Under beautiful blue skies, to the sounds of children getting their tennis lessons next door, the 2015 USCA CroqCan started.

Two flights, Championship and First Flight, with 7 and 6 players respectively, began the first round where double banked games are expected for at least the first two days of this three day tournament.

The top players were enjoying the use of very new Dawson balls….with one catch. Usually USCA rules will double bank with solid primary colours for one game and stripped primary colours for the other. We, however, were using secondary colours….which is likely going to prove a little odd because we have to pay attention to rotation. The good news, is that several of us had recently played the Golf Croq-Can event, so had had a little exposure to this unusual situation.

We’ll see if this proves the downfall of anyone as the tournament progresses.

First Flight players were given Barlows, solid and stripes, so would not need to worry about getting the colours confused! That’s not to say there may not be other factors that will affect the outcome…there is a very good, relatively new golf croquet player who is playing his first US rules tournament and has little to no experience when it comes to croquet shots. And then there is a senior citizen who started off playing US but she’s mostly played golf croquet for the last decade. She has the great attitude of “Well, somebody has to come last!”

With no internet access at the courts, the scores will only be available after play has been completed and I get back home to my wireless connection.