European GC Singles Championships Archives

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, 25/28^th 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 31^st/32^nd 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.

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.