Green Gables Croquet Club
Bombay Mallet & Wicket Croquet Club
Diane Fitzsimons payed in the West Indies Invitational in November, 2022.
Saturday Mini Tournament
Beautiful Saturday afternoon. Dennis Leddy took the initiative with the scheduling and organizing the teams, and then he went fishing!
Jim Daniels
Rick Venino
Richard Ricciardi
Karen Leoncavallo
Peter Woolley
Peter Cerrati
Scott Kennedy
Kate Foster
Scott McMurray
Plus there was a large group that played golf croquet.
Some pictures of the afternoon below. Courts are fantastic. Don't miss out on the great weather.
Rumson vs Green Gables Rivalry
This is a’ frienemy’ rivalry that goes back decades. In 2003 Rumson donated a silver bowl that became the ‘official’ record of the winner each year. Although the rivalry is fierce, it has gone back & forth over the years, and I doubt whether many members of either club could tell you who won it last year. Except that the last winner has to find the trophy. No kidding. It went missing for a number of years, so there is a gap in the time lines of the inscriptions. In 2021 apparently Rumson won, since they had the trophy. We have it now.
We always play American 6 wicket. There were 3 rounds of doubles, 60 minute games. It was a seriously blustery day. Beautiful sunshine and chilly from a strong and consistent ocean breeze. Jo-Anne Nappi recruited a small but elite crew of volunteers to start our day with a courtside continental breakfast, with an orchid centerpiece.
Green Gables graciousness was discretely displayed with volunteer board keepers (including Ellen Hall, Mary McLaughlin & Jim Daniels) on each court for all 9 games. It is an old-fashioned courtesy that is disappearing. It is so very nice to have a board keeper. We even had spectators, including new members Linda & Joanie and the volunteer caterers (Leslie, Lorraine & Nancy)
In the first round, our team captain, Murray Pollock (1.5), and his protégé, Chuck Reynolds (12) had the widest margin victory of the day (14-9), against Cat Neiderer (3.5) & Bruce Huber(6) while Brenda Pollack (6) and Jon Bonny (15) defeated Michael Jeary (7) & Susan Young (17) by 2 points.
Karen Leoncavallo (7) and Tom Burrus (20) were neck in neck against Rumson’s team captain, Ron Shifton (3.5) & Bill Westerfield (10), but lost the game by two points.
Rumson : 1 win , -5 points
Green Gables : 2 wins, +5 points
In the second round, our victories repeated in similar fashion. Murray & Chuck won again, as did Brenda & Jon.
In case you think that croquet is not exciting to watch, this writer witnessed a super-tricky, well executed and masterful maneuver in last turn.
Ron Shifton was for one-back, as was Brenda, whom he was dead on. Ron rocqueted partner blue on the non-playing side of the wicket and then cannoned it into Brenda, sending her off diagonally, out of wicket shooting range. He then used his continuation shot to take position. Crafty! But not quite enough, as there were 2 rounds of last turn, and Jon Bonny, last ball in last turn, scored the winning wicket. Phew!
Karen & Tom did their best to hold their own against the formidable duo of Ceci Shifton (3.5) & Cat, but lost this game.
Rumson : 2 wins, -5 points
Green Gables : 4 wins, +5 points
Lunch was also served courtside; a groaning sideboard of sandwiches, fruit and a tower of cookies. Players filled up quickly, and were eager to get back on the courts, so we started the third round early.
This was the climax of the day, as the pairings were against each teams’ nearest competitor.
Brenda & Jon faced Cat & Bruce, but lost by 1 heartbreaking point.
Murray & Chuck/Ellen Hall faced Ron & Bill, but went down by 3 points.
But this time, Karen and Tom were able to achieve their one victory, and in doing so, win the cup for Green Gables.
It was only a one point win, but a win it was, and had it been a loss, Rumson would have kept the trophy.
Final Score:
Rumson: 4 wins, -2 points
Green Gables : 5 wins, +2 points
Murray & Chuck 2 wins +5 points
Ron & Bill 2 wins +4 points
Brenda & Jon 2 wins +2 points
Cat & Bruce 2 wins 0 points
Karen & Tom 1 win -5 points
Michael & Susan 1 win -6 points
As you can see from the narrow score differences, these games were well-matched, challenging and seriously played. Everyone departed with a smile, and the promise to do it again, soon and more frequently.
Congratulations to the players for their hard-fought victory, truly a team endeavor. Eternal gratitude to everyone who contributed to make this event live up to the Green Gables reputation for graciousness.
Loretta Cooper
Murray Pollock, Team Captain, Jon Bonny, Trustee and Jo-Anne Nappi, Trustee receive the Silver Bowl from Ron Shifton, Team Captain, Rumson Club.
Blue Crab Tournament
Diane Fitzsimons participating in the Blue Crab Tournament, September 29-October 2
New Member Mixer
Sept 2022
Green Gables Ambassadors
Dear GGCC members,
If you were unable to attend our Annual Gala this past Friday night, several of our members referred as Green Gables Ambassadors were acknowledged for traveling to other club tournaments representing us in a very significant way. I am pleased to inform you that Loretta Cooper has added another two wins to an already impressive list of club member victories.
Additionally, congratulations to Dennis Leddy for winning 1st place, Championship Flight, Golf Croquet Tournament at the Merion Cricket Club this past weekend.
Please see below Tom Cooper’s email updating us on the Association Croquet National Tournament.
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Tom Cooper
At the 2022 Association Croquet National Tournament, Loretta placed first in singles and second in doubles in the First Flight. Here she is pictured with Championship Flight singles winner Matthew Essick. Matthew is the current World GC Champion.
The tournament was held at the Chesapeake Bay CC in Hartfield VA. Many of Americas top players were present but only two women, the other being our own Jodie Rugart.
Green Gables was well represented. Also playing were members Dennis Leddy, Jay Hughes and Tom Cooper.
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Green Gables Croquet Club Ambassadors
Congratulations and thank you to our special members who have represented Green Gables Croquet Club well while competing at other clubs throughout this year:
Merion Cricket Club, Haverford, Pennsylvania - Team Champions: Scott Kennedy, Jim Daniels, Dennis Leddy
The Meadow Club, Southampton, New York - Six-Wicket Invitational - 1st Place Championship Flight: Tom Cooper
The Lenox Croquet Club, Lenox, Massachusetts - Golf Croquet Invitational - 1st Place Championship Flight: Dennis Leddy
Watch Hill Croquet Club, Watch Hill, Rhode Island - The Little Rhody Six-Wicket Tournament - 1st Place Championship Flight: Loretta Cooper
Buffalo Croquet Club, Buffalo, New York - Six-Wicket Invitational: Scott Kennedy
Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club, Hartfield, Virginia - Association Croquet National Tournament – 1st Place Singles, First Flight: Loretta Cooper
Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club, Hartford, Virginia – Association Croquet National Tournament - 2nd Place Doubles, First Flight: Loretta Cooper
Merion Cricket Club, Haverford, Pennsylvania – Golf Croquet National Tournament – 1st Place Singles, Championship Flight: Dennis Leddy
National Croquet Day June 4, 2022
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