Start as a Club Player, End Up on the World Stage
Mary McMahon watched Peter Nicholson play and something clicked. He made the game look effortless. Not long before, she didn't even know tournaments existed. Now she wanted to play like one of the best in the world. That goal drove everything that ca
Start as a Club Player, End Up on the World Stage
Mary McMahon watched Peter Nicholson play and something clicked. He made the game look effortless.
"He'd see a hoop, he'd just go for it, you know, and through it would go sailing. And I made a commitment to myself then. I wanna get that good. I wanna be able to do what he can do."
Not long before, she didn't even know tournaments existed. Now she wanted to play like one of the best in the world. That goal drove everything that came after: the daily practice, the grip change, the years of work.
From Club Lawn to International Arenas
She reached a handicap of minus one and earned selection for the World Over 50s championship in Western Australia. Then she was personally invited to compete in the Egyptian Open, one of the top tournaments in the world.
"If you told me when I started playing croquet that I'd end up at the World Championships, I'd have said you were mad."
The pathway exists. From local club to state team to national representation to world events. It's there for anyone willing to put in the work.
What Reg Bamford’s 16 Perfect Peg Shots Can Teach You About Croquet
Reg Bamford is widely considered the greatest croquet player of all time. You can see why in the routine involved in every shot he plays.
You Will Win In Croquet if You Master These 3 Shots
Croquet has a lot of shots. Mary McMahon says you only need to worry about three. "I practice three main shots," she says. "A lag, a roquet, and a hoop. They're your three basic shots, and they're the three you should be practicing."
Mary’s Practice Refining Her Technique Improved Her Results
If you've been stuck at a handicap for a while, this is what getting past it looks like. Every competitive player hits a ceiling. In 2022, Mary McMahon hit hers.