12/13/2017 Results

Lefty, Mr. Wicket, Wick O'Shay and Surferino played two rounds at Mar-A-Lawno. Round One went to Wick O'Shay, despite his love-hate relationship with the flower bed separating the upper and lower lawns. Round Two went to Mr. Wicket. Lefty did the hard work of killing Wick and Surferino before being eliminated by Mr. Wicket.

The shot of the day (SOD) was Lefty's long distance direct smash into Surferino's red ball.

12/10/2017 Results

Despite the howling offshore wind, the cool temperature and vague sunlight, Mar-A-Lawno was the location of the Mr. Balls is here let's play croquet event. Also, it was Leftie's birthday.

Initially, six players showed, including Sticky Wicky, Leftie, Mr. Balls, Wick O'Shay, Surferino and Mr. Wicket. After a few wickets, Sticky announced that he was feeling the call of the surf and needed to get wet. So, he left. Good riddance! On Leftie's birthday, Sticky decided that attempting to surf in crappy waves was more important than beating down Leftie and making him feel old.

The first game was won by Surferino who was left a short kill shot after Mr. Wicket missed a kill shot on him. During this game, Wick O'Shay demonstrated how to power through the foliage separating  the lower lawn from the upper lawn. Later, Wick also demonstrated how not to attempt to power through the foliage.

The second game ending was the reverse of the first game in that Mr. Wicket won with a gimme after Surferino missed a kill shot on him. A text was received from Sticky who, playing the victim card,  complained that good friends would not have let him leave to attempt to surf crappy waves.

All in all, it was grand to resume playing croquet at the fabulous Mar-A-Lawno. Kuddos to Mr. Wicket for curating the splendid birthday mix for Leftie and grooming the course.

Mr. Balls Sighting

Soon

Soon?

Attention

part 4

Part 3

Part 2

Cowabunga Croquet Club Tour Stops

Vuelta de los dos Cowabungas

October 19 and 20 Results

The Cowabungas, including Sticky Wicky, Wick O'Shay, Lefty, Surferino and Mr. Wicket, visited Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, California. They established a lengthy course on the day use area lawn each day. As surfers, transients, homeless persons, soccer and volleyball players walked through the course, the Cowabungas managed to play hard hitting games with long difficult shots. No one was injured.

On the 19th, Mr. Wicket came from behind and killed Surferino, who had been way out front, with a long dead-on shot.

On the 20th, absent Sticky who had to catch a train, Wick O'Shay and Surferino played to a mutually agreed upon draw, after missing many long distance kill shots.

Unfortunately, the games were fueled only by water, since alcohol was forbidden by park rules.

The Croquet Player by H.G. Wells: a review.

Written during the Spanish Civil War, the historical context explains the bizarre nature of The Croquet Player. War as a contagion affecting the human mind and behavior is the story's theme.

Satire and hyperbole fuel the telling of the tale. A series of conversations between the emotionally stunted protagonist and antiheros occur at a resort where croquet and other genteel games are played. The protagonist is an accomplished croquet player who learns of a mysterious, remote village where atrocities are occurring. Villagers prey upon each other and their animals. 

The antiheros include a parson, a doctor and psychologist all of whom have become infected with the village malaise. Each conversation draws the protagonist into an unwelcome world of experience and thought that is both fascinating and debilitating. Ultimately, croquet rescues him from the apocalypse (a lesson for all Cowabungas).

September 27, 2017 Results

Two rounds were played on the Mar-A-Lawno course in brilliant, penetrating sunshine. Two misters were strategically placed for player relief. Participants included Mr. Wicket, Sticky Wicky, Surferino, and back from the wild north,  Leftie.

The first game was won by Surferino who came from way back to kill Mr. Wicket.

The second game contained the SOD. A poisonous Mr. Wicket took a kill shot but missed and went through a wicket, committing croquet seppuku and the SOD. That's the yin and yang of it. Eventually, Leftie killed Surferino to win the game.

Road Trip 🚘

Cowabungas are packing their crates, boxes, vans, trucks and station wagons. They are loading their boards, clubs, mallets and croquet set, ukuleles and corn hole set. 🏄  🎼

The road is long but adventure calls. There are waves to be surfed, croquet to be played, songs to be strummed and sung, and bean bags to be tossed. Not to mention a milestone birthday to celebrate.

Safe travels Cowabungas.

The Fall Festival of Croquet September 22, 2017

With muted sunshine, a steady breeze and a damp course, six Cowabungas played one game and five a second game. Sticky Wicky departed after game one having been killed early by Mr. Wicket's poisonous and calculating brother who has no player name.

The game one winner was Wick O'Shay whose strategy of last-to-first delivered the victory. During the game, Surferino, with his second shot from the turn-around, improbably hit the black ball with a chopped bouncing shot, earning the shot of the day (SOD).

Game two was won by Surferino who slammed the ball of Mr. Wicket's poisonous and calculating brother who has no player name.

Mr. Balls never appeared despite having reportedly told Wick O'Shay that he was en route. In a disturbing development, the curated music did not last through the entirety of game two, causing cognitive dissonance among the remaining players who suffered in silence. Mar-a-Lawno can be a lonely, haunting and beautiful place.

Mr. Wicket's poisonous and calculating brother has taken the player name, Mad Dog. May he well and truly exemplify his player name.

September 12 Results

Leftie, Wick O'Shay, Surferino and Mr. Wicket played two games, reversing the starting point for the second game. The reversal proved to be a deciding factor in the outcome of the second game. Leftie won the first game. Wick won the second game when Mr. Wicket's kill shot went through a wicket causing instant, self-inflicted death.

The SOD occurred in the second game. The far-out-in-front leader reached and became poison. Inexplicably the leader positioned his ball in front of the stake and stroked it through the two wickets thereby committing sepuku. Too bad for Leftie. It must be said the three other participants knew he was committing suicide and choose not to alert him. How humiliating.

Where's Sticky?

September 3 Results.

Mr. Balls, Mr. Wicket, Sticky Wicky, Surferino and Leftie played two games today on the loooong course. A faint whiff of smoke from wildfires tainted the air but did not prevent Mr. Wicket from sweeping both games. Although the competitors were evenly matched and played well in spots, the superior tactics of and good shooting by Mr. Wicket prevailed.

The SOD goes to Wick O'Shay who smashed a blind uphill long shot through a wicket on a hop. A fantastic shot but not enough to propel him to victory.

Mr. Wicket saved Sticky from foundering by installing a mister in the seating section. After spending minutes of contentment under the mister, Sticky shook himself like the Dawg he is otherwise known as. The sweaty water he shed was as icky as Sticky.

September 2 Results

Reliable sources indicate Wick O'Shay won the game. Additional details are lacking.

September 1 Results

No SOD or POD today. Players included Mr. Wicket, Sticky Wicker, Surferino and Wick O'Shay.  Surferino won the first game. Wick O'Shay won the second game. Both games were played on the long course. It was a Southside sweep.

Difficulty breathing forces Mr. Balls to the beach! Croquet tomorrow. Details to follow.

August 26 Murder/Suicide at the Mar-a Lawno

Eyewitness accounts of the events which unfolded on a hot clear day at the croquet resort have been pieced together. This much we know.

After quickly becoming poison, Sticky Wicket went on a killing spree. He coldly and methodically murdered his opponents. Sometimes sniping at them from afar. Sometimes up close and very personal. With only two opponents left, Sticky sighted in on Mallethead who had seen the horror and was trying to hide behind and next to the right middle wicket stake. Sticky cocked his weapon and fired a shot striking Mallethead and continuing through the wicket experiencing death with no dignity.

Emerging from the shadows, the last player alive stepped forward to claim victory. That player, Leftie, flush with his good fortune, went on to win the second game.

Given the dramatic ending to the first game, the POD goes to Sticky Wicket who hubris resulted in his fall from grace and ignominious demise.

POET Results August 21

Game Won

He’s known by all as Mr. Wicket

His dead eye shot is his ticket

He lined them up fast

And gave them a blast

To all Cowabungas he did stick it.

Game Too

There once was a player named Sticky

Who found few wickets very tricky

As others shots failed 

By Sticky they were nailed

And he won the last round very quickly

Guest Fest

The guy from down south was a loner

Each shot of his was a groaner

At break time he flew

A stealth craft over the crew

And claims now the label of Droner.

Leftie Eclipsed

Leftie was a player it's true
He knew the game through and through

The shots he sprayed were hit and run
Many a game were by him won

One sad day his shots didn't fall
But Leftie stood there dazed and tall

We all knew he couldn't win them all
Ah but that's the way it goes.

All the Cowabungas say
What happened to Leftie's game today

That's not the way he usually plays
And now he's going home.

The Mother of All Prefuncs August 21

They independently drifted to the fence overlooking the ocean. The blue sky above and the grey fog below were engaged in a Civil War of sorts. Staking their claims to prime viewing sites, the viewers placed their chairs. They wrapped and unwrapped themselves according to the element winning the War. Then, the Cowabunga clan waited.

Travelers from the east awoke in their parked cars. They yawned and stretched and claimed their spaces on the dewy ground. Overhead the sun rose higher in the morning sky. From the west, the fog advanced. Muted discussions about finding better viewing grounds could be heard.

Slowly, the moon began to ingest the sun in the misty sky. People were heard to claim they had seen unusual and life changing shapes. The Cowabunga entourage stood and considered their circumstances. Mr. Wicket, who had plodded home in search of more chairs, called to report that the croquet course was blessed with abundant sunshine and visibility. The exodus began. The Cowabungas packed up and moved through the mists careful not to encourage the eastern travelers to follow them, except for one woman with a high end Nikon camera who was cool and promised to send a photo file to anyone who wanted it.

Like a gypsy band, the Cowabunga entourage shuffled to the course, the secular vortex. Upon arrival, chairs were placed, necks were craned and cheap paper optics were donned for viewing. The Nikon lady had a smartphone app telling her when totality would start, when naked eye observation could start and end, and when the eclipse would end. What an excellent addition to the group. We decided to call her Angela, the eclipse angel.

Cowabungas began to speak in a binary language never before uttered under dimming light. OOOOOOhs  and AAAAHs were punctuated by gasping breaths. A great teacher emerged from the main Mar-a Lawno clubhouse with scientific viewing devices. A colander hat served as a shadow focuser. Cardboard implanted binoculars also cast shadows on a paper plate. A welding helmet was introduced. It was like a MENSA meeting of the seriously liberal.

Throughout the celestial display, amid the nervous laughter and silently offered prayers, bizarre musical references, arcane facts and both tasteful and tasteless jokes were uttered. Suddenly, an impromptu field trip began. The great teacher lead her acolytes around the grounds discovering and marveling at the upside down crescent shadows on walls, the upside down crescent shadows within shadows. Life as we knew it metamorphosed into the realm between shadow and light.

When the moon swallowed the sun, all were stunned by the beauty and mystery. The magic of the moment was pierced by Angela who said, "you may now remove your protective eyewear and behold the sublime," or maybe "take off your glasses." Our naked eyes adjusted to the darkness with modesty. Someone said that their floaters were miraculously gone only to retract the statement when the spouting, bubbling sunlight escaped from under and around the moon. The great teacher hugged everyone, personally air dropping good vibes. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

After what seemed to be ages, Angela said, "quick put on your glasses or be blinded by the light and be condemned to perpetual darkness," of maybe "time's up." With eyes protected, the transit of the moon across the sun was timed by, of course, Angela and her app. People shifted in their chairs and described their innermost feelings about the wondrous event they had witnessed. As the light grew stronger, eclipse fruit was offered and eaten.

With daylight restored, the Sticky Wicket contingent arrived. Sticky recounted his adventure in the surf. He had paddled out on his loooongboard in the dismal surf to watch the eclipse. Sort of an old man and the sea meets the Three Stooges sans Moe and Curly. Unfortunately, Sticky's protective eyewear did not survive the paddle out. Poor Sticky.

Shortly after the moon passed by the sun, in the glorious light of the day, Mr. Wicket announced, "Croquet at three." Thus ending, the most magnificent prefunc ever and setting the stage for the first POET (Post Eclipse Tournament).

August 19 PEE

The Pre Eclipse Event (PEE) was held yesterday at the Mar-a-Lawno resort course. Two rounds were played on the original course layout. No confusion yesterday.

Mr. Wicket won the first game. Leftie won the second game. The Nortenos swept.

Although there is no SOD to report, there was a disturbing incident. The airspace above the Mar-a-Lawno was invaded by a drone operated by a Californicator who has threatened to publicly release the photos taken if not granted honorary Cowabunga status. Fortunately, Sticky and Leftie were not shirtless and no one was adjusting their man parts. The threat and official response will be discussed at the PEP (Pre Eclipse Party) later today.

Cornfusion

Course of Confusion Results August 17

Leftie won, outlasting all comers in the longest round ever played prior to a total eclipse.

Mr. Wicket had the SOD when, from a lengthy distance, he hit Sticky's ball sending it through the wicket. Then, using his two strokes, Mr. Wicket went through the same wicket, hitting Sticky's ball a second time for two more strokes.

Every player suffered acute bouts of confusion during the round. The sound track curated by Mr. Wicket helped moderate the mental fog experienced by all the Cowabungas except Mr. Balls who was absent.

Don't be confused......

August 10 Results

Two rounds were played today by Mr. Wicket, Surferino, Wick O'Shay and Sticky Wicket. The course was mole free. Increasingly foggy conditions prevailed.

In game one, Mr. Wicket's long distance kill shot on Wick would have been the SOD. But, Surferino's backward, through the legs hit on Wick's ball was the SOD. Surferino went on to kill Mr. Wicket, earning the victory.

In the second game, Surferino became poison after Sticky Wicket but committed suicide by hitting his ball through a wicket. Mr. Wicket's risky and missed shot on Wick resulted in Sticky's short kill shots for victory. It must be noted that Sticky once again required kisses from Mrs. Wicket during the game, an unusual but cagey tactic.

August 3 Results

On a sultry day under a smoky but cloudless sky, Pedro, Mr. Wicket, Leftie, Sticky Wicket, Surferino and Wick O'Shay played two rounds. The course was fast and in excellent shape.

Sticky Wicket won the first game. Mrs. Sticky Wicket arrived on a bike during the game when Sticky was floundering. She planted numerous kisses on his mug, energizing and prompting him to become the type of player worthy of such fairway affection. Lucky Sticky, kissy kissy suck face.

Mr. Wicket won the second game. Wick missed a kill shot leaving his ball inches away begging for the coup de gras delivered by Mr. Wicket.

No SOD or POD today. Good shots, goofy shots and bonehead shots predominated. With six players, the time waiting for one's next turn could have been spent playing Cowabunga cornhole. See the August 2 posting by Mr. Wicket for details. Although being involved in two concurrent games might result in Game Attention Deficiency, (GAD), a serious and debilitating disorder treatable only by full spectrum THC or not.

Coming soon......

July 29 Results

The main lodge was open. Music flowed. The moles were in retreat. The course was groomed and fast. Good karma had been reestablished.

Initially four Cowabungas, Sticky Wicket, Mr. Wicket, Surferino and Wick O'Shay, were on hand to play. Then Leftie arrived, making it a fivesome.

Mr. Wicket won the first game. Surferino missed a kill shot on Mr. Wicket leaving Mr. Wicket a short and final kill shot. The second game was won by Sticky Wicket. Both Sticky and Mr Wicket hit great shots each game. But Sticky hit the SOD when his long shot on the middle wicket nicked Leftie's ball and sliced through the wicket.

ATTN: Floyd, if you are reading this, your lost  pickleball paddle has been found. Mr. Wicket has it. Fetch it quickly, or be prepared to buy it on Craig's List. Also, what prompted you to print your name on each side of the paddle?

All's well that ends well......

July 25 Creepy Time Results

They converged from all directions carrying life sustaining liquids. As they encountered the dystopian scene, the four Cowabungas were gobsmacked by the Katrina-like conditions. The main lodge was shuttered and quiet with no signs of life therein. Lawn chairs and tables were overturned. Plant debris littered the course. Wickets were crooked and bent. Little mounds of fresh dirt dotted the course indicating a harmonic convergence of moles. The horror! The horror!

Using a hacksaw and sledge hammer, the Cowabungas managed to open the clubhouse door to retrieve the balls, stakes and numbered tiles. After preparing the course for play, Leftie, Sticky Wicket, Surferino and Wick O'Shay suffered through a joyless but restorative prefunc.

Two rounds were played. Leftie won both rounds. The SOD was remarkable. With the first of two shots upon exiting the turn-around wickets, Wick clobbered his ball sending it up and over the flowerbed landing on the lower lawn and rolling to the lowest hedge, narrowly missing Leftie's ball. It was truly the most dramatic terrible shot seen in blog history.

Hours later in Wilson Park, the four Cowabungas, and those who love them, hoisted goblets of red wine and discussed today's creepiness and other items of local interest.

July 17 Results

Beneath a sunny sky on a well groomed and perfectly aerated lawn, the fire that was Mr. Wicket was extinguished.

Five Cowabungas, including Mr. Wicket, Leftie, Sticky Wicket, Surferino and Wick O'Shay played two long and competitive rounds. Each round was fraught with rule controversies, great shots  and wicked dialogue. The pre-func and halftime func plus ice-cold Pacificos (yes we drink beer sometimes in moderation) made for rollicking rounds.

Leftie, abashed but unbroken, survived to win the round. Employing a rope-a-dope defense while Poison enabled Leftie to pick off three challengers around the finishing wickets. A near miss by Mr. Wicket left Leftie with a short kill shot for the win. Leftie's kill shot on Wick was the POD because of the unusual action post-shot. Leftie's ball struck Wick and entered but did not fully penetrate a wicket  leaving him alive to kill again. (See diagram C)

Surferino won the second round by adopting Leftie's rope-a-dope defense. With the first of two shots earned, Mr. Wicket courageously attempted to bypass Poison Surferino's ball in front of the finishing wickets to set up a shot for poison. Unfortunately he struck Surferino's ball thereby committing suicide. Thereafter, Surferino cleaned house.

The competitive games resulted in four SOD. Two shots by Mr. Wicket, and one shot each by Surferino and Sticky. Each SOD was lengthy and advantaged the player tremendously.

As Rules Chairman, Mr. Wicket is searching for the misplaced rule book. Any assistance would be appreciated.



Scoring a Wicket
A has not started to score the wicket.
B has started to score the wicket.
C has not scored the wicket.
D has scored the wicket.

July 14 Results

En fuego. Mr. Wicket was en fuego. He won both rounds and had the SOD. Others, including Sticky Wicket, Wick O'Shay, Surferino and Leftie, played well in spots but couldn't stop the juggernaut that was Mr. Wicket.

On the mole influenced course, Mr. Wicket did not allow himself to be distracted by Sticky's endless chatter. He also demonstrated courage and dedication by rescuing his errant shot from deep under the deck. The rescue provided others with a chance to rehydrate and further erode their skills.

 All bow to Mr. Wicket 🙇🙇🙇🙇.

July 13 Results

Another fine summer afternoon for croquet. Wick O'Shay, Mr. Wicket, Surferino and Leftie played the first round. The second round lacked Wick O'Shay and went very quickly.

Mr. Wicket won the first game. Surferino won the second game. The SOD belonged to Surferino who, from a long uphill distance, nicked Mr. Wicket who was positioned at the wicket.

Earlier in the day, Sticky Wicket, Surferino and Mr. Wicket scored some tasty waves at a favorite break. The Cowabungas are committed to enhanced recreational activities.

July 9 Results

Somebody played under conditions similar to July7 and July 8. Somebody won. Details have not been reported. But, probably there was excitement and humor. Congratulations somebody.

July 8 Results

Two rounds played. Players included Sticky Wicket, Mr. Balls, Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Wick O'Shay and Leftie. For weather and conditions, see July 7 results.

Game one went to poison Leftie who made a long kill shot on poison Surferino. Game two was won by the team of Leftie and Sticky Wicket, dispatching the team of Mr. Wicket and Surferino and the team of Mr. Balls and Wick O'Shay.

Whackdown Results.

Yes, it was a nearly perfect coastal summer day; warm but not hot, a cool not cold breeze, partly cloudy and sunny, an insightful pre-func with curated music on the outdoor speakers. The course was green, groomed and challenging. Cowabungas present included, Leftie, Mr. Balls, Sticky Wicket, Surferino and Mr. Wicket. Two rounds were played.

Sticky Wicket won the first round, hitting two memorable, long distance shots, including a kill shot on Mr. Wicket,  eligible for shots-of-the-day, SOD. He also positioned himself well taking advantage of others' mistakes. Although suffering from a foot problem, Sticky was still able to rise to the occasion after each great shot and bust a few steps of the Sticky shuffle as Mr. Balls looked on in amazement. One time the shuffle was prompted by Sticky's backing into the mature yucca plant while trying to lineup a shot on the turnaround wicket(s). News flash: Sticky stuck sighting shot sipping suds.

Surferino won the second round, executing two great shots en route: one a long downhill shot  adjacent to the deck curving through the center wicket stopping within a few feet of another ball, the second was his long kill shot on poisoned Sticky resulting in a second shot killing Leftie, the play-of-the-day, POD.

Sticky Wicket and Surferino shared the SOD honors. They whacked down the competition all of whom will have a chance to retaliate tomorrow during Whackdown 2.0, the show no mercy affair.

July 2 Results

A late afternoon start time in the cool breeze with construction debris serving as hazards did not deter the sweatshirt wearing crew from playing two rounds. Leftie, Wick O'Shay, Surferino and Mr. Wicket quickly completed each round.

Mr. Wicket won the first round. Leftie won the second. The shot-of-the-day, SOD, would have been Mr. Wicket's backward through the wicket hit on Wick had not Surferino earlier aced a loooong green shot hitting Wick in front of the turnaround wickets.

The play-of-the-day, POD, was a sequence of  Surferino's ace shot on Wick O'Shay followed by hitting the turnaround stake, exiting and blasting through the next wicket in one long shot.

Mr. Wicket announced the expected arrival of Mr. Balls next weekend. Perhaps all Cowabungas will be available to play in the inaugural July Whackdown.

July 1 Results

From the south side course, hidden among the dandelion tentacles, sphagnum, sticks and branchlets, under a grey but graying sky, Wick O'Shay, Surferino and Sticky Wicket played two fast rounds.

Sticky Wicket hit he the shot-of-the-day, SOD, which became the play-of-the-day, POD, when his approach shot to the turnaround wickets and stake went zooming through both wickets and hit the stake. It was a long but true shot which propelled him to the victory.

Surferino won the second round, poisoning a spent Sticky Wicket. He also poisoned Wick O'Shay who had a tough shot near the boundary that went amiss.

Wishful thinking

Coming soon......

Another Great June Day for Croquet

Today was hotter and drier than yesterday but not as breezy.The four Cowabungas who played today all wore big hats in deference to the intense sunshine. Mr. Wicket installed not one but two misters. Surferino found a pink plastic egg left over from Easter under a hedge adjacent to the field of play. Inside the egg was a delicious but elderly piece of wrapped chocolate that Mr. Wicket grabbed thus saving Surferino from an afternoon of gastrointestinal distress.

Leftie, Sticky Wicket, Surferino and Mr. Wicket played two rounds during the heat-of-the-day.
Mr. Wicket executed a few shots worthy of shot-of-the-day. But his long distance kill shot on Surferino for the win was the SOTD. This is not to be confused with STD for which a shot is also available.

The second round was won by Surferino. Sticky lost the green ball and spent a few distracted minutes searching for it until discovering that it had not been played in the second round. Leftie had to remind Sticky that a mallet head's  distance from a hit ball is not eighteen inches.

We carpe diem(ed).

June Has Been a Terrific Month For Croquet

The Cowabungas have been fortunate to play on four days this month thus far. The weather has cooperated. Mr. Wicket has done an outstanding job of maintaining the course. Players have been available and competitive. The pre-func has been a highlight. Big fun with groovy guys at a bitchin venue on the Left Coast. C O W A B U N G A!

June 23 Results

It was a wonderful day for croquet. Abundant sunshine with a stirring wind. The second day of summer. The course was well groomed. The music was age appropriate  and the beer was cold.

Five Cowabungas convened to play a new and challenging course. Mallethead, Wick O'Shay, Mr. Wicket, Surferino and Leftie played two rounds. Sticky Wicket was late to arrive and asked to serve as Leftie's caddy until Leftie fired him for failing to line up an easy wicket shot. Thereafter, Sticky tried to attach himself to each front-runner to bask in reflected glory, such as it was.

Surferino took the first round. Mr. Wicket won the second round. Wick O'Shay hit the shot-of-the-day (SOTD) by aceing the middle wicket from a great distance, leaving himself a short shot on another Cowabunga. Leftie executed his new strategy of staying back and allowing others to sacrifice themselves to the leaders. The strategy did not produce the desired result.

Juneteenth Results

With mist and smoke in the air and a slight wind on medium tall thick grass, Sticky Wicket decisively won two rounds and hit the shot-of-the-day. Leftie, Surferino and Mr. Wicket each played well in spots but were dispatched by a resurgent Sticky. Lacking humility, Sticky celebrated his good fortune in typical Sticky fashion.

The shot of the day involved Sticky's jumping his ball over Leftie's poison ball which was situated between the two finishing wickets. The jumped ball also went through the second wicket resulting in an easy pole shot for poison. Thereafter, Sticky killed Leftie and the others.

All hail Sticky.

June 13 Results

Three Cowabungas were available to play three rounds today. Mr. Wicket, Wick O'Shay and Surferino each won. The shot-of-the-day, a new soon to be a copyright feature of this blog, was made by Wick O'Shay. From a long grassy distance, Wick hit a screamer through two wickets making a easy post shot thereafter.

Although broken cloud cover prevailed, the sun still warmed the players as the wind moderated. Mallethead declined to play choosing instead to surf the late afternoon high tide. Sticky Wicket chose to aviate. Leftie continued his quest to recreate in every county of the state.

June 5 Results

The weather was not too warm nor too cool. It was just right for croquet and beer. Four Cowabungas, Mr. Wicket, Wick O'Shay, Surferino and Leftie, played two rounds on an alternate course layout.

Surferino made a successful charge from the rear to win the first round. Mr. Wicket made a lengthy bomb shot on Leftie to win the second round.

Absent but missed were Mallethead, Mr. Balls and Sticky Wicket.

Very quietly, this blog celebrated its one year anniversary on May 23, 2017. Many thanks to Mr. Wicket for his graphic improvements, timely informational and sometimes cryptic posts, considerable grounds keeping skills, and interesting themed music playlists. Kudos to those who have read and commented on the nearly 125 posts.

May 26 Results

Mallethead, Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Sticky Wicket, Leftie and Wick O'Shay played two rounds on an alternate course. The afternoon was initially cool and windy but became warmer for the second round.

Speaking of warm, Wick O'Shay's game was torrid. He won both rounds hitting shots-of-the-day in each round. Mr Wicket's great shots were eclipsed by Wick's.

May 22 Results

Two rounds were played on the original course. Mr. Wicket, Leftie, Wick O'Shay and Surferino competed. Although Mr. Wicket won the first round and Surferino the second, the real story was the weather.

On what was the absent Sticky Wicket's birthday, the heat was on. Not only was the sky mostly clear, the strong wind was warm. The competitors baked in the sunshine. The white capped ocean sparkled in the distance. Beer koozies were required but nearly inadequate to the task. This was the type of day    the players had not seen in many months and it was bitchin.

May 19 Results

A full contingent of Cowabungas played two rounds on the newly mown original course. Prior to play, Leftie, Wick O'Shay, Mallethead, Surferino, Mr. Wicket and Sticky Wicket probed the course with screwdrivers trying to locate the bolts inserted into wicket holes. After aerating the lawn, all wicket placements were discovered.

The first round was played under mostly sunny conditions. Mallethead, overcoming recent surgeries, was the last Cowabunga standing, a tribute to his fortitude and ability to play with pain.

Layers of clothing had to be added during the second round as the sun disappeared behind thickening cloud cover. Sticky Wicket won the round after Surferino missed a short kill shot. During the round, Sticky demonstrated the Sticky Shuffle, simulating a guitar with his mallet and skip-hopping across the lawn, looking like a vanilla Chuck Berry in denim.

May 9 Results

Mallethead, Sticky Wicket, Wick O'Shay, Surferino and Mr. Wicket played two late afternoon rounds on nice but cool day at the northside mother course. The course layout was altered due to soft spots.

Surferino won the first round during which Mallethead committed suicide. Prior to his untimely death shot, someone in the gallery suggested that a possible outcome of the long distance wicket shot Mallethead was attempting could be a shank hitting Surferino's ball. Then, it happened exactly as suggested.

En route to winning the second round, Sticky missed a kill shot on Mallethead's ball and went through a wicket thereby committing sepuku. It seemed fitting that Mallethead won as a result of a suicide shot.

Siete de Mayo Results

Mr. Wicket, Sticky Wicket, Wick O'Shay and Surferino played two rounds at the southside course. Chilly in the shade but warm in the sunlight and hitting long straight shots, Wick O'Shay dominated the competition such as it was. One might say Wick enjoyed a home field advantage, but one would be mean spirited to do so. Wick Wick Wick O'Shay!

A reminder for Tuesday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2hh29lNI80

Oh well

Could it be?

Today's Results

Sticky Wicket, Wick O'Shay and Surferino played two afternoon rounds at the Southside K course. A strong odor of chipped cedar branches and limbs emanated from a large pile dumped adjacent to the course. The temperature was in the high 60s. The course was ungroomed but not to damp. After a lengthy discussion of how the course should be laid out and played, beers were opened and the competition began.

In the first round, all players were poisoned. After Sticky missed a double kill shot and went through a wicket, Surferino killed Wick for the victory.

In the second round, Sticky and Wick were poisoned. Sticky killed Surferino. Then Sticky missed a do-or-die kill shot on Wick who did not miss his winning kill shot.

The competition came to an end after the supply of beer was consumed and it was determined that a surf check was required.

Possible solution......

Same Ol' Song

Today's Results - Not Fake News

Two rounds were played today under partly sunny conditions with a cold northwest wind. The course was well groomed but wet in spots which did not impact the competition. Five Cowabungas competed, including Mr. Wicket, Leftie, Wick O'Shay, Sticky Wicket and Surferino. The music theme was "sunshine" which was deciphered by Wick O'Shay.

In a memorable tribute to the late Muhammed Ali, Mr. Wicket executed a laid-back, rope-a-dope defense and won without becoming poison. Sticky Wicket missed a kill shot with his ball traveling through a wicket, thereby committing suicide.

The second round was won by Surferino who lethally grazed Leftie's ball after Leftie missed a kill shot leaving him vulnerable to a medium length kill shot.

Dry today?

Make it 'til Monday

Scout's Honor

The future is revealed

Cowabunga!

Leftie getting ready!

Up next......

Event window closed

Salute

Back from LA

Enough

The Search Continues

Continuing to hunt for bitchin croquet venues, Surferino has landed in Punta de Mita on the Bay of Banderas. Here he found three ocean view, groomed lawns, also chest high surf at a delicioso  reef break. Fortunately, Alaska Airlines did not damage his longboard. Unfortunately, his friend's board was dinged in three places. Nevertheless, Surferino consumed cold Mexican beer in honor of his Cowabunga mates, wishing they were in attendance surfing in the warm water with him.

Club member spotted south of the border

Mr. Balls? Wick O'Shay? Suferino?

Yes It Is True

Weather report

Breaking News

Yesterday's Results Updated

As reported by Wick O'Shay, Mallethead and Wick were winners. All others were stinking losers, er also rans or no shows.

This just in from a reliable source, not Wick O'Shay or Sticky Wicket, Anders won a game within the game.

Stay tuned......

Coming soon......