CroqCan 2011 AC
Ottawa, Ontario August 5 to 7, 2011
Tournament Directors: Louis Nel and Ken Shipley
This annual event, played in fine weather, kicked off with a bang. Top contender Brian Cumming started his campaign with a sextuple peel -- the second of his career. He later also did two triple peels to bring his career tp-total to 282. In the best-of-three final of the Open flight he beat Paul Emmett to become the 2011 champion. Simon Gagnon, just back from winning the Plate Event at the World under-21 Gof Croquet championship, took third prize. The Red flight was won by promising youngster Alexis Gagne, with Ken Shipley as runner-up and Georg Dej third.
The Elmdale courts were as flat and pleasant as usual but not as fast as in the past. About one third of the games were played at the nearby Central Lawn Bowling club. That court provided the rare experience of brown baked patches, reminiscent of what is deliberately pursued in prestigious events like the British Open to present players with challenging conditions. If resurfacing plans materialize, the privilege of this challenge will likely not be available next year.
The Open flight started with two blocks of 5, followed by a knock-out that started with single game quarter-finals. The Red flight played a round robin followed by a single game semi-final and final. In both flights there were enough further play-offs to produce totally ordered lists.
Finishing positions:
Open Flight
1 Brian Cumming 2 Paul Emmett 3 Simon Gagnon 4 Jane Beharriell 5 Peter Westaway 6 Louis Nel 7 Patrick Little 8 Chris Loat 9 David Druiett 10 Brigitte Westaway
Red Flight
1 Alexis Gagne 2 Ken Shipley 3 George Dej 4 Bill Grimsdale 5 Laura O'Laughlin Alison Streight 7 Don Oakley
Louis Nel and Ken Shipley Tournament Managers
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