Sarasota County Croquet Club to Host Prestigious Solomon Trophy Competition

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL (November 2, 2023) – The Sarasota County Croquet Club and the United States Croquet Association, in partnership with Visit Sarasota County, will play host to the prestigious Solomon Trophy, a triennial event pitting the best croquet players from the United States against their counterparts from Great Britain from November 8th – 12th at Wellfield Park. This historic competition will unfold on the newly improved lawns and state-of-the-art facilities of the Sarasota County Croquet Club, marking the first time the Solomon Trophy event has graced Sarasota County. 

The Sarasota Croquet Club, founded approximately 25 years ago, has undergone significant growth and development over the years. What began with a humble start as a small club, has now evolved into a flourishing community with 250 members and 7 full sized croquet courts. Along the way, there have been two major renovations, a testament to the club's commitment to providing top-notch facilities for its members and guests. 

Croquet is an international game with a rich history. Americans started playing this sport in the 19th century and eventually developed their own rules, leading to the distinctive variations of 9- wicket croquet and the internationally recognized American 6-wicket croquet. All games are played on manicured lawns, and one of the sport's most coveted honors is the Solomon Trophy. 

The Solomon Trophy is a team competition of exceptional significance, held every three years and played under association rules, which are the international game rules. It features the six best association players from the United States pitted against the six top players from Great Britain. The selection of Sarasota as the event's host location underscores the club's commitment to maintaining a world-class playing surface, and it is an acknowledgment of the quality of the club's lawns. 

John Goldener, President of the Sarasota Croquet Club, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are thrilled to host the prestigious Solomon Trophy in Sarasota. It's a testament to our commitment to the sport and our continuous efforts to provide the best facilities for our members and guests. This is not the ‘backyard croquet’ that you remember. We invite everyone to come and witness the skill of the players who compete at the international level.” 

During the tournament, spectators and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to witness some of the finest croquet talents in the world compete for the Solomon Trophy. The event will kick off with the Presidents Cup, where the British team will face off against their American counterparts playing under American rules. The competition is scheduled to take place from November 8 to 12, 2023, with a grand opening ceremony on November 8 at 5 PM. Additionally, a special clinic for youth players will be held on Sunday, November 5, led by a team of professional croquet players. The Solomon Trophy event begins November 9 under Association rules. 

The Sarasota County Croquet Club is excited to welcome visitors and croquet enthusiasts to join in the excitement of this event with free admission to the tournament. Parking is available free of charge at the venue. For those unable to attend, the tournament will be streamed live on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@rdilleyuscacroquet5319. For additional information on the event, please visit https://www.croquetamerica.com/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=962311&item_id=189 7492. 

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About Sarasota County Croquet Club 

The Sarasota County Croquet Club is the largest public croquet club in the U.S. and one of the largest croquet clubs in the US Croquet Association. The club is a three-way joint venture between Sarasota County, the City of Venice, and the club. We have 7 full-sized courts, shade on every court, and over 250 members of all different skill levels. For more information, please visit https://www.sarasotacountycroquet.com/. 

About Visit Sarasota County 

Visit Sarasota County (VSC) is the official tourism marketing entity and primary provider of visitor information for Sarasota County where tourism is the top industry. It is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program, a program of the Destination Management Association International (DMAI). VSC meets the highest standards of professionalism, leadership, fiscal management, and ethical principles. Visit www.visitsarasota.com for more information. 

Media Contact 

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Mia Kurecki -  941.408.3742 

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