LEAWOOD, KS -- The MCA has officially cancelled the July 11, 2015 Nine Wicket Series event originally scheduled for the Kansas Challenge. The Challenge was held at Mission Trail Elementary in 2013 and 2014 in Leawood, Kansas. However, the soccer field utilized for the tournament has been closed for the summer while the school adds playground equipment.

The Kansas Challenge was originally slated for June 13, 2015, but once the MTE summer closure was detected, the Missouri Open at Eagles's Landing was shifted to June 13 and MCA president Dylan Goodwin began searching for an alternate event for July 11. Goodwin visited locations in Jefferson City, Missouri, and Robinson, Kansas, while searching for potential locations while also holding continuing discussions with the Leawood Parks & Recreation Department. Leawood eventually indicated that they had no suitable facility. Jefferson City was deemed to be too far for the MCA base of players to travel. The proposed field in Robinson, Kansas, was not suitable for croquet.

A last ditch proposal to hold the event at the Cleveland Croquet Club at 235th and Mission was initiated on June 22, but the proposed date had to be shifted to July 18 due to a conflict for host Bill Berg. When it was determined that this would have an adverse affect on the points race, it was decided that it would be best to cancel the event for 2015.

"It is very disappointing to not have an event in Kansas for 2015," said Dylan Goodwin. "This will be the first year since 1997 that I have not hosted a croquet event in Kansas. And holding all of the events in Missouri is contrary to the mission of the MCA."

Goodwin indicated though that the MCA is in great shape for events for 2016. The Mission Trail field should be available again and the rush to get an additional event helped spur new planning for additional court areas at the Cleveland Croquet Club. He said the goal now is to have a full schedule in place by the end of January.

"As we've developed the MCA and the Nine Wicket Series over the past couple of years, the most challenging aspect has been securing agreements with venues. With all of the event infrastructure needs and tournament requirements, the schedule and working with venues has always been a back-burner item. With the progress we've made this year in equipment needs and volunteer roles, I can finally dial in on securing venue agreements," said Goodwin.

The MCA will now look toward the final regular season event of 2015 with the Kansas City Open to be held at Kactus Creek Croquet Club in Parkville, Missouri, on August 1-2, 2015.