SEA GIRT — Each year in June, in celebration of National Croquet Day, Sea Girt’s Green Gables Croquet Club hits the green for a day to welcome and introduce prospective players.
Although the club begins playing in May, the nationally recognized croquet day in June is geared towards spreading awareness and encouraging new players while providing a space for them to learn the workings of the game, get a mallet in their hands and hone skills alongside active club members.
Last Saturday, June 7, the Green Gables Croquet Club – based in Sea Girt, but including about 85 residents of surrounding towns – hosted an open and guided play for interested newcomers to test out the game and meet the members. The group also enjoyed drinks and snacks throughout the late morning.
“A lot of conversation, we had members who were talking with the curious, the newbies, it was nice, despite the weather,” said club member Cindy Coughlin. “The weather wasn’t that great either, and we got a lot of people out.”
Regarding the importance of club camaraderie and bringing new people on board, Scott McMurray, Green Gables Croquet Club president added, “We’re very much focused as a members-only club on sportsmanship and camaraderie. This is a game and these people want to win, but they also want to have fun at the same time.”
The club’s yearly membership fees also include four dinners each year, three at the Spring Lake Golf Club and one at the Essex & Sussex, as well as several courtside potluck dinners.
Players who came out on Saturday chose between either golf croquet, geared toward beginners, or American six-wicket croquet for those more advanced.
The object of the game is to use a mallet to drive wooden balls through small hoops placed into a lawn, with the goal of simultaneously striking an opponent’s ball away.
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