Croquet
As you approach the entrance to PGA National Resort and Spa, the lovely manicured croquet lawns come into view. Here you sense the true tradition of croquet: players wearing crisp "whites" tactically maneuvering their blue, red, black or yellow balls through strategically placed narrow white wickets.
PGA National is home to one of the finest croquet clubs in the country. The Croquet Club at PGA National and its members are very active on their home lawns as well as playing in tournaments regionally, nationally and internationally. Many are ranked among the top players in the country. The club hosts the famed international Peyton Ballenger Invitational Tournament each spring which is held in honor of Ms. Peyton Ballenger, a past champion croquet professional at PGA. She was one of only two female players that were invited to play against the British team. The stunning winner's trophy, upon which the yearly winners of this tournament are inscribed, bears her name and is housed in the trophy area of the PGA Members Club. Ballenger tragically passed away a number of years ago.
The PGA croquet complex features four full-size, USCA tournament quality croquet lawns and one practice/instructional area. Organized club games are held twice weekly. Golf Croquet, a simpler and fun way to begin learning the game of croquet, is played on Sundays. On Wednesdays, six-wicket croquet, the national game, is played. Six wicket croquet is mind challenging and has been referred to as a combination of chess, billiards and war! All games begin at 4:00 p.m. Daylight Savings Time and at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Croquet clinics are held the first and third Wednesday of the month one hour before game time. Additional activities are listed below, following the photographs.
The use of the Croquet Club is included in all Charter memberships and for hotel guests. Come to play, come to watch or come to chat at our after play social gatherings - there is always someone who will be happy to explain the game to you.
2008 - 2009 Croquet Schedule
- November 3, 2008 General Meeting
- November 8, 2008 National Croquet Day and Welcome Back Pot Luck Party
- November 23, 2008 Golf Croquet Turkey Open
- December 1, 2008 General Meeting
- December 8, 2008 Croquet Holiday Dinner Dance
- January 12, 2009 General Meeting
- January 22, 2009 Excursion to Hard Rock Cafe
- January 26, 2009 Ladies Croquet Tournament for Women's Cancer Awarness Day
- February 2, 2009 General Meeting
- February 8-14, 2009 The 21st International Peyton Ballenger Croquet Tournament
- March 2, 2009 General Meeting
- March 22, 2009 Welcome to Spring Golf Croquet Tournament
- April 5, 2009 Golf Croquet & Holiday Fun Party
- May 8-15, 2009 The International World Championship Croquet Tournament
- May 16, 2009 Al Dilly Croquet Tournament
- June 20, 2009 Al Dilly's Ladies Croquet Tournament
- June 25, 2009 Mini Croquet Tournament
- July 4, 2009 The Croquet Frolic
- August 20, 2009 Mini Croquet Tournament
- September 6, 2009 Labor Day Golf Croquet Fun & Food
- October 5, 2009 General Meeting
- October 25, 2009 Costume Golf Croquet & Party
- November 2, 2009 General Meeting
- November 8, 2009 Welcome back Pot Luck Play and Party
- November 22, 2009 Golf Croquet Turkey Open