The Hunter Mallet

Master Craftsman and former Structural Engineer Robert Morford made me an amazing mallet:
The mallet plays very similar to my Dawson and it is beautiful.

Made with a beautiful and dense african padauk wood and brass end caps and weights.

The holes are meant to allow for more peripheral weighting (the brass) and the sight line is a thin brass rod which allows for easy alignment. No tools are ever needed to tighten the fixed shaft or change weights. The mallet does not require maintenance.

The Nerd and the Jock

In this month's tactical column I would like to address the sticky subject of sports psychology. Croquet is an addictive game because of its complexity and confluence of different skills. A straight shooter can easily be undone with a few bad decisions, while a great strategist can often fail to execute her best laid plans. Conversely, a clever player can plan around his compromised accuracy and a fortunate player can shoot her way out of a bad line of play. It is this balance of tactics and technique that enthralls us.

But how do we reconcile these two different skills? How can we foster these twin processes and allow them to complement one another in a tense game situation? We must separate our single mindedness into two identities - we need to create a Nerd and a Jock.

The beginning of any turn involves an overall assessment of the situation. Our tactical nature must emerge and come up with a game plan involving an intricate understanding of risk versus reward; this is the Nerd.
The Nerd has memorized the shooting statistics, the pace of the game, the offensive opportunities, and even the wind shear. The Nerd will analyze the options and come up with plans A through Z in a dense decision tree based upon the success and failure of the next 27 shots. At this point, however, the Nerd needs to go sit down. All too often, players miss easy shots and say “I was just thinking about what to do next,” or “I was so worried about the danger ball, I was distracted.” This is a prime example of allowing the Nerd to take your shot. The Nerd is very good at tactical concerns, but it's a bench-warmer for a reason. After deciding on the appropriate line of play, the player must switch his or her concern to the execution and not the strategy. Now it is time to become the Jock.

The Nerd and the Jacques

The Jock is the designated hitter. All shooting practice and “in the zone” playing experiences are in the Jock's domain. When the player brings out the Jock, she does not think about why she must take this shot, only how to make it. The decision is made and the player must concentrate on aiming and producing that perfect swing that only the Jock can make. This produces an acceptance of the circumstances; the Jock trusts that the Nerd did its job, and executes without worrying about why.

This division of labor allows for a deeper concentration and improved focus on the task at hand. Separating the anxious, worrisome strategist from the pure shooter allows for a calmer state of mind. With this clarity of mind a player can bring on a “flow” state and begin to shoot more accurately and more precisely as if the shot selection was made by a coach. The designated hitter takes his or her signals from the batting coach, which allows the player to focus on swinging away.
When a decision needs to be made, step out of the batter's box and consult the Nerd. Once the choice has been made, swing for the fences.

Mission Hills Invitational 2010

The sun smiled upon the field in an Invitational with nearly perfect weather and a perfect finish to the 2010 Mission Hills Invitational. The annual American Rules contest showcased the best in the west and many welcome visitors escaping blizzards and general wintery weather. The diverse field came from all over the country including Washington, New Hampshire, Florida, and a large contingent from Pinehurst, North Carolina. All players were wowed with the fabulous croquet facility and wonderful hospitality at the Mission Hills Country Club.
The Club provided two scrumptious tournament dinners where tournament hosts, Jim and Phyllis Butts, honored visiting hall of famers Bob Chilton as well as Bill and Margie Campbell. The finals courtside luncheon was complete with a bloody mary and mimosa bar which possibly led to spectators asking themselves one timely question: How can you sandbag the championship flight?

Saturday, March 6th, “Sandy” Bob Van Tassell won the event with a "perfect game" according to opponent and tournament director, Ben Rothman. All marveled as Bob took an error-free game by Rothman and turned it into a convincing 26-3 victory.

The best kept secret in the California desert is out: Bob Van Tassell has arrived. Jerry Stark knew it when he nick-named Bob Van Tassell the "Sandbagger" or "Sandy Bob"at the US Open. The handle is no longer appropriate as Bob will never again be allowed in the other flights, but it proved true time and time again as “Sandy” Bob escalated his game and made a home out of the winner's circle.

Mimosa connoisseurs and croquet fans alike then turned their attention to the presidential shootout on the next lawn. Club President, Jim Butts, was in a tight game with VP, Ron Hendry, for third place. After trading blows for 90 minutes, the board was smeared with deadness and the players worse for wear. In last turns each faced a daunting hoop shot for the lead. With nine feet and a slight angle in front of him, Jim missed the go ahead wicket. A hush fell as Ron approached his severely angled and four foot long shot. It was so quiet, you could hear a glass clink. And then, BANG! The ball sailed through and the game was won with authority. Hendry yelled a jubilant "Hooo-wuh!" as the feast was served.

The first flight of this years invitational featured a tight field of ten players in the narrow handicap range of 4-5. In the two blocks Peter Bach and Rich Schiller showed great form by going undefeated into the playoff ladder. Unfortunately, the single elimination ladder got the best of them as they were eliminated in the first round! The flight was up for grabs! With a return to form, Steve Mossbrook showed that he is back. Steve recovered from a mediocre block performance (3-2) and started to destroy playoff opponents. On the other side of the ladder Chris Christian was the only player winning by a larger margin than Mossbrook, until they met. After a long deadness battle, Mossbrook took the championship convincingly 17-9.
The second flight included many players with 6 or 7 handicaps; hardly deserving of the self inflicted “pond scum” label. Rising to the top of the pond were two locals who exhibited their break running skill despite their 9 handicaps. Dick Engebretson made the #1 seed in his block with a 4-1 record only falling to the #2 seed Cindy Bagby by one point. A similar situation evolved in the other block as Mary Rodeberg went undefeated including a one point victory over young Jonathan Andrews who took the #2 seed. The end game and overtime were all too important in this flight as six out of the eight playoff games were decided by three or less points. Marvin Salles' clutch play won him the top prize. Time and time again Marvin came back from a deficit against Mary Rodeberg in the semi-final and won by one point in the final over Dick Engebretson. Have no fear second flighters, Marvin and Dick will be tearing up the first flight from now on. Which they got a taste of in the doubles.
The waterford doubles gave locals a chance to get to know the many visitors as a single serving partner. The doubles went seven rounds allowing for many interesting match-ups. The well balanced opposition gave anyone a chance to win if they played above their handicap. Having won last years first flight doubles, Donna Dixon was ready for the challenge of Championship flight, but her opponents were not ready for her. Donna defended her doubles dominance with a 6-1 record; securing the championship without any tie breakers. In the first flight Dick and Marvin did very well. In fact Dick was first in wins and net points, but he wasn't alone. Idaho based pilot, Peter Bach, managed to equal Dick Engebretson with 6 wins and 34 net points. In the final game, Peter Bach's team accrued enough gross points for Peter to claim the top prize in doubles.

In the end it was close games and perfect performances that highlighted this year's tournament. Perfect weather and great food helped to make a memorable tournament for any spectator. It's a shame that they only have this tournament once a year.

All Photos courtesy of Richard Nuffer www.PalmSpringsPhotography.net

Private Clubs Magazine Blurb

Mission Hills hosts croquet championship

Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., hosts the United States Croquet Association's Association Rules National Championship April 19-24. Home to the largest croquet facility west of the Mississippi, the club has 10 manicured lawns and internationally ranked Ben Rothman on staff as croquet instructor and tournament director. In 2009, the USCA also selected Mission Hills to host the American Rules National Championship. "Mission Hills' croquet facility is making a name for itself in the country, if not the world," Rothman says.

Seeing the Forest for the Trees

Croquet can be a very confusing game. Without a great deal of experience, many players find themselves going through the motions during the course of a match; trying to make the most out of every situation, but with no real method for deciding what to do. If things fall into place, they may make wickets and when things fall apart, they will probably run away. When this happened to me, I had my uncle to guide me. During my first San Francisco Open tournament he gave me three simple priorities to try to fill every time I wondered what to do. Having learned at the Detroit Croquet Club he called these the “Detroit Rules.” I have since found an easy way to remember these rules. The three rules are:
1.Make Wickets
2.Setup Partner
3.Go Out of Bounds
MSG, like the easy way to a tasty meal, is the simple path towards good tactics.

Make Wickets: When spectators asked Ren Kraft what he would do against the best players in the country he responded, “Well, first thing I'm gonna do is score 26 points.” It is the goal of the game. He who ends with the most points wins. Whether you make one hoop on a turn or run a break around the entire court, it is important to see the opportunities as they arise. Many new players get caught up in oddly defensive thought patterns and fail to see when the way is clear and opportunities are abound.
On the other hand, one must not attempt to make wickets when there is great risk. In American Rules this means do not hit partner unless you have a 90% chance of making your wicket (do not hit the opponent unless you have a 50% chance). These percentages and qualifiers are all relative, as every player will have his or her own definition of a 90% chance, but the important factor is confidence. My uncle Larry “the Croquet Guru” likes to equate deadness to a poker game. If you have 20,000 chips, hitting partner is like making a 10,000 chip bet. You're not all in, but you're committed. Relative cost for danger ball deadness is around 6,000 while spent ball deadness is a little less (4,000). If a player does not have confidence in the play or the execution to make their hoop very soon, move on to another priority and avoid unnecessary deadness.

Setup Partner: Repeat this phrase 10 times, “spent ball to partner.” The ball that just played, or the spent ball, is the best tool for setting up the partner ball. Only the danger ball plays after the striker and before the partner ball (hence the name “danger” or “hot” ball). Every ball but the danger ball may be used to help your partner. With clever positioning of the striker and spent ball, it is possible to hand your partner a break for several hoops. It is always nice to start a turn with a three ball break and even better to begin without having to get dead on partner. If the opponent misses a shot with you nearby, it can be much simpler to set up partner with the spent ball than to make your own hoops. That is why we repeat “spent ball to partner” and let it become our mantra when we setup partner.
While leaving partner a break or a rush to the hoop are the best ways to accomplish this goal, it can be accomplished by simply joining. The important factor is to give your partner a chance to make hoops while leaving the danger ball a difficult shot. This can be a line rush or just a ball to hit near the hoop. When setting up for any future turn, the player must understand the next rotation and the deadness. Look down the road at what is coming next and make sure it will not ruin those best laid plans. Give the opponent the play that you yourself would not like to make and force the adversary to make a more difficult play than you.

Go Out of Bounds: When all else fails, or is too risky to attempt, the boundary is the safest place. Some beginners argue that rushing from the boundary to their wicket is difficult, but it is much easier to join up when partner is sitting on a boundary. When partners join up on court, they are a huge target for attack from even the most rudimentary attacker. It can also be very difficult to set a rush when the balls are joined on court. Sometimes the best strategic position on the boundary is near your partner's wicket, or a seemingly random spot behind a ball on court. This is often called “backing” the ball. The player shoots out of bounds behind the ball left on court so that if the opponent shoots and misses, they end up joining the boundary ball.



There is flexibility. In certain game situations, generally when the dead board looks more like a rainbow than a clean slate, a shrewd player will use more than one rotation to satisfy a priority. Making an attack to setup partner or getting dead on partner is much safer when the deadness allows for the striker ball to end the turn in position at their hoop.

Use MSG at the beginning of a turn, or after an unexpected shot. Often, while running a break, the balls begin to go wayward and the player can re-assess their tactical situation after making a hoop. Occasionally the opposition makes an error and the most efficient way to take advantage is to go through the list of priorities. This is not the end-all be all, but it can help you to come up with a plan without using a time-out.

"Sandy" Bob Van Tassell Perfects the Mission Hills Final

The best kept secret in the California desert is out:
Bob Van Tassell has arrived. Jerry Stark knew it when
he nick-named Bob as the "Sandbagger" or "Sandy Bob"at
the US Open.

Bob has most recently exhibited his skill at the 2010
Mission Hills Classic; Saturday, March 6th, "Sandy Bob"
won the event with a "perfect game" according to
opponent and tournament director, Ben Rothman.

"There were no mistakes in that game" was a common
statement on the buzzing sideline. The game played out
in simple form:

After a short and boring Chernobyl, where Bob kept the
yellow ball out of the game; Bob eventually came in and
joined in corner one. Rothman, undefeated at this point,
took a cut rush to the attack from corner four. After a
few controlled boundary shots, the young pro sent Red
away towards hoop four while pass-rolling to position at
hoop two. The hoop was made and the leave was set when
Bob composed himself and hit a 55-foot roquet of a ball
that had only three feet to roll before going out of
bounds. The ball rolled and came to a rest with feet to
spare.

Van Tassell ran a crisp break with four balls around to
the peg and set a wonderful leave for his partner.
Facing the "Groom of Doom", Ben opted to corner rather
than shoot an 80-foot version of Bob's hit in.

The steady competitor took the second break to the end
and met outrageous applause from the crowd. After a
celebratory hug, the finalists compared notes and shook
hands of congratulations and commiseration. Bob's 26-3
win was his third championship in the desert this year.
Bob took the Pat Apple Bisque Tournament title in
January and the Scrambled Doubles victory in February.

The spectators soon recovered from their state of awe
and returned from the line at the Bloody Mary bar to
watch a tight battle between Club Officials, Jim Butts
(President) and Ron Hendry (Vice President) for third
place. After trading blows for 90 minutes, the board was
smeared with deadness and the players worse for wear. In
last turns each faced a daunting hoop shot for the lead.
With nine feet and a slight angle in front of him, Jim
missed the go ahead wicket. A hush fell as Ron
approached his severely angled and four foot long shot.
It was so quiet, you could hear a glass clink. And then
BANG! The ball sailed through and the game was won with
authority. Hendry yelled a jubilant "Hooo-wuh!" and the
crowd applauded as the chief hailed the victor.


CHAMPION FLIGHT SINGLES
NAME               HDCP
1. Bob Van Tassell  1
2. Ben Rothman     -3
3. Ron Hendry       0
4. Jim Butts       -1
5. Horace Hayworth 0.5
5. Mike Taylor     1.5
5. Mike Orgill     0.5
5. Bill Martin      0
9. Janet Hamilton  2.5
9. Bob Chilton       0
9. Len Lyon        3.5
9. Bill Hamilton    3

FIRST FLIGHT SINGLES
NAME               HDCP
1. Steve Mossbrook  5
2. Chris Christian 4.5
3. Bob Kays         4
4. Conrad Haas      5
5. Rich Schiller    4
5. Peter Bach       5
5. Donna Dixon      4
5. Russell Hanson   5
9. Alan Langley    4.5
9. Phyllis Butts    5

SECOND FLIGHT SINGLES
NAME               HDCP
1. Marvin Salles    9
2. Dick Engebretson 9
3. Jonathan Andrews 6
4. Mary Rodeberg    6
5. Cindy Bagby      6
5. Marie Haas       6
5. Jean Engebretson 10
5. Toni Kemp        10
9. Judy Dahlstrom   6
9. Pat Apple        7
9. Karen Comeau     10
9. Carie Shapiro    11

CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLES
NAME               HDCP
1. Donna Dixon      4
2. Horace Hayworth 0.5
3. Bob Chilton      0
4. Bob Van Tassell  1
5. Rich Schiller    4
6. Mike Orgill     0.5
7. Mike Taylor     1.5
8. Bill Martin      0
9. Jim Butts       -1
10. Ron Hendry     0.5
11. Arthur Bagby   0.5
12. Bill Hamilton   3

FIRST FLIGHT DOUBLES
NAME               HDCP
1. Peter Bach       5
2. Dick Engebretson 9
3. Marvin Salles    9
4. Marie Haas       6
5. Jonathan Andrews 6
6. Steve Mossbrook  5
7. Mary Rodeberg    6
8. Russell Hanson   5
9. Toni Kemp        10
10. Pat Apple       7
11. Judy Dahlstrom  6
12. Conrad Haas     5
13. Karen Christian 9
14. Phyllis Butts   5
15. Carie Shapiro   11
16. Alan Langley   4.5