THE PRESIDENT'S MUG
In an attempt to encourage players from widely
differing handicap levels to play croquet without risk to their
handicap rankings, the President has proposed a new competition which
will need the kind assistance of players with handicaps of 6 or better
if it is to succeed. This may take a season or two, but if
Members could look at the proposed format and consider taking part this
year on a trial basis that would be an encouraging start. If it
is successful, improving players with high handicaps will learn from
their more experienced associates and the stronger players will be able
to impart skills and knowledge without risking their admission to the A
or B class of play! Initially it would be good to know how many
of
our stronger players would be willing to take part in what will be
a competition for later in the season, when the majority of
Club games
have been played, and a list has been put on the notice board for
participants
to tick their names off if they are willing to help in this way in a
competition
designed essentially for players who want to improve.
President's Mug Update 1, 18th
August
"The Competition seems to have
started well, with good close games
resulting from the handicap adjustments, and some experience of better
play being shared around most generously by the Stronger Players.
Thanks to all who are taking part.
Some people at the long handicap end
are using a 3 bisque reduction rather than 3 steps.
It seems a good idea to adjust the Rules to allow this and adjust
the points accordingly. Eg. 3 bisques is only
1½ 'steps' for a player with handicap 12+, so the long
handicap player in this situation would win
only 11½ points, or lose the
corresponding -8½ points on the special competition
card.
I would
like to have results reported to me
so that I can publish a current 'state
of play'
in the Competition on the Club notice board, and this act of reporting
will give the opportunity to talk about any anomalies in the
interpretation of the 'Rules' and make adjustments if
beneficial. Participants are encouraged to phone me anyway
if they have any queries, they may help to improve the format."
- Martin Granger Brown.
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President's Mug Update 2, 24th
September
MGB reports
that from the results
notified to him and found on the Club noticeboard, two members are
leading this new event with one win each, so far.
He
writes "Francois Garcia and
Steve Reynolds have both won games 'against the odds' and for this
reason stand out from the pack, unless others have wins not reported to
the President. If you are a keen Improver, now is
the time to make the challenges to Stronger Players you have not
already beaten and make your bid to win the first. The
President has only been challenged once, so there is plenty of scope to
improve your strike rate! Will I see you on the lawns? I do hope so."
- Martin Granger Brown
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President's Mug Update 3, 31st
October
With
this season now over, 3 club members deserve special mention for
their participation in the President's Mug. Our President has made the
following citation:
"From the results I have seen, every
participant
is to be congratulated; and all three top contenders are real prospects
for serious handicap reductions in the future. The objective of
encouraging competitive play between widely disperse classes of players
has been achieved and it is hoped that the experiment will continue
next season with some small modification to the rules.
Margaret Russell is the undoubted winner
under
the rules with three straight wins and no losses. The other
highly commended players are Steve Reynolds and Francois
Garcia. A special thank-you is owed to the Stronger Players
who took part and helped to convey some of the skills of the game to
the generation of improving players who want to advance their
quality of play. Thanks to all for taking part".
- Martin
Granger Brown
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For details of the competition,
please click here. |
