Breeden is Kansas City's AC Champion

Parkville, MO -- Billy Bob Breeden came into the final day of the Kansas City Association Championship with a perfect 6-0 record and a three game lead. He finished the event with a 2-2 record on the final day and claimed the first annual KC AC title with an 8-2 record. Matt Smith and Dylan Goodwin finished with 6-4 records and Smith took second place by virtue of a 2-1 head-to-head advantage. Special thanks to Debbie Breeden who provided lunches to the four players for the second and third rounds. Also, thanks to Matt Griffith and the Kactus Creek Croquet Club for providing the venue and court. All indications are that the event will return for 2012.

FINAL STANDINGS
1. Billy Bob Breeden
2. Matt Smith
3. Dylan Goodwin
4. Matt Griffith

RESULTS

August 13

Matt Smith                  beat     Matt Griffith               +24
Billy Bob Breeden      beat     Dylan Goodwin          +9
Dylan  Goodwin         beat     Matt Griffith               +11
Billy Bob Breeden      beat     Matt Smith                  +17
Billy Bob Breeden      beat     Matt Griffith               +7
Dylan Goodwin          beat     Matt Smith                  +7

October 23

 Matt Smith                 beat     Matt Griffith               +5
 Billy Bob Breeden     beat     Dylan Goodwin          +6
 Billy Bob Breeden     beat     Matt Smith                  +3
 Dylan Goodwin         beat     Matt Griffith               +1
 Matt Smith                 beat     Dylan Goodwin          +7
 Billy Bob Breeden     beat     Matt Griffith               +3

November 4

 Billy Bob Breeden     beat     Matt Smith                  +4
 Dylan Goodwin         beat     Matt Griffith               +9
 Dylan Goodwin         beat     Billy Bob Breeden      +12
 Matt Smith                 beat     Matt Griffith               +2
 Billy Bob Breeden     beat     Matt Griffith               +6
 Matt Smith                 beat     Dylan Goodwin          +15
 Dylan Goodwin         beat     Matt Griffith               +1
 Matt Smith                 beat     Billy Bob Breeden      +25

KC Association Championship Update

After two rounds, Billy Bob Breeden leads the event with a perfect 6-0 record. The first round took place on August 13 while round two concluded on October 23. The final round will take place with four games for each of the four players this Friday at the Kactus Creek Club in Parkville, Missouri. Results so far:

August 13

1. Matt Smith                  beat     Matt Griffith               +24
2. Billy Bob Breeden      beat     Dylan Goodwin          +9
3. Dylan  Goodwin         beat     Matt Griffith               +11
4. Billy Bob Breeden      beat     Matt Smith                  +17
5. Billy Bob Breeden      beat     Matt Griffith               +7
6. Dylan Goodwin          beat     Matt Smith                  +7

October 23

1.  Matt Smith                 beat     Matt Griffith               +5
2.  Billy Bob Breeden     beat     Dylan Goodwin          +6
3.  Billy Bob Breeden     beat     Matt Smith                  +3
4.  Dylan Goodwin         beat     Matt Griffith               +1
5.  Matt Smith                 beat     Dylan Goodwin          +7
6.  Billy Bob Breeden     beat     Matt Griffith               +3

Records: Breeden (6-0), Smith (3-3), Goodwin (3-3), Griffith (0-6)

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.

2011 USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals Preview

5th Annual Lee's Summit Parks Croquet Tournament

The 5th annual Lee's Summit Parks Croquet Tournament was held June 18th with 18 enthusiastic players coming together for some "HOT" competition of High/Low croquet playing.  Championship flight (High) players were paired with 1st Flight (Low) to battle for points to find the 2011 champions. Coming out on top in the Championship level was  Nick Zink, Warrensburg, 2nd Troy White, Rockville & 3rd Johnny Nichol, Warrensburg. Leading the 1st Flight players were 1st Heather McNeely, Keanery, 2nd Jimmy Hutchinson, Warrensburg & 3rd Jason Johnson of Kansas, City.

Mahaffie StageCoach Croquet Tournament

There was a happening at the Mahaffie Stagcoach stop, and that happening was FUN! With the help of the Mo Croquet Assoc & the Kactus Creek Croq. Club, the 2nd Annual Sunflower Wicket Benefit got off to a beautiful start with a continental breakfast followed by an energetic Croquet tournament. Competition was on the "FUN" side but still very competitive. Sporting "period dress", Mahaffie employees exhibited their skills to an exciting crowd pleasing win. Rounding out the day for the players, sponsors & croquet pros, was a champagne brunch that was enjoyed by all.

Update on 2011-07-16 19:06 by MCA Website Admin

First place: Tim Talbot and Alexis Woodall
Second place: Jim Randall and Larry Campbell
Third place: Don and Donna Ellis

Windstream TV Interview with Billy Bob Breeden

To watch the interview click the attached link or you can just read it below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfrK6qDjpJs

After an initial objection, it didn't take much to get Billy Bob Breeden hooked on a sport. A friend asked if he wanted to play in a croquet tournament. The lure? A T-shirt, band playing and beverages - all for $12. It was fun. Next time out, he placed second in a field of 400. And 30 years later, he's still at it.

The Gallatin, Mo.,-based local manager is the United States Croquet Association Missouri-Nebraska district president, a role in which he promotes croquet at all levels and answers rules questions. He plays about eight tournaments annually and has competed in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Arkansas, Kansas and Texas. 

"I'm a very competitive person and I play every chance I get," says the third-place finisher at 9 Wicket National Croquet Tournament three years ago. "I compete in four 6 wicket tournaments and four 9 wicket tournaments in the spring, summer and fall. The district also has hosted the 9W National the last four years in Kansas City, Kan.

He doesn't play with just any mallet, either. Billy Bob's is a $500 graphite model (36 inches long with an 11-inch mallet head) imported from Australia. The one-pound balls are from Africa and run $40 each.

"The money is well-spent," Billy Bob says. "I can't believe there's not more people falling all over themselves to do it." He says all ages can learn and benefit from a game that's played the world over.

It's also a family sport for Billy Bob and wife Debbie, who competes with a mallet made in New Zealand.

"It gets young people outside and older adults don't have to be athletic to compete," says the game's ambassador. "Not everyone can swing a golf club or can run to return a tennis ball, but everyone can swing a mallet," he points out.

Like any sport, the key to success is "it takes lots of practice. Practice, practice and practice," he emphasizes. When the weather is bad, Billy Bob practices in the basement of his Cameron, Mo., home with specially made portable wickets. 

"I have a dry erase board on the wall that I uses to draw out different scenarios, like you would if you were playing football."

The basement also is the place for his growing display of trophies. Practice is a stress reliever for Billy Bob and keeps him focused on a personal goal of winning a national championship. His goal is to play in the 6W Nationals at West Palm Beach, Fla., in 2012.

What's That Thing You Do?

Midwest Regional Croquet Championship

The Midwest Regional Croquet Championships starts this week in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Matt Smith, Matt Griffith, Billy Bob Breeden & Dylan Goodwin from Kactus Creek Croquet Club all will be attending this year tournament.

More to come ...

Update on 2011-06-12 03:13 by MCA Website Admin

Congratulations to Matt Smith on winning the Midwest Regional Croquet Championship Tournament. Matt has been playing in the Championship division for about 9 years. This was Matt first regional win but I'm sure it won't be his last.

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 2011-05-23 18:24 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.

Croquet Presentation

MCA members are scheduled to do croquet presentation to the Cameron park board on April 28. More to come......

Update on 2011-05-06 02:33 by MCA Website Admin

Debbie & I met with the Park Board on April 28, 2011. At first there seemed to be no one interested. Then after the meeting we had a couple of the board members talk to us. They thought it was a great idea & presentation. The only thing they would like to see is just how many people we could get to play before they spend any money to build two courts and then only have a couple of people playing.
My thought is to gather more info on the cost and how to build the courts & include the idea of a croquet course on the previously planned survey that the Board has already planned on doing. Then go back to the meeting and present them with the results. I hope then we have the rest of the board members on board.

UCM Tournament

Sixteen players played at the University of Central Missouri field on a warm April 9.  The format was high-low doubles and partners changed every game.  Evan Taylor and Annie Frisbie, members of the UCM croquet club, played their first tournament and really enjoyed the event and both played well.

Greg Clouse and Jodi Adams played great as partners and ended up winning the tournament.  Greg won in the championship flight and Jodi won in first flight.

I would like to thank eveyone for the support and look forward to hosting more tournaments in Warrensburg.

Matt Smith

Spring fling in Arkadelphia, AR

ARKADELPHIA, AR -- Results of the nine-wicket croquet tournament in Arkadelphia hosted by the Royal Knights Croquet Club of Arkadelphia, Arkansas are now in:

Championship: George Cochran 1st, Matt Griffith 2nd, Joe Franz and Matt Baird 3rd, Billy Bob Breeden, Jeff Caldwell, Pat Garner, Stu Brodsky 4th, Bob Bozeman and Glen Taylor 5th.

First flight: Rob Franks 1st, Ralph Bozeman 2nd, Lee Reed 3rd, Barry Dupuy 4th, Carl Jarret, Debbie Breeden, Scott Kennedy, Ron Millican 4th, Debbie Millican 5th.

They had a great tournament with the players from Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Oklahoma. The Royal Knights would like thank every one for making this a successful and fun tournament.

George Cochran only had one loss to Billy Bob Breeden and Matt Griffith only lost the one game to Cochran.

Central Missouri Open Date Change

WARRENSBURG, MO -- Matt Smith has announced that the UCM Open will move up to Saturday, April 9. The event will be played in Warrensburg, Missouri and the formate is double golf croquet. The original date for the event was April 23.

Contact: Contact: Matt Smith (croquet1@charter.net) / UCM Croquet webpage

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.

2011 MCA Schedule Expands

04/09 -- Central Missouri University Open (GC) / Warrensburg, MO
Contact: Matt Smith (croquet1@charter.net) / UCM Croquet webpage

05/26-30 -- USCA Midwest Regional (US) / Tulsa Croquet Club, Tulsa, OK
Contact: Erica Sherman (561-478-0760) (tournamentusca@aol.com)

06/04 -- Sunflower Wickets Benefit (GC) / Mahaffie Farmstead, Olathe, KS
Contact: Visit the Sunflower Wickets webpage

06/18 -- Lee's Summit Open (9W) / Lee's Summit, MO
Contact: Ron Millican (rdmillican@kcenvelope.com)

07/02 -- Kactus Creek Fun Day (GC) / Kactus Creek Croquet Club, Parkville, MO
Contact: Matt Griffith (kccroquet@kc.rr.com) / kactuscreek.com

07/09 -- KCCC 1st Flt (US)/ Kactus Creek Croquet Club, Parkville, MO
Contact: Matt Griffith (kccroquet@kc.rr.com) / kactuscreek.com

07/16 -- KCCC Champ Flt (US) / Kactus Creek Croquet Club, Parkville, MO
Contact: Matt Griffith (kccroquet@kc.rr.com) / kactuscreek.com

09/16-18 -- USCA Nine Wicket Nationals (9W) / Mid-America Sports Complex, Shawnee, KS
Contact: Matt Griffith (kccroquet@kc.rr.com) / kactuscreek.com

2011 Early Tourney Dates

There are a few Midwestern Region Tourney dates floating around:

Mar 18-20 / Arkadelphia 9W Tournament / Arkadelphia, Arkansas
May 26-30 / USCA Midwestern Regionals (US) / Tulsa, Oklahoma
Jun 4 / Sunflower Wickets Benefit / Olathe, Kansas
Sep 16-18 / USCA Nine-Wicket Nationals / Shawnee, Kansas