Western Canada Open Golf Croquet Championship 2026
Gopal Gowda
Gopal Gowda
Final Report
A Landmark Event for Croquet in Western Canada
The inaugural Western Canada Open Golf Croquet Championship concluded successfully on Monday, August 24, 2026, following four days of competition and camaraderie from August 21–24 in Victoria, British Columbia.
As the first fully Croquet Canada–sanctioned Golf Croquet championship in Western Canada, conducted under World Croquet Federation regulations, the event represented a significant milestone in the development of competitive croquet in the region. More importantly, it demonstrated that Western Canada is ready to support high–calibre Golf Croquet competition and provide players with opportunities that have historically been concentrated in Eastern Canada.
The Vision Behind the Championship
The idea for the championship was first conceived in December 2025. The goal was simple but ambitious: create a premier competitive Golf Croquet event in Western Canada that would encourage player development, attract strong competition, and provide a pathway for local players to compete under nationally and internationally recognized standards.
While British Columbia enjoys an active croquet community, much of the play has traditionally centred on social formats such as Snake in the Grass, with a smaller group of players participating in Association Croquet. At the same time, Golf Croquet has become the fastest–growing discipline of the sport worldwide, offering an accessible yet highly competitive format that appeals to players of all levels.
The Western Canada Open was therefore established as an open–entry championship with a long–term vision: to grow the sport, connect players from across Canada, and create an annual event that would become a fixture on the national croquet calendar.
The Importance of Club Support
Turning that vision into reality required partners willing to embrace something new.
Gopal approached the Victoria Bowls and Croquet Club, the Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club, and the Canadian Pacific Lawn Bowling and Croquet Club seeking both venue support and
confidence in an event with no established history.
To their immense credit, all three clubs recognized the opportunity. They saw not only a tournament but also the potential to strengthen croquet in the region, expand participation, and introduce a complementary sport to traditional lawn bowling activities.
Gopal approached the Victoria Bowls and Croquet Club, the Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club, and the Canadian Pacific Lawn Bowling and Croquet Club seeking both venue support and
confidence in an event with no established history.
To their immense credit, all three clubs recognized the opportunity. They saw not only a tournament but also the potential to strengthen croquet in the region, expand participation, and introduce a complementary sport to traditional lawn bowling activities.
Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club deserves special recognition and sincere thanks.
From the earliest planning stages, Oak Bay demonstrated remarkable faith in the concept and a willingness to support an unproven championship. The club generously made its greens available, welcomed visiting players, and provided outstanding hospitality throughout the event. Most importantly, Oak Bay’s leadership embraced the longer–term vision of growing croquet in Victoria and creating opportunities for future players.
Without that support, the inaugural championship would not have achieved the success it enjoyed. The croquet community, and especially the organizers, are deeply grateful to the Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club and its members for their encouragement, partnership, and commitment to helping establish what we hope will become a lasting tradition in Western Canadian croquet.
Player Participation
With venue commitments secured and Croquet Canada sanctioning obtained, registration pened with a goal of attracting 12 to 14 competitors.
Interest was immediate, with inquiries and preliminary registrations received from across Canada and the United States. As is often the case with a first–year event, some highly ranked players ultimately elected not to participate, preferring to wait and see how the championship developed.
Despite these challenges, the tournament attracted a strong field of 16 competitors, including players from Ontario, the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands.
Particularly encouraging was the make–up of the field. Many local competitors, comprising more than 50% of the total, were participating in their first fully sanctioned Golf Croquet tournament. Several came from Association Croquet backgrounds, while others were experienced primarily in social croquet formats. In that respect, the championship successfully achieved one of its primary objectives: introducing new players to competitive Golf Croquet and helping build a foundation for future growth.
Tournament Format
The championship opened on Friday with practice sessions and a popular One–Hoop Challenge, a fun competition that gave players an opportunity to test their nerve and skill while competing for prize money.
In one of the week’s most memorable stories, Graham Garlick of Salt Spring Island emerged victorious, defeating a number of highly ranked competitors and reminding everyone that on any given day, skill, focus, and a little bit of fortune can produce surprising results.
The opening day concluded with a welcome reception and championship dinner, allowing players to reconnect with old friends and forge new friendships before serious competition began.
Days Two and Three featured preliminary round–robin play hosted at Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club and the Victoria Bowls and Croquet Club included 48 matches. In addition, Players also enjoyed a Golf Croquet doubles event on the third day afternoon, adding a social and strategic dimension to the competition. Sandy Hodel and Jorn Soegard won the doubles competition.
Following the preliminary rounds, competitors were divided into two playoff divisions:
• Championship Flight – the top eight players
• First Flight – the remaining eight players
This structure ensured meaningful competition for every participant and guaranteed playoff opportunities for all players on the final day.
Championship Day The final day featured playoffs throughout both divisions, with quarterfinal and semifinal matches determining the finalists.
Championship Flight Semifinals
• Adam Barr defeated Mike Tevlin (both from Ontario)
• Chris Percival–Smith defeated Jorn Soegaard (both from BC)
First Flight Semifinals
• Gopal Gowda defeated Bruce Gillespie (both from BC)
• Pierre Dunn defeated Tim Pilon (both from BC)
The First Flight Final was contested in a 13–point format. Veteran competitor Pierre Dunn defeated Gopal Gowda to capture the inaugural First Flight title.
• Adam Barr defeated Mike Tevlin (both from Ontario)
• Chris Percival–Smith defeated Jorn Soegaard (both from BC)
First Flight Semifinals
• Gopal Gowda defeated Bruce Gillespie (both from BC)
• Pierre Dunn defeated Tim Pilon (both from BC)
The First Flight Final was contested in a 13–point format. Veteran competitor Pierre Dunn defeated Gopal Gowda to capture the inaugural First Flight title.
Championship Final
The Championship Final featured Adam Barr of Ontario against Chris Percival–Smith of British Columbia in a 19–point contest.
The match showcased the very best of competitive Golf Croquet. It was closely fought, strategic, and intense from start to finish. Ultimately, Chris Percival–Smith prevailed 10–8, securing the title of Inaugural Western Canada Open Golf Croquet Champion.
Hospitality and Volunteers
While the competition on the lawns was outstanding, one of the most frequently praised aspects of the championship was the exceptional hospitality enjoyed by participants throughout the week.
Special thanks go to the hospitality teams at Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club and the Victoria Bowls & Croquet Club, whose efforts ensured players remained well fed, refreshed, and welcomed.
The organizers wish to recognize:
• Angela Adamek, for leading the catering and hospitality efforts at Oak Bay.
• Kathi Moi and her team, for organizing and delivering an outstanding championship
dinner.
• Gloria Brown, whose photography throughout the event captured many memorable moments that will form an important part of the tournament’s history.
Lasting Benefits for Oak Bay
The championship was not only a success for the players and the sport but also brought lasting benefits to Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club. Through support from Croquet Canada, Oak Bay was able to acquire two sets of new tournament–grade croquet hoops, equipment that will serve the club and future generations of players for many years to come.
Oak Bay will also receive financial compensation for the use of its greens during the championship, ensuring that the club benefits directly from its generous support of the event.
More importantly, Oak Bay demonstrated the vision and leadership needed to help grow an emerging sport in our community. By supporting the inaugural Western Canada Open, the club played a pivotal role in establishing a new competitive sporting tradition in Victoria. For that confidence, generosity, and forward–thinking support, the organizing committee and all participants extend their sincere gratitude.
More importantly, Oak Bay demonstrated the vision and leadership needed to help grow an emerging sport in our community. By supporting the inaugural Western Canada Open, the club played a pivotal role in establishing a new competitive sporting tradition in Victoria. For that confidence, generosity, and forward–thinking support, the organizing committee and all participants extend their sincere gratitude.
Looking Forward
The success of the inaugural Western Canada Open Golf Croquet Championship demonstrates that there is both interest and enthusiasm for competitive Golf Croquet in Western Canada.
More importantly, it has established a foundation upon which future championships can be built. New players gained valuable tournament experience, seasoned competitors enjoyed challenging competition, and clubs worked together to create an event that showcased the
sport at its very best.
As we close this inaugural chapter, we extend our sincere thanks to every player, volunteer,
official, sponsor, supporter, and club member who contributed to the success of the event.
Most especially, we offer our heartfelt gratitude to Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club for its unwavering support, hospitality, and belief in the vision of growing croquet in Victoria.
Congratulations to all competitors, finalists, flight winners, and especially Pierre Dunn and Chris Percival–Smith, the inaugural champions.
Congratulations also to our own Oak Bay players competing in this tournament: Gopal Gowda, Pierre Dunn, Sandy Hodel, Gordie March, and Jim Crawford.
The future of Golf Croquet in Western Canada looks exceptionally bright.
Gopal Gowda
Tournament Director
