About 2,000 turn out at Westmoreland County Community College for 34th annual croquet tournament
Dressed in all white, competitors participated Sunday in the final scheduled Westmoreland Croquet Club Tournament.
“We would love to keep it going but it’s just time,” said Amy Dicesere, event organizer. “It is a great community event and I loved being involved for the past 34 years. These people are my family. It’s a tradition.”
The 34th annual event was held this year at Westmoreland County Community College, once again organized by DiCesere and co-founder Ernie Vallozzi of Vallozzi’s Restaurant in Greensburg. Vallozzi joined Greensburg investment adviser Robert Unkovic and members of The Old Joe Club, a nonprofit, to start the event with a dozen close friends.
The idea to feature croquet came from Georgia Smith of Greensburg. It was held at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg campus for many years before moving to the community college in 2017.
Smith recalled sweeping up grass at Pitt Greensburg getting the field ready for play.
“It has always been successful,” Smith said. “I have loved supporting this and seeing it grow.”
About 2,000 people attend the croquet event. There is someone interested in taking it over, Vallozzi said, but nothing is official yet.
“Many events end because of lack of interest, but there is no lack of interest here,” Vallozzi said. “This event continues to grow, and we are seeing more and more young people participating.”
David Cook III won the championship with friend Mike Tymoczko, 7-2.
Cook said the victory was special because his dad played the first tournament and winning was to honor his late brother, Jimmy, who died in 2005. Tymoczko had played with Jimmy in previous events when they were kids.
“This happens every year because of Amy,” Vallozzi said. “She does a big part of the work and has a tremendous team.”
The field was surrounded by tents, hosted by businesses and nonprofits.
The Old Joe Club supports Western Pennsylvania organizations providing life-enhancing services in the areas of human services; art, music and education; conservancy; education scholarships; and child protection and life enrichment programs.
“We hope it can stay here at the community college,” said Doug Weimer, Hempfield Township supervisors chairman and a board member of the community college. “It is one of the premier events in the region. It has a wonderful following. We hope to keep it going.”
The Reese family from Greensburg, who has attended many years, had a hippie-themed tent.
“We wanted to give it a groovy goodbye,” said Michael Reese. “Sometimes events have run their course. This one is going out on a high note.”
The proceeds are handled by the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, with several different organizations receiving funds each year.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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