Croquet Revival in Central Virginia | Charlottesville News

Forget what you think croquet is—this ain’t your grandma’s backyard game. In Scottsville, Virginia, Robert Reeder and his team at the Centenary Croquet Club are reviving a strategic, precision sport with flair, turning it into “chess on grass.” Reeder, a former New York club pro, started this grassroots revival five years ago to bring organized croquet back to a region where opportunities are scarce. He’s battling the myth that croquet is easy—newcomers are shocked by how much brainpower it takes. Members like Carolyn Tabailloux say the game hooks you the deeper you play. With players traveling from Lexington and Ivy, the club’s survival hinges on keeping members engaged—and attracting younger folks. They’ve pulled out all the stops: Halloween costume tournaments, night games under lights, and farmers market demos to lure curious onlookers. Their dream? To turn the club into a vibrant community hub, hosting leagues and events to shatter misconceptions. For Reeder, the real win is watching strangers discover the mind-bending strategy hidden beneath the grass. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/0589fa7e444871b0