Connecticut eXtreme Croquet Society Crolf Page

Featuring eXtreme croquet and eXtreme croquet mallets.

Dedicated to enjoying eXtreme croquet, nature, and the near-death experience!™

Legal

Crolf - A History of Memories

You just never know where a simple email will lead you.

Back in October 2003 we got a request for information on "Crolf" clubs.

Well, John Larson, sent us the most amazing recollection of his experiences with Crolf when he was a younger lad. He chronicles the invention and development of the (Crolf) club, the equipment, the course, and the general background of the game. It is a terrific compilation of research, history, and fond memories. Let us know if you can add any other details or memories of this little snippet of time.

I am doing some research on the game of Crolf which may well have > originated > > at Little Point Sable, Michigan in the early 1920s. There are indication > > that a Dentist by the name of Dr. Sam Wilson got the idea and the club and > > balls were produced by his brother John Wilson also a dentist. Apparently > > John took a patent in Aug,1925. Both were summer residents of Little > Point > > Sable. The first course there was laid out by Sam Wilson and Bob Anderson > > and had only nine holes. Is searching the internet I came upon some > > correspondence by a "Dan H" to this address on October 8th 2003. Is it > > possible for you to forward this on to him or give me a way to make > contact. > > We may be able to share additional information. > > > > I can be reached the following ways. > > jlarson@oldsalem.org > > 336-721-7332 > > > > Thanks > > > > John Larson > >

Dear Mr Larson: Below is an exchange between yourself and Mike Warseck of the Connecticut eXtreme Croquet Society. It appears you happened upon my letter regarding the Michigan origins of "crolf": http://www.extremecroquet.org/about/curioscrolfclubs.html Unfortunately I have little to add, except to confirm that it was indeed at Little Point Sable. We were regular visitors at a cottage owned by "Sis" Cope. She kept a couple of crolf clubs handy (as did most of the cottagers, I gather), and we kids would play on the 9-hole course, which was set in the pine groves amongst the cottages. I seem to recollect that the "greens" were enclosed in a wooden frame, to keep the sand from shifting. "Sable" is French for "sand" of course. About that time, several cottages actually fell off the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, due to the constant erosion. I have pictures of them somewhere. I am gratified to learn that the club whose photo I found was patented by a resident of Little Point Sable. The head appeared to be cast of a zinc alloy (what we used to call "pot metal")-- something well within the abilities ofa handy dentist. I shall continue to hunt (casually) for a vintage crolf club in the many antique shops in that area. If I find anything, I'll post it to the CXCS. Good luck with your research. Best regards, Dan Harrison Farmington Hills, Michigan