Missouri's Steve Jackson in Day One States Shield action
PARKVILLE, MO -- Under the threat of rain that never developed, the inaugural MCA States Shield Golf Croquet Test between Missouri and Kansas got underway on schedule last night at Kactus Creek Croquet Club in Parkville, Missouri. The first round was a doubles game between Dylan Goodwin and Darin Watson for Kansas and Matt Griffith and Steve Jackson for Missouri. Kansas kept it close for the distance despite Goodwin scoring a hoop for the Missouri team on a long clear early in the game.
Kansas continued to battle and was eventually able to pull off the upset 7-5 to take a 1-0 test lead.
In round two, the 1s played the 2s and Griffith faced off against Watson. Griffith established control early, but Watson, who essentially learned GC during a white board discussion on Wednesday and during the doubles game, fought back to get within 4-5. From there though, Griffith closed it down for a 7-4 win and the test evened at 1-1.
In the final game (double-banked), Goodwin and Jackson squared off. The game was tight the entire way, with Jackson repaying the earlier doubles favor by scoring Goodwin on hoop 4. As the game rolled around to through hoop 9, Goodwin took a 5-4 lead, but had no shot to scoring position on hoop 10 with either ball. There was a battle, but eventually Goodwin conceded and set a rush to hoop 11 for black. Jackson allowed it and scored the hoop to even the score.
Goodwin hit a perfect rush, to set black up with a two-foot hoop shot. Jackson was money though and cleared with a seven-yarder, so the battle was on. Eventually, Jackson jawsed red, but left Goodwin with a close jump. Goodwin made the jump, but as expected didn't get enough air and he scored Jackson's ball to go down 5-6 and give Jackson first shot at hoop 12. Jackson established position and Goodwin never really mounted a defense. Jackson won 7-5 to give Missouri a 2-1 lead.
Action resumes on Saturday on Kactus Creek Croquet Club with full team rosters all on hand.
SATURDAY SCHEDULE – MAY 21
8:30 AM – 2s vs 3s
Watson vs Millican
Jackson vs Kemp
9:45 AM – 1s vs 3s
Goodwin vs Millican
Griffith vs Kemp
11:00 AM – 2 vs 2, 3 vs 3
Watson vs Jackson
Kemp vs Millican
12:15 PM – 1 vs 1
Goodwin vs Griffith
1:30 PM Doubles 1-3 vs 1-3 (if needed, tiebreaker only)
Goodwin/Kemp vs Griffith/Millican