Lee's Summit T-Bone Tournament-Gold Division Schedule

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ROUND 1 - 9:00 a.m.
Keith Berg vs Bill Berg
Jason Johnson vs Deborah Millican
Bye: Justin Marciniak

ROUND 2 - 10:15 a.m.
Jason Johnson vs Bill Berg
Deborah Millican vs Justin Marciniak
Bye: Keith Berg

ROUND 3 - Noon
Justin Marciniak vs Bill Berg
Jason Johnson vs Keith Berg
Bye: Deborah Millican

ROUND 4 - 1:15 p.m.
Justin Marciniak vs Jason Johnson
Deborah Millican vs Keith Berg
Bye: Bill Berg

ROUND 5 - 2:30 p.m.
Justin Marciniak vs Keith Berg
Deborah Millican vs Bill Berg
Bye: Jason Johnson

Gold Championship - 3:45 p.m.
1st and 2nd place play in this game

Gold 3rd Place - 3:45 p.m.
Optional for 3rd and 4th place players (points do not count for the Gold Race)

Lee's Summit Roster Update

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As we approach the second leg of the MCA Nine-Wicket Series with the Lee's Summit T-Bone Tournament this Saturday, twelve players have signed up for action. First round matchups will be announced on Thursday night, but here is the current roster with ranking. Check back for updates:

Committed:
1. Matt Smith
2. Greg Clouse
3. Dylan Goodwin
4. Greg Adams
5. Ron Millican
6. Paul Miller
7. Robert Fournier
8. Jodi Adams
9. Jason Johnson
10. Deborah Millican
11. Bill Berg
12. Keith Berg

Interest:
Justin Marciniak

Commanding Lead for Clouse in the Pro Division

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Rank First Last GP Wins Losses Total Wickets Wicket Average
1 Greg Clouse 4 4 0 111 27.75
2 Paul Miller 4 2 2 77 19.25
3 Dylan Goodwin 4 3 1 75 18.75
4 Ron Millican 3 2 1 59 19.67
5 Robert Fournier 3 1 2 54 18.00
6 Carl Distefano 2 0 2 33 16.50
7 Debbie Millican 2 1 1 32 16.00
8 Jason Johnson 2 0 2 22 11.00
9 Bill Berg 2 0 2 14 7.00

 

Pro Division points are earned from Pro Division playoff games and open/Pro Division block games. Due to open block games, it is possible for Gold Division players to earn points in both the Pro Division and the Gold Division. It is also possible for a Gold Division player to qualify for the MCA Championship in both or all divisions.

Johnson Leads MCA Gold Division

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Rank First Last GP Wins Losses Total Wickets Wicket Average
1 Jason Johnson 2 2 0 55 27.50
2 Debbie Millican 2 1 1 27 13.50
3 Carl Distefano 1 0 1 12 12.00
4 Bill Berg 1 0 1 12 12.00

Gold Division points are earned from Gold Division only games in either block or playoff games. Due to open block games, it is possible for Gold Division players to earn points in both the Pro Division and the Gold Division. It is also possible for a Gold Division player to qualify for the MCA Championship in both or all divisions.

Clouse Racks 'Em Up in Stilwell

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Pro Division FinalistsStilwell, KS -- Greg Clouse rolled through the Stilwell Open with relative ease in the early going. Clouse took 32-9 and 32-8 wins in block play to take the number one overall seed in the Pro Division Playoff. In the semi-finals, he knocked out Paul Miller 29-12. In the championship game he survived a late attack by Dylan Goodwin to claim the Stilwell Open title with an 18-16 win. Goodwin as the three seed, had advanced with a tight 18-16 win over two-seed Ron Millican on his side of the bracket. Clouse, Goodwin and Millican were all 2-0 in block play.

PHOTO GALLERY | OFFICIAL SCORESHEET

The final between Goodwin and Clouse came down to last turns. Goodwin was first ball with red and cleared 11PW to pull within two wickets of Clouse. He failed to gain a foward rush on black and then made a key mistake in trying to roll black toward 13PW while taking red toward blue near 14PW. He ended up wired and tried to jump the 15PW for the roquet on blue but missed by a foot.

The easier solution would have been to leave black and go set yellow (dead on red) in front of its wicket (six). Yellow could have then wired black from blue.

In the Gold Division, playoff Debbie Millican started as the number one seed after coming up on the short end of the gross points tiebreaker among the 1-1 block players. Debbie beat newcomer Bill Berg 14-12 in the semi-finals for a berth in the championship game. As the three seed, Jason Johnson caught fire in the semi-final and took a 32-12 win over Carl Distefano who is also brand new to the sport. In the final, Johnson took the win over Debbie with a 23-12.

First and second place in both divisions received white baseball caps with the host Kansas City Croquet Club logo.

Standings in the MCA Nine-Wicket Points Series are being tabulated and will be posted when they are available.

FINAL ORDER

Gold Division FinalistsPro Division
1. Greg Clouse
2. Dylan Goodwin
3. Ron Millican
4. Paul Miller
5. Robert Fournier

Gold Division
1. Jason Johnson
2. Debbie Millican
3. Carl Distefano
4. Bill Berg

BLOCK GAME RESULTS

A Block
Greg Clouse 32-9 over Debbie Millican
Debbie Millican 23-14 over Jason Johnson
Greg Clouse 32-8 over Jason Johnson

B Block
Dylan Goodwin 23-7 over Bill Berg
Robert Fournier 20-7 over Bill Berg
Dylan Goodwin 18-13 over Robert Fournier

C Block
Paul Miller 26-19 over Carl Distefano
Ron Millican 23-14 over Carl Distefano
Ron Millican 20-16 over Paul Miller

PRO DIVISION PLAYOFFS

Wildcard
#4 Paul Miller 23-21 over Robert Fournier

Semi-finals
#1 Greg Clouse 29-12 over #4 Paul Miller
#3 Dylan Goodwin 18-16 over #2 Ron Millican

Finals
#1 Greg Clouse 18-16 over #3 Dylan Goodwin

GOLD DIVISION PLAYOFFS

Semi-finals
#1 Debbie Millican 14-12 over #4 Bill Berg
#3 Jason Johnson 32-12 over #2 Carl Distefano

Finals
#2 Jason Johnson 23-13 over #1 Debbie Millican

Stilwell Open Game Times

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We've got a great turnout considering the holiday weekend with nine players committed. We've got a few new players in the mix as well so this turnout bodes well for the Lee's Summit event as well.

For Saturday, you should be at the courts by 8:30 a.m. and they should be set for practice on right around 8:00 a.m.
Nine is a bit of a tough number for tournaments especially considering this group doesn't fit neatly into Pro and Gold divisions. I've set it as three blocks of three and the top five performers will go to the Pro Division playoff while the bottom four will go to the Gold Division playoff. All players are guaranteed three games. The block tie-breaker is head-to-head, gross wickets, net wickets, lag for the stake. Times and blocks listed below.

Lunch is provided and is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Camping chairs are a good idea and if you have a pop-up tent those are always good to have. I will have one set up.
Prizes awarded for 1st and 2nd place in each playoff.
A BLOCK
Greg Clouse
Jason Johnson
Debbie Millican
B BLOCK
Dylan Goodwin
Robert Fournier
Bill Berg
C BLOCK
Paul Miller
Ron Millican
Carl Distefano
Round 1 - 9:00 a.m
CT1 - G Clouse vs D Millican
CT2 - D Goodwin vs B Berg
CT3 - P Miller vs C Distefano
Round 2 - 10:15 a.m.
CT2 - J Johnson vs D Millican
CT3 - R Fournier vs B Berg
CT1 - R Millican vs C Distefano
Round 3 - 12:30 p.m.
CT3 - G Clouse vs J Johnson
CT1 - D Goodwin vs R Fournier
CT2 - P Miller vs R Millican

Stilwell Open Entry Deadline Approaches

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The Kansas City Croquet Club will host the Stilwell Open Nine-Wicket Singles tournament on Saturday, May 25. The nine-wicket singles event will be played according to USCA 9W National Championship options 1, 1a, 2, 3, 7, 9 and 10 (1a is modified to disregard the game score).

The Stilwell Open will kickoff 2013 MCA Nine-Wicket Series that concludes with the MCA Championship on September 14. The Stilwell Open format will likely be open blocks that filter to a Pro Division bracket and Gold Division bracket.

Lunch will be included. Entry fee structure:

  • $20 for non-MCA members
  • $10 for MCA members

Entry deadline is Monday, May 4. You can enter by registering with Croquet Network Overdrive (link below) or e-mailing kccroquetclub@gmail.com

Stilwell Open Address/Details:
http://croquet.ning.com/events/2013-stilwell-open

Known commitments: Dylan Goodwin, Greg Clouse, Ron Millican, Debbie Millican, Bill Berg, Paul Miller, Robert Fournier.

Strong Interest: Matt Smith, Carl (Cleveland)

Interest: George (Cleveland), Justin Marciniak, Paul Moore, Kirk Whitworth, Jason Johnson, Brad Clouse

Kactus Creek/MCA U.S. Rules Handicap Ladder

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Matt Smith will manage a U.S. Rules Handicap Ladder to be held at the Kactus Creek Croquet Club.  This will be six-wicket American rules play among the Kactus Creek members.  Games will be 1 hour 15 min. long. Bisques will be given on a 1 to1 ratio with half bisques dropped from players handicaps when figuring bisques.  Games can be played any time between March 1 and July 31.  The player at the top of the ladder on July 31st will be named winner. Matt will explore sanctioning via the USCA to have games count for tracking points.

You may play anyone in the ladder, but the results have to be recorded in the following thread on the MCA website or emailed to Matt Smith. Additional details are in the thread:

2013 Sunflower Wickets Details

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The Olathe Parks and Recreation Department has posted details for the 2013 Sunflower Wickets Benefit on Friday, June 7. Schedule:

  • Registration: 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Heritage Center
  • Croquet Play: 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Olathe North Soccer Fields
  • Wicked Wickets Happy Hour: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Heritage Center with presentations beginning at 4:00 p.m.

More info: http://www.olatheks.org/parksrec/sunflower-wickets#overlay-context=sunflower-wickets

Lee's Summit New Date: June 8

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The Lee's Summit T-Bone Croquet Tournament in Lee's Summit, MO has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 8. The event will be held at Howard Park (3498 NE Independence Ave) and starts at 9:00 a.m.

This re-opens the registration period for anyone that could not make the May 4 date. For players that cannot make the new date the Lee's Summit Parks department will provide refunds.

The event will feature a singles nine-wicket division and also offer a six-ball cutthroat division. The singles division will be played according to official USCA nine-wicket rules with options 1, 1a*, 2, 3, 7, 9 and 10. Awards will be given to the top finishers in each division.

The event is sponsored by the Lee's Summit Parks & Recreation and you can register at lsparks.net or call 816-969-1500. Fee is $17 and the deadline is April 24.

*We will disregard the game score relative to the 1a. Clearing option. We have petitioned the USCA to change this rule.

Lee's Summit T-Bone Tournament Postponed

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Due to the inability to get a good cut on the grass with the snow and a forecast for wet and cold weather tomorrow, the Lee's Summit Tournament will be postponed. We are exploring new dates and will send notice once we have something set (new date is Saturday, June 8).

If a registered player cannot make the new date June 8 date, Lee's Summit Parks and Rec will offer a refund.
2013 MCA SCHEDULE
05/25 — Stilwell Open (9W) / Stilwell, KS
06/07 — Sunflower Wickets Benefit (GC) / Olathe, KS
06/08 — Lee's Summit T-Bone Tournament (9W) / Lee's Summit, MO
09/14 — MCA Championship (9W) / TBD

Smith and Breeden at AC Nationals

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MCA members Matt Smith and Billy Bob Breeden are playing at this week's USCA Association National Championship. Smith tied for second in the yellow block with a 6-3 record, while Breeden went 1-7 in the blue block (which looks like an incredibly tough block). You can follow the event here:

http://www.croquetscores.com/2013/ac/usca-nationals

Troy White: 1963-2013

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White at 9W Nationals in 2010Troy White of Rockville, Missouri, passed away April 23, 2013. He was 49 years old. Troy lived in Rockville, Missouri most of his life. During his life, he worked for JLS Coal Company and also Wilson Plumbing. Troy loved the small town life and especially enjoyed being outdoors. Some of his favorite outdoor passions were deer hunting and mushroom hunting, but his favorite passion was playing croquet. Troy started playing nine-wicket cutthroat croquet in the early 1980’s and started playing in tournaments around this same time.

In the mid-1990’s, Troy won several tournaments over a four-year period and became known as the man to beat in Kansas City. Around 2009, Troy joined the USCA and played in the annual Nine-Wicket USCA National Championship tournament held in Kansas City. Most of all, Troy enjoyed playing nine-wicket cutthroat in someone’s backyard where there were small hills and valleys to present an extra challenge.

Lee's Summit T-Bone Croquet Tournament

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The 2013 MCA Nine-Wicket Series will kick off on May 4 with the Lee's Summit T-Bone Croquet Tournament in Lee's Summit, MO. The event will be held at Howard Park (3498 NE Independence Ave) and starts at 9:00 a.m.

There will be a singles nine-wicket division and a six-ball cutthroat division. The singles division will be played according to official USCA nine-wicket rules with options 1, 1a, 2, 3, 7, 9 and 10. Awards will be given to the top finishers in each division.

The event is sponsored by the Lee's Summit Parks & Recreation and you can register at lsparks.net or call 816-969-1500. Fee is $17 and the deadline is April 24.

Flyer available here:
http://missouricroquet.squarespace.com/storage/flyers/2013%20Lee%27s%20Summit%20Flyer.pdf

MCA Name Change: Midwest Croquet Association

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LEAWOOD, KS -- The MCA held it's Annual General Meeting February 9 in Leawood, KS and announced several new changes and initiatives. The most significant change is a new name -- the Midwest Croquet Association (changed from Missouri Croquet Association). The change is intended to better represent the organization's activities on both sides of the border and allow for expansion. New president Dylan Goodwin will work with the MCA Board to get a new logo approved that reflects the new direction of the association.

The big ticket item though was the announcement of a season-long nine-wicket points race for singles play. Details will be announced later, but the concept is that players will accumulate points at events hosted throughout the region. Top points players will then qualify for the MCA Nine-Wicket Championship event in September.

Most of the dates and venues are still to be determined, but Ron Millican announced May 4 as the official date for the Lee's Summit edition of the series (more details to come). The event will kick off the nine-wicket MCA season and Millican plans to have both partner ball flights and a cut-throat (six ball) flight as well. The MCA hopes to have at least one event per month over the summer with Warrensburg, MO and Overland Park, KS being likely hosts. August is being left open as many MCA players would like the opportunity to play in the 40th edition of the Kansas City Invitational in Parkville, MO.

The MCA also announced a $5.00 bump in membership fees for both singles and couples/families. Single memberships are now $20.00 and couples/family memberships are now set at $30.00.

Former MCA president Matt Smith asked to leave the MCA Board and Ron Millican has taken his place on the five member board. The board consists of Dylan Goodwin (President), Jodi Adams (Treasurer), Debbie Breeden (Secretary), Greg Clouse and Ron Millican.

MCA Leadership Change

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After roughly 18 months as President of the Missouri Croquet Association, Matt Smith turned the reigns over to Dylan Goodwin of Leawood, Kansas in November. Goodwin has served on the MCA board since 2011 and is also the Communications Committee chairman for the USCA. In addition, he is the publisher and editor for the USCA's Croquet News magazine and manages the Croquet Network news website.

"I've proposed to the core members of the MCA that we take on a more active singles nine-wicket approach to get the organization playing more competitive croquet in the KC area," said Goodwin. "And, the second priority is getting established events in the other three codes of croquet as well."

Goodwin noted that an association rules event started in 2011 and the 2012 event is in progress.

"Clearly, there are challenges for playing GC, Association and American rules events here as we only have the one court at the Kactus Creek Croquet Club in Parkville," said Goodwin "However, the association event shows that we just need to get creative with being flexible and potentially playing over multiple weekends. I'd like to see the AC event be sponsored by the MCA in 2013 and expand out to more players and possibly two flights."

"The main thing is, I just want to get a strong circuit of competitive play going here in KC."

The MCA will hold an All General Meeting (AGM) on February 9 in Leawood, Kansas to get started on planning events for 2013.

Breeden Second in Fourth Eight

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WEST PALM BEACH, FLA -- The MCA's Billy Bob Breeden of Cameron, Missouri tied for second in the fourth eight at the USCA's Selection Eights association event. Breeden had an 8-6 record in his group. Thirteen-year-old Matthew Essick won the group with a 10-4 record. Harper Peterson also posted an 8-6 records. Full event results are available here and you can see Breeden's full 2012 AC record here:

http://butedock.demon.co.uk/cgs/player.php?year=2012&pfn=Billy%20Bob&psn=Breeden