CROQUET:  Arizona Open Won by Bob Cherry

The 2000 Arizona Open tournament was played from February 26th to March 4th in Phoenix.  The big controversy was the use of experimental "Advanced American Rules", which attempted to merge American Rules and International Rules.

7 March 2000
Croquet World Online
by Paul Bennett

The Arizona Open has always been a host to the best players in America and we enjoy putting this tournament on because we get to play with the best players.  This year was no different although many of the "hot shooters" have moved on to play more Association rules tournaments.  I believe that the American rules players are not quite ready for the Advanced American Rules, butthese new rules could help us all get better if played in meaningful tournaments.  Only one triple peel was completed successfully in the Arizona Open -- congratulations Michael Mehas!Others, migrated back toward what could only be self-described as Aunt Emma play.  They felt that the lift shot (or the tight hoops) caused the play to form around the dead ball game.

Were the better players still coming out on top?And shouldn't the USCA sanction the results?Well, I think that the answer to both questions is YES!

In Championship Singles, Bob Cherry, Michael Mehas, Ron Lloyd and Mike Zuro ended up block play finishing at the top.  At the end of ladder play, Bob Cherry (now a -1) carried home the 1st place trophy (a very large Kachina doll).  Michael Mehas took the 2nd place trophy having earlier defeating Ron Lloyd for 3rd place.  We will never know how strong Mike Zuro would have finished since he was undefeated in block play and held onto 4th place in ladder playoff after forfeiting his last two games due to a lung infection.  Mike, I hope you are feeling better. We all missed you Friday and Saturday.

1st Bob Cherry
2nd Mik Mehas
3rd Ron Lloyd
4th Mike Zuro
In Championship Doubles, Curtis Drake from Owensboro, KY played up from the First Flight division with Ron Lloyd.
1st Ron Lloyd/Curtis Drake
2nd Mik Mehas/Bill Thieme
3rd Johnny Mitchell/Joe Koenig
In First Flight Singles, of course you look at Curtis Drake with a handicap of 6 and wonder how until you see his play and know how.  He lost only one game in the tournament -- his first game on Sunday and that was it.
1st Curtis Drake
2nd Jeff Caldwell
3rd Jack Scott
In First Flight Doubles, we had a repeat victor team from last year.
1st Jeff Caldwell/Jack Scott
2nd Bob Nevens/Al Dilley
3rd Jim Butts/Jim Herzog