2009
Desert Classic
Rancho Mirage, CA
Results as posted from Croquet World Online Magazine
2009 Desert Classic (Mission Hills CC)
(20-Jan -- 24-Jan)
Final Results -- Bob Alma
According to Danny Huneycutt, the top finishers in the
2009 Desert Classic were:
1- Ben Rothman ($2400)
2- Danny Huneycutt (1200)
3- Jim Bast (600)
4- Doug Grimsley
Plate Winner - Ron Lloyd (400)
XXX
2009 Desert Classic (Mission Hills CC)
(20-Jan -- 24-Jan)
report -- doug grimsley
The playoffs are set with Danny Huneycutt (6-3) and Ben
Rothman (9-0) taking the two blocks and advancing to their own
best-of-three match with the winner going directly into the finals. The
loser of that match will drop down to play the winner of the regular
playoff ladder. Those matchups are:
Bast vs. Lloyd
McBride vs. Butts
Grimsley vs. Billings
Kelley Vs. Bennett
Rothman remains the hottest player in the tournament with a perfect
record at 9-0. His last game of the day vs. cross-block opponent Danny
Huneycutt was a 26tp-0 masterpiece which threw the other block up for
grabs. Bast needed two of three to take the block but only managed one.
Grimsley needed a 26-0 win against Lloyd, and led 21-0 when Lloyd hit
the last-chance leave. Lloyd not only killed Grimsley's chances but
went on to complete the game with a 26tp-21 win--and managed to qualify
for the playoff by one net point! In other games, Ron Hendry pulled off
the first triple of his career, and in Ist Flight action Stephanie
Paduano pegged out for the first time in her career with a 26-3
victory. Rory Kelley and Mike Orgill continued their excellent work as
TD's.
2009 Desert Classic (Mission Hills CC)
(20-Jan -- 24-Jan)
Report -- Doug Grimsley
The Desert Classic is being played under the same format
as the U.S.Open with the block winners receiving a great reward as they
advance to their own best of three playoff with the winner going
directly into the finals and the loser dropping back to play the winner
of the ladder. With this in mind the block play takes on more meaning
than in most tournaments. Also different in this year's Classic is the
cross block play that sends the top three players from each block over
to play the the top three from the other block while the bottom four
from each block cross over to the bottom four of the other--creating a
tough road to a block win for any of the top six ranked players. In
block one (Blue Block) Ben Rothman has been able to overcome the
seeding to post a perfect start at 6-0 followed by Paul Bennett at 5-1
and Jim Butts at 5-1. Rothman has beaten McBride from the other block
and also Grimsley from the other block with a stunning otp. After
Grimsley's tpo, Rothman ran hoop one, hit a 60 foot roquet, and rolled
60 feet to position at two and took the break around for the come from
behind win. In block two (Blue Block) the top seeds have had a bigger
struggle. McBride stands at 3-3. Grimsley stands at 3-3 (losing twice
playing two balls to his opponent's one). Honeycutt is alive at 4-2.
But the leaders in Blue Block are Jim Bast at 5-1 and Rory Kelley at
5-1. Thursday's play completes the blocks. A more in-depth report to
follow.
Note: these are not complete results, but I do not remember any details after being beaten ...
From my handicap card, I see that
Ben Rothman bt Paul Bennett +17tp
Paul Bennett bt Ron Lloyd +16
Paul Bennett bt Bob Van Tassell +14 tp
Paul Bennett bt Paul Billing +16tp
Paul Bennett lt Danny Hunneycutt -14otp
Paul Bennett bt Tony Reaves +24tp
Paul Bennett bt Jim Butts +17qp
Paul Bennett bt Leo McBride +17tp
Paul Bennett bt Rory Kelley +26tp
Paul Bennett lt Doug Grimsley -11tp
Paul Bennett bt Paul Billing +24
Paul Bennett lt Ron Lloyd -3
Now I remember ... former teammates on the 2008 Solomon Cup, Ron Lloyd and Paul Bennett duked it out in
the last game (for Paul) when Ron went straight around with first ball then in second break managed to miss
the pegout with his partner ball and decided to pegout with the striker ball. Paul managed to hit in and
take twelve with his first ball and leave Ron in the corner with opponent balls far far away. Since Ron pegged out
one of his balls, he was no longer entitled to a lift shot and declined to the opposite corner instead. Paul
then managed to two ball it around the court to a final position with Ron in corner 3 and Paul's two balls
wired from Ron with a laid rush to rover to finish.
Ron hit the peg to finish and win the plate from Paul.