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The High Bisque Tournament 2017 - 02/08/2017 17:03 by Frances_Low

The High Bisque Tournament 2017

The annual AC High Bisque Tournament was held on 31 July/1st August at Southwick.

We had 16 players in the draw – the format was changed this year and we did not have a 'very high bisquer' section. Anyone with an AC handicap of 14 or more could enter. The handicaps ranged from 14-22 so a good mix.

We also decided to make all games 14 point so players had a chance to peg out! A lot did so it worked well! There were 3 games on both days so a lot of play which is what people want.

The coaches role changed – we went over openings, laws, etc. in the classroom, then the coaches took charge of a lawn. They were available for questions on the laws or adjudicating possible faulty shots, and they de-briefed players at the end of each game.

The play was very interesting with some excellent 4-ball breaks-we were so pleased to see players taking that on board as the easiest way to get round the 6 hoops!Some players need consolidation with the shots and tactics- plenty of courses available for that!

The semi final places were filled by Anne Bolland (Compton)who played David Wicks (Ipswich), and Janet Hoptroff (SCCC)who played Vernon Hewitt (SCCC).

Anne and Janet were victorious and so played in the final. Anne had won all her games so was the slight favourite, but Janet triumphed in the end with some brilliant roqueting and hooping – 14 v 11.

Well done Janet – the winner of the High Bisque Salver!

Janet and Anne also had handicap reductions from 16 to 14.

Congratulations to all who participated. Everyone improved!

My grateful thanks to Clive Hayton, Katharine Minchin, Jonathan Isaacs and John Munt for their coaching skills and support.

Thanks to the SCCC for the excellent lawns and food.

We had brilliant weather with sunshine and blue skies. A very enjoyable, and productive 2 days.

Frances Low – Manager and Coach and Referee


Did anyone take a photo during the Competition?
Please email to Webmaster


2017 Course Programme is out! - 22/10/2016 18:59 by Webmaster

10yearstar.jpgThe prospectus of courses for the 2017 season - our 10th anniversary year - is published today.

The on-line entry system is now open.


2016 High Bisque Tournament - 05/08/2016 10:02 by FrancesLow

High Bisque Tournament run by The Croquet Academy.
1/2 August 2016 at Southwick

The annual High Bisque tournament attracted 19 entries this year. 3 were in the supervised group and the rest in the main event - The High Bisque Salver.

The supervised group was run by Katharine Minchin assisted by Steve Lewendon. They had coaching and then supervised games on day 1. On day 2, they took part in the main draw playing 14 point, full bisque games.

The main event was run in 4 blocks of 4 with a base of 10, with the top 2 from each group going through to the quarter finals.The rest played a swizz event of 14 point games. The closest quarter final was between Janet Hoptroff (SCCC) and Pam Gooders (SCCC), with Janet winning 11-10. In the semi finals Janet had a comprehensive victory over Charles Corker (Preston)while Simon Dobson (Rottingdean) narrowly beat Anne Bolland (Compton).

The final was a fascinating contest with many swings of fortune. In the end Simon triumphed over Janet by 18-9. So a new name on the Salver. Simon was playing in his 1st AC tournament and had never pegged out in a match before! To do it in the final was a great achievement. Congratulations to Simon and to Janet for playing some open and positive croquet.


We saw some interesting and competitive matches but some of the stroke play lacked accuracy. Some tactics were unusual but...........................!

Well done all of you and thank you for your support.

It was lovely to see Don and Gene Mears at the final which Don kindly refereed. Gene was of course responsible for running the event for many years.

Hope to see you in 2017 and good luck with your croquet!

Frances Low (Manager and Referee of the tournament)


2016 courses open for entry - 29/11/2015 15:39 by Webmaster

Courses at The Croquet Academy at Sussex County Croquet Club in the 2016 season are now open for entry.

You can see the full prospectus on this website here.


Changes to look! - 07/11/2015 12:16 by Webmaster

There have been some website security updates installed and a few adjustments to the look of the site. Also improved the experience on a smartphone.

Webmaster


High Bisque Tournament 2015 - 15/08/2015 10:17 by Frances_Low

The Croquet Academy
Supervised High Bisque Tournament
Southwick 13/14 August

The annual high bisque tournament remains a popular Academy event. This year we had 19 entries only – 1 late withdrawal and a clash with Hurlingham seemed to affect numbers.

The High Bisque Salver was contested by 10 players with some excellent croquet and sporting games. The winner after a close contest was Chris Rolph who beat Chris Coull in the final +6. Both players had deserved handicap changes as did Deborah Marcus. We were pleased to see some newcomers and hope they enjoyed the play.

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The Supervised group was ably managed by Katharine Minchin assisted by her team of coaches. The higher bisquers played some 14 point games with supervision and as ever the coaching and advice was well received.

The Club provided delicious lunches and we are grateful to all the volunteers from the Club and the Academy who supported this event.

The weather was interesting with an absolute deluge on the first day accompanied by thunder and lightning! What a start – we tried 3 times to start playing but each time had to abandon the games. Thanks to the higher lawns and fast draining we were lucky to get in so many games!

I would like to thank those who took part and we hope to see many more of you next year. It is a marvelous learning tournament with an opportunity to get advice from experienced coaches,and  a chance to play new opponents and to have great fun!

Frances Low-manager.

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Update on Academy Courses - 14/03/2015 19:44 by Webmaster

The Croquet Academy

 

2015 Courses

 

Some Places still available..…

Book Now to avoid disappointment!
 

Coaches Qualification Courses (places available)

(AC & GC: 14-15 April, GC: 12-13 May)
 

AC Improvers Course 14-15 April (places available)
 

AC Introduction & Development in Advanced Play 18-19 April

(5 places available)
 

GC Rules and Referees Qualification Course 18-19 April (some places)
 

AC Beginners Course 20-21 April (only 3 places left)
 

Tournament Management Course 20-22 April (places available)
 

AC Triple Peel Course 25-27 April (4 places available)
 

AC Development in Handicap Play 28-29 April (6 places available)
 

Time: 9.30 am – 5.00 pm

Location: Sussex County Croquet Club, Southwick, West Sussex

 

Full details of all our courses and registration
 

www.thecroquetacademy.com

 

or contact The Croquet Academy Secretary Janet Hoptroff on 01903 859417


High Bisque Tournament 2014 - 18/08/2014 20:24 by Frances_Low

The annual High Bisque tournament was run by the Croquet Academy at Southwick on 14/15 August. There was an exceptionally good entry of 30 players with handicaps ranging from 14-26. The weather was typical – hot sunshine one minute, torrential rain the next! The players coped well with all the seasons in one day and just got on with playing!

 

The main event, the High Bisque Salver was closely contested. Block A was won by Robin Wootton from Sussex CC, and Block B by Charles Ostler from Hunstanton. Both men won all their block games. The final took place at the end of a very tiring day and both players were tense-Robin triumphing in the end! So our chairman Jonathan Isaacs was delighted to present him with the High Bisque Salver – he also had a handicap reduction from 14 to 12. The standard of play was higher than last year in the main event with many games being pegged out. My thanks to Pat Jackson for refereeing the final.

 

We ran 2 supervised blocks this year due to the varying nature of handicaps. The main supervised event was monitored by Jonathan Isaacs and the final resulted in a close contest. David Westall from Chelmsford narrowly beating Janet Hoptroff from Sussex CC. David pegged out in the final and had his handicap reduced from 20 to 18. The other supervised group for very high bisquers and beginners was managed by Katharine Minchin who nursed the players through their games and explained the 4 ball break thoroughly. As ever, some players did not have the shots to cope with the demands of playing a game so that is something for them to work on!

 

We saw some very interesting and good play and it was pleasing to see many try to use their bisques affectively and set up and maintain the 4 ball break. We were delighted to welcome players from Compton for the 1st time, and parties from Hurlingham and Rottingdean.

 

The event would not be possible without the support of our loyal coaches and I thank wholeheartedly Jack Davies, Richard Jackson, Steve Lewendon, Alan Theobald, Clive Hayton, Katharine Minchen, Pat Jackson and Jonathan Isaacs for their help and encouragement. I spent most of my time refereeing and I now know that we need a reminder of the laws for everyone in the main event before we start next year! I must also thank Janet Hoptroff, the Academy Secretary, for her patience and efficient administration, and help over the 2 days. Thanks also to Robin Wootton for his hoop setting and the division of lawn 10 into 2 short courts.

 

We were well served as ever on the catering front by Sharon Theobald, and we remain grateful to all the volunteers who make the tournament possible.

 

We always take on board suggestions to improve the event, so watch this space for the High Bisque event next year!

 

Frances Low

Manager.


New GC Improvers Course - 25/02/2014 12:49 by Janet_Hoptroff

An additional Golf Croquet Improvers Course will run on 28th April.


Website additions - 07/02/2014 09:25 by John_Low

I have added a number of photos from last year's cycle of coaching.