World Championship awarded to the USA
[<<] [>>] by Brian Storey
22nd August 2007
(International)
The World Croquet Federation (WCF) has much pleasure in announcing that the United States Croquet Association (USCA) has been awarded the hosting of the 12th WCF World Association Croquet Championship.
The event will be played from Saturday 9th to Sunday 17th May 2009 in West Palm Beach, Florida with the centrepiece at the National Croquet Center's 12 lawns. Additional matches will be played at The PGA National Club (5 lawns), The Beach Club (3 lawns) and The Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club (2 lawns).
All the clubs are within easy commuting distance of each other and Palm Beach International Airport.
The event was previously hosted by the USCA in 1992 in Newport, Rhode Island.
There will be an expected entry of up to 80 of the world's top players in the main event.
President of the USCA, Richard Curtis said:
The USCA is excited to be hosting the 2009 WCF World Association Croquet Championship once again. This is one of the premier croquet events in the world and we are looking forward to welcoming the top croquet players from around the globe to the Palm Beach area. With matches at the National Croquet Center, PGA National, the Beach Club and the Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club, there will plenty of action for croquet fans and the weather and many attractions of South Florida should provide much enjoyment for the participants.
President of the WCF, David Openshaw commented:
I am very pleased that the USCA has put forward a successful bid to hold the Association Croquet World Championships in 2009. We really appreciate their commitment and enthusiasm to hold such an event. I am sure all other member associations and players will join with me in saying thank you to the USCA.
I know that the players will appreciate playing at the venues in Florida. The Golf Croquet World Championship and the MacRobertson Shield have already been held with great success at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach.
We look forward to a very enjoyable event in May 2009.
Further details of the 12th WCF Association Croquet World Championship will be released in due course.
Note to Editors:
1. The current World Association Croquet Champion is Reginald Bamford, South Africa who beat Robert Fulford, England at Cheltenham, England in August 2005. He will be defending the "Wimbledon Cup" in Christchurch, New Zealand at the 11th WCF World Championship which takes place from 2nd - 10th February 2008.
2. The USCA was founded in 1977 by five original clubs, largely through the efforts of Jack Osborn, its first president. It is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year and has grown to more than 250 clubs throughout North America, including Canada and Mexico.
3. The forward schedule for other key Association Croquet World events is as follows:
2nd - 10th February 2008: 11th WCF World Championship, Christchurch, New Zealand.
July/August 2010 MacRobertson Shield, England.
2011/2012 WCF World Championship (preferred bidder Australia).
Brian Storey
Secretary-General
www.wcfcroquet.org