2026 Women's GC Open
National Croquet Center
Jan 15-18, 2026
Photos by Mary Hennelly & Allie Schendel
Bromley Triumphs in Fifth Annual NCC Women’s GC Open
A total of 72 women - from 11 US States, Spain, and Latvia – came together recently to play in the largest women’s croquet tournament in the world! The National Croquet Club sponsored the Fifth Annual Women’s GC Open at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, Jan 15th-18th, 2026.
Cheryl Bromley captured the trophy, a repeat of her success at the inauguration of this event five years ago. Well known to Croquet News readers, Cheryl’s home club is the Milwaukee Croquet Club in Wisconsin. First Flight Champion was Maria Eugenia Ortiz from Madrid, Spain, and Second Flight Champion was Susan Hogan of the Jekyll Island Croquet Club in Georgia.
All levels of play were represented, with dgrades from above 2000 to below 1000. The women were divided into three flights of 24 each, providing challenging play for all. Priscilla Flowers was the Tournament Manager and Head Referee, while Marc Stearns provided full-time referee coverage. Elaine and Rocky Smith were Tournament Directors. Major sponsors included Oakley Woods Croquet and White Tie Croquet. Gay Cinque sponsored live-streaming of key games on Saturday and Sunday, and the very entertaining open mic night at the Saturday Players’ dinner. All videos are available on the USCA YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qoz2qyUOYcY&list=PLPDEBnic2qgLawGUNkCXhX4erllVe2dnv
There is something very unique about this tournament that is difficult to put into words. This diverse and amazing group of women competed fiercely and with focus and determination when taking to the courts. But in between games, there was a lively and supportive interchange among the resting players. Always smiles and pleasant conversation, at each break there were new groupings of players catching up with old friends and making new ones.
The high percentage of players from outside the US (this year 10 from Spain, and one from Latvia) gives this tournament a definite international flavor. The group from Spain said “we have enjoyed this so much, we are going to go back and tell our friends how nice the people are and how great it is to play here. Perhaps next year, we will bring 20 players!” With the court expansion underway at NCC and the growing popularity of this tournament, it could become not just the largest women’s croquet tournament in the world, but the largest croquet tournament of any type in the world. If you would like to get on the distribution list for tournament information, send an email to Priscilla Flowers at pmflowers375@gmail.com.
Tournament Champion Cheryl Bromley proudly displays the beautiful crystal perpetual trophy. With Cheryl are Championship Finalist Ana Sanchez de Granda (top right), Championship Shield Winner Beatriz Cabeza de Vaca (bottom right), Championship Bowl Winner Jodie Rugart (top left), and Championship Plate Winner Sabine Martinsone.
First Flight Champion is Maria Eugenia Ortiz (center), shown with First Flight Finalist Lucia Morales-Halaby (top right), First Flight Shield Winner Sarah Persons (top left), First Flight Bowl Winner Amy Hempt (bottom left), and First Flight Plate Winner Marisa Palomares (bottom right).
Second Flight Champion is Susan Hogan (center), shown with Second Flight Finalist Cheryl Grigg (bottom left), Second Flight Shield Winner Janet Anthos (top left), Second Flight Bowl Winner Suzanne Turner (top right), and Second Flight Plate Winner Marcia Riching (bottom right).
The veranda at the NCC provides the perfect place for old friends to gather and new friendships to form.
The International contingent grows each year. Shown here are the ten ladies from Spain.
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT:
01. Cheryl Bromley
02. Ana Sanchez de Granda
03. Cami Russack
03. Julie Wright
05. Beatriz Cabeza de Vaca
06. Lisa Maloney
07. Helen Covington
07. Debbie Davidoff
09. Jodie Rugart
10. Jan Spoerl
11. Priscilla Flowers
11. Maria Antonia Verela
13. Carmen del Rio Zuazo
13. Inmaculada Palomares
13. Caryl Firth
13. Adrienne Lucke
17. Sabine Martinsone
18. Vickie Johnston
19. Mary Galasso
19. Kim Gottshall
21. Diane Waterfall
21. Lynda Bjorklund
21. Anne Killilea
FIRST FLIGHT:
01. Maria Eugenia Ortiz
02. Lucia Morales-Halaby
03. Susan Langston
03. Barbara Jamison
05. Sarah Persons
05. MaryCarol Stearns
07. Sue Emond
07. Kim Beaty
09. Amy Hempt
10. Paloma Casanova
11. Patricia Spratt
11. Karen Heckman
13. Enriqueta Cuartero
13. Ellen O'Brien
13. Madeleine d'Ambrosio
13. Gay Cinque
17. Marisa Palomares
18. Glo Ghegan
19. Mary Hennelly
19. Kathleen Brown
21. Jane Grandusky
21. Patti Malpass
21. Betty Robinson
21. Alice Scanlon
SECOND FLIGHT:
01. Susan Hogan
02. Cheryl Grigg
03. Cathy Long
03. Pam Groh
05. Janet Anthos
06. Janice Baysden
07. Diane Rose
07. Maria Jose Palomares
09. Suzanne Turner
10. Caroline Robinson
11. Chris Eaton
11. Sheila Peterson
13. Janet Mullen
13. Polly Joa
13. Lin Irey
17. Marcia Riching
18. Fei Fei Williams
19. Lynn DeVault
19. Lynn Foley
21. Patricia Richmond
21. Judy Sellner
21. Bess Gallanis
21. Frances Alexakos