2018 USCA Golf Croquet Eights

October 18–21, Sarasota County Croquet Club, Venice, FL

Todd Russell, playing in just his second tournament, won the Third Group with eight wins in nine rounds. Another newcomer, Vernon Pierce, placed second with five wins in nine rounds, edging out Karen Connery-Albert on net points.

The Second Eight was competitive throughout, with every player winning at least two matches and losing at least two, and several players still in contention going into the final round. Bill Hoffman and Stephen Jackson both won their final matches to finish with five wins in seven rounds. Each match was best-of-three games, and the first tiebreak was net games; Hoffman and Jackson tied there too. So it went to net points, Hoffman winning the Eight and Jackson placing second. Amr Hamdy, who learned Golf Croquet in Egypt and now lives in Canada, placed third.

With 2017 winner David Maloof not in the field, the First Eight was assured of a new winner. Top-ranked players Danny Huneycutt and Jeff Soo entered the final round with five wins each, leading the rest of the field, so the winner of their match would win the Eight. Soo won, 7-6, 7-6, the match-winning shot a lucky "in-off" shot to score the hoop after clearing an opponent ball. Cheryl Bromley, who had lost to Soo and Huneycutt on Day 1, won her five remaining matches to claim third place.

Hans Peterson was the Event Manager, with many SCCC club members volunteering to set courts and feed and house the players. Jeff Soo was the Tournament Director, assisted by Eileen Soo.

First Eight

Second Eight

Third Group