CROQUET NEWS:  Maui Croquet Club Championship Won by Leo Nikora

15-16 December 2007
The Lodge at Koele, Lanai City, Hawaii, USA
by Leo Nikora

New club champion Leo Nikora (right) receives club trophy from previous champion Paul Billings (left).

Leo Nikora won the 2007 Maui Croquet Club Championship, winning all six of his games. Paul Billings came in second with five wins, losing only to the winner. Bruno Amby took third place by winning four games, and had the tourament's only peel.

The tournament was played over two days on the two championship croquet courts at The Lodge at Koele. A round-robin format had each club member playing one game against each of the other members; games in the early rounds were two hours and fifteen minutes long, and three hours long in the later rounds. Advanced International Rules were followed, and Sunshiny balls and The Croquet Store hoops were used. The tournament was sanctioned by the United States Croquet Association, and directed by Leo Nikora.

There was only one upset in the whole tournament — Nikora's victory over last year's champion Billings. Prior to their match on the final day, both players had 5-0 records, so the championship was decided by their game.

This was the Ramms' and Vanderlin's very first tourament play, and they comported themselves well. P. Ramm got to the peg in both his wins. K. Ramm scored twelve points in one game. Vanderlin scored points in all her games but one.

This is the tenth annual Maui Croquet Club Championship tournament. Nikora has won it eight times, and Billings has won twice.

See more pictures at the Maui Croquet Club Gallery.