The newly expanded and largest croquet facility in the world, the Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club (CBCC) in Hartfield, Virginia, has been selected to host the 15th World Croquet Federation Golf Croquet (GC) World Championship in October. The event is held every two years and was last hosted at the Sussex County Croquet Club in Brighton, UK. This event is sanctioned by the United States Croquet Association (USCA) and the World Croquet Federation (WCF). Defending his title will be American player and CBCC member Matthew Essick.
“This is the premier event in world croquet,” said CBCC Pro Macey White. “Modern croquet is not the old backyard game. Croquet is an international sport that takes skill and intelligence to play well. Croquet is growing in popularity, and the very best players in the world will be on hand for this championship tournament. It is an honor for the United States and for the State of Virginia to be selected as the host of this prestigious event.” White was notified that CBCC was selected to host the event by USCA President Damon Bidencope late last year.
A total of 80 players from 23 countries will compete for the world championship. The WCF will issue competition slots to each country, and as host, the US expects to get 12 slots. A hand of slots will be left open, and those players not chosen for their country’s team who seek to qualify for the tournament will participate in a four-day “qualifier tournament” at CBCC beginning on Sunday, Oct. 13. A practice and welcoming ceremony will occur on Oct. 17 with the tournament set to begin the next day. The final 80 entrants will play in a series of “round-robin” and “knockout” rounds leading to the championship. The event will conclude with the World Championship final on Saturday, Oct. 26.
The last time the WCF GC World Championship was held in 2022, Essick defeated England’s Robert Fulford. In 2019, the championship was won by American Ben Rothman from California. Rothman was the first American to win a world croquet title. Previously, the title was dominated by the Egyptians and South Africans.
USCA President Damon Bidencope will serve as Chairman of this year’s event. USCA First Vice President Michael Albert will be the tournament director. North Carolina’s Jeff Soo, 21-time national champion and second-ranked American player, will serve as tournament manager. Wisconsin’s Cheryl Bromley, who will be inducted into the U.S. Croquet Hall of Fame in March, will serve as head tournament referee. Doug Moore, USCA treasurer, will be treasurer for the tournament.
Representing the host, Chesapeake Bay Croquet Club, will be White, CBCC President Steve Thurston, and club officers Bill James, Cynthia Fowler, and John Priest. White noted that he expects a large national and international representation at the event, and the local club will assist in lodging and logistics for the attendees. Visitors and spectators are welcome for all days of the event.
