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

U.S. SELECTION EIGHTS: Chris Patmore and Ben Rothman tied for the top position in the U.S. First Eight with 10-3 record. Danny Huneycutt suffered from a kidney stone on the final day and that affected a potential opportunity for Jim Bast to push into the top slot. David Maloof won the second eight and George Cochran won the third eight. Derek Wassink won the fourth eight, although official final standings have not yet been posted for that group. Results for the first three eights can be found on the Overdrive site--
http://croquet.ning.com/forum/topics/patmore-and-rothman-tie-at-usca-eights

WCF ELECTION UPDATE: Two candidates have been nominated for President: Amir Ramsis Naguib and Stephen Mulliner. Full Members have to vote by November 24 and the successful candidate will take up their post on January 1, 2012. For the Management Committee itself, there were four candidates for four vacancies, so an election is not necessary and the four also take up their roles on January 1. Keith Aiton and Gordon Smith have been re-appointed and we welcome Michael Orgill (USA) and Chris Wakeham (South Africa) to the MC. Candidate manifestos can be found on this page under the 2011 heading--
http://www.wcfcroquet.org/Organisation/managementcommittee.htm

KANSAS CITY AC CHAMPIONSHIP: Billy Bob Breeden was the winner of the four-man Kansas City Association Championship. The event was played out over three dates this fall with each player playing 10 games. Photos available here with details and results located on the MCA website--
http://missouricroquet.squarespace.com/missouri-croquet/2011/11/5/breeden-is-kansas-citys-ac-champion.html

OCTOBER MEMBER OF THE MONTH: Matt Smith scored a new Croquet Network coffee mug (as pictured above) as the top member of the Croquet Network Overdrive site for October. We're renewing the contest for November and you can boost your ranking by posting comments, events, photos and videos. Winner gets to choose any item from the Croquet Network store under $25. Smith (and your editor) are not eligible for the November prize. Bob Chilton has the early lead in the standings and you can see how that race is progressing here--
http://croquet.ning.com/leaderboards/topmembers/month

DIEGO FALL BALL: Jim Butts won the A flight at the San Diego Fall Ball Event. Read the full report on the Overdrive site--
http://croquet.ning.com/forum/topics/san-diego-fall-ball-singles-report