About fifty members make up The Greenwich Croquet Club, ranging in skill from competitive championship players to newcomers and those who prefer playing socially.   All members belong to the U. S. Croquet Association, the governing body in the United States.   Several members been named to the Croquet Hall of Fame.

In the summer of 1988, several enthusiasts began playing croquet at the invitation of a Greenwich couple to play their private court near Indian Point.  By 1989, that enthusiasm led to the formation of the Greenwich Croquet Club. Today our membership hails primarily from Fairfield County, with members in neighboring Westchester, Putnam, New York, Nassau and Bergen counties.  Seven Members have served as President since it's founding:

1989 - 1992        William Campbell
1993 - 1994     William Dordelman
1995 - 1997          Woody Leeming
1998 - 1999                     Jeff Sharp
2000 - 2003              John Hoffman
2004 - 2004       Maryhold Maxwell
2005 - Present   Barbara Leeming

Many people are familiar with 'backyard croquet' played with 9 wickets and 2 stakes at either end of a court on any, hopefully, grass surface.  The wire wickets form a figure eight pattern with 2 wickets inboard from the opposing stakes.  Many people continue to enjoy backyard croquet: the rules are simple, and the equipment readily and inexpensively available.  Two to Six players play a single ball.

Of the four popular competitive versions of croquet, we primarily play American 6-Wicket Croquet, a cross between English Association Croquet and American 9-Wicket Croquet  i.e.,backyard croquet on a 'proper' court.   Some members enjoy Golf Croquet, less formal than others, yet remarkably demanding with its own set of nuances.  In competition, 4 players play a single ball, whereas in doubles, 2 players play 2 balls each.

Croquet is founded on sportsmanship.   There are no officials to call a fault : the player at turn -- the striker -- is responsible for calling faults on him / herself, or failing that, a polite suggestion from an opponent.   It makes for a game in which all join in the camaraderie, skill, and tactics of play.

Our primary venue is Bruce Park in Greenwich CT.  The court measures 125' x 125' with space for 2 full size courts.   We are located near the west entrance of the Park, and easily reached from Exit 3 or 4 on I-95 -- Exit 4 is the easiest.
  Click »   Directions   for details.

If croquet sounds appealing, we invite you to join us on a guest date.   Call our President, Barbara Leeming, at 203.594.7123 or,   Click »   Guests   for details below.

Greenwich Croquet Club  maintains a bentgrass lawn at Bruce Park from May through October, our playing season.

Join us on the greensward as a guest on one of our clinic training days and meet our pros.  Wear soft sole shoes and come as you are.  We're usually in whites, but you don't have to be.  The first three lessons are on us.   Call ahead and make a date with Barbara Leeming at 203.594.7123.

Many lawn sports originated with the British: Rugby, Soccer, Tennis, Cricket, and of course Croquet.  Croquet, started in mid 19th century England, and rose in popularity along with tennis.   The All England Croquet Club in Wimbleton, soon became the All England Croquet & Tennis Club, and before long the popularity of tennis eclipsed croquet.  Some still call the British version Crow' key, nonetheless remaining the standard for competitive play.  All British lawn sports have two common characteristics: each appears almost boringly simple,  but nothing could be further from the truth.

Today, the game is vigorously played principally in Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, and South Africa.  Some of the fastest -- literally high speed -- play can be seen today played by Egyptians.

Then across the 'pond' after WW II, Americans -- especially some well know Hollywood personalities -- took a shining to playing backyard croquet.  In 1977, Jack Osborne organized the U. S. Croquet Association with a core of six East coast clubs, and set about creating a croquet that combined British Association rules with our popular backyard rules in what would become American 6-Wicket Croquet.

Today, the U. S. Croquet Association consists of approximately 3,000 members and 300 member clubs, sanctions principal tournaments while maintaining the handicap registration for the sport in the United States.  The USCA headquarters is located at The National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, FL.