ROBERT FLETCHER. PHOTO BY KENT EANES.
The world’s top "Golf Croquet" players have gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, as the inaugural US Open Golf Croquet Championship starts today, January 6, and runs through Saturday, January 11. Hosted at the stunning National Croquet Center (700 Florida Mango Road), this week-long international event promises thrilling matches and an unmatched spectator experience.
Read MoreAs we prepare to close out an amazing year for the sport, Croquet Network is excited to present the 2025 Top 25 Croquet Power List on this New Year’s Eve. There was a lot of activity on the site in 2024 as we again saw new records for traffic. At the top of the list, the story remains familiar, as Dave Trimmer Mallets continues to widen its commanding lead over the competition. Meanwhile, the US College Croquet National Championship retains its stronghold in the runner-up position, hinting at its potential for even greater prominence with expanded coverage. As you explore the list, you’ll find it not only highlights the key moments of 2024 but also points to exciting opportunities for the sport’s future.
Read MoreThe 2024 Volume 4 Digital Edition of the USCA's Croquet News magazine is now available for viewing as an eMag. This Winter issue features extensive coverage of the 2024 WCF Golf Croquet World Championship that saw Blake Fields become the youngest GC World Champion.
Read MoreBlake Fields in play during the 2024 GC World Championship final. Photo by Kent Eanes.
In a stunning display of power croquet, 18-year-old American Blake Fields claimed the 2024 WCF Golf Croquet World Championship with a 7-5, 7-5, 3-7, 5-7, 7-0 finals win over Australia's Robert Fletcher yesterday at the Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club (CBCC) near Hartfield, Va.
Read MoreThe 2024 WCF GC World Championship delivered another entertaining day as play shifted from the round of 16 to the quarterfinals at the Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club near Hartfield, Va. Robert Fletcher (AUS), Euan Burridge (ENG), Khaled Kamel (EGY) and Blake Fields (USA) all advanced to the semifinal round with Kamel and Fields needing fifth games to advance.
Read MoreThe 2024 WCF Golf Croquet World Championship Round of 32 and 16 is one of the most entertaining days in croquet and yes, I will say it — all of sport. Eighty players battle for five days in block play to whittle down to 32. That first playoff day is a whirlwind of action as the day brings unpredictable best of three action and generally ends with only eight players left standing. It’s a nail-biter for top seeds and anyone following the event.
Read MoreAs part of our end-of-year traditions, Croquet Network is excited to present our 2023 Top 25 Croquet Power List as a standalone article on this New Year’s Eve. Congratulations to Dave Trimmer Mallets for topping our list for the year as the most popular keyword on Croquet Network. Trimmer Mallets finished #2 in 2022 just behind Matthew Essick, who slipped to #3 in this year. Overall, the list tells a story of the croquet year, with plenty of surprises.
Read MoreRainy conditions at London’s Hurlingham Club didn’t slow down Mathew Essick as he rolled through his semifinal against world #1 Robert Fletcher 26tp-6, 26tp-10, 26tp-0 to advance to his third straight world championship final. Accordingly, five-time WCF AC World Champion Robert Fulford made his way through to the final to set up a repeat of the 2022 Golf Croquet World Championship final.
Read MoreTwo US players have advanced to the 2023 WCF Association Croquet World Championship “Last Four” after working through their matches in relatively quick fashion earlier today. 2020 AC Worlds runner-up Matthew Essick was the first one through dispatching Mark Avery in three games, 26tp-9, 26-13, 26tp-0. Fellow American Tom Balding was next through as he worked past Alain Giraud (ENG) 26-9, 26-9, 26tp-9.
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Tom Balding kept his run going and will face Alain Giraud in the Last Eight. Photo by Andrew Moss.
Round Two of the WCF Association Croquet World Championships did not disappoint as there was plenty of action at Hurlingham as 16 players took to the courts looking for a chance to advance to the last eight. Here’s a quick summary of the day’s action. World #1 Robert Fletcher (AUS) was the first one through to the Last Eight based on a 3-0 win over #46 Gavin Carter (ENG) with three triples. That kept a streak of 14 straight games with a peeling finish for Fletcherhich means a peeling finish in 14 straight games.
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