Grand Haven Croquet Club Championship - 2011
4th Annual Club Championship - March 2011
“CATCH the BUG!!!” - The Grand Haven Croquet Club Championship Tournament for 2011 was played over four warm days, with sunny skies, and occasional breezes (causing two flying umbrellas and one rolling tent!). The tournament closed with a “Grand Social” on Saturday, “good food”, “good times”, and the presentation of trophies.
The 3rd Flight showed that our classes are working and the players have the confidence to play in match situations. The 2nd Flight of two nines and six tens played every match to the last minute, with leads change back and forth. For the 1st Flight, no one was willing to bet against the defending Champion, Chick Carpino, repeating, but Vincent Marmo gave him a surprise and Mijai Pagano had him worried.
“CATCH the BUG!!!” - The Grand Haven Croquet Club Championship Tournament for 2011 was played over four warm days, with sunny skies, and occasional breezes (causing two flying umbrellas and one rolling tent!). The tournament closed with a “Grand Social” on Saturday, “good food”, “good times”, and the presentation of trophies.
The 3rd Flight showed that our classes are working and the players have the confidence to play in match situations. The 2nd Flight of two nines and six tens played every match to the last minute, with leads change back and forth. For the 1st Flight, no one was willing to bet against the defending Champion, Chick Carpino, repeating, but Vincent Marmo gave him a surprise and Mijai Pagano had him worried.
Flight 1
Flight 1 - Rich, Charlie, Gabriella, Pat, Jim, Mijai, Chick & Vincent
Eight players were in the 1st Flight but, of course, only one winner was possible. The competition is such that on any given day, any one of the eight could be the one. The truth of that statement was demonstrated by four days of close and very competitive matches.
Eight players were in the 1st Flight but, of course, only one winner was possible. The competition is such that on any given day, any one of the eight could be the one. The truth of that statement was demonstrated by four days of close and very competitive matches.
Chick Carpino remained “King-of-the-Hill”, for three years running! Mijai Pagano broke through a tough field to get to the finals and played well but in the last few minutes Chick again did what he does best: keeps the balls off the court and wins!
The semi-finals had Vincent Marmo and Mijai Pagano playing with no front runner until the last few minutes when Mijai broke out with a solid turn that gave her the lead for the remainder of the match. Vincent accumulated enough tracking points to get within 5 points of his 6 ranking, while Mijai was able to gather the required 28 to lower her ranking to 6. Congratulations to ALL.
Flight 1 - Award Winners
The semi-finals had Vincent Marmo and Mijai Pagano playing with no front runner until the last few minutes when Mijai broke out with a solid turn that gave her the lead for the remainder of the match. Vincent accumulated enough tracking points to get within 5 points of his 6 ranking, while Mijai was able to gather the required 28 to lower her ranking to 6. Congratulations to ALL.
Flight 1 - Award Winners
 1 - Chick Carpino
Flight 2
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 2 - Mijai Pagano
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 3 - Vincent Marmo
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Flight 2 - Alan, Tom, Joe, Don, Antonia, Dave, Don, Hal
The competition in 2nd Flight was very close and were great to watch. No game was predictable and each was closely contested. However, as often happens, one player seems to gain momentum with each game and enters the “zone”. So it was for Dave Yurk, one of our many solid tens. He amassed enough tracking points to advance from a 10 to a 9 ranking with a few points to carry over (+4). Don White, always in the finals each year, finished second and Joe Zilligen finished third. Another special note goes to Don Gregg who finished fourth but accumulated the required 28 by the end of block play to lower his ranking from 10 to 9. Congratulations to ALL!
The competition in 2nd Flight was very close and were great to watch. No game was predictable and each was closely contested. However, as often happens, one player seems to gain momentum with each game and enters the “zone”. So it was for Dave Yurk, one of our many solid tens. He amassed enough tracking points to advance from a 10 to a 9 ranking with a few points to carry over (+4). Don White, always in the finals each year, finished second and Joe Zilligen finished third. Another special note goes to Don Gregg who finished fourth but accumulated the required 28 by the end of block play to lower his ranking from 10 to 9. Congratulations to ALL!
So it was for Dave Yurk, one of our many solid tens. He amassed enough tracking points to advance from a 10 to a 9 ranking with a few points to carry over (+4). Don White, always in the finals each year, finished second and Joe Zilligen finished third. Another special note goes to Don Gregg who finished fourth but accumulated the required 28 by the end of block play to lower his ranking from 10 to 9. Congratulations to ALL!
Flight 2 - Award Winners
Flight 2 - Award Winners
 1 - Dave Yurk
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 2 - Don White
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 3 - Joe Zilligen
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Flight 3
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Flight 3 - Frank, Margaret, Wes, Cutler, Naomi
This is only the second year that the Grand Haven Croquet Club could manage fielding a 3rd Flight. The competition was outstanding, given the playing experience of this group of five! They had the guts to come out, to play, and to enjoy the game and the competition that this kind of tournament generates.
Our winner, Wes Rice, had never played in a tournament and actually has played only a few months. But he came up to the first wicket, hit the ball, and didn’t look back. Naomi Mass, another newcomer to tournament play, came in second. Margaret Matuszak, another first timer, showed our spectators that our player-education program is working. Frank Mrakovcic, a strong newcomer, demonstrated his constantly improving strokes. Cutler Fall, a long time member of our club, led the pack at the end of block play, but fell in the first of the playoff rounds. Thanks to all for playing. I wish it were possible for each of the five to have received a trophy.
Flight 3 - Award Winners
Flight 3 - Award Winners
 1 - Wes Rice
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 2 - Naomi Mass
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 3 - Margaret Matuszak
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Jim Pagano - Tournament Director
I would also like to recognize, Yvonne Croizer for her tireless effort making sure our stomachs were full with good eats. Breakfast à la carte, provided players & spectators bagels & coffee for a nominal cost. Pre-ordered lunch was also available, making it convenient for the players.
A special thanks goes to those who supported this event through their participation: helping Yvonne Croizer with the food, or keeping board, or just supporting the players by watching the matches.
I would also like to recognize, Yvonne Croizer for her tireless effort making sure our stomachs were full with good eats. Breakfast à la carte, provided players & spectators bagels & coffee for a nominal cost. Pre-ordered lunch was also available, making it convenient for the players.
A special thanks goes to those who supported this event through their participation: helping Yvonne Croizer with the food, or keeping board, or just supporting the players by watching the matches.
Let The Games Begin!!
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