The 2018 New Jersey State Croquet Championship September 29 - 30, 2018 

 

Hosted by the Green Gables Croquet Club, Sea Girt NJ  

 

 

In its 6th year the state tournament has become well known, as a great season finale to Croquet in the MidAtlantic Region. Since 2016, the championship has been held around the first weekend in October.  

Usually there is some rain forecasted, as the hurricanes saunter up the coast, but this weekend was blessed by unseasonably sunny skies, still winds, joyful camaraderie and smiles all around! 

Although the majority of participants are from NJ, participants came from as far as Virginia, Delaware and Queens NY.  

 

 

 

While players competed for tracking points, bragging rights, trophies or a combination thereof, every player received a limited edition State Championship lip balm (for those sunny autumn days) and the 2018 State pin. 

USCA NJ State District President Tom Cooper and wife Loretta organized daily lunches and assembled a fantastic Saturday night party at their home in Allenwood NJ. 

The field was divided into 2 flights. 8 players with handicaps from -3 to 4.5 were entered into cross blocks with 3 block games each. First flight was just a straight 

block of 4 players who all competed with each other. The championship flight playoff ladder began late Saturday afternoon with quarterfinals resuming on Sunday with both a playoff ladder and plate ladder, so everyone got to play both days. First flight had a simple 2 tier playoff ladder beginning Sunday morning. 

 

After a rough start in 2017, Scott Kennedy III (10) prevailed over this year’s first flight, winning every match in both the block and the playoffs. The Championship Flight had more variety! Newcomer Doug Grimsley (-3), hot off the association croquet circuit, needed to find his groove after losing 2 of 3 matches in the block, while hosts Tom (-1) and Loretta Cooper (3) finished their blocks undefeated.   

In the quarters, Doug woke up, and easily dispatched Ralph Charles (2) to the plate event. Last place block finisher Tom Hughes (0) was victorious over first place block finisher Tom Cooper for a his own shot at the trophy. Loretta continued her reign over Roxbury veteran Greg Shaffer, taking her place in the playoffs. Tim Rapuano (-1.5) held his own, sending Peter Woolley (4.5) to the plate event. 

 

 

 

On Sunday, there were no surprises, with Doug defeating Tim in the Championship Flight, and Scott continuing his trend, capturing top honors in first flight over Rich Ricciardi. Tom Cooper dominated the Championship Flight plate event to win a custom set of playing cards designed by Chris Kaas.   

 FINAL RESULTS 

 

 

 

 

Championship Flight Singles 

1. Douglas Grimsley 2. Timothy Rapuano 3. Loretta Cooper 4. Thomas Hughes 5. Thomas Cooper (plate winner) 6. Peter Woolley 7. Ralph Charles 8. Gregory Shaffer 

 

 

First Flight Singles 

1. Scott Kennedy 2. Rich Ricciardi 3. Karen Leoncavallo  4. Stephanie Paduano-Grimsley 

 

 All photos courtesy of Scott Kennedy,  & Tim Rapuano 

   

Timothy Rapuano, TD Tom Cooper, TM