PLAYER JOURNAL BY LEO NIKORA:

The 2016 United States Open is being held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA, on December 6-10.  It is hosted by the Mission Hills Croquet Club. 

The opening party was held at the 55^th Hole bar at the Country Club.  Twenty players and nine guest attended the gala.  Tournament Director Rory Kelley, demurred, and Assistant Tournament Director Doug Grimsley presided.  

There are two flights of ten players each.  

Open Flight

Brian Cumming of Elora, ONT

Charlie Smith of St. Helena, CA

Dan Pailas of Denver, CO

Doug Grimsley of Vienna, VA

Jim Butts of Rancho Mirage, CA

Leo Nikora of Rancho Mirage, CA

Paul Bennet of Phonix, AZ

Ren Kraft of Phoenix, CA

Richard Curtis of Rochester, NY

Rory Kelley of Phoenix, AZ

“A” Flight

Bob Morford of Cathedral City, CA

Cameron Evans of Rancho Mirage, CA

Donna Dixon of Rancho Mirage, CA

Mary Rodeberg of Rancho Mirage, CA

Mike Orgill of Rohnert Park, CA

Nick Gray of Rancho Mirage, CA

Pat Dugan of Rancho Mirage, CA

Steve Mossbrook of Rancho Mirage, CA

Toni Kemp of Rancho Mirage, CA

Tracy Roche of Rancho Mirage, CA

Block play is a full round-robin (nine games).  The top eight players advance to a round-robin playoff (three games).  The top two players advance to the final (one game), and the next two players play for third place (one game).

For the first time in its 29-year history, the format will not be a Patmore Draw!  There were mixed reactions among the players.

Games start at 7:30 AM.  Every player plays in each of the three time slots in each of the first three days!  There was some grumbling among the players. 

Ren Kraft is the Tournament Director.  I learned from him that the United States Open used to be the “wild card” qualifier for the World Championship held for many years at Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards.  Rory told me that Ren is the only one to have played in every one of those World Championships! 

See more pictures in the 2016 United States Open album.