THE PORT ROYAL CROQUET CLUB -NEWSLETTER 2004

The annual Port Royal Croquet Club’s holiday party was held at the Clubhouse. Special guests included Tom Rasch, Port Royal’s Director of Operations and Bill Burger, the croquet club’s representative on the Board of Governors. The year 2003 was reviewed and election of officers for 2004 was completed.

Congratulations to the following Port Royal Club members who were winners in the Coastal Croquet Clubs sanctioned tournament: Championship Flight –1st Place Bill Bopp, 3rd Place Bill Escher. First Flight -1st Place Mary Tatnall. Second Flight-- -1st Place Jerry Darnell, 2nd Place Bob Hammond. Also congratulations to Stan Abrahamson and Bill Denton who received USCA certification as Class III Club Referees.

Winter play at the Port Royal Croquet Club gets into full swing after the holiday season. Many of our members closed out 2003 by playing several matches in balmy spring-like weather. Two weeks later the day was just as bright but much colder. The cooler weather didn’t diminish the enthusiasm of several of our player. We have been asked when is “Croquet playing season”? If we lived in the north we would say that it is a summer sport. If we lived in the deep south we would respond that it is a winter sport. But at Hilton Head we can truthfully say that it is year around sport.

Jim Fludd has accepted the responsibility for the 2004 Port Royal Invitational. This will be a very special tournament since it will be our 20th Annual Invitational. It is one of the longest running invitational in the Croquet community. Planning meetings have already begun. But, we will need a lot of help. It would be appreciated if Port Royal members would volunteer to help rather then waiting to be asked. So please volunteer by contacting Jim at 837-3240.

Port Royal’s Croquet Player Excel Again in January Tournaments. Bill Denton played in the Gasparillo Invitational in Boca Granda, FL. He took 1st Place in Championship Doubles and 3rd Place in Singles. As a result of his superior play his handicap level was lowered from 5.0 to 3.50. (For those who are not familiar with USCA handicap system, suffice to say that this is “unheard of” at this handicap level.

Several club members took part in the Laura Hart Invitation that was held in Palm Beach, Fl. Results were as follows: Championship Flight-Doubles–2nd Place Bill Bobb, Singles-3rd Place Bill Bobb; First Flight-Doubles 2nd Place Otto Walhrab, 3rd Place Jean Gould; Second Flight-Doubles 3rd Place Curt Gould, Singles 2nd Place Otto Wahlrab, 5th Place Jean Gould, 7th Place Phil Eisenhart; Third Flight--Singles 3rd Place Curt Gould.

Regardless what the calendar may suggest, March is the beginning of the summer season for croquet. Our fine Hilton Head weather has resulted in a great deal of activity on the croquet court. Over 60 players participated in the Coastal Croquet Clubs Interclub games on March 6-7, 2004 which was held at Port Royal and other croquet venues in the Hilton Head area. A little rain in the afternoon of March 6th didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of most of the players, again proving that croquet is an all weather sport.

The 2004 United State Croquet Association (USCA) Southeast Regional tournament, which has traditionally been held at Pinehurst, will be played in the Hilton Head area at various lawn courts, including Port Royal, on April 20-25, 2004. Both the existing USCA national singles champion and the champion for the previous two years will participate in the tournament. This is a great opportunity to see the game of Croquet played at its highest level. Flight and venues of play will be posted at the croquet box each day of the tournament.

This is one of, if not the longest, running invitational in the croquet community. Mark your calendar for May 11-16 and come out to support the Port Royal Croquet Club.

On occasions the Croquet Club is pleased to have special guests joins us to play on our court. In March, Don Oakley from Ontario Canada came to Hilton Head to enjoy a few days of warm climate. (Croquet members will recognize Don’s company as the manufacture of Oakley Woods Croquet equipment and accessories.) Don expressed his pleasure in playing on such a fine court at this time of the year.

The USCA Southeast Regional Croquet Tournament, held at Port Royal in addition to several other clubs in the Hilton Head area, was an overwhelming success! Almost 60 people participated in the tournament including the existing national champion. The USCA probably will request that it be held again in the Hilton Head area next year. The Island Packet provided a fine photograph taken at Port Royal. An additional article was provided by Carolina Morning News. Both articles provided excellent publicity for Port Royal.

As usual, Port Royal Croquet Club members performed very well. Club member winners include: Championship Singles - 4th Bill Bopp. Championship Doubles - 5th Keith Nelon/Bill Bopp. First Flight Singles - 5th Al Hitzelberger and 11th Gale Burrell. First Flight Doubles – 1st Don Burrell/ Bill Escher and 7th Al Hitzelberger/Jim Kent. Second Flight Singles – 3rd Stan Abrahamson, 4th OttoWahlrab, 5th Jean Gould, 6th Marge Cramer, 9th Ed Thoms, 11th Pat Whiteford and 12th Martha Clymer. Second Flight Doubles -1st Stan Abrahamson/Otto Wahlrab, 3rd Marge Cramer/Jean Gould and 6th Pat Whiteford/Martha Clymer. Third Flight Singles - 3rd Bill Waibel and 10th Curt Gould. Third Flight Doubles –5th Billie Jean Taft/Curt Gould.

The Port Royal Croquet Clubs 20th Annual Invitational Tournament was held in May. Although it took place less than a month after the Southeast Regional, it was considered to be a success. Two events were added to this years tournament: a “shootout” on the beach as part of the Wednesday night social hour and social croquet play on Saturday at the Port Royal Racket Club lawn courts. Special thanks to the Racket Club management for allowing us to use their facility.

The croquet lawn court renovation was initiated on June 3, 2004. Completion date is anticipated to be August 12, 2004. However, the completion date is very dependent on the weather. Arrangements have been made to use the Port Royal Racket Club grass courts during the renovation. Croquet club members should review postings in the Croquet box for schedules and play options.

The croquet lawn court renovation project is progressing very well. By mid July the lawn had been mowed several times. A mid August reopening appears to be very feasible. Be sure to check the Croquet box for exact schedule. Frequently Croquet club members visit the site to review progress and to contemplate with great anticipation future play on the court.

Croquet Club member have been sent a copy of the plans for the formal reopening of the lawn court and the End of the Month party which is scheduled for September 25, 2004. Club members are reminded to volunteer to help out to assure that the event is as successful as it deserves to be.

American Golf Corporation and the Port Royal Croquet Club are pleased to announce the formal rededication of the Port Royal Croquet Lawn Court on September 26, 2004.

The rededication program begins at 1:00 PM with croquet matches with Coastal Croquet Clubs and will conclude with an opportunity for all to try the new lawn court.

Fourteen Port Royal Croquet Club members joined about 50 other croquet enthusiast to celebrate National Croquet Day that was held at Haig Point. Hurricane Charley caused a postponement of the event from the regular NCD, August 14th to August 28th. The celebration was an overwhelming success. Special thanks to Port Royal Croquet Club members Bill & Cathy Waibel for setting up the event. As a result of the Packet’s photograph and caption of the event we have received several calls regarding croquet play at Port Royal.

Sunday, October 26th was a memorable day for the Port Royal Croquet Club. Over 60 croquet players from the Coastal Croquet Clubs join in the rededication program. Although it rained almost all day numerous croquet matches were played and the rain didn’t diminish the enthusiasm of the participants. (A trivia question-What does football and croquet have in common? Answer-They are both played regardless of the weather conditions.) Due to the rain much of the formal rededication ceremony had to be cancelled. Special thanks to American Golf and its management group for taking part in the event and providing refreshments.

A USCA sanctioned tournament is scheduled to take place on November 11-14, 2004. The tournament will be played at all of the CCC lawn court venues. Over 50 players are expected to take part in the tournament. The finals for the Championship flight will be held at the Port Royal Lawn Court on Sunday morning, November 14th. The closing ceremonies will include champagne brunch at the Port Royal Clubhouse. The public is invited to come and watch the final matches and to partake in the champagne brunch.

The Coastal Croquet Clubs-USCA sanctioned tournament was held on November 11-14, 2004 at all of the CCC lawn court venues. The finals for the Championship flights took place at the Port Royal Lawn Court on Sunday. The finals were followed by the closing ceremonies and champagne brunch at the Port Royal Clubhouse. Fifty-one people took part in the Sunday events.

The Port Royal Croquet Club extends its wishes for Happy Hanukkah & Merry Christmas to members and staff of the Port Royal Plantation Club. One last request ---make a New Years resolution to play croquet in 2005.