Trillium wins Mountain Challenge Croquet Championship

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By Brian O’Shea Plateau Daily News

It was a much-publicized challenge match between the Westhampton Mallet Club on Long Island, NY, and London’s Hurlingham Club in 1960 that sparked the resurgence of croquet in America moving it from a backyard sport to something much more.

HCC’s Hammond Rauers rips a shot in the Mountain Challenge Croquet Championship.

The United States Croquet Association was organized by Jack Osborn in 1977 with a nucleus of six east coast clubs. Now, since 2008, it’s been a summer event here in Highlands and Cashiers with the Mountain Challenge Croquet Championship.

Trillium Links and Lake Club took down Highlands Country Club during the Mountain Challenge Croquet Tournament finals at The Country Club of Sapphire Valley on Aug. 31. Trillium wins Mountain Challenge Croquet Championship.

Trillium Links & Lakes Club wins the Mountain Challenge Croquet Championship Trophy after the finals at The Country Club of Sapphire Valley on Aug. 29. From left are Craig Sellner, Jan Spoerl, Jim Jamison, Juan Milciunas, Scott Spoerl, & Barbara Jamison. Photo by Barbara Coon

This year’s Tournament Director Darin Guffey said the annual tournament consists of teams from 12 country clubs throughout the area. Three teams from each club compete in the tournament. Clubs vying for the coveted Mountain Challenge Croquet Championship Trophy include Country Club of Sapphire Valley, Highlands Falls Country Club, Highlands Country Club, Wildcat Cliffs, Trillium Links and Lake Club, Sky Valley, Cullasaja, Burlingame, Lake Toxaway, High Hampton, Chattooga, and Cedar Creek. The finals boiled down to Trillium against Highlands Country Club in a best of three winner take all.

HCC’s Matt Calvert takes a shot a the croquet championship.

Game 1: Jim Jamison/ Craig Sellner (Trillium) beat (HCC) Hammond Rauers/Matt Calvert 7-5.

Game 2: Jan and Scott Spoerl (Trillium) beat (HCC) Jack Howard/Susie Day 7-5

Game 3: Ellen Nielsen/Dallas Denny (HCC) beat (Trillium) Barbara Jamison/ Juan Milciunas 5-2

“The finals were great,” said Guffey. “Both teams hit some exciting roquets and long hoop shots.”

Kathie Gamble, Chairman of the Mountain Croquet Committee said within the three teams from each club that compete, there must be at least two women or two men from each team on the court for each club. Two teams must win in order to win the match (best of three).

A crowd watched at The Country Club of Sapphire Valley and really got into the match cheering throughout after great shots.

“The experience of these players has grown greatly in the last few years,” said Gamble. “Many of those competing play in tournaments throughout the United States and are members of the US Croquet Association.”

Trillium team in Game 1 from left are Jim Jamison and Craig Sellner.

Gamble said the tournament has grown since it first officially began. In 2008 four clubs competed; this year there were 12 clubs. The Mountain Challenge Croquet Trophy has been passed around since 2008 and each winner has their club’s name engraved on a plaque and they keep the trophy for the year.