Article Date : August 08, 1999  

The third annual National Capital Croquet Club Summer Invitational was held in Ottawa on Sunday, 8 August 1999. This one-day USCA Rules tournament is for players with handicaps of 8 and higher, and we were again particularly pleased to welcome players from Montreal, our closest croquet club neighbors.

There were two flights, the Black Flight for players in the 8 to 11 handicap range, the Yellow Flight for handicaps 12 and up.

A full house of 12 players competed in two flights. NCCC member Bill Hilborn won first place in the Black Flight this year, with Joe MacDonald second and Alison Streight third, both from the Mount Royal Croquet Club.

An emerging rivalry is emerging in this third tournament. In year one, Bill defeated Alison for first; in year two, Alison won first by beating Bill. This year Bill came first and Alison third, with Joe as the spoiler. The tournament director can hardly wait for next year!

George Kouba of NCCC came first in Yellow Flight with Wally Patch of Mount Royal second and Michael Small of NCCC third.

The reactions of these three was classic: George was thrilled, Wally, a more experienced player, was surprised, and Michael, in accepting his prize said he would treasure it as his first ever prize in croquet.

We should make particular mention of Christian Paquet, who came all the way from Quebec City to play in the tournament. Not only was this Christian’s first tournament, it was his first game! He has a set of croquet equipment and practices in his back yard (back yard quality) and is moving heaven and earth to get a croquet club established in Quebec City. We wish him all the best.

Ken Shipley, Tournament Director