2015 Missouri Open Draws Top Talent

BELTON, MO -- As the MCA Nine Wicket Series prepares to take a historic step by partnering with a golf course for an event, it appears as though top players are paying attention. The 2015 Missouri Open at Eagles' Landing Golf Course in Belton, MO., on Saturday, June 6, 2015 now boasts the best Pro field that the Series has fielded. For starters, 2014 USCA Nine Wicket National champion Paul Miller is on the roster as well as runner-up Matt Griffith.Paul Miller

In addition, former two-time USCA Nine Wicket National champion Matt Smith (2009, 2011) has also joined the fray. Smith took some time off from nine wicket croquet and is now ranked #29 on the US list for Association players. And also from the Association world, Billy Bob Breeden will be on hand for the Missouri Open and he is currently #47 in the US Association rankings.

And of course, MCA 9WS mainstays Dylan Goodwin and Greg Clouse will also be looking to breakthrough the talented field as they join Miller and Griffith as the only other players to have won a Pro Series event.

"It's been a long term to goal to partner with a golf course here in the Kansas City area," said Dylan Goodwin, MCA President. "So, it's been great to see the top players here support the event."

With Monday as the entry deadline, 21 players have already committed and there are only two slots left for Pro/Gold. The tentative plan is to start Pro/Gold at 8:30 a.m. with the championship game slated for roughly 4:00 p.m. The Bronze and Silver Divisions will start at noon and should finish by 6:00 p.m.

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June 13: Missouri Open at Eagles Landing

BELTON, MO -- The Midwest Croquet Association has added the Missouri Open at Eagles Landing in Belton, Missouri for Saturday, June 13, 2015. The new event will be held on four full-size nine wicket courts that will be located on the driving range tee boxes for the public golf club and is the next event in the 2015 MCA Nine Wicket Series.

"This is an incredible opportunity for MCA players," said MCA President Dylan Goodwin. "Outside of Tulsa and Kactus Creek in Parkville, this will be the best surface the Nine Wicket Series has visited."

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Four Races, Four New MCA Leaders

LEAWOOD, KS -- With the addition of the newly formed Bronze (six ball) development division, the Midwest Croquet Association now has four points races to monitor. After his win at the Lee's Summit T-Bone Tournament, it is no surprise to see Matt Griffith at the top of the GWM Pro Points race with 147 points. Runner-up Greg Clouse follows in second with 117 points, while last year's champion Dylan Goodwin sits in third with 96 points.

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2015 MCA AGM: Focus on KC Development

The 2015 Midwest Croquet Association Annual General Meeting was hosted at the home of Ron and Deborah Millican in Lee's Summit, MO on February 7, 2015. The meeting began at 11:00 a.m. with a look at financials and membership. The MCA set records in both revenue ($1815) and members in 2014. The MCA had 32 members in 2014, which was up from the record of 22 in 2013 (2012 had nine members).

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2015 MCA Championship Date: September 19

LEAWOOD, KS -- The Midwest Croquet Association has confirmed that the third edition of the MCA Championship will be held on September 19, 2015. The MCA is still finalizing details for a venue and expect to make an announcement in February.

MCA President Dylan Goodwin also indicated that the event may also include play on Friday afternoon and evening to accommodate the six ball championship that runs alongside the event.

"With the accelerating growth in entries overall, the six-ball event really became an afterthought at the 2014 Championship," said Goodwin. "It's a fun segment and I think we want to build on it. We are going to look at some time on Friday first and then possibly Sunday."

Active Postseason for MCA Players

After a solid second year of MCA Nine Wicket Series play, MCA players and members made a lot of noise in USCA and club events in the postseason. Here's an update:

Matt Griffith and Paul Miller had a repeat of the Kansas City Open final on a much bigger stage as they fought through a tough field at the USCA Nine Wicket National Championship in Kansas City to battle in the title game. This time Paul Miller prevailed 24-15 to claim his first national championship. Miller also made a run at the doubles title as well with his partner Doug Moore from New York, but they came up short against defending doubles champions George Cochran and John Warlick in the final.

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MCA Crowns 2014 Champions

BELTON, MO -- The second annual MCA Championship was held yesterday in Belton, Missouri with Matt Griffith taking the MCA Pro Championship with a 26-19 win over Jason Johnson. It was Griffith's second straight tourney win and he is now riding an eight-game winning streak and is undefeated in MCA play.

The overall Pro Race standings remained unchanged as Dylan Goodwin finished with 442 points on a 17-5 record to claim the Goodwin World Media MCA Pro Points race and the top prize of $100. Greg Adams took second with 320 points and a 10-8 record to claim second place and a $50 payout. Ron Millican held third place with 278 points on a 5-11 record and a $30 payout.

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2014 Pro Championship Playoff is Set

LEAWOOD, KS -- Eight players have qualified and accepted bids to play in the MCA Pro Championship on September 13, 2014, in Belton, Missouri. The matchups follow:

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MCA Pro Race Update

LEAWOOD, KS -- Although he failed to make the final at the KC Open earlier this month, Dylan Goodwin earned enough points to clinch the overall pro points race, which is sponsored his Goodwin World Media company. Only 96 points will be available at the MCA Championship and with 428 points, Goodwin now holds a 130 point lead over Greg Adams (298) in second place.

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Griffith Defends the Home Turf

PARKVILLE, MO -- Matt Griffith had to work hard in the final, but he defended his home court in a back and forth 22-21 thriller over last year's MCA Champion Paul Miller on Sunday at the Kactus Creek Croquet Club in Parkville, Missouri. It was Griffith's first MCA Nine Wicket Series appearance and Miller's first appearance since his MCA Championship win last September.

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