The crisp resonance of the word “croquet” recalls sunny images of dapper gentlemen in linen suits and panama hats, perhaps wearing argyle socks, chatting amicably with bonneted ladies on pristine lawns with fountains splashing merrily in the background. While the prevalence of bonnets and linen suits among college fashion choices is debatable, swaths of manicured grass and numerous fountains do provide a croquet-friendly environment.

Enter Pomona College Croquet Society, a committed group of 5-6 fine gents who gather every other Friday afternoon on Marston Quad (or another verdant locale) to take in some sun, enjoy spirited conversation, and play a jolly round or two of croquet. The Society’s mission statement of “supporting both casual and competitive croquet playing at Pomona College while simultaneously promoting interest in topsiders and British culture” lays out its intentions as decidedly as an aggressive mallet whack.

Only in its second year of existence, the Croquet Society is in a period of growth and self-definition. Founding father Andrew Foster chose to step down this year due to spring semester study abroad intentions. To fill his Sperry’s, the Society unanimously voted to elect sophomore William Gamber as the new president. Last year, Gamber tied in electoral votes for the vice presidential seat and became treasurer after losing the deciding croquet face-off.

“I suppose my rise to stardom was pretty fast,” Gamber said.

I sat down with Gamber over a bite of Coop toast to get the finer points of the game and the scoop on the society. The general set-up involves two posts on opposing sides of a grassy space, and five wickets between them—four in a square shape and one placed in the center. The players start at one post, weave through three wickets to the other post, hit it, turn around and head back through three wickets to the starting post (the middle wicket is used both directions). Each player gets one hit per round, unless you pass through a wicket or hit someone else’s ball, in which case you get two.

The otherwise friendly match becomes competitive and even vindictive when these collisions occur. In this case, one may place a foot on the opponent’s ball and strike it, causing his or her own ball to ricochet forward. By reversing the foot placement, one can strike his or her own ball and propel his or her opponent’s ball off course, known as “croqueting.” In Victorian England, many a feud began on the croquet pitch, although Pomona’s matches generally end with no hard feelings. Matches generally last 45 minutes to an hour.

“Depending on the pace, a fast croquet game could take 30 minutes, but we take our time, as gentlemen do,” explained Gamber.

Other than physically playing the game, supporting activities include occasionally drinking Arnold Palmers and frequently discussing boat shoes and yachting, in English accents, of course. Scoffing at the peasantry is also encouraged. When asked about proper attire, Gamber explained that dandyish clothes are not required.

“It’s really all about personal expression,” he said, “which also comes through in our croquet styles.”

His plans for the coming year include further exploiting the club’s food budget to include more grilling ventures and maybe finger sandwiches and long island iced teas. Currently, the Friday gatherings are “pretty relaxed,” although Gamber hopes to organize some matches against the other 5Cs and beyond. A possible intercollegiate tournament might be in the works because “playing Caltech would be really cool,” Gamber said. Harvard, Bates, St. John’s and the Naval Academy have teams that compete on the collegiate level, although without NCAA recognition.

Hundreds of years of croquet tradition live on through the bi-weekly meetings of the Pomona College Croquet Society, providing a calm oasis of genteel propriety and sporting fun—an island in a sea of Taio Cruz and Natty Light.