Americans imported croquet from Great Britain at some time during the Civil War. In the 19th century, the majority of croquet players were women. So popular was the sport in Great Britain, Lewis Carroll satirized it with his famous character, Alice, of Alice in Wonderland fame, facing off with the Queen of Hearts - using flamingos as mallots and hedgehogs as balls.
In 1864, the "American Boy's Book of Sports and Games" reported croquet "has been only recently introduced into this country." Two years later, it was concluded that , "of all the epidemics that have swept over our land, the swiftest and most infectious is croquet." This is not your parent's backyard sport. Croquet tournaments held nationally recognize tactics and strategies among its best players. For more information on this sport, visit the United State Croquet Association at www.CroquetAmerica.com or email Bob Schelling, bob@baorealty.com for more information.
By the way, we have properties that provide membership in local croquet playing fields, and overlook some of the competitive regional matches held there.
Hammock Dunes, located Oceanside on the barrier island east of the Intracoastal Waterway, and Grand Haven, located along the west bank of the Intracoastal, offer fine croquet lawns. Grandhaven, in fact, has just revamped its croquet lawn to better serve its members. Both of these gated communities offer organized competition and compete in regional tournaments.
