results from croquetrecords.com
U.S. TAKES PRESIDENT'S CUP 2-1 -- In a prelude to Solomon Trophy play, the U.S. players took on members of the British team for the President's Cup. Last played in 2002, the competition is American rules croquet and featured the following matches:
US -- Danny Huneycutt beat Ian Burridge
US -- Ben Rothman and Ron Hendry beat Jeff Dawson and Tony Le Moignan
GB -- Samir Patel and Robin Brown beat Jeff Soo and Jim Butts
MOHAMMAD KAMAL WINS US GOLF CROQUET CHAMPIONSHIP -- After three days of competition at the National Croquet Center in Florida, Mohammad Kamal took the U.S. Golf Croquet title in a best of five finals against Sherif Abdelwalhab 7-2, 7-1, 7-4. The event featured the top level American GC players but only had a field of seven players. I certainly would think this event would fit much better sometime during the lighter summer schedule. I suppose heat is the consideration there, but it seems like a lot of events are jammed into the busy fall schedule competing against holidays, football and other croquet events. Early June or late August seems like it would be worth the risk.
Final GC Placings:
1. Mohammad Kamal
2. Sherif Abdelwahab
3. Len Canavan
3. David McCoy
5. Mike Gibbons
6. Cheryl Bromley
7. William Bromley
Semi-Final Results:
Mohammad Kamal defeated David McCoy 7-6, 7-5
Sherif Abdelwahab defeated Len Canavan 7-3, 7-4