MCA's Matt Smith Takes National Title

PHOTO GALLERY

SHAWNEE, KS -- The final day of playoff action at the Nine Wicket Nationals in Kansas City saw steady rain, but the players battled through. In championship singles, Matt Smith knocked of Billy Bob Breeden to make the final, while Matt Baird took out George Cochran to advance.

In the final match, Baird got the first break but stuffed number five. That let Smith set up his break which he ran all the way out to the penultimate wicket. He then turned it over to his partner and finished with a double peel to claim the 2011 singles national championship.

In doubles championship play, Matt Baird and Jeff Caldwell battled Billy Bob Breeden and Matt Griffith in the final. Baird and Caldwell took a tight match 32-25 to claim the doubles title.

In the first flight singles playoff, #4 seed Jason Cole knocked off #1 Greg Adams in the semifinals. In the other semi-final, #2 Barry Dupuy beat #4 Ron Millican to advance. Cole won the final over Dupuy to claim the first flight national championship.

Video report will be available later today.

Lawn Warrior Classic Croquet Fundraiser Tournament

 Jodi & Greg Adams, Deborah & Ron Millican, Debbie & Billy Bob Breeden all of the Missouri Croquet Association attended the first annual Lawn Warrior Classic Croquet Fundraiser tournament to benefit ALS in Lincoln, Nebraska. The William G Lauer Foundation said  the tournament was a success and they are planning to have another one next year.

2011 Winners were Jodi & Greg Adams of Kansas City, Mo.

Click here to Strike Out ALS    www.lauerfoundation.org     

More to come.......

Update on Monday, May 23, 2011 at 1:18PM by MCA Website Admin

Croquet in Lincoln, Nebraska for the ALS Fund Raiser       

The day started off with meeting up with our co-croquet players from Cameron and riding together to Lincoln.  We were going to Lincoln to play croquet in an ALS benefit.  They had eight croquet courses set up and there were to be 64 people that were playing in this event.  As we practiced we had fellow players who had not played croquet since they were kids out practicing with us and asking questions.  I heard several times during the day “I never knew that there were rules I thought you just sent your opponents ball away as far as you could”.

At 1:00pm the tournament started.  Each game consisted of four teams with two on a team. The Missouri partners were put on different courses which I believe was a very good move, as we were able to help the other players who really did not know exactly what they were doing and wanted to learn more about the game.  They all were very interested in learning the various strategies of the game. 

The top two teams from each game went on to the next game.  Again after each game the top two sets went onto the next game until there were just four teams left for a final game. We had four teams that consisted of Joel and ??? (Lincoln), Billy Bob and Debbie (Cameron), Ron and Deb (Lee’s Summit) and Greg and Jodi (Kansas City).  The field was surrounded by all the other players and fans to watch the game.

The final game was won by Greg and Jodi in first, Billy Bob and Debbie in 2^nd, Joel and ??? in 3^rd, and Ron and Deb in 4^th.

I would have to say this event was well organized. They provided shirts for all players and lunch. They also had beer, pop, water and flowers that you could buy that would also help go to the ALS fund raiser.

This was such a great day!  We meet lots of nice people in Lincoln and really just enjoyed the whole day.  And the rain stayed away!

Article by GA.

New President for the MCA

INDEPENDENCE, MO -- At the February 26 MCA annual meeting, Matt Smith from Warrensburg took over the reigns as the new president of the Missouri Croquet Association. Greg Adams from Parkville previously served for two years as president.

In other news from the meeting, Ron Millican expressed concerns about growth for the MCA. It was noted that the new college club at Central Missouri that Smith was spearheading was showing early signs of success. Matt Griffith indicated that he had two new players at Kactus Creek through an intro to croquet class at the club. Dylan Goodwin is trying to establish a nine-wicket club in the Johnson County (KS) area of Kansas City.

Griffith also indicated that first flight would add singles play for the USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals Tournament in September, which is another step toward reaching out to developing players in the area.

The MCA also considered the purchase of a second clock at the Kactus Creek Croquet Club, but no decision was made.