The 2022 Volume 4 Digital Edition of the USCA's Croquet News magazine is now available for viewing as an eMag. This Winter edition features an interview with new WCF Golf Croquet World Champion Matthew Essick along with coverage of the GC World Championship. The issue also cover the 2022 USCA Association National Championship, the Florida Nine Wicket Regional Championship and a member profile on Brian Lozano.
Read MoreWCF Announces New Ranking Regulations
The WCF has announced that the member organizations have voted to approve the new ranking regulations. These are now available to view on the Statutes & Regulations page of the website: worldcroquet.org/wcf-business/statutes-regulations/
These regulations govern the operation of the Association Croquet Grading System (ACGS) and the Golf Croquet Grading System (GCGS) which are used to generate ranking lists of individual players and teams in relation to AC and GC respectively.
Read MoreCMOZ: White to Play
Your Croquet Moment of Zen for April 2016:
Read MoreYoung 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.
Beginner's Guide to Croquet Variations
The sport of croquet is wonderfully accommodating in that it has variations intended to span casual social play all the way up to an ultra-elite level of play. And from another perspective, there are variations that work on normal household lawns (mowed short please) and then versions intended for true croquet courts that utilize grass similar to golf greens, but ideally able to achieve faster lawns speeds (and flatness).
Read More2015 Women's AC Championship Dates
The organizing committee for the WCF Women's AC World Championship has announced that the WCF and the Croquet Association to hold the event at the Nottingham Croquet Club from July 25 to August 1, 2015. The event is being run in support of Cancer Research UK.
On September 21, the WCF will formally be inviting members to participate in the championship and to nominate players. Advance information for those who may be interested in playing is now available on the event's website at http://www.wacwc2015.org.
USCA Expands to a Sixth Eight
After initially launching as a 40-player event, Danny Huneycutt announced yesterday that the USCA's Selection Eights event will add a sixth eight and include 48 players. The current list of players and waiting list follows. Each group is in order by the Selection Committee ranking. If any players opt out, players will be promoted to the next group by rank.
Read MoreCroquet Poll: Most Prestigious US Croquet Event
With the USCA AC National Championship wrapping up this weekend at Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, California, it's a good time to ponder whether or not the landscape of US croquet is shifting. Vote for the event that you think is perceived to carry the most important title for American croquet players.
Association Croquet Rules Summary
Association Laws (Rules) Croquet has traditionally been considered the main form of competitive six-wicket croquet played internationally. It is commonly referred to as AC for Association Croquet.
The game is played on a standard six-wicket court 28 yards by 35 yards with one peg in the center. It is played with four balls with blue and black opposed to red and yellow. One player plays blue and black while the opponent would play red and yellow. The first side to play both balls through the entire 12 wicket pattern wins the game.
Lightning Round: With Robert Fletcher
Six Questions: Robert Fletcher
New World Champion Robert Fletcher took some time over the past few days to answer a lightning round of six questions just after his blitz through the ACWC.
#1 - So, you really just rolled through this World Championship (23-0) at a time when it seems like there are a lot of players out there with legitimate title chances. Can you explain how that happened? Is it your that playing has moved to another level or are there other factors?
I think I just played really consistently, I didn't do anything fancy, I just played solid croquet all week. I had played deep into Worlds before, so I knew what to expect in the later rounds.
#2 - Despite the 3-0 score, the final with Paddy seemed fairly interactive. Can you talk about how that match went and maybe what the key to you gaining control?
It was interactive, mainly due to the hoops being put in new holes that day. Surbiton has a clay base which makes for very tough hoops, plus the variable pace of the lawn. We both took some time to adjust to the hoops, but it was probably my shooting throughout the first two games that made the difference.
#3 - A World Championship is an incredible lifetime achievement and you've done it at the age of 20. It would almost seem to be overwhelming. Can you describe what it was like once you got that final peg out?
I was relieved, that the match was over (as it had been long and tough), and delighted to have come through on top!
#4 - Can you give us any insight on what you think distinguishes a top 10 world player from the rest of the field?
Top 10 players are generally good shots, consistent TPers, good at pegged off tactics and have a better mental approach than other players.
#5 - And what is your approach to Association Croquet in the actual game -- do you feel like you are playing against your opponent, the court or yourself?
The court when I am playing breaks (i.e. what lines of play I should take or what strokes to play), but I am definitely aware of who I am playing with regard to leave setting and choice of shot.
#6 - What's in your future plans, both near term and long term?
Short term; preparing for the MacRobertson Shield in NZ this December, which will include the Australian President's 8, and the Australian Open singles and doubles Championship. Long term; continuing to improve my game and working toward retaining my World title.
Photo provided by Adrian Wadley. See the full gallery here.