Over $18,000 In Cash Prizes — Largest Funding In Croquet History Represents A New Multi-Year Strategic Partnership For The Tournament

In a move to attract new players and increase support for the serious sport of American Six Wicket Croquet, the Croquet Foundation of America, Inc. (CFA) and the JER and Linda Chilton Foundation, have announced a multi-year, strategic partnership to introduce the New Steuber Classic Croquet Tournament.

Kicking off officially in February 2025, the New Steuber Classic Croquet Tournament will also celebrate the CFA’s founding board member and championship croquet player, JER (Bob) Chilton. The JER and Linda Chilton Foundation, in addition to an earlier bequest of $100,000 to the CFA, will annually award $15,000 to the winners and finalists of the new tournament, enhancing the extraordinary support of the Charles P. (Chuck) Steuber family. Steuber conceived, largely funded and built the National Croquet Center (NCC) in West Palm Beach, Fla.

“The CFA is honored to partner with Bob and Linda’s Foundation to take the Steuber Classic to the next level. I had the great privilege of knowing Bob as a croquet player, frequent partner and friend. I know he would be delighted with this concept because we spoke often about finding new ways to popularize American Rules Croquet — his favorite, and the most strategically complex version of the game,” says W. David McCoy, Chairman, Croquet Foundation of America, Inc. “Bob would also love that we are handsomely rewarding those who play the sport at the highest level in each flight.”

“My husband always had a gift for living life to the fullest, seeing the world and wanting to share his enthusiasm with others. This was especially true for the ‘art of the game’ of croquet,” Missy Diack-Chilton, Board President, JER and Linda Chilton Foundation, says. “With the New Steuber Classic in 2025, we are honoring his legacy by encouraging new and existing American Rules croquet players as well as attracting the world’s finest players to compete for the honor and excitement of winning the Chilton Perpetual Trophy in the American Rules Championship Flight.”

The New Steuber Classic Croquet Tournament

The New Steuber Classic, a United States Croquet Association (USCA) sanctioned event, will take place from Wednesday, February 26, to Sunday, March 2, 2025. A total of $15,000 in prize money, granted by the JER and Linda Chilton Foundation, will be awarded to the winners and finalists in all flights of American Rules Croquet. This tournament also includes golf croquet (a single-shot version of the game), for those who compete in that category. At least $3,000 in prize money will be awarded to the winners and finalists in their flights in this popular version of the sport. This tournament is hosted by the National Croquet Club to benefit the National Croquet Center. Additional funds are provided by the Steuber family (Charles and Victor) as well as individual sponsors in support of the tournament and the National Croquet Center.

About the Tournament

The courts will open for practice on Tuesday, February 25, at 2:00 p.m. Doubles play in American Rules and Golf Croquet will take place all day February 26, followed by an opening reception that night. Singles play takes place February 27 through March 2, 2025.

In addition, a U.S. Croquet Hall of Fame Gala Dinner and Induction Ceremony will be held on February 28 and a Grand Buffet Awards Luncheon will be held midday on March 2. Following the awards later that day, there will be a 50-50 drawing for up to $10,000 and other prizes.

Tournament registration and entry fees will be announced in September 2024. For additional information, please call the National Croquet Center at 561-478-2300, Ext 3.