The 10th annual Boca Grande Invitational crowned three croquet champions March 9-11 in three eight-player flights.
Competition started at 8:30 a.m. each day and closed roughly nine hours later at 6 p.m., said Tournament Director Fred Jones.
Englishman Alan Cottle of the Sarasota Croquet Club jumped to the early lead followed closed by Gasparilla Island Club member Blaine Davis. Dale Poszgal knocked off Davis in Sunday's elimination round but Cottle claimed the title with a thrilling 22-20 triumph.
"Kudos to tournament manager Blaine Davis, president of the Gasparilla Mallet Club, and the Boca Bay Croquet Club for a job well done," said Jones.
The top title final featured a multi-wicker run by Poszgal, which was matched by Cotter. The champ clinched the victory by pegging out Poszgal's ball although the runner-up gamely staved off defeat with several long finishes.
Gasparilla Island Club members Kelley Newton came in seventh and Bob Bake finished tied for third with Davis.
Top-seeded Jackie Jones never really settled in and finished fifth in the championship flight.
The B Flight featured a mild upset by No. 3 seed Jack Montgomery with a 15-13 victory over top-seeded Glenn Bennett of the Sarasota Country Club, which packed the eight-person field with six competitors. The SCC is based in Venice.
Gasparilla Island Club member Sheila Davis tied Ralph Moore for third place.
The First Flight title went to John Postley of the Piping Rock Club in Oyster Bay, N.Y., who cruised to a 16-10 win over Jim McLaughlin of Venice.
"Postley said the stay at the Gasparilla Inn is a strong attraction to return year after year to compete in this tournament," Jones said.
Players are wined and dined beginning with an opening day courtside party, which was followed by cocktails and dinner Friday at the Gasparilla inn & Club, a sunset dinner Saturday from the Boca Bay Beach Club and a Sunday awards luncheon in the Gasparilla Inn & Club Pelican Room.
