The croquet scene is now in full swing at Woodlawn, the center of the Hancock county croquet happening phenomenon.   Ben Rothman, the winner of 7 , that's right, seven , consecutive major American Rules 6-wicket tournaments all around the USA, and the number 3 ranked American player in the world rankings of the international game, is now in residence in the county and actively involved in instruction as well as demonstrating  his jaw-dropping skills. 

      He has already conducted several clinics at Woodlawn, is teaching introduction to croquet on Saturday, June 14 from 10am till 12:30 P.M. and will be mentoring  players at the courts on Monday, June 16, from 1-3PM. Further he is collaborating with his uncle Larry Stettner in presenting the "Ultimate Croquet School" at Woodlawn  from June 18-22. Come on out to the lawns and see what the real game of croquet is all about, and what has us all so pumped up!
  

    Ben will be leaving us on the 25th of June to travel to merry old England where he will be one of six players selected to represent the U.S. in a series of matches against Great Britain in the Solomon Cup, croquet's equivalent of Golf's Ryder Cup. But, don't despair, because on the very next day the Woodlawn lawns will be teeming with croquet players from all over Maine and New Hampshire for the first ever Maine/New Hampshire State Croquet Championships. Come on out to the lawns, have a cold drink of bottled water, courtesy of  folks at Stanley Subaru who are supplying same for the tournament, and join in the fun as a specatator. Lots of local Hancock County players will be around to clue you in as to what is happening. The State
Championships run from 8-5 every day, from the 26th through the 28th, and wind up around 2 PM on  Sunday, the 29th.  Remember the courts are easy as pie to find: just take the Surry road (172) out of Ellsworth, turn into Black House Lane whenyou see the Woodlawn Museum sign, park in the rear and walk to the left where all the people are having fun with all their mallets and balls. 

   As we roll into July, free beginner's classes will be held on the first and third Saturday of the month , with the follow up class for a 10.00 fee on the second and fourth Saturday.    Golf croquet open to all who just show up and walk on continues every Tuesday from 3-5 P.M., for a $5.00 contribution, free to all Wodlawn museum members.  For more information, pictures, contact phone numbers, etc., visit www.woodlawnmuseum.com and click on croquet.

    "Croquet, I Love this game!!!!!!!"

  Beginner Tip: When you make a wicket the FIRST thing in your mind should always be: "Where should I go out of bounds?" Only in special circumstances would you do anything else at this point.

Advanced tip: To learn how to run wickets with a degree of control, place a ball one foot in front of a hoop, shoot it through to the other side. Then shoot it back the other way from wherever it landed. Keep doing this until you can make 8 hoops in a row, then move out to 18" , etc. If you can do this consistently , you will be able to run two-ball breaks much more often and get much better position for rushes on your three-ball breaks.

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