2017 Croquet News Volume 1, Web Edition

The 2017 Volume 1 issue of the USCA's Croquet News magazine is now available as a PDF for USCA members on the magazine page of the USCA website (log in required).

Here's the full run-down of articles you'll find in the 2017V1 issue:

  • 2017 World Golf Croquet Championship
  • 2017 USCA AC Laws National Championship
  • Club Teams / Croquet Week Coverage
  • 2017 Florida Golf Croquet Regional
  • Member Profile: Johnny Mitchell
  • Club Profile: Sarasota County Croquet Club
  • 2016 USCA Awards Winners
  • On Tactics: Plan Your Escape

ABOUT THE PDF EDITION: All website and e-mail links should be live in the PDF. If you see an interesting reference, you can click through to dig deeper or reach a contact right away. On computers, the PDF version is best viewed as "two-up" and "show cover page" if you want to see the full spreads (on your Adobe Reader top menu: View/Page Display). The PDF should also be viewable on most tablets.

2016 USCA Croquet News Volume 1, Web Edition

The 2016 Volume 1 issue of the USCA's Croquet News magazine mailed in April and should be arriving in member's mailboxes soon. Today, the web edition PDF is also now available to USCA members on the magazine page of the USCA website. A few of the highlights include:

USCA PRESIDENT'S ROUNDTABLE
In this feature, I held an email roundtable discussion with current USCA President Johnny Mitchell and recent presidents Eugene Young and Rich Curtis. The discussion touched on a range of topics around current USCA challenges and the future vision. Excerpt:

"Promoting the sport is an entirely different issue. I know that all those who are involved in croquet truly have a passion for it and have a hard time understanding why more don’t play. Yes, we have seen pockets of expansion. North Carolina is a good example of this, but I feel it is not as easy as just trying to follow that model. Each area of the country is unique. What works in one may not be effective in another. Development is dependent on having local support. No matter where or who you may sell the idea of croquet to, unless some local support or the drive to keep it going is there, it just won’t work."
--Johnny Mitchell

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Young Players Ready For ACWC Exhibition

Younger players are setting a new tone for elite level Association Croquet with a special exhibition game open to visitors and press at noon on Friday, April 15, 2016, at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.  

Some, like 17-year-old football player Matthew Essick from North Carolina, grew up in croquet families.   Others, including the two teenagers from New Zealand, learned croquet at secondary schools in a program sponsored and run by the country's national croquet organization. They are in West Palm Beach to compete at the WCF World Assocation Croquet Championship next week and will go up against a field of 80 players from 13 different countries.
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Morning Coffee: USCA 9W Nationals Scratched

I received an email from local player Ron Millican yesterday indicating he had been informed that the USCA had cancelled the Nine Wicket Croquet National Championship in Washington, D.C. From the USCA, president Johnny Mitchell provided the following statement:

"The (we assume) Park Service cancelled all activities on the Mall and Park areas because of wet ground. Participants that are there and prepared to play are trying to plan an alternative event. They have received my approval to make it a sanctioned event. I don't know at this point if this will be considered a National or if we will reschedule. I am awaiting further updates on the situation. It appears that reports have the hurricane moving more toward the east and not arriving in the area until Monday. It may not be an issue at all."

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Croquet Network Episode #2 - Ben Rothman (1:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern)

The second episode of Croquet Network's live radio show will be aired today at 1:30 p.m. (U.S. Eastern). The episode will be available for replay shortly after. Joining the show today will be Ben Rothman to discuss his USCA Nationals title earned over the weekend in West Palm Beach, Florida. USCA President Johnny Mitchell will also join the show to discuss the event as he acted as tournament manager. Show link:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/croquetnetwork/2012/10/23/croquet-network-2--2012-usca-nationals-wrap

Morning Coffee: Mitchell Will Be USCA President

Visit the storeWell, I think we're finally back from a little un-planned holiday hiatus. It seems quiet at Croquet Network, but I can assure you that there has been a lot of action behind the scenes. Look for some news to come out before the end of March. In the meantime, let's catch up on some headlines ...

MITCHELL WILL HEAD USCA: The new issue of Croquet News is out and the top news surfacing from that issue is that Gene Young will leave his post as USCA President after three years. Taking his place will be Johnny Mitchell, a long-time member

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Morning Coffee: USCA Grand Prix, NZ Earthquake Donation and MCA News

CQNet StoreThe Croquet New Zealand website has a page available for people that would like to donate to the Canterbury Croquet Clubs for repairs needed from the February 22 earthquake that hit Christchurch, New Zealand. The page has several photos that show the damage to the courts and clubs --
http://www.croquet.org.nz/?id=293&entityType=HTML

The 2011 USCA Grand Prix is underway and Johnny Mitchell has an early lead. Top 10 listed below or

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