2023 European GC Under 21 Championship: Winner Aston Wade

Congratulations to Aston Wade
European U21 GC Champion

Report to follow soon.

Full results can be found on CroquetScores: ERC 2023 U21 Championship - Latvia

PRE-EVENT INFORMATION


The 2023 GC Under 21 European Championship will be held between 17 - 20 August 2023 at the Ikskile Croquet Club (main venue with 3 courts) and Sigulda Croquet Club (one court) in Latvia.

Main Event
The event capacity is 28 players. There is no entry fee for the Under 21 players.

Format
Block play: 4 blocks of 7 players playing single games over two days. The top 4 in each block will qualify for the Knock-Out Stage.

Knock-Out:   The Knock-Out Stage will comprise 16 players.  Seeding will be Position-Based Seeding in accordance with Appendix 7 Section B of the WCF Sports Regulations. Knock-Out will consist of matches of best-of-three games.

Plate:   Entry will be open to those that do not qualify for the Championship Knock-Out Stage.  It will consist of block play and matches will be single games.  It will be followed by a knock-out stage.

Bowl:  Entry will be open to the first-round losers in the Knock-Out Stage.  It will be a knock-out event and matches will be best-of-three games.

Shield:  Entry will be open to the second-round losers in the Knock-Out Stage.  It will be a knock-out event and matches will be best-of-three games.

Use of double banking: The Manager will have the right to double bank as necessary in order to ensure the tournament stays on schedule.

Age Limit
This event is only open to players who are Under 21 on 31st December 2022. The criteria are defined in the Sports Regulations: 5.1.5 A player may compete in an Event subject to a maximum age limit if their age does not exceed the limit on the preceding 31st December.

So, anybody who is 20 or younger on 31st December 2022 may compete. Anyone who turns 21 prior to that date, may not.

Entry Method
Players should submit their availability to their Member Governing Body in accordance with their published entry method. Any applicants from non-Member countries should email their availability, by the response date, to erc@worldcroquet.org.

Allocation Process
Allocation shall be done according to the WCF Sports Regulations taking into account specific Variations to the WCF Regulations to be used in all ERC events, version 1.1 published on the WCF webpage Europe.

The Member Place Limit for this event is 5.

Player Information
Successful entrants should note that contact details, a photograph and a short bio for the programme, must be provided to the ERC as per the published timetable.

Further information about the event, including local accommodation and attractions, the event timetable and any other relevant information, will be published nearer the start date.

Key Dates

Invitation Date

20/12/2022

This is the date that Members will be formally invited to send players to participate in this event.

Response Date

26/02/2023

This is the date by which Member nominations for Ranking and Wild Card places must have been received by the WCF Management Committee. Members must also specify the number of Membership Places they wish to take up and RCO's should advise if they would like to request a Membership Place.

Allocation Date

12/03/2023

The World Ranking List to be used to determine the initial allocation of Ranking Places is that published at the end of the Allocation Date.

Announcement Date

19/03/2023

Announcement of the players who have been awarded Ranking Places and eventual Wild Card Places.

Closing Date

23/04/2023

This is the last date Members can nominate players for their Membership Places. Within 1 to 2 days the ERC will announce recipients of Membership Places and Replacement Ranking Places.

Player Contact Details & Bios

07/05/2023

This is the date by which players are asked to provide their contact details, bio's and a headshot photo


Key Personnel

Tournament Director

Roberts Stafeckis

Tournament Manager

tba

WCF Event Lead

Begona Elzaburu

Tournament Referee

Viktors Harlinskis

 

 

 

2023 European U21 Programme

LATEST NEWS

2023 European Teams Championship: Winner England

This was the first time this event has been held under the management of the European Regional Committee. The event had been held many years ago by the previous European Federation.

For this inaugural event, 9 countries convened at Cheltenham, England for 4 days of mixed AC and GC matches. Each team had one AC player and 2 GC players in a format designed to test both versions of our sport.

Thank you to the Cheltenham Club for hosting and to all the volunteers and officials who organised the event.

Congratulations to the English team who beat Wales 3:0 in the Final

Aston Wade (Captain), Stuart Smith and Euan Burridge.

Full results can be found on Croquet Scores

Block results by country

AC Test Results

GC Test Results

 

 

European Golf Croquet Club League Results – IKSKILE Heat 8/9 July

60 games were played, among them 48 singles. After the first two matches all teams were tied at one match won out of two. On the second day, the play continued with further narrow margins.

Ikskile Club defeated Hamburg by 6-4, and secured not only a place at the Grand Final, but also the overall top position. Ealing beat Tolkis by 7-3, and thus earned the other ticket to Roehampton.

Overall, the top team has won just two games more than the last team – a clear indication of the closeness of the playing level of all teams.

Ealing Club presented an elegant table-top flag with national flags of all four clubs.

On Saturday night, there was an enjoyable barbecue party at the club for all players and accompanying persons. After the meal and a few drinks, the players went out to the lawns again to play some friendly matches that lasted until dusk at around 11pm.

For full results visit Croquet Scores: 2023 GC European Club League - Ikskile Heat 8/9 July 2023

European Golf Croquet Club League Results – CERN Heat 10/11 june

European GC Club League 2023 - CERN Heat June 10th and 11th

CERN (Switzerland) ran out narrow victors over Suedwest (Germany). With only two teams participating the heat was played as a direct head to head match. The captains opted for an all-play-all best of three format over the weekend. Ian Sexton (CERN) won all four of his matches 2-0 and was ably supported by Danny Davids who won three of his matches. The top German performer was Kevin Ferguson (3 match wins).

The final score was CERN 9 Suedwest 7.

For full results visit Croquet Scores: ERC Club League - CERN heat 10/11 June

2023 European GC Singles Championship: Winner Rachel Gee

Congratulations Rachel Gee - Winner of the 2023 European GC Championship
Rachel Gee, winner of the 2023 GC European Championship (credit Jayne Ellery)

Full results: Croquet Scores 2023 European Championship, Budleigh

 

Tournament Report , written by Louise Smith.

Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club were once again hosts to the ERC European Golf Croquet Championships, 25/28th May 2023.

Players from 12 countries competed in the familiar 4 blocks of 8 players, with the top four from each block progressing to the Last 16 and Championship knock-out. The tournament fans out into various consolation events as play unfolds, but all players have the opportunity to play on, right until 31st/32nd placings.

After four days of glorious sunshine, and some superb examples of golf croquet skills, the Championship Final was contested by the previous 2022 finalists, Aston Wade and Rachel Gee, both representing England.

In a reversal of fortunes, this year Rachel took the title 2/1 with an impressive performance from both players. This is Rachel’s third European Championship victory.

Euan Burridge (England) won the Shield, beating Nicolas Denizot 7/6, 7/3.

The Bowl Final featured Ian Burridge, (Wales), and Patricio Garay Jnr (Spain), with the Spaniard victorious 4/7, 7/6, 7/2.

The Plate was won by Glenn Fauske (Norway) in a match against Charlie von Schmieder (Ireland) 7/2, 7/2.

 

LATEST NEWS

 

 

PRE-EVENT INFORMATION

The 2023 GC European Championship will be held between 25 - 28 May 2023 at the Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club in Budleigh, England.

Main Event
The event capacity is 32 players. The entry fee for successful entrants will be £68.00, based on a rate of £17 per player per day for 4 days.

Format
Block play: 4 blocks of 8 players playing single games over two and a half days. The top 4 in each block will qualify for the Knock-Out Stage.

Knock-Out:   The Knock-Out Stage will comprise 16 players.  Seeding will be Position-Based Seeding in accordance with Appendix 7 Section B of the WCF Sports Regulations. Knock-Out will consist of matches of best-of-three games.

Plate:   Entry will be open to those that do not qualify for the Championship Knock-Out Stage.  It will consist of block play and matches will be single games.  It will be followed by a knock-out stage.

Bowl:  Entry will be open to the first-round losers in the Knock-Out Stage.  It will be a knock-out event and matches will be best-of-three games.

Shield:  Entry will be open to the second-round losers in the Knock-Out Stage.  It will be a knock-out event and matches will be best-of-three games.

Use of double banking: The Manager will have the right to double bank as necessary in order to ensure the tournament stays on schedule.

Entry Method
Players should submit their availability to their Member Governing Body in accordance with their published entry method. Any applicants from non-Member countries should email their availability, by the response date, to erc@worldcroquet.org.

Allocation Process

Allocation shall be done according to the WCF Sports Regulations taking into account specific Variations to the WCF Regulations to be used in all ERC events, version 1.1 published on WCF website Europe page.

The Member Place Limit for this event is 5.

Player Information
Successful entrants should note that contact details, a photograph and a short bio for the programme, must be provided to the ERC as per the published timetable.

Further information about the event, including local accommodation and attractions, the event timetable and any other relevant information, will be published nearer the start date.

Key Dates

Invitation Date

15 Dec 2022

This is the date that Members will be formally invited to send players to participate in this event.

Response Date

12th Feb 2023

This is the date by which Member nominations for Ranking and Wild Card places must have been received by the WCF Management Committee. Members must also specify the number of Membership Places they wish to take up and RCO's should advise if they would like to request a Membership Place.

Allocation Date

26th Feb 2023

The World Ranking List to be used to determine the initial allocation of Ranking Places is that published at the end of the Allocation Date.

Announcement Date

5th March 2023

Announcement of the players who have been awarded Ranking Places and eventual Wild Card Places.

Closing Date

2nd April 2023

This is the last date Members can nominate players for their Membership Places. Within 1 to 2 days the ERC will announce recipients of Membership Places and Replacement Ranking Places.

Player Contact Details & Bios

1st May 2023

This is the date by which players are asked to provide their contact details, bio's and a headshot photo

Entry Fee Due Date

7th May 2023

* note new due date * Any players awarded a place on the Announcement Date will lose their place if they have not paid by this date.


Key Personnel

Tournament Director

John O'Gorman

Tournament Manager

Louise Smith

WCF Event Lead

Roberts Stafeckis

Tournament Referee

tba

 

 

 

A selection of photos. Thank you Keiran Moore.

European Golf Croquet Club League Results – Dulwich Heat 29/30 April

European GC Club League 2023 - Dulwich Heat 29/30 April

Four teams took part in the second heat of this competition. Dulwich (England), Sherry (Spain), Sussex (England) and Zurich (Switzerland). Unfortunately shortly before the event Sussex became unable to field and eligible team for the whole duration of the event. It was agreed in advance that their results would not count towards determining the finishing positions and the two qualifiers for the Grand Final at Roehampton in October.

A fantastic weekend's croquet saw Dulwich comfortably winning but second place came down to the final two games with Sherry just edging out Zurich.

Dulwich beat Sherry 7-3
Dulwich beat Zurich 9-1
Sherry beat Zurich 6-4

1st Dulwich (2 wins), 2nd Sherry (1 win), 3rd Zurich)

Other matches

Dulwich beat Sussex County 7-0
Sherry drew with Sussex County 5-5
Sussex County beat Zurich 8-2

Full result are available at https://croquetscores.com/2023/gc/euro-league-dulwich-heat

2023 European GC Championship – List of Players and Replacement List

The 2nd of April was the deadline for the nomination of the 17 requested Membership Places. 16 players were nominated, and Latvia had returned its MP.

The returned Latvian MP has been converted into one additional Ranking Place. It was offered to the top player on the Replacement Ranking List, Henry Hagelberg, Finland, and he accepted it. There has been another withdrawal by Stephen Mulliner, his ranking place was offered to Richard Bilton as the top player on the English Replacement List.

Please see below for lists of those players awarded a Ranking Place, those awarded a Membership Place, and also the current Replacement Ranking lists.

Entry Fee
Players - the entry fee of £68 is due by 7th May. If possible, please pay by Bank Transfer, using the details emailed to you by your member.

Those wishing to pay via PayPal please follow this link - https://worldcroquet.org/2023-european-gc-championship-how-to-pay-your-entry-fees/

Player Information
Please also remember that players should send their contact details, photos and short bios by 1st May 2023 directly to Tournament Manager Louise Smith (her contact details should be provided to you by your Member).