Nervous? Of course. Excited? Even more so than nervous!
I’m talking about my first USCA tournament participation after being an extraordinary spectator (because I typically sit and watch for four days straight) at numerous tourneys where my hunky hubby has competed. To celebrate my decade of playing Golf Croquet several days a week, I thought I’d finally strategically, and carefully, tip my toe into the competition fray and be on the court versus under the shady pavilions. Being among players I had gotten to know in the past would be best for this rookie at a gorgeous venue that, in itself, makes me happy and calm. Calm-ish at least!
The Central Florida Regional Tournament is held at the exquisite Belleair Country Club, hosted by one of the kindest, most hospitable croquet crews on earth. It was the perfect 3-day competition to make my move into the very bottom of the bracket doable. Not only are the lawns luxurious, but the view of the water and the majesty of the restored Victorian Belleview Inn next to the courts bring out the best in me...even if that did not translate to my playing prowess!
So, here’s a rookie’s reflection on being a first-timer.
First and foremost. Rely on your cheer squad. Every time I looked at the gallery and my nerves would begin to (again) make my stomach flutter like a croquet ball was in there smacking another ball, I would see one of my besties intently watching and smiling at me with a thumbs up, even when I missed a clearance, and my ball was in the Outer Banks. It was encouraging and helped me remember to breathe and smile. This is supposed to be fun! Stave off any embarrassment with grace! Hunky hubby was usually in his own match, so our friends were my touchstone.
PAR is how I would describe the rest of the toolbox essentials needed to enjoy your first tournament.
P is for practice! Hit balls on the foreign court as often as you can so you can learn a bit about the speed and the culture of the court. P is also for patience! After losing, oh, five or six games in a row, my personal best, I knew I was improving with a couple 7-5 scores and perhaps had a chance to win something, sometime! And eventually I did!
A is for attitude. I had a blast. Those wonderful hosts I mentioned earlier? They all knew it was my first tournament, and after all my matches (losses), they greeted me with high fives and so much encouragement I realized how much I can enjoy tournament play even at the bottom of the heap. SOMEONE has to pull up the rear! Do it with pride, and next time applaud another first-timer! So many of my opponents mentioned to me that they truly enjoyed playing our game (not just because they won) that I self-imposed my tournament title of “Miss Congeniality” and wore that moniker with pride!
R is for respect. Rules. Relax. Respect your opponents and thank the many people who work tirelessly to organize a USCA sanctioned tournament. Know the rules and follow them. And mostly, relax. Participating in your first tournament is SO different from being a cheerleader on the sidelines. You can cringe if you miss clearing shots in front of the gallery, stomp around if you can’t seem to do more than jaws your ball when your opponent has the perfect jump shot and is dead center 15 inches away, or walk off the court dejected after your 6th loss. OR, you can hug your opponent because it was fun on a gorgeous sunny day knowing your first foray into tournament play has been a great educational experience with fantastic people who share your enthusiasm for this sport. And there are always libations to celebrate, win or lose!
Everyone must have some recollection of their first USCA tournament and the excitement and anticipation of something so new and thrilling...and competitive. I’m hoping those memories are half as good as mine, which means they are wonderful. For Rookies? Sign Up! It’s another one of croquet’s most rewarding opportunities. So much so that Miss Congeniality is preparing for another tournament soon! |