Robert Fulford (croquet player) facts for kids
Robert Ian Fulford, born in 1969, is a top English croquet player. He has been one of the best players in the sport since the early 1990s.
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About Robert Fulford
Robert Fulford was born in Colchester, England. He went to Colchester Royal Grammar School and then studied at Durham University and the University of Essex.
Besides playing, Robert also teaches croquet. He coaches players in places like Australia and the Chattooga Club in North Carolina. He has even made croquet videos with Australian expert Kevin Brereton. In these videos, Robert shares tips on both basic and advanced playing strategies.
Winning Big in Croquet
Robert Fulford has won many important croquet tournaments. He has won the Association Croquet World Championship an amazing six times:
- 1990 in England
- 1992 in the USA
- 1994 in England
- 1997 in Australia
- 2002 in New Zealand
- 2023 in England
He has also won the President's Cup twelve times, showing his consistent skill over many years. The Open Championship is another major title he has won eleven times. Plus, he has won the Men's Championship four times. These wins prove he is one of the most successful croquet players ever.
Major Championship Finals
Robert Fulford has played in 41 major championship finals, winning 26 of them and finishing as runner-up 15 times. Here are some of his key final matches:
| Outcome | Year | Championship | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runner-up | 1990 | NZ Championship | Joe Hogan | -26tp -17tp |
| Winner | 1990 | Men's Championship | Stephen Mulliner | +26tp +7tp -6tp +14 |
| Runner-up | 1990 | Open Championship | Stephen Mulliner | -23 -24tp |
| Winner | 1990 | World Championship | Mark Saurin | +26 +24tp |
| Winner | 1991 | Open Championship | Chris Clarke | +14otp +26tp -8 +26tp |
| Winner | 1992 | World Championship | John Walters | -5tp +4tp +12tp |
| Winner | 1992 | Open Championship | Stephen Mulliner | +26tp -14otp +14 -12tpo +26tp |
| Winner | 1993 | NZ Championship | Bob Jackson | +21tp +12 |
| Winner | 1994 | Australian Championship | Rohan Carter | +24tp +3 |
| Winner | 1994 | World Championship | Chris Clarke | -12tpo +12tp +18tp +13 |
| Runner-up | 1995 | NZ Championship | Bob Jackson | -26 -26 |
| Runner-up | 1995 | World Championship | Chris Clarke | -18tp +12tpo -26tp +26tp -26 |
| Runner-up | 1995 | Open Championship | Reg Bamford | -24tp -26tp +26tp +26tp -26tp |
| Winner | 1996 | Open Championship | Aaron Westerby | +24tp -26tp +26tp -13tpo +26tp |
| Winner | 1997 | World Championship | Stephen Mulliner | +17 -3tpo +9otp +11otp |
| Winner | 1990 | Men's Championship | Phil Cordingley | +4 +14tp +24 |
| Winner | 1998 | Open Championship | Jacques Fournier | +26tp +22tp +25tp +26tp |
| Runner-up | 1999 | Open Championship | Reg Bamford | -26tp +26tp +26tp -26tp -26tp |
| Winner | 2000 | NZ Championship | Chris Clarke | +26tp +26tp |
| Runner-up | 2001 | Men's Championship | Reg Bamford | -3 +8tp -8 +20tp -17qnp |
| Runner-up | 2001 | World Championship | Reg Bamford | +16tp -17sxp +2 -26sxp -26qp |
| Winner | 2002 | World Championship | Toby Garrison | +26tp +26tp -17tp +15tp |
| Runner-up | 2003 | Men's Championship | Pete Trimmer | -16tp -18tp -26tp |
| Winner | 2003 | Open Championship | Reg Bamford | +26tp +12 +18tp |
| Winner | 2004 | Open Championship | Pete Trimmer | +26tp -26tp -18tp +16 +26tp |
| Winner | 2005 | NZ Championship | Ronan McInerney | +26tp +26 |
| Runner-up | 2005 | World Championship | Reg Bamford | -17tp -26sxp -17sxp |
| Winner | 2006 | NZ Championship | Paul Skinley | +26sxp +25sxp +26tp |
| Winner | 2006 | Men's Championship | Jack Wicks | +26tp +26tp +26tp |
| Winner | 2006 | Open Championship | Reg Bamford | -2qp +25sxp +26qnp -8sxp +1 |
| Winner | 2007 | Open Championship | Reg Bamford | +26tp +25sxp -16tp +26sxp |
| Runner-up | 2008 | NZ Championship | Rutger Beijderwellen | -26qp -17tp +26 -26tp |
| Winner | 2008 | Open Championship | Samir Patel | +16qp +17 +26tp |
| Winner | 2011 | Men's Championship | Paddy Chapman | -25tp +20tp +26tp +4 |
| Runner-up | 2011 | Open Championship | Reg Bamford | +18tp -26sxp -17 -26sxp |
| Runner-up | 2012 | Open Championship | Reg Bamford | -25sxp +14tp -24sxp -24sxp |
| Winner | 2014 | Open Championship | Reg Bamford | +16 +5qp +18qp |
| Winner | 2015 | Open Championship | Paddy Chapman | +20 +7 |
| Runner-up | 2017 | Open Championship | Reg Bamford | +25sxp, +3, -20sxp, -26sxp, -19sxp |
| Runner-up | 2021 | Open Championship | Reg Bamford | +3sxp, -25sxp, -24sxp, -19sxp |
| Winner | 2023 | World Championship | Matthew Essick | -17tp, -17tp, +4tp, +26tp, +8otp |
Robert's Playing Style
Robert Fulford is known for his unique and effective playing style. He can hit many different kinds of shots. One of his smart tactics is to "peel" an opponent's ball through the first hoop. This makes it very hard for the opponent to complete a "triple peel" later in the game.
He also performs "sextuple peels" more often than any other player. A sextuple peel is a very advanced move in croquet. Robert uses an "Irish grip" on his mallet, which is similar to how some golfers hold their clubs. Before each shot, he often "casts" his mallet, swinging it over the ball a few times.
Even though many coaching guides suggest using less wrist movement, Robert uses a lot of wrist power in his shots. His strong wrists help him make this grip work well without causing problems.
World Championship Journey
Here's a look at Robert Fulford's journey through the AC World Championships:
- 1989: Reached Round 4, where he lost to John Prince.
- 1990: Won the championship, beating Mark Saurin.
- 1991: Made it to the Semi-Finals, losing to John Walters.
- 1992: Won again, defeating John Walters.
- 1994: Won his third title, beating Chris Clarke.
- 1995: Finished as runner-up, losing to Chris Clarke.
- 1997: Won his fourth title, defeating Stephen Mulliner.
- 2001: Finished as runner-up, losing to Reg Bamford.
- 2002: Won his fifth title, beating Toby Garrison.
- 2005: Finished as runner-up, losing to Reg Bamford.
- 2008: Reached the Semi-Finals, where he lost to Chris Clarke.
- 2009: Reached Round 3, losing to Ben Rothman.
- 2012: Reached Round 3, losing to Marcus Evans.
- 2013: Reached Round 3, losing to Andrew Johnston.
- 2023: Won his sixth title, beating Matthew Essick.
