cheer the ladies on while they play. “Most all of
the new members of the club are women, and
we welcome more to learn golf croquet - the
social sport you can play while drinking wine.”
In golf croquet, you hit the ball the same as in
six-wicket and strategy stills plays and important
role ... yet it’s more social.
“There are still rules to follow, but we have
more fun,” said Lucinda, who’s been playing at
the club for 10 years. “I’ve been watching the
sport for almost 20 years. I first became
enchanted with it when I lived in California.”
Candy said the best way for anybody to really
understand the game is to just get out there and
try it.
"It's a difficult game to explain and it's best to
get out on the court and learn with players who
have a good grasp on the rules and can teach it
correctly," Candy said.
Although the game is a civilized, gentle
pastime, croquet also has a more competitive
side as well. While the aim of the game is to
send your ball through the wicket, if your
opponent is in the way of your shot, or in a
better position to make the point, Lucinda’s
advice is to knock them off the course.
The course at The Gasparilla Inn is well maintained and always ready for use.
Don’t pay any attention to this writer who played for the first time - she didn’t
wear whites that day - but club members excused the violation.
“But you have to be careful,” she said. “If you
miss by even one sliver, you’re going to be in a
very bad position for the next shot.”
The club currently has about two-dozen
players.
Free clinics on American six-wicket instructional
croquet are offered on Mondays at 3:30
p.m. and Wednesdays at 4 p.m.
Bob Worrell takes a shot.