North American Open

Started by Jacques Fournier (and Rory Kelley), the North American Open was during its early years a traveling event.
The first year or two it was called the Arizona International Open.
It has been played in Arizona, San Francisco, North Carolina and then Sonoma-Cutrer and appears to be restarting again in Virginia.

In 2003, Jacques passed on the running of the tournament to Mike Orgill at the Sonoma-Cutrer Croquet Club.

For a few years, the North American Open was held Labor Day weekend, during the harvest of the grapes.
Then in 2006 it moved to May in conjunction with the Make-a-Wish's charity foundation wine auction
held at the Sonoma-Cutrer Winery, in Windsor, CA.

In 1999, Bryce Jones, its founder in 1973, sold the winery to Brown-Forman (NYSE: BF.B) of Louisville, KY and formed his new winery Emeritus.
Brown-Forman recently sold it to Duckhorn Portfolio in April 2024.

Bryce (and Stan Patmor) were the founders of the first Sonoma World croquet championship in 1986 inviting top players from around the world.  This was prior to the formation of the World Croquet Federation (WCF) in 1989.  Bryce's tournament benefited several charity foundations besides just Make-A-Wish.

This NAO tournament format has always been an Association Singles event:

- Association Rules singles.
- Sterling Silver perpetual trophy cup for winner of main event (best-of-three knockout).
- Plate event for remaining entrants.
- White clothing required at SC.

In 2025, the Cheasapeake Bay Croquet Club announced a North American tournament in the fall, but I don't see it on their event calendar.