Robert Fulford won the English National Golf Croquet Singles Championship

[<<] [>>] by Bill Arliss
24th July 2001 (GC)

Robert Fulford took the singles title (Ascot Cup) and the Sheen brothers retained their doubles title (Ranelagh Cups).

The finals this year were played at the Colchester Club. The singles event was initially four blocks of four with the leading two in each block entering a knockout. The final eight were Robert Fulford, Tom Weston, Derek Old, Bill Arliss, Chris Sheen, Sam Curry, Ivor Brand and Roddy Sheen. Robert made his way to the final with a 10-4 win over Bill Arliss and a 10-7 win over Derek Old. Chris Sheen disposed of brother Roderick 10-8 and Ivor Brand 10-7 but could not match Robert Fulford's long distance shooting in the final which Robert took 10-5. Richard Brand won the consolation knockout competition.

Unfortunately one of the leading contenders, John Moore, went for a practice run the previous evening (he is a middle distance runner) and had a slight argument with a curb. Regrettably, this means John is in plaster for the next four to six weeks and will not be taking an active part in the croquet scene.

Following the tragic death of one of the double players, Brian Kennedy, only one week before the event and the loss of John Moore, the doubles final was restricted to six pairs. Manager Pat Heatherington played the event as a single American block with each game being 19 points. Although the Sheen brothers emerged clear winners with five wins from five, they had some very close competition with sudden death victories over the second place pair, Bill Arliss and Daphne Gaitley (four wins from five) and the Brand brothers, Ivor and Richard.