West Palm Beach, Florida Feb 12, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - In a move to attract new players and increase support for the sport of American Rules 6-Wicket Croquet, the Croquet Foundation of America, Inc. (CFA), in partnership with the JER and Linda Chilton Foundation, and the Charles P. Steuber Family, with the National Croquet Club as tournament host, announce a multi-year, strategic partnership to introduce the “New Steuber Classic” croquet tournament. This USCA-sanctioned event benefits the National Croquet Center (owned by the CFA).
Launching officially on February 25, 2025, the New Steuber Classic also celebrates the CFA’s founding board member and championship croquet player, JER (Bob) Chilton. The JER and Linda Chilton Foundation, in addition to an earlier bequest of $100,000 to the CFA, will annually award $30,000 to the winners and finalists of the new tournament, enhancing the extraordinary support of the Charles P. (Chuck) Steuber family. Chuck Steuber conceived, largely funded, and built the National Croquet Center (NCC) in West Palm Beach, FL.
“The CFA is honored to partner with the Chilton Foundation and take the Steuber Classic to the next level,” said W. David McCoy, CFA Chairman. “JER (Bob) would be delighted to know that we are continuing to find new ways to popularize American Rules Croquet — his favorite. It is the most strategically complex of the three main versions of the game. Thanks to Bob, we can now handsomely reward those who play the sport at the highest skill level in each flight.”
“My husband, JER (Bob) Chilton always had a gift for living life to the fullest, seeing the world, and wanting to share his enthusiasm with others. This was especially true for the ‘art of the game’ of croquet,” said Missy Diack-Chilton, Board President, of JER and Linda Chilton Foundation. “With the New Steuber Classic, we are honoring his legacy by encouraging new and existing American Rules croquet players, and by attracting the world’s finest players to compete for the top honor and excitement of winning this popular tournament.”
The New Steuber Classic Croquet Tournament:
The New Steuber Classic, a United States Croquet Association (USCA) sanctioned event, kicks off on Wednesday, February 26th, and runs through Sunday, March 2, 2025. A total of $30,000 in prize money, granted by the JER and Linda Chilton Foundation, will be awarded to the winners and finalists in all flights of American Rules Croquet singles. A special award, “Rookie of the Tournament” will be awarded to a player who has played few or no tournaments previously but has done well in this one. The tournament also includes Golf Croquet (a single-shot version of the game), for those who compete in that category. Winners and finalists in their flights will receive $3,500 in prize money provided by Charles Steuber, Jr. and his brother Victor.
About the Tournament:
The courts open for practice on Tuesday, February 25th, at 12:30 PM with an opening reception at 4 pm Eastern. Waterford Doubles in American Rules and Golf Croquet take place all day Wednesday, February 26th. Singles in both versions of the sport run from Thursday, February 27, through Sunday, March 2, 2025. Friday, February 28th, is the US Croquet Hall of Fame Induction and Gala Dinner. Call the NCC at 561-478-2300 EXT 1 for information/invitation.
On Sunday, March 2, there is a Grand Buffet Awards Luncheon, the Awards Ceremony, and a 50-50 drawing for up to $10,000 and other prizes.
The deadline for entry is February 18th. For additional information and registration, please contact Doug Moore at 646-322-1742 or douglaspmoore@gmail.com. Registration applications can be requested at: frontdesk@croquetnational.com
About the Croquet Foundation of America, Inc. and the National Croquet Center
The Croquet Foundation of America (CFA) was established in 1979 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable and educational corporation dedicated to promoting the amateur sport of croquet in America and supporting the community it serves. Thanks to the late philanthropist Charles P. Steuber who conceived, built, and largely financed the National Croquet Center (NCC) for the Foundation, croquet has an extraordinary home with twelve, full-sized, championship-level courts for 6-wicket American Rules croquet, Golf croquet, and Association Laws croquet with plans for further expansion; a beautiful, 19,000 square foot Headquarters, Museum, and “Clubhouse” with an expansive veranda overlooking the courts, as well as a ballroom, pro-shop, dining facilities, and a lounge, hosting visitors from around the world and promoting the sport.
About the National Croquet Club, Inc.
The National Croquet Center is also home to the National Croquet Club. In addition to its activities as an independent club, it provides volunteer coaches, managers, referees, and other support for many of the CFA’s charitable and outside events, and for USCA-titled tournaments at the Center.
Media Contact
Croquet Foundation of America, Inc., The National Croquet Center, and the National Croquet Club, Inc *****@outlook.com 646-322-1742 http://cfa.croquetnational.com/main/
