Welcome to our Tournament log

Grand Haven 2012 Championship

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 23:01:21 -0400

5th Annual Club Championship - March 21 - 24, 2011
Cassandra Gaisor was named Club Champion for the second time in the five year history of the Championship. Sadly, the reigning three time Champion, Chick Carpino, was unable to defend his title due to a back injury. We all wish him a speedy recovery and can’t wait to see him compete in next year’s event.

Grand Haven 2011 Invitational

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:06:29 -0500

Grand Haven Invitational - November 9 - 12, 2011
The 6th Annual Grand Haven Invitational got off to a good start, with 20 players arriving on Tuesday for pre-tournament practice. It was a good mixture of 8 Grand Haven players and 12 player representing other clubs. The weather cooperated with sunny skies, but cool and sometimes breezy conditions.

Grand Haven 2011 Championship

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:37:02 -0400

4th Annual Club Championship - March 2011
“CATCH the BUG!!!” - The Grand Haven Croquet Club Championship Tournament for 2011 was played over four warm days, with sunny skies, and occasional breezes (causing two flying umbrellas and one rolling tent!). The tournament closed with a “Grand Social” on Saturday, “good food”, “good times”, and the presentation of trophies.
The 3rd Flight showed that our classes are working and the players have the confidence to play in match situations. The 2nd Flight of two nines and six tens played every match to the last minute, with leads change back and forth. For the 1st Flight, no one was willing to bet against the defending Champion, Chick Carpino, repeating, but Vincent Marmo gave him a surprise and Mijai Pagano had him worried.

Flight 1

Eight players were in the 1st Flight but, of course, only one winner was possible. The competition is such that on any given day, any one of the eight could be the one. The truth of that statement was demonstrated by four days of close and very competitive matches.
Chick Carpino remained “King-of-the-Hill”, for three years running! Mijai Pagano broke through a tough field to get to the finals and played well but in the last few minutes Chick again did what he does best: keeps the balls off the court and wins!
The semi-finals had Vincent Marmo and Mijai Pagano playing with no front runner until the last few minutes when Mijai broke out with a solid turn that gave her the lead for the remainder of the match. Vincent accumulated enough tracking points to get within 5 points of his 6 ranking, while Mijai was able to gather the required 28 to lower her ranking to 6. Congratulations to ALL!

Flight 2

The competition in 2nd Flight was very close and were great to watch. No game was predictable and each was closely contested. However, as often happens, one player seems to gain momentum with each game and enters the “zone”. So it was for Dave Yurk, one of our many solid tens. He amassed enough tracking points to advance from a 10 to a 9 ranking with a few points to carry over (+4). Don White, always in the finals each year, finished second and Joe Zilligen finished third. Another special note goes to Don Gregg who finished fourth but accumulated the required 28 by the end of block play to lower his ranking from 10 to 9. Congratulations to ALL!

Flight 3

This is only the second year that the Grand Haven Croquet Club could manage fielding a 3rd Flight. The competition was outstanding, given the playing experience of this group of five! They had the guts to come out, to play, and to enjoy the game and the competition that this kind of tournament generates.
Our winner, Wes Rice, had never played in a tournament and actually has played only a few months. But he came up to the first wicket, hit the ball, and didn’t look back. Naomi Mass, another newcomer to tournament play, came in second. Margaret Matuszak, another first timer, showed our spectators that our player-education program is working. Frank Mrakovcic, a strong newcomer, demonstrated his constantly improving strokes. Cutler Fall, a long time member of our club, led the pack at the end of block play, but fell in the first of the playoff rounds. Thanks to all for playing. I wish it were possible for each of the five to have received a trophy.

I would also like to recognize, Yvonne Croizer for her tireless effort making sure our stomachs were full with good eats. Breakfast à la carte, provided players & spectators bagels & coffee for a nominal cost. Pre-ordered lunch was also available, making it convenient for the players.
A special thanks goes to those who supported this event through their participation: helping Yvonne Croizer with the food, or keeping board, or just supporting the players by watching the matches.

Grand Haven 2010 Championship

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:16:08 -0500

3rd Annual Club Championship - November 2010
You couldn’t ask for better weather, greater food, or more exciting play! The Grand Haven Croquet Club Championships for 2010 concluded with everyone having a wonderful time. In the 1st flight, after some worrisome games in round robin play, last years’ Club Champion did what all Champions do; Chic Carpino took his game to the next higher level making a clean sweep during finals play. In 2nd flight Charlie Greer went undefeated to claim that flights’ title. 3rd flight was played for the first time, and the players involved proved just how great our club is! Peter Stirrup climbed from 3rd to 1st to complete his sweep. A Special thanks goes out to those who supported this event thru their participation, helping Yvonne with the food or just by supporting the players by watching the matches and keeping board.
1st Flight - Eight players, only one winner, on any given day any one of the eight could win. True as that statement is, and as evidenced at the end of four days of close and very competitive matches, Jim Pagano was first, followed by Carol Burns and last years’ champion Chick Carpino trailing in third. But Chick was not to be denied, he went about the business of winning, taking Saturday’s Championship playoffs and repeating for the second year as the Grand Haven Croquet Club Champion for 2010.
2nd Flight - Charlie Greer took this flight undefeated but not uncontested, numerous times he was in trouble, but each time he too picked his game up to complete his sweep. The competitors in this flight were not all seasoned players but managed to keep the competition at a high level. Of special note, Joe Zilligen placing second compiled sufficient points to lower his handicap from 10 to 9, no small feat in this bracket!
3rd Flight - This is where the Grand Haven Croquet Club can be proud! On its’ first time having a 3rd flight, the competition was well played, very competitive, and most of all fun! Peter Stirrup came all the way from third to first in the last day of competition but it was not easy. The rest of the field were all first time competitors in match play, each and every one of them played well and conducted themselves like seasoned players.
As the Tournament Director for this event, I can say it was a great experience for me as well, the Grand Haven Croquet Club is growing by leaps and bounds, play is very competitive but sportsmanship was in abundance, everyone jumped in to help, board keeping, food prep, setup and cleanup! Next event? Bigger, Better!
Jim Pagano - Tournament Director

2010 Tournament Results

Grand Haven 2010 Invitational

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 13:20:09 -0400

Grand Haven Invitational - October 13 - 16, 2010
Welcome to the 5th Annual Grand Haven 2010 Invitational. The welcome mat was out, and the players were treated royally, as has been the custom during the previous years. A cool front (We don’t have cold fronts in Florida) went through the day before, and left us with a clear sky and warm sunny days. The croquet committee, under the direction of the Tournament Manager, Jim Pagano came up with a pleasant mix of croquet and social events to keep the most discriminating player pleased. Special recognition went to Yvonne Croizer for her untiring devotion to duty. Fred Jones controlled the on court activities.
Using an oversize court, divided into two, three flights competed for three full days, and Saturday morning to complete a round robin in each flight. Court limitations allowed only two games a day for each player, but with the handicap range from 4.5 to 13, the players were satisfied. The majority of the players were repeats from previous years, and the mix of locals and guests worked well.
The opening party was held at the home of Pat Williams, where schedules and favors were handed out, and the liquid and solid refreshments never seemed to end. All had a great evening.
The traditional dinner party was held at the Golf Club on Friday evening, again the food, drinks, and comradely were first class. This was preceded Thursday evening night by a buffet dinner at the clubhouse courtside conceived and served by Yvonne and Jean Paul Croizer. What a wonderful meal and a pleasant evening.
When it became time to play croquet, the courts were lively, but without incident. The games went smoothly, and on time, with board keepers supplied by the club, both by the players and by non-participating members
Saturday morning was the wrap-up with the top three players from each flight playing in a single elimination ladder, designed to finish by 1:00 PM so the group might move indoors for a nice lunch and the award ceremonies
What happened? Well Geoffrey Mattison eased out Cassandra Gaisor to take the trophy in first flight. Carol Burns was third.
Second flight was decided when Vincent Marmo, who went undefeated throughout the entire tournament, including the ladder topped Charlie Greer in the final. Don Gregg was third.
Third flight looked to be a win for Betty Simmon due to her showing in the block play, but it was not to happen, as Alan Keith came along to take the prize by one point 18-17. Bo Bohannon, a perennial at this tournament, took third place
Trophies were awarded following the Saturday luncheon.
Fred Jones Tournament Director
2010 Invitational Results
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