CROQUET NEWS

Oct-Nov 2009

It is a busy fall season for the Croquet Players with a number of activities on the schedule.

In early September, Bald Head Island won accolades from visiting players in the North Carolina State Championships. Many of the best players in the country came to our facilities and enthusiastically expressed the hope to be invited here again. Particularly favorable comments centered about the quality of the food, the condition of the greenswards, and the helpful and friendly attitude of the staff.

In mid-September the annual Club Doubles Championship was played under the direction of Harper Peterson. The format for this event calls for players of all handicap levels to play with, and against, each other. Joe Ridgeway and Bob Porter won the final playoff. Dick Johnston and Brenda Quanstrom were runners-up while Judy Porter and Mike Boozell won third place cups.

Croquet Professionals Ron Lloyd and Danny Hunnicutt came to Bald Head for four days in early October. Trish Barnard, Croquet Club Education Chair, organized 41 hours of instruction time with both individual and group lessons made available to interested members.

Later in October, an Association Rules Tournament will be organized by John Knott for those who wish to play croquet according to international standards. To prepare for this event, a "Scrambler" was conducted by Dick Johnston and Art Morris to help acquaint members with some of the differences between American and Association rules.

On November 22, a wedding party has been scheduled at the BHIC and has asked that croquet lessons be given as part of their celebration. Members of the Croquet Club have volunteered to do this teaching. Croquet Club Membership Chair Marilyn Ridgeway will be planning similar introductory sessions for any Bald Head Island Club Members who wish to learn and play the game. The first of these events will be a Keg Croquet event to be scheduled later. Watch for details and come out to enjoy this great sport!