Reg Bamford isn’t just any croquet player—he’s a living legend.
And over the weekend, at 57 years old, he proved once again that age is just a number.
Competing at the Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club in Devon, the Cape Town-born athlete clinched his 13th British Golf Croquet (GC) Open Championship title—an astonishing milestone in a sport he’s dominated for decades.
Beating the Odds and the Younger Generation
In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Bamford shared the news with a dash of humor and pride:
“There’s still life in this old dog!”
He noted that eight of the final 16 players were under the age of 30—clear evidence that the competition is heating up.
But even after a five-year title drought, Bamford came out on top, defeating England’s Jamie Burch in the final.
A Secret Weapon Called the Swing Trainer
So what helped him rediscover his winning edge? Bamford credits his latest project: a Swing Trainer that he’s been developing behind the scenes.
Still in its prototype phase, the device is designed to perfect a player’s swing through repetition—and according to Bamford, it’s already paying off.
He gave his design team a tall order:
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Keep it under 7kg
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Make it easy to assemble in under five minutes
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Ensure it’s travel-friendly, even for international flights
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And yes, make it so sleek you’d want to lick it!
He says they’re nearly there—and hopes to launch the Swing Trainer, a premium croquet mallet, and an aiming target to the public by the end of 2025, just in time for Christmas.
A Career Built on Excellence and Innovation
Bamford’s journey isn’t just about wins on the court.
Over the past 30 years, he’s managed to balance elite-level sport with entrepreneurial success.
He’s the only player in history to have held both the World Association Croquet and World Golf Croquet Championship titles at the same time—back in 2013.
His trophy cabinet includes:
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Five Association Croquet World Championships (2001, 2005, 2009, 2012, 2020)
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Two Golf Croquet World Championships (2013, 2017)
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12 British AC Open Championships
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And now 13 British GC Open Championships
In 2020, Sports Pedia even ranked him 29th among the top 100 sportspeople in the world.
Flying the South African Flag with ‘AmaCrockoCrocko’
Earlier this year, Bamford stepped into a leadership role as captain of South Africa’s national team, affectionately known as ‘AmaCrockoCrocko’, during the World Team Croquet Championships in Tasmania.
The team finished a solid sixth place—comfortably avoiding relegation from Tier 1.
That means they’ll stay in the top division for at least another four years.
Leading in Business Just as He Does in Sport
Beyond the croquet lawn, Bamford is also a Chartered Accountant and the founder of Sable International, a company that offers immigration, finance, and property services across three continents.
With over 200 employees worldwide, he continues to make an impact far beyond the sport that made him famous.
What’s Next for the Croquet Champion?
As Reg Bamford sets his sights on launching his croquet product line, one thing is clear—he’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Whether on the lawn or in the boardroom, he’s driven by the same passion, precision, and pursuit of excellence that’s defined his entire career.