Useppa has a long history playing three versions of croquet; the stately and competitive Six Wicket, the more relaxed still challenging Nine Wicket version of the sport, and more recently, the rambunctious, conniving and hard hitting game called Golf Croquet.

Useppa Island Croquet Club held its annual spring tournament March 28th through the 30th. Six Wicket was not played. Nine Wicket players and Golf Croquet players took over the Sumwalt lawn.

Friday was dedicated to Golf Croquet on the big court. Twenty-four contestants met throughout the day. After six games each, Michael Albert was the leader going into the finals. He held on to win the Useppa Golf Croquet championship for the second year in a row. Richard Dimmitt placed second and Linda O'Connell shared third place with Paul Beisswenger.

On Saturday and Sunday, the lawn was divided into two courts for Nine Wicket games, and by the end of play on Sunday, Karen Connery-Albert was undefeated walking away with top honors. Her husband Michael Albert was second. Mike Zuro and Donald Beckstead tied for third place.

Photographs and Story by UseppaGin