Here's a primer on the upcoming British Open. Draws are listed below (from Nott's List), but let's start with some info on the event:

-The event will be played July 7-15 at the Cheltenham Croquet Club

-The format is Swiss for qualification to the knockout playoff.

-Recent USCA Nine-Wicket National champion Stephen Morgan is in the singles event. I can't think of two more opposite events -- on the other hand, croquet is croquet. Morgan draws a player named Reg Bamford to open.

-Croquetrecords.com lists the first British Opens as having been played in 1867 and won by Walter Whitmore

-Reg Bamford has won the last two singles events and has eight wins overall. John Solomon won the singles event 10 times to claim the overall lead.

-Robert Fulford has nine singles event wins and is participating in this year's edition.

-John Solomon won the singles event six straight times from 1963 to 1968 -- the most consecutive wins in the history of the Opens.

-The most interesting name amongst the singles winners -- AHE Spong. Spong won the event in 1878, 1880, 1881 and 1882.

-Dorothy Steel won the event four times.

Doubles - All starting 1pm Saturday

James Death & Robert Fulford
Jeff Dawson & Samir Patel
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Dave Kibble & Chris Williams
Andrew Hope & Martin Murray
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David Goacher & Peter Trimmer
Nick Mounfield & Richard M Smith
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Christian Carter & Gabrielle Higgins
Miranda Chapman & Paddy Chapman
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Jamie Burch & Marcus Evans
David Foulser & Dave Mundy
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Louise Bradforth & Strat Liddiard
Keith Aiton & James Hopgood
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Stephen Mulliner & Mark Ormerod
George Noble & Ian Vincent
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Alain Giraud & Robert Wilkinson
Mark Avery & David Maugham

Stephen Morgan unfortunately did not get a partner.

Singles first round 10am Monday
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Reg Bamford v Stephen Morgan
Samir Patel v Richard M Smith
Robin Brown v Dave Mundy
James Death v Andrew Hope
Peter Trimmer v Dave Kibble
Jamie Burch v George Noble
Chris Williams v Mark Ormerod
David Maugham v Louise Bradforth
Martin French v Alison Sharpe
Mark Avery v Christian Carter
Jeff Dawson v Alain Giraud
Paddy Chapman v Strat Liddiard
Miranda Chapman v David Foulser
Stephen Mulliner v Ian Vincent
Keith Aiton v Nick Mounfield
Robert Fulford v Cliff Jones
David Goacher v Gabrielle Higgins
Marcus Evans v Duncan Hector
James Hopgood v Martin Murray