The legend of Robert “Sandy Bob” Van Tassell continues to grow. The next chapter in his incredible rise to
fame was written during the Championship Singles final of the Mission Hills Invitational American Rules Tournament, where “Sandy Bob” put on an exhibition and stunned the croquet world by defeating croquet prodigy Ben Rothman, 26-3.
The event was played the week of March 1st at the Mission Hills Croquet Club, located in Rancho Mirage, California.
Bob first rose to fame as rumors spread of his incredible dedication to practice, in which he spent (and continues to spend) countless hours on croquet courts throughout North America honing his talents. Next, he earned his nickname “Sandy Bob” (short for sandbagger) because his handicap always lagged behind his true croquet ability due to his fanatical practice regimen. The great Jerry Stark came up with Bob’s nickname after hearing of Bob stunning hapless opponents who didn’t see Bob on their croquet radars. The legend of “Sandy Bob” was born.
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Ron Hendry Photo: Eric Sawyer
danger ball red near the fourth wicket. Ben’s finishing touch was wiring his blue ball behind the second wicket.
Ben’s only mistake in the game, if it could be called a mistake, was in not destroying Bob’s danger ball red far
14 | april 2010 | croquetnetwork.com
In the final match against Rothman, Bob had his work cut-out for him. After a brief session of hide-and-seek around the Chernobyl bush, both players finally brought all balls into play. Ben struck first and decisively, with a rush to attack that resulted in a three-ball break for his black ball with the spent ball in the first corner. Capping it off, Ben hit a huge split-roll, sending his blue ball in position to get clean by clearing the second wicket, while destroying the
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