Posted 10 August 2003 to State Championships, Tournaments by Jeff SooThe winning club—Meadows—with the Penwell Trophy Photo by Ruthie Windsor-Mann
July 24–27, Linville, NC
Meadows Mallet Club players won the top titles at the 2003 NC Club Teams. The upstart club, 2002 USCA New Private Club of the Year, won the team competition for the Penwell Trophy in only their second attempt. And Meadows players Danny Huneycutt and Roy Gee were undefeated through eight games in winning Championship Flight.
The eighth annual tournament was the largest NC Club Teams yet, with 88 players representing nine NC clubs. David and Mieke Maloof, summer resident croquet instructors for the Linville area clubs, once again took on the complex task of running the tournament—managing the courts and equipment, tallying scores, arranging meals and social events, and coordinating volunteers—at three separate tournament venues. That they handled all this with seeming ease, while also playing in the tournament, shows their extraordinary talent and enthusiasm as player-managers. Incoming NC District President Danny Huneycutt crafted the tournament schedule, and numerous volunteers helped with setting courts and monitoring and refereeing games. And Gordon and Chessie Crosby once again hosted a splendid opening party.
The competition for the prestigious Penwell Trophy was closer than ever. It came down to a one-point spread among the top three teams: Bald Head, Black Mountain and Meadows. Meadows Mallet Club’s win was the most remarkable upset performance since the even smaller Eseeola club won in 1999. It was a strong outing for two-time defending champions Bald Head Island, but not quite enough to “threepeat”. And for Black Mountain, another tantalizing runner-up finish.
