2017 Croquet News Volume 2, Web Edition

The 2017 Volume 2 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 on articles you'll find in the 2017V2 issue:

  • Ted Prentis: Larger Than Life
  • 2017 MacRobertson Shield Report
  • Hall Fame Nominee: Digby Bridges
  • 2017 Mid-Atlantic Regional Results
  • 2017 Southeast Regional Report/Results
  • Member Profile: Michael Albert
  • Club Profile: Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club
  • Let’s Talk Tactics: Chase Theory Tribute 

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.

Ted Prentis

From USCA President Sara Low:

It is with deep sadness that I have to report the death of Teddy Prentis. Teddy was in Bermuda playing croquet, doing what he loved most, when a tragic road accident took his life this morning.

A giant in the croquet world, Teddy was inducted in the U.S. Croquet Hall of Fame in 1989. Throughout his life, he held eight USCA National Titles and served as Director of the USCA’s National School in addition to winning or running an uncountable number of club tournaments and teaching positions. We all loved him for his athletic ability in the sport, his knowledge of and position within its history, his commitment to teaching us to improve our play and his great sense of humor.

You will always be a player of distinction, Teddy. We will miss you terribly.

2016 USCA Croquet News Volume 2, Web Edition

The 2016 Volume 2 issue of the USCA's Croquet News magazine delivered to the mailhouse last week and should be arriving in member's mailboxes this month. The web edition PDF is also now available to USCA members on the magazine page of the USCA website (log in required).

It was quite a line-up of croquet events that took place since the last edition of the magazine as the AC World Championships were held in April, followed by the GC World Team Championship, the 9-Wicket National Championship, the Solomon Trophy test and the surprise of the summer as Ben Rothman became the first American to win the British Open singles title (check out the list of winners for the Open for some perspective on that accomplishment).

In addition, five of the six USCA Regionals were held over the Spring/Summer and we squeezed them all in. It's a jam-packed issue and we hope you enjoy it ... here's the full run-down of articles:

  • USCA Hosts Epic AC Worlds
  • 2016 US Hall of Fame Inductees: Damon Bidencope and Bert Myer
  • 2016 National 9 Wicket Championship
  • 2016 Northeast Regional Tournament
  • 2016 Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament
  • 2016 Western Regional Tournament
  • 2016 Midwest Regional Tournament
  • 2016 Southeast Regional Tournament
  • Club Profile: Pasadena Croquet Club
  • Member Profile: Ben Rothman
  • Hydration article from Russ Dilley
  • Bob and Ted On Tactics: Pivot Ball 
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USCA Croquet News, 2015 Volume 2 Web Edition

Click to ZoomThe 2015 Volume 2 issue of the Croquet News mailed this week and should be hitting mailboxes soon. The web edition is also now available to USCA members on the magazine page. This time around we've created a few little extras in the web edition, so have fun checking those out. A few of the highlights include:

FROM THE SOLOMON TROPHY COVERAGE
When Captain Samir Patel was bringing the sterling silver Solomon Trophy through customs, he was asked if he was planning to leave anything of value in the USA. His response, "Of course not."

FROM THE JOHN OSBORN PROFILE
Ted 
Prentis was my partner and he told me, toward the end of a match, 
that if I missed a shot we would lose. We were so far ahead I argued 
with him, then missed the shot ... and then lost. There is a lesson 
there, and one day I will figure out what it might be.

FROM
JEFF SOO'S CLANKOPHOBIA ARTICLE
I bore you with all this because one of the most persistent myths 
about hoop-running is that you should play the stroke so as to impart topspin to the ball. This is impossible, if we take “topspin” to mean forward rotation beyond that of a normally rolling ball. What you want is not topspin, but instead a ball that is rolling rather than skidding when it reaches the hoop.
In addition, you will find coverage on:
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USCA's Croquet News: 2014 Volume 3 Edition

The USCA's Croquet News Volume 3 for 2014 went to press just prior to the holidays and is hopefully mailing this week. If you would like to enjoy a sneak preview, you can now access a PDF of this issue in the member's section of the USCA website along with back issues all the way back to 2007.

USCA Croquet News 2014, Volume 3This issue is overloaded as we’ve squeezed in features on Nine Wicket Nationals, USCA Nationals, Seniors Masters, GC Nationals and Selection Eights. We are excited to bring back feature level coverage to the Eights, which many players consider to be our premier event. And with Nine Wicket Nationals taking a quantum leap by hosting the 2014 edition at the historic Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, we are excited to provide an in-depth report on the growing success of the newest USCA championship series.

We have also launched a new Committee Guest Column and Club Profile department. The guest column this issue is from Cheryl Bromley on the Golf Croquet Committee. Going forward we will rotate the column each issue to include all of the key USCA committees. Our goal is to give members a view into the overall progress of the USCA across all sectors of the organization. Our club profile features the New York Croquet Club in this issue and again, we'll continue to explore new clubs in future editions.

Unfortunately, the sport lost a few key figures this fall. Ted Prentis and Jeff Soo have written wonderful tributes to John Solomon and Mack Penwell that are essential reading for all American croquet players. Beyond just recognizing Solomon and Penwell, both pieces provide valuable insight into the history of croquet in the US.

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Morning Coffee: Australian Gateball Championship

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Nominations close for the 2011 Australian Gateball Championships this Friday (August 19). A limited number of places remain for the event. The event will be held from 16-18 September 16-18 at Newcastle National Park Croquet Club. Spectators are welcome throughout the event with the finals to be held on Sunday, September 18. Entries to date indicate that of the 170+ competitors around 50 will be from China, Japan, Nepal and India with the remaining 120 from the eastern Australian states.

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