Take a right on A1A South onto Mosquito Control Road, drive down the quiet street lined with shady trees and Old Man’s Beard, and you’ll stumble upon the beautiful greens of the Ponte Vedra Croquet Club, where community members gathered on the evening of July 24 for an open house.
While local big-name golf courses might draw the eye, this seven-court venue, complete with a 3,000-square-foot pavilion, air-conditioned lounge, restrooms and picnic area, offers tranquility and an opportunity to partake in an often-overlooked sport.
John Curington, a Hall of Fame inductee and former president of the Croquet Foundation of America, opened the Ponte Vedra Croquet Club more than 10 years ago.
One of the club’s biggest struggles, according to Curington, is beating stereotypes, as the game is often associated with being a “children’s game” or a game of chance.
“It’s a serious game. It’s a game of skill and strategy,” Curington said. “There’s so much strategy involved that you can win a game just like chess. You’re not relying solely on your physical talents.”
Croquet may be a ball-and-stick kind of game, but Curington emphasized that it’s vastly different from anything of its kind. It’s a social game that encourages players to use critical thinking skills alongside their competitors.
Beyond the skill and social aspect of the game, croquet is praised for its versatility as a sport that anyone can enjoy, regardless of age or gender. There are players at the Ponte Vedra Croquet Club as young as middle schoolers, ranging up to those in their 80s.
“Believe it or not, I’m past my time as far as coordination goes,” Curington said. “So, the nice thing is you can play croquet to a ripe old age, because it’s a game for all generations. It’s easy on the body and has a lot of flexibility.”
While sports like pickleball and golf might dominate the North Florida area, croquet offers the advantage of being a low-impact exercise option for those who have a hard time twisting or running.
The Ponte Vedra Croquet Club is a private club regularly accepting new members. Members can visit and practice on the greens seven days per week during daylight hours, though the cooler months tend to be the most popular times of year to play.
The Ponte Vedra Croquet Club encourages interested community members to stop by and take a look around, speak to staff members, or even take a chance on a game.
The club offers free introductions to croquet and the facility on Wednesday and Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday afternoons at 3:30 p.m.
“If you’re interested, we’d love to have you come check us out,” said Curington. “There’s plenty of court space where you can come and play.”
On an official level, the club is a member of the United States Croquet Association and serves as one of seven area clubs that schedule regular events and inter-club competitions.
For more information on memberships and free introductory courses, go to pontevedracroquetclub.com.
