Two time National Champion!!!!

I did it!



I accomplished a several of my long term goals on sunday the 19th of April. Not only did I manage to win the highly competitive singles championship (without losing a any playoff games) but Doug Grimsley and I managed to win the doubles championship as well. This was not new for Doug, in fact, he won last year with Leo McBride. It had always been a pipe dream to win both championships in one day. I was super excited that I had two chances at a National title, I never hoped to win both.

It was mostly a result of consitently hitting in. During the last few days of the tournament I managed to hit around 75% of all hit-ins under 20 yards, which is remarkable for me. My long shot peaked at just the right time. I've always enjoyed the saying, "it's better to be lucky than good".

I've decided to make a change

I am not blind. I realize that in trying to put up full reports, my blog is months behind reality. While I will continue to publish full reports of major tournaments and periods of time on tour, I will supplement that material with brief updates.

I hope this will meet my goal of helping friends and family stay updated on the events in which I participate. This may crowd the blog, but I plan on labeling full posts so they can be found easily by clicking on the "tour" label on the right column.

Association Rules Amateur National Championships

After a poorly attended tournament in 2008 (only 17 participants) it was a shock to have 15 players in the first flight of the 2009 national championships. Along with the 28 in the championship flight (three of which played in both tournaments) the USCA had a record setting 40 players for the Association Rules National Championships. During the wonderful opening reception at competitor Mike Taylor and Elaine Moody's estate, tournament directors Ron Lloyd and Ben Rothman dubbed the inaugural event the Amateur National Championships.

While there were a few veteran players (including favorites Tommy Harrington, Bob Whitmore and Frank Thompson) many of the participants were association rules rookies. Those few in their first tournament were local Dave Strawson, rookie of the year Charles Gillmarten, and club teams champion John Young III. The first day of the tournament featured heavy rains and cold winds and while this effected everyone, the young rookies were quite distracted. Both Charlie Gillmarten and John Young managed to run the rover hoop in the wrong direction. Thankfully this silly mistake did not cost either of them more than a few points, but Charlie did manage to lose unexpectedly. Despite the cold Canadian winter, Jane Beharriel came out on fire. In block play, Jane beat two of the players who earned top spots in the playoffs. But Jane was not the only female assassin in the midst. Local matriarch Becky Essick scored two pivotal victories against the top two seeded players in the block proving that croquet is a gender neutral game.

After a wonderful dinner of tender filet mignon at the Pinehurst Country Club, the playoff pairings were announced. The local favorites, Mike Taylor and Tommy Harrington earned the third and fourth seeds with byes into the quarter finals, while rookie favorites John Young III and Charlie Gillmarten earned the number one and two seeds. Sidewinder Barry Williams and the Jane Beharriell earned a late start in Saturday's single elimination playoff with the fifth and sixth seeds. The fantastic meal ended with a sweet treat as competitor Jon Essick sang a few tunes for the remaining diners.

The next morning, the talented entertainer managed to defeat Bob whitmore and earned a game against the rookie of the year. The unlucky Jon Essick missed one severely angled wicket attempt at hoop 5, while his quarter final opponent Charlie Gillmarten drained 3 of 4 such hoop shots. After staying alive with these impressive jump shots, Charlie showed his proper grooming with a nice diagonal spread and a sexy crosswire leave to end the game. The resilient Barry Williams managed to beat Bob Roth but ran into a wall of rain which favored the versatile Mike Taylor. Mike smoothly operated his way to a win earning a spot against the Charlie in the semi-final.

In the other half of the ladder, undefeated John Young III waited with zen like patience for his opponent, Becky Essick, to emerge. Becky dispatched of Mike Conry 13-5 despite his efforts to distract her with his best Gilligan impersonation. Becky rallied and maintained a lead though the first 70 minutes of the two hour match, but when given an opening, John ran three breaks in only 34 minutes for a 26-7 victory. In the race to join "3 strokes" in the semi-final was the dark horse David Collie. David was the only player breaking seed as he beat past Allen Clem and even Canadian phenomenon Jane Beharriell. While he was well prepared for the storm that arrived during the quarter finals and even held the lead for 80 minutes, David came up short.

The semi-finals were virtually synchronized as Charlie and John managed to run their first breaks simultaneously. It could have been predicted that both Mike and Tommy would miss the lift shots, but both Charlie and John missing hoop 5? It was almost scripted. John managed to hit in and beat Tommy, but he had to wait to see his fellow finalist. Charlie hit in, but so did Mike and in the end Charlie won a close game.

The amateur national championship game pitted two young players, who had never played in an association rules tournament before, against each other. The game started off a little sloppy. Charlie won the coin toss and started off conservatively with a ball at maximum distance. John responded with a duffer's tice which proved un-hittable by both players. On the fifth turn Charlie chose to shoot at partner 11 yards away, but missed. John hit in from 14 yards and got control. John ran 9 hoops and set a beautiful diagonal spread leave showing that he had learned a lot in the past week. After Charlie missed the lift shot, John over rolled position at hoop 3 and tried to make a tough jump shot, but he missed. Charlie made a canny play, leaving "3 strokes" balls at hoop 2 and 3 while trying to roll up to hoop one. He set a nice leave that would have assured him a break, but John hit in. John ran his back ball all the way to rover, but while concentrating on the leave, he missed an easy roquet! Charlie showed no mercy in building his break, running around to 4-back, and setting a nice diagonal spread leave. John missed the long lift shot, but the synchronicity remained. Only, instead of over rolling hoop 3, Charlie gave himself a difficult jump shot at hoop 5. While Charlie made these hoop shots all week (especially against Jon Essick), this one stuck in the jaws. John had things all laid out for him. After rush peeling Charlie, John made the last three wickets and staked out to become the National Champion!

1. John Young III
2. Charlie Gillmarten
3. Mike Taylor
3. Tommy Harrington
5. Barry Williams
5. Jon Essick
5. Becky Essick
5. David Collie
9. Jane Beharriell
9. Mike Conry
9. Bob Whitmore
9. Bob Roth
13. Allen Clem
13. Dave Strawson
DNF: Frank Thompson

(I plan on making a personalized account of this tournament with much more media, but here's the official story, for now)

Mission Hills Invitational

Just one week after celebrating it's 20th anniversary with founders Pat Apple and Nancy Deupree, the Mission Hills Country Club in beautiful Palm Springs, California, hosted its annual Invitational tournament. Club President, Jim Butts, and his wife Phyllis worked tirelessly to make this one of the best invitationals in recent memory. The brilliant sunny days and temperatures in the 70s and 80s attracted snow birds from British Columbia, Idaho, Minnesota and New Hampshire to round out a very competitive yet fun-loving crew.
The second flight of waterford doubles was characterized by useful instruction and last second heroics. In several games, weaker players were ready to accept their games as lost until their partners encouraged them to “go ahead and try to hit that ball on the boundary.” Which they promptly did on several occasions. With such immaculate courts, anything is possible including the dramatic ending of one such game featuring the healthy and vibrant return of Nancy Feldman with doubles partner Toni Kemp versus Cindy Bagby and John Adams. With only seconds remaining, a two point deficit and serious deadness on the board, Toni made a point to stay nearby to help partner, in position at 2-back, rather than set up for a last chance at liveness. Nancy not only made her difficult wicket shot, but hit Toni's ball on the boundary and made an amazing roll; sending partner to 4-back while getting a rush on a ball near wicket 5 towards her current wicket, 3-back. Nancy ran around to the rover wicket, taking the lead by two, and grooming the court. Cindy was now faced with a 60 foot shot at a ball near corner one. Cindy casually mentioned “I've only got one chance” and managed to hit the ball while keeping it in! In order to prove the shot was not a fluke, Cindy performed a very nice full-roll around her wicket, number 5, from 50 feet away only to miss the 6 foot wicket shot. Donna Dixon proved to be the highlight of this doubles competition winning all four games to earn the title after winning no doubles games the previous year. Karen Comeau proved her 14 handicap unfitting of her skill in her second place performance while the spotlight shined on American Rules rookie Caren Sawyer. Under the kind tutilage of David Collins and Mohammad Kamal in Pasadena, Caren has developed into a wonderful shot maker in capturing the third place trophy in doubles.
The first flight of waterford doubles had some amazing match-ups with the top four seeds all at a -1 handicap. The strong play left a few players in the two on one situation after a break taken dangerously too far, and more than a few wins by 15 or more points. The final round featured a nationals caliber pairing with two teams, each with a combined handicap of -2. The results of that “showcase” game determined the overall victor as Jim Butts and Bill Hixon prevailed in a very well executed game over Paul Bennett and Rick Sheely 26 to 6. The 20 net points allowed Jim Butts to capture the doubles title over the previously perfect Paul Bennett. Aviv Katz was honored to take the third place trophy thanks to consistent play and a 13 point victory over fourth place finisher Barbara Mitchell in the third round.
Second flight singles featured the arrival of a mostly association rules player, Marvin Salles, abolishing his 13 handicap with a first place finish in the block and convincing playoff wins to remain atop the flight and winning the crown. Mission Hills was proud to welcome the aforementioned Caren Sawyer and her husband Eric to their first American rules tournament in which Eric beat out the lowest handicapped player in the flight to get to the semi-finals and eventually capture fourth place; not bad for a first timer. The true underdog story chronicled Jean Engebretson who was the 6 seed in the playoff ladder and scored a few key upsets to become a finalist. Jean's supportive husband, Dick Engebretson finished in third place.
With handicaps ranging from 3.5 to 7 the competitive first flight singles action featured many upsets with the top seeded player in the flight going winless in block play. Mission Hills' own Marty Ormsby, a 6 handicap when the tournament began, captured her block with a victory over undefeated Rich Schiller. With only 8 out of the 15 players making the playoff, there were no easy playoff games. Local favorite Phyllis Butts snuck into the ladder as the 8 seed but took off from there. Nursing a knee injury, Phyllis overcame mediocre block play and took out number one seed Marty Ormsby on her way to the final match and a second place finish. Despite being outnumbered, the Texans took control of the loser's bracket in Alamo fashion. Representing the Lone Star state was doubles champion Donna Dixon who was defeated by Lee Hamel. Lee eventually captured 3rd place shoring up a place for Texas in the singles ceremony as well.
Championship flight was a veritable who's who of West Coast croquet with 3 former U.S. team representatives and more than half of the field at a handicap of 1 or less. Block play went nearly to seed as the top four ranked players in each block made it to the 8 person playoff with a lurker “Sandy” Bob Van Tassell narrowly missing the last playoff spot. The sand-bagger was playing up as his 4.5 handicap does not encompass his skill on the lawn. “Sandy” Bob scored victories against the other low seeds in the block as well as an impressive 26-7 victory over the precocious Ben Rothman that featured nearly flawless play and impressively aggressive tactics from this new juggernaut. Mr. Van Tassell only missed the playoffs because of a head-to-head tie-breaker despite a 76 net point advantage over eventual 8 seed, Mike Orgill. This may be the last cut that Mr. Van Tassell misses for a long while. Friday morning began with 3 upsets in the first round of the playoffs. Whether it was the full moon rising or the drinks from the tournament dinner the night before, no one knows. Only top seeded Paul Bennet held his own against Mike Orgill, while two of the -1 handicaps were sent to the loser's bracket along with -2.5, Ben Rothman. Tennessee player Bill Martin took the honor of hitting in last turns after Rothman had just ran a break to the peg to get the lead by one. The self titled “Croquet Pro” sent his two balls off court in a croquet out leaving the danger ball a 24 yard shot from wicket five to two balls in corner 3. Martin roqueted the slightly closer ball into the other and managed to keep both balls in bounds. After tying the game, the man in white knickers made the most of the deadness to win by one point in the third rotation of last turns. Rick Sheely later defeated Wild Bill on his way to third place. Rick's shrewd strategy and his ability to stop a rolling ball with the snap of his fingers led him to both semi-finals. The good Dr. Sheely's only losses of the tournament were against the finalists. Young Ben made his way through the loser's bracket with four wins in a row to reach the finals against Paul Bennett. In the first of a possible two final games, a Chernobyl opening was slowly played out until Ben attacked into corner 3 from corner 4. Ben got the break going on that turn, but later missed an angled wicket shot at hoop 5. When Ben attempted to position his partner ball, Paul hit in and masterfully kept Ben dead for the majority of the game. Paul won the final after a few desperate 25 foot hoop shots that went awry for young Ben. In the end Paul managed to go completely undefeated through the entire tournament in singles. Paul's only loss was in the previously mentioned nationals calibre doubles game. Paul graciously accepted his trophies and honored many of the people responsible for such an excellent tournament including the generous Ellory McClatchy. Unbeknownst to Paul, a motion was made at the club's 20th anniversary celebration to rename the Mission Hills Invite as the Ellory McClatchy Invitational in the future. See you there next year!

Championship Singles:
1.Paul Bennett
2.Ben Rothman
3.Rick Sheely
4.Bill Martin
5.Ron Hendry
Jim Butts
7.Mike Orgill
Bill Hixon
9.Bob Van Tassell
10.Aviv Katz
11.Janet Hamilton
Len Lyon
13.Bill Hamilton
Bill Roche

First Flight Singles:
1.Rich Schiller
2.Phyllis Butts
3.Lee Hamel
4.Donna Dixon
5.Marty Ormsby
Mary Rodeberg
7.Becky Essick
Cindy Bagby
9.Bob Kays
Ruthie Windsor-Mann
11.John Adams
Peter Bach
Hope Harmon
14.Len Lyon
15.Biff Roche
16.Barbara Mitchell

Second Flight Singles:
1.Marvin Salles
2.Jean Engebretson
3.Dick Engebretson
4.Eric Sawyer
5.David Cartwright
Karen Comeau
Toni Kemp
8.Caren Sawyer

First Flight Waterford Doubles:
1.Jim Butts
2.Paul Bennett
3.Aviv Katz
4.Barbara Mitchell
5.Bill Hamilton
6.Mike Orgill
7.Ron Hendry
8.Bob Van Tassell
9.Rick Sheely
10.Bill Hixon
11.Jim Bonacci
12.Bill Martin

Second Flight Waterford Doubles:
1.Donna Dixon
2.Karen Comeau
3.Caren Sawyer
4.Nancy Feldman
5.David Cartwright
6.Cindy Bagby
7.Rich Schiller
8.Peter Bach
9.Eric Sawyer
10.Hope Harmon
11.Toni Kemp
12.Mary Rodeberg
13.Dick Engebretson
14.Frank Dixon
15.John Adams
16.Lee Hamel

My Advertising Pamphlet

Here's a look at the promotional pamphlet I'm sending out around the country to promote clinics and lessons taught by yours truly.