We've waited quite some time, but the results of the 2015 USCA Grand Prix have not been made public. So, this poll which ran in January last year has been delayed. The USCA traditionally announces their Player of the Year based on the winner of the Grand Prix. This Croquet Network poll is intended to provide a people's US player of the year choice. The nominees are based on the following:
Read MoreUSCA Visits the Capitol
The United States Croquet Association has designated October 4, 2015 as "9 Wicket Croquet Day." In celebration, the USCA is hosting the National 9 Wicket Championship October 2-4, 2015, on the National Mall at West Potomac Park, Washington, D.C. The view from the courts should be spectacular with the Lincoln, Washington and Jefferson Monuments all in view. Registration will be at Ohio Drive SW and West Basin Dr. SW.
There will be Championship flights in singles and doubles play for the National Championship title. Three time singles and doubles champion George Cochran will be returning with his winning soubles partner John Warlick. Another past Singles winner, Stephen Morgan of Capital Croquet Club will also be vying for the title.
Croquet Poll: 2014 US Player of the Year
With Jeff Soo and Ben Rothman battling to a tie with three US national titles each in 2014, we thought we would start the year off by letting the readers vote in the first annual Croquet Network US Player of the Year Poll to get the people's choice. We're also including any player that gained a USCA national title in 2014 along with some of the top finishers in the 2014 USCA Grand Prix, so you have plenty of options to vote for the best performance:
Read MoreMorning Coffee: Soo Claims 2014 Grand Prix
TIGHT GP RACE FOR 2014: With 2014 in the books, that brings another USCA Grand Prix to a close. The standings show that Jeff Soo edged out Ben Rothman with 22,225 points to Rothman's 19,515. Based on Rothman's three national titles (USCA Singles, GC Singles and GC Doubles) versus Soo's two titles (AC Singles and USCA Doubles), it could again spell controversy for the USCA which uses the Grand Prix to select the USCA Player of the Year.
Read MoreMiller is the New US Nine Wicket Champion
Paul Miller on his way to a national titlePaul Miller defeated Matt Griffith 24-15 to claim the 2014 USCA Nine Wicket Singles National Championship. Miller beat former champ George Cochran 27-20 in the semifinals while Griffith took down Doug Moore 32-26 to advance.
Morning Coffee: USCA 9W Nationals Primer
The USCA returns to Kansas City today to host the 2014 Nine Wicket National Championship at Liberty Memorial. It is arguably the most visible setting the sport has enjoyed since the days of Wimbledon. I suppose there is Central Park, but even those courts are sort of hidden away. Players will be in wide-open view near the Memorial and the National WWI Museum which all rests at the southern part of downtown Kansas City.
Read MoreMorning Coffee: Clarke Croquet
When I heard that Chris and Jenny Clarke were launching a croquet instruction website, I was definitely skeptical. Oxford Croquet has it all covered, right? I was pleasantly surprised though as I took my first spin through. Essentially, what I see is more plain-spoken approach that is concise and with adequate amount of graphics. The format is nice as a sort of page by page navigation and I could see that translating easily into a print book (that I would gladly purchase). I am hoping there is a save my place function that I will discover in my next visit.
Cochran Wins Midwest Regionals
2014 Midwest Regional Champ George Cochran in action on day oneTULSA, OKLAHOMA -- The 2014 USCA Midwest Regionals held this past weekend in Tulsa, Oklahoma, nearly avoided rain, but with about 20 minutes left in the championship games the sky opened up.2014 USCA Midwest Regionals-Day 1
TULSA, OKLAHOMA -- The 2014 USCA Midwest Regionals rolled out the balls at 8:00 a.m. this morning. In championship flight, it was two games of doubles and two games of singles for day one. Unfortunately, the scoresheets left the courts before I could take photos, so I will try to do better on that tomorrow.
Read MoreMorning Coffee: U.S. Nationals Start and Selection 8's Results
Visit the storeNovember is kicking off strong with the USCA American Rules Nationals and Australian Open both now in progress. Details below point to how you can follow the U.S. event. So far, I haven't found much on updates for the event down under. Here's your latest news from the croquet scene--
USCA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: The USCA National Championship is under way at Mission Hills Croquet Club in Rancho Mirage, California. Finals are scheduled for Saturday and your can catch updates on the event in the Americas Forum on Croquet World Online or on the USCA's Twitter page--
http://twitter.com/#!/USCroquet