Premier Golf, Yachting, and Tennis Community in the Heart of Hilton Head Island PO Box 4100, SC 29938.       111 Wexford Club Drive, SC 29928.       Tel: (843) 686-8810.       Fax: (843) 686-6210.

Croquet at Wexford

Lining Them Up

History

In 2002, a small group of Wexford homeowners decided to do something about the croquet court which had been underutilized since Wexford's beginning (25 years ago).

Led by Harvey Geiger, we started with "croquet and chardonnay" parties to try to get some interest. The interest was there and several residents signed up for a series of six two-hour lessons given by a US Croquet Association certified instructor. After the lessons, Harvey, Al Sutton, Andy Shapiro, and Harry Moore agreed to form the Wexford Croquet Club and become a member of the US Croquet Association. Later, as we became more active and experienced players, we joined the Coastal Croquet Council to begin tournament play at Wexford and five other venues in the area. The other croquet clubs in the area include:

1. Port Royal (the oldest club in the area)
2. Cypress of Hilton Head
3. Sun City
4. Haig Point
5. Dataw Island (2 courts)
6. (Palmetto Bluff has two courts but has not, as yet, formed a club or joined the Coastal Croquet Council.)

Wexford's Place

Wexford has been one of the venues for a variety of regional tournaments over the past several years. Some of the best croquet players in the world have competed in matches here at Wexford.

We have the finest facility of the Coastal Croquet Council (www.coastalcroquetclubs.com) clubs and have plenty of opportunity for more players.

Wexford currently has a few good, American 6-Wicket Croquet players. By contrast Sun City has over 100 at last count. Wexford also has a loose-knit group of Golf Croquet enthusiasts who play on Sunday afternoons. Tom and Ruby Fudge have organized this event. With minimal start-up instructions, anyone can play and enjoy this game - even the first time out.

Croquet Variations

Croquet has been called a cross between pool and chess. It is only a moderate physical challenge and anyone can master the strokes and learn the game. The mental challenge is another matter. Basically 3 different types of croquet are played in Wexford:

1. Golf Croquet is the easiest game to learn and play. You can begin playing the first time you come out and it is considered the most fun and sociable form of the game.
2. American 6-Wicket Croquet is the standard game played in US tournament competition. To learn this game you should take lessons and you will need to work on your game and establish a handicap before you can play in tournaments. (More information is available at www.croquetamerica.com)
3. What might be considered a variation of the American 6-wicket game is the game that they play in the rest of the world. This game is called International Croquet or Association Rules Croquet. (Check out www.oxfordcroquet.com for more information.) It is easier to learn and much more fun for beginners and has a handicap system. But to play this game instruction is required.

Plans for 2008

In 2008, we plan to organize a couple of Sunday afternoon croquet events. These will be fun social events featuring Golf Croquet and two other fun croquet variations. One is called "The Great White Trash Shoot-out". It is literally shooting a croquet ball at a white kitchen trash basket lying on its side. The other is called "Top Gun." It is a little more complicated but a lot of fun. In addition we have a new game called "Toequet". It is played with very large hoops and colored soccer balls.

We also intend to organize events for children or adults who would like to play "Backyard Croquet." We have a good backyard croquet setup and all of the equipment.

In short: we hope to revitalize croquet at Wexford in 2008.

If you are interested call:

1. Tom Fudge @ 842-4549
2. Harry Moore @ 341-3363
3. Golf Pro Shop @ 686-8812

Information & services on these pages apply only to members of the Wexford Plantation Homeowners' Association.

Updated: Feb/1/08 Copyright 2008