While in Victoria over Memorial Day weekend, several Seattle Croquet Club members went to the "world famous" Butchart gardens. We were horrified to learn that, despite acres and acres of carefully manicured lawns, there was no croquet pitch! Can you believe that, Meg? Meg cannot believe this.
Standing in line to buy our tickets, we were discussing this grevious shortfall. Behind us, a couple of ladies told us how lucky we were that croquet wasn't at the Butchart gardens, because they would destroy us. Little did they know they were talking to the founding members of the Seattle Croquet Club! Oooo they're going to get it when the SCC comes up there next time.
We also learned a bit of trivia about croquet while we were there. Francis Rattenbury, the nineteenth century celebrity architect who built the provincial legislature building and the Empress hotel, was murdered by his chauffeur with a croquet mallet. Of all the ways to go! In his honor, I am announcing the first annual SCC Rattenbury Memorial tournament, date TBD. Keep your ears open and your foot on your ball!
