THE PORT ROYAL CROQUET CLUB -NEWSLETTER 2005

Port Royal Croquet club members have the opportunity to play at numerous events and lawn courts in additional to our own Port Royal lawn court. Several club members took part in the CCC’s’ “Croquet on the Beach” event held on May 21 & 22, 2005. This event turned out to be a two-day event since the first day was not optimum for beach play. Therefore, the first day beach event was cancelled and in its place, the Port Royal club hosted regular play on the Port Royal lawn court. The following day turn out to be a perfect day for beach play. Over 40 players took part in the events.

Port Royal club members Marge Cramer and Jean Gould participated in the “Women Tournament” at Etowah Valley Croquet club during the week of June 6. Marge and her husband Bob spent the summer in this area so Etowah is Marge’s summer home court.

Another CCC event will be held at Etowah in July. Over 40 players, including several from Port Royal, have signed up for the Etowah Valley Croquet outing which will be held on July 24-25, 2005. Several couples are planning to add on some golf to the outing. Etowah’s “mountain” golf course will be an interesting diversion from the courses in the Hilton Head area. Croquet Club members should contact Avril Nicholson, 843 – 705-2929 to see if there are any openings are available.

The low handicap players are getting a good turnout for Wednesday play. However, we need a better turn out on Tuesday and Thursday. Intermediate and higher handicap players who have suggestions to increase level of participation should contact Club President Otto Wahlrab.

The USCA Southeast Regional Croquet Tournament was held at Port Royal in addition to several other clubs in the Hilton Head area. The PR croquet lawn court was utilized from Monday through Saturday and the Friday night “banquet” was held at the Port Royal Clubhouse. Special thanks to Heritage Golf staff for their support in making the tournament an overwhelming success.

Although competition was usually stringent this year, Port Royal Croquet Club members performed very well. Bill Bopp took second place in both Championship Singles & Championship Doubles. Other Port Royal Croquet Club winners include: First Flight Doubles – 2nd Place Jim Fludd, Second Flight Doubles -1st Place Marge Cramer, 2nd Place Stan Abrahamson/Otto Wahlrab.

Special acknowledgement to Syd Falk for being the head referee at tournament and to Bill Denton for serving as the Port Royal lawn court director

Spring weather has arrived and play on the lawn court is flourishing. Signs of the arrival of spring include not only the blooming of the azaleas that surround the lawn court but the arrival of a bunny rabbit who frequents the lawn court. He, or possibly she, has consented to be our Club mascot.

The Port Royal Club was well represented at the 2005 USCA Southeast Regional Tournament that was held on lawn courts in the Hilton Head area including Port Royal, on April 26-May 1, 2005. Present plan are for the tournament to be held at Pinehurst in 2006, and pending a positive assessment review of this years event, to return to the Hilton Head area every other year.

The Coastal Croquet Clubs is hosting the 2005 USCA Southeast Croquet Club tournament on April 27-28, 2005. This is one of the more prestige tournaments in the country. Several of Port Royal members have signed up to play. Play will be take place on Port Royal Lawn courts all during the week. The Friday night social event will be held at the Port Royal Clubhouse. Schedules of play at all CCC lawn courts, including Port Royal, will be posted in the Croquet box. The public is encouraged to come out and see croquet play it is best

Club members are beginning to experience signs of spring fever as the days become a little warmer and the grass on the lawn court start to green up. Although croquet enthusiasts play in all kinds of weather, they really appreciate the spring season. Many Club members participated in the Coastal Croquet Clubs (CCC) “Just for Fun Tournament” which was held on February 17-19, 2005 at various venues including Port Royal. Due to the heavy rain and cold weather, the semifinals and finals were postponed. (Croquet enthusiasts don’t have to play in all kinds of weather!)

A special welcome to our newest member, Artie Heape. Artie resides in Beaufort. Artie participated in the Monday afternoon clinic and caught on to the game rather quickly. He also did very well in the Just for Fun Tournament. A reminder that Monday afternoon clinics are provided, at no cost, to anyone who wants to learn the game of croquet.

A year ago in the Putter we stated that Croquet was a year around sport at Port Royal and we supported this conclusion, probably in a rather brazen manner, by showing a picture of two of our members playing in the bitter cold. A year later we were playing in balmy weather with temperatures in the 70s. The contrast certainly validates that Croquet is a year around sport and it also emphasis how fortunate we are to live in the Hilton Head area and being able to play on the Port Royal lawn court .

The Croquet club officers are evaluating handicap requirements for the assigned Club play days. The evaluation is being done with the intent to encourage additional player participations in Club play and as an educational opportunity for higher handicap players. It is anticipated that the changes will be initiated in February on a trial basis. Members are encouraged to try out the additional Club play opportunities and to provide their comments and suggestions as the system is refined.

The Croquet Club completed the 2004 Port Royal Club Champion Tournament. Winners are as follows: Championship Flight-1st Stan Abrahamson, 2nd Marge Cramer: First Flight–1st Pat Whiteford, 2nd Ginny Dunn.

The annual Port Royal Croquet Club’s holiday party was held at the Clubhouse. The year 2004 was reviewed and election of officers for 2005 completed. The 2005 Officers are: President-Otto Wahlrab; Vice President-Jean Gould; Secretary-Linda Harrison; Treasurer-Ed Thoms; Social Directors-Ginny Dunn & Pat Whiteford.