Note: This article was posted on the USCA Bulletin Board and is another indication that North Carolina croquet is in a healthy state. Congratulations to Bob Cherry for becoming the 2004 ACNA Player of the Year. North Carolina placed four players in the top 10 (Bob Cherry, Jeff Soo, Danny Huneycutt and Paul Scott) and seven players in the top 25 (Andy Short, Bill Berne and Mack Penwell). 2004 marked the first year a territory (as defined by ACNA) other than Ontario has ever won the Territory of the Year as North Carolina became the 2004 ACNA Territory of the Year.

—Danny Huneycutt, USCA—NC District President

It gives me pleasure to congratulate Bob Cherry on becoming the 2004 Association Croquet North America Player of the Year.

The complete listing of all 102 automatic participants (up from 63 players a year ago) can be found on the ACNA website (under the heading “ACNA constests” on the front page), along with contest rules and a list of qualifying events.

Bob Cherry became the 2004 National Champion earlier this year, one of the three P-scores that won him the ACNA title. He has progressed steadily as player, particularly during the last two years. As can be seen from Chris Williams’ croquet records, Cherry’s lifetime triple peels total had reached 15 by end 2003. From there it exploded to 40 by end 2004. His World Ranking Grade, 1930 in 1999, 2152 by end 2003, shot up this year to 2392. In view of these impressive numbers his success in this contest is not surprising.

Soo, McBride, Stark (2003 winner) and Rosenberry have again placed near the top, as often before. It is noteworthy that five of the top ten finishers are new: Rich Lamm, Danny Huneycutt, Paul Bennett, Paul Scott and Stewart Jackson. Danny Huneycutt appeared on the scene only in 2002, so his growth as player is phenomenal. Paul Bennett’s recent win in the final of the US Open was his 19th consecutive game won (his last loss was against high-ranking Australian Bruce Fleming in the North American Open.) Watch out next year to see how long his winning streak continues.

It is my further pleasure to congratulate North Carolina on becoming the ACNA 2004 Territory of the Year.

Their victory by a convincing margin brings to an end the winning streak that Ontario enjoyed since the start of this contest in 1999. This year each of the top four territories fielded a full Nominal Team of 6. It is remarkable that up until 2001, North Carolina never had a Nominal Team beyond two players. From there they grew rapidly to the mighty croquet power that they are today. How? Largely through a mover and shaker named Danny Huneycutt, who built on the solid foundation prepared by Mack Penwell, Jeff Soo and others.

In 2003, Hawaii fielded a team consisting of Leo Nikora alone. To move up to 5th placed Territory in 2004—ahead of numerous others that are much less restricted in scope—the Maui Croquet Club must be doing something right.

Louis Nel lives in Ontario and is the founder and editor of ACNA

Last modified on 4 January 2005 by Jeff Soo