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August 2016 Newsletter

WCF August 2016 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee has been doing recently and what is on the agenda in the near future.  Your comments are always very welcome.  It is also made available to all on the WCF web-site and via the Nottingham list and other croquet bulletin boards.

Council debates and decisions

The amendments to the AC Impasse Procedure contained in Appendix 1 of the Refereeing Regulations were approved by Members.  This involves no change of substance but ensures conformity with the the procedure set out in ORLC and the MacRobertson Shield Regulations.

What has happened in June to August?

There was a welcome reduction in administrative demand after the two world championships.

The new draft of the WCF Statutes has reached version 12.4 and is expected to be published to Members as a consultation for formal consultation in September and October.  In addition to the deletion of provisions relating to general meetings, the opportunity has been taken to re-organise the Statutes to make them clearer and more accessible.

The first steps in the 2017 GCWC timetable have been achieved.  By the Response Date of 31 July 2016, Members had requested 32 Membership Places and put forward 116 players for Ranking Places.  The names of players awarded 40 Ranking Places and two Wild Card Places were announced to Members on 28 August 2016.   Details may be found on the WCF website under World Championships.

The WCF was informed that the manufacture of Dawson Balls is under new ownership.  We wish the new owner every success in continuing the supply of what is regarded as the standard competition ball and express the deep appreciation of croquet players everywhere to Brian Dawson for his 25 years of service to tournament croquet.   

Forthcoming WCF championships

2017 Golf Croquet World Championship and Under 21 GC World Championship

Both events will be held at the Victorian Croquet Association headquarters at Cairnlea, in the western suburbs of Melbourne.  The Under 21 will run from Saturday 18 to Wednesday 22 February 2017 and the Qualifying Tournament from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 February 2017.  The main event will begin on Saturday 25 February 2017 and end on Sunday 5 March 2017.

2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1, the MacRobertson Shield, will be held at Mission Hills Country Club, Palm Springs, California from 18 April 2017 to 4 May 2017.

Tiers 2.1, Tiers 2.2 and 3 will be held at Sussex County Croquet Club in England from 17 to 22 July 2017.  The Invitation Date for the lower tiers is expected to be in October 2016.

Membership enquiries

There are none to report.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

MC 281:          Dawson Balls Working Group

MC 295:          2016 AC World Championship, April 2016

MC 313:          2016 GC World Team Championship, May 2016

MC 326:          WCF Event Income

MC 328:          Membership status of France

MC 339:          WCF Event and Sports Regulations

MC 347:          WCF Treasurer – co-option of Martin French

MC 349:          Video Working Group – establishment

MC 350:          MC conference calling – proposal to move from Skype to phone

MC 351:          Refereeing Regulations Appendix 1 – proposed amendment

MC 353:          Golf Croquet Ranking Review Committee 

MC Topics open, pending or under administration on 31 August 2016

MC 291:          Appointment of GC Ranking Officer and Assistant Ranking Officers

MC 318:          2017 GCWC and Under 21 GCWC, February 2017

MC 324:          2017 AC World Team Championship, April 2017

MC 331:          International Laws Committee

MC 346:          WCF Statutes revision project

MC 348:          Wimbledon Cup – repairs and flight box

MC 352:          10-year World Championship schedule

MC 354:          2018 Association Croquet World Championship

MC 355:          Australian Perpetual (WCF Friends) account 

MC 356:          Finance Regulation amendments

MC 357:          Election of Treasurer

Outlook for September

The Closing Date for both the 2017 Golf Croquet World Championship and the 2017 Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship will occur on Sunday, 25 September 2016.

The draft revision of the WCF Statutes will be published to Members as a consultation. 

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General

7 September 2016

April 2016 Newsletter

WCF April 2016 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee has been doing recently and what is on the agenda in the near future.  Your comments are always very welcome.  It is also made available to all on the WCF web-site and via the Nottingham list and other croquet bulletin boards.

Council debates and decisions

There have been none this month.

What has happened in April?

The amendments to the Event and Sports Regulations were further discussed by MC members during the recent AC World Championship in Florida and will be put before the Council in early May.

Draft Version 12 of the WCF Statutes is with the MC for review and comment.  Once finalised, it will be sent to Members for formal consultation.  The operation of the WCF has evolved over the years and the current version 11.6 needs revision, notably in relation to the provisions relating to general meetings that are no longer relevant since the Council agreed to make all decisions by email voting.

Gabrielle Higgins has informed the MC that the requirements of her new job do not allow her to devote the time she would like to her MC responsibilities and she has decided to step down as WCF Treasurer with effect from 30 June 2016.  The MC has co-opted Martin French, the former Secretary-General, as her replacement for the remainder of 2016.  An election for the post will be held in December 2016.

The 2016 Association Croquet World Championship was held at the National Croquet Centre, West Palm Beach, Florida from Saturday, 16 April to Sunday, 24 April 2016.  The winner was Stephen Mulliner (ENG) who, at the age of 62, is the oldest first-time winner by 29 years and the oldest winner of the seven title-holders by 17 years.  Croquet is truly a game for all ages.  He won the hard way, recovering from 0-2 deficits against both Reg Bamford (SAF) in the semi-final and in the final.  The final was the longest ever at 11.5 hours, the first to be played on two courts and the first to be finished under floodlights.  His opponent was David Maloof (USA), who was also 62 and had played superbly to defeat Paddy Chapman (NZE), the 2013 runner-up, and David Maugham (ENG) in the semi-final.  The Shield, Bowl and Plate events were won by Stephen Forster (AUS), James Death (ENG) and Ian Lines (ENG) respectively.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2016 Golf Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1 will be held at the Surbiton Croquet Club in south-west London from Sunday, 15 May to Saturday, 21 May 2016.  The competing teams are Egypt (holders), England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Wales and USA.

Tier 2 will be shared between the Bath Croquet Club and the Camerton & Peasdown Croquet Club from Sunday, 15 May to Friday, 20 May 2016 with the intention that players from teams in both tiers can meet for a combined championship celebration on Friday, 20 May 2016.  The competing teams are Australia, Belgium, Czech-Moravian Republic, Germany, Latvia, Scotland, Spain and Switzerland.

Tier 3 will be held at the Guildford & Godalming Croquet Club from Wednesday, 18 May to Friday 20 May 2016.  The competing teams are Georgia, Norway, Portugal and Russia.

Details of the Tier 1 and 2 teams and squads are available on the WCF website at http://www.worldcroquet.org/index.php/world-championships/2016-gc-world-team-championship


 

2017 Golf Croquet World Championship and Under 21 GC World Championship

Both events will be held at the Victorian Croquet Association headquarters at Cairnlea, in the western suburbs of Melbourne.  The Under 21 will run from Saturday 18 to Wednesday 22 February 2017 and the Qualifying Tournament from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 February 2017.  The main event will begin on Saturday 25 February 2017 and end on Sunday 5 March 2017.  The Invitation Date is expected to be in June 2016.

2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1, the MacRobertson Shield, will be held at Mission Hills Country Club, Palm Springs, California from 18 April 2017 to 4 May 2017.

Tiers 2.1, Tiers 2.2 and 3 will be held at Sussex County Croquet Club in England from 17 to 22 July 2017.  The Invitation Date for the lower tiers is expected to be in October 2016.

Membership enquiries

There are none to report.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

There are none to report.

Topics open, pending or under administration on 30 April 2016

MC 291:           Appointment of GC Ranking Officer and Assistant Ranking Officers

MC 295:           2016 AC World Championship, April 2016

MC 313:           2016 GC World Team Championship, May 2016

MC 318:           2017 GCWC and Under 21 GCWC, February 2017

MC 324:           2017 AC World Team Championship, April 2017

MC 326:           WCF Event Income

MC 328:           Membership status of France

MC 331:           International Laws Committee

MC 339:           WCF Event and Sports Regulations

MC 344:           2016 Ramsis Cup

MC 345:           Development – further projects in 2016

MC 346:           WCF Statutes revision project

MC 347:           WCF Treasurer – co-option of Martin French

MC 348:           Wimbledon Cup – repairs and flight box

MC 349:           Video Working Group – establishment

MC 350:           MC conference calling – proposal to move from Skype to phone

Outlook for May

The main focus will be on holding the GC WTC, publishing the proposed revisions to the Event and Sports Regulations to WCF Members and finalising the Statute revisions.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General 4 May 2016

2016 GC World Team Championship Tier 3 – Champion: Norway

The 2nd WCF Golf Croquet Team Championship - Tier 3
Venue: Guildford & Godalming Croquet Club, England
Dates: 18-20 May 2016

Champion: Norway (Roar Michalsen, Birge Stene, Lasse Holberg, Viggo Olsen)

Finalist: Russia (Leonid Shver, Sergey Vasilyev, Evgeny Filippov, Evgeny Avrov)

3rd: Portugal (Sarah Byrne, John Melton, Jenny Melton, Lita Gale)

Full results are available at https://croquetscores.com/2016/gc/golf-croquet-world-team-championship-tier-3

2016 GC World Team Championship Tier 2 – Champion: Australia

The 2nd WCF Golf Croquet Team Championship - Tier 2
Venue: Bath and Camerton & Peasedown Croquet Clubs, England
Dates: 15-20 May 2016

Champion: Australia (Chris McWhirter, Wendy Dickson, Lester Hughes, Anne Quinn)

Finalist: Spain (Basilio Iglesias, Rafael Romero, Jose Alvarez-Sala, Gonzalo Alvarez-Sala, Andres Alvarez-Sala, Manuel Alvarez-Sala)
3rd: Latvia (Normunds Zelcans, Janis Steins, Andris Usans, Maris Lindbergs)
4th: Germany (Wolfgang Usbeck, Alexander Kirsten, Carlos Vieira, John Swabey)
5th: Belgium (Pierre Beaudry, Bernard Thys, Charles-Eric Vilain XIIII, Anne White, Caroline Denny)
6th: Czech-Moravian Republic (Miroslav Havlik, Otakar Stankus, Jan Cihak, Anna Kralova)
7th: Scotland (Martin Murray, Andrew Hope, Hamish Duguid, Alan Clark, George Geis)
8th: Switzerland (Dave Underhill, Daniel Studerus, Kevin Collins, Arthur Graf, Neil Thomas)

Full results are available at https://croquetscores.com/2016/gc/golf-croquet-world-team-tier-2

2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship

2017 AC World Team Championship - California USA - 16 Apr to 4 May

The 2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship have been held at two venues.

Tier 1 is the MacRobertson Shield and was held in the United States at Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage, California from Sunday, 16 April to Thursday, 4 May 2017.

The winners were Australia who defeated England 12-9, New Zealand 14-7 and USA 14-7.  England were second and defeated USA 14-7 and New Zealand 15-4 (two matches not played).  New Zealand were third and defeated USA 11-10.  USA were fourth.

Tiers 2.1, 2.2 and 3 were held in England at Sussex County Croquet Club, Southwick from Monday, 17 July to Saturday, 22 July 2017.

The winners and teams were as follows:

Tier 2.1:  WALES, Ireland, Scotland and Spain

Tier 2.2:  CANADA and SWEDEN, South Africa

Tier 3:     GERMANY and Czech Republic

Bad weather on the final day prevented the completion of Tier 2.2 which resulted in a shared victory.

 

2017 Golf Croquet World Championship

The 2017 Golf Croquet World Championship will be held at Cairnlea, Melbourne (and other venues) from Saturday, 25 February to Sunday, 5 March 2017 in accordance with version 4.8 of the Event Regulations and version 8.8 of the Sports Regulations.

The event website may be found at http://croquetvic.asn.au/2017-gcworlds/

 

Event details

The Event Capacity will be 80.

A Qualifying Tournament will be held at Cairnlea from Monday, 20 February to Wednesday, 22 February 2017 from which the two highest-placed finishers will gain Qualifying Places in the GCWC.  If places are returned after the Cut-Off Date (see below), additional Qualifying Places will be created.

A play-off will be held for two more Qualifying Places on Thursday, 23 February 2017 between the two highest-placed finishers in the Qualifying Tournament who have not already gained Qualifying Places and the two highest-placed and available finishers in the Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship who have not already gained a place in the GCWC.

Details of how to enter the Qualifying Tournament will be made available in due course.

Following the passing of the Response Date of 31 July 2016, 32 Membership Places have been requested and 116 individuals have been nominated for Ranking Places.

 

Future timetable dates

Later timetable dates set out in Appendix 2 paragraph 3 of the Sports Regulations, version 8.8 are:

ALLOCATION DATE: Sunday, 14 August 2016

The highest grades achieved by players in the year ending on this date will be used to determine the initial allocation of Ranking Places.

ANNOUNCEMENT DATE: Sunday, 28 August 2016

The players who have been awarded Ranking Places and Wild Card Places will be announced on this date.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday, 25 September 2016

This is the last date on which Members can nominate players for Membership Places.

QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT ALLOCATION DATE: Sunday, 25 December 2016

Entries for the Qualifying Tournament received by this date will be accepted in ranking position order as shown in the Qualifier Ranking List which is itself calculated as at the end of the QTAD.  If the Qualifying Tournament is over-subscribed on this date, unsuccessful entrants will be placed on a Reserve List, also in ranking position order.

CUT-OFF DATE: Sunday, 8 January 2017

This is the date after which any returned Ranking Places or Wild Card Places are filled by creating extra Qualifying Places.

QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT CLOSING DATE: Sunday, 5 February 2017

This is the last date on which entries can be received to fill vacancies in the Qualifying Tournament.  It is also the last date on which any returned Membership Place can be replaced by a player from the same country.

2017 Golf Croquet World Championship_1

The World Championship will be held at Cairnlea, Melbourne (and other venues) from Saturday, 25 February to Sunday, 5 March 2017 in accordance with version 4.8 of the Event Regulations and version 8.8 of the Sports Regulations.

The Event Capacity will be 80.

A Qualifying Tournament will be held at Cairnlea from Monday, 20 February to Wednesday, 22 February 2017 from which the two highest-placed finishers will gain Qualifying Places in the GCWC.  If places are returned after the Cut-Off Date (see below), additional Qualifying Places will be created.

A play-off will be held for two more Qualifying Places on Thursday, 23 February 2017 between the two highest-placed finishers in the Qualifying Tournament who have not already gained Qualifying Places and the two highest-placed and available finishers in the Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship who have not already gained a place in the GCWC.

Details of how to enter the Qualifying Tournament will be made available in due course.

 

TIMETABLE

RESPONSE DATE: Sunday, 31 July 2016

This is the date by which all WCF Members are requested to inform the WCF Management Committee:

(a) if they want to take up their Membership Place or Places;

(b) the names of their eligible players who want a Ranking or Membership place in the Event; and

(c) the names of any of those players they wish to nominate for a Wild Card Place.

Individual players who are affiliated to a WCF Member and want to gain a place in the Event must announce their availability via their Member.  However, if a player is not affiliated to a WCF Member and is not eligible to represent any WCF Member, they should contact the Secretary-General directly.

The other timetable dates set out in Appendix 2 paragraph 3 of the Sports Regulations, version 8.8 are:

ALLOCATION DATE: Sunday, 14 August 2016

The highest grades achieved by players in the year ending on this date will be used to determine the initial allocation of Ranking Places.

ANNOUNCEMENT DATE: Sunday, 28 August 2016

The players who have been awarded Ranking Places and Wild Card Places will be announced on this date.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday, 25 September 2016

This is the last date on which Members can nominate players for Membership Places.

QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT ALLOCATION DATE: Sunday, 25 December 2016

Entries for the Qualifying Tournament received by this date will be accepted in ranking position order as shown in the Qualifier Ranking List which is itself calculated as at the end of the QTAD.  If the Qualifying Tournament is over-subscribed on this date, unsuccessful entrants will be placed on a Reserve List, also in ranking position order.

CUT-OFF DATE: Sunday, 8 January 2017

This is the date after which any returned Ranking Places or Wild Card Places are filled by creating extra Qualifying Places.

QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT CLOSING DATE: Sunday, 5 February 2017

This is the last date on which entries can be received to fill vacancies in the Qualifying Tournament.  It is also the last date on which any returned Membership Place can be replaced by a player from the same country.

 

New Zealand are the GC World Team Champions

New Zealand held a 4-2 lead overnight but saw the match tighten to 5-4 after the morning doubles and two singles.  A crowed of well over 100 watched the final four singles.

Ahmed Nasr kept Egyptian hopes alive by defeating Duncan Dixon 7-4, 7-6 but, in the bottom singles, where Egyptian hopes were probably highest, it was the turn of Jenny Clarke and Phillip Drew to rise to the occasion.

Jenny defeated Mohamed Nasr 7-4, 5-7, 7-3 and Phillip beat Hamy Erian 7-6, 7-6.  This gave New Zealand an unassailable 7-5 lead and the match between Chris Clarke and Mohamed Karem was abandoned at 6-6 in the second game, the first having gone to Chris 7-5.

The New Zealand team was presented with their winner’s medals by Amir Ramsis, the WCF President and the Openshaw Shield by David Openshaw himself.  Quiller Barrett, the President of the Croquet Association, paid a warm tribute to the great efforts made by the teams of vounteers at the host clubs of Surbiton, Bath, Camerton & Peasdown and Guildford & Godalming.

 

 

Rest of World win Ramsis Cup

The Rest of the World team beat Egypt by 11-10 at the Hurlingham Club, London to retain the Ramsis Cup.

The teams were well-matched but, after the first day’s play, RoW led 7-5, winning the doubles matches by 4-2 and sharing the six singles 3-3.  On day 2, Egypt won two of the three final doubles matches to reduce the deficit to 8-7 by lunch.  Egypt then won three of the second round singles matches to square the match at 9-9.  In the decisive last three singles, 26-year old Mohamed Karem played extremely well to beat Robert Fulford 7-4, 7-1 and give Egypt the lead by 10-9 for the first time in the match.

However, Reg Bamford then produced his best form to repeat his 2008 victory against Ahmed Nasr, winning 7-5, 6-7, 7-4.  In the last match to start, Stephen Mulliner, the RoW captain, lost the opening game 6-7 but took the mext two 7-5, 7-4 to take the match and secure the Rest of the World victory.