US GC Classic: Matt Smith Repeats as Pro Champion
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pro division finalists matt smith and cecil creasey
Gil Goetz Goes 8-0 to Win the Gold Division Title
The 2026 US Golf Croquet Classic wrapped up a second year in Denver yesterday with a Championship Sunday that saw winners in four events. In the Pro Division, Matt Smith took first place with a 7-4, 7-6 win over Cecil Creasey in a Championship final that was held on the world-class lawn at the Denver Country Club.
The Gold Division featured a final between two undefeated players that thrilled the gallery at Washington Park. Gil Goetz looked in control against local player Shane Eckert as the duo rounded H10. Eckert showed off his long hit-in skills to battle back and get the game to the hook. A good setup gave Goetz the advantage, and he took the 7-6 win for the Gold title. Eckert won the Gold title in 2025.
GOLD RUNNER-UP SHANE ECKERT WITH WINNER GIL GOETZ
In the afternoon, three players competed in the Silver Division Playoff at Washington Park, which served as a consolation playoff for players eliminated in rounds one and two of the Gold Playoff. Judy McKeon defeated Justin Marciniak 7-2 to advance to a championship final against Timothy Lawrence. The final saw a lot of action, but ultimately Lawrence took the 7-6 win after a battle at the hook.
SILVER PLAYOFF WINNER TIM LAWRENCE WITH RUNNER-UP JUDY MCKEON
The Pro Plate was held at the Denver Country Club, with Carter Harrison getting the win with a 7-4 victory over Steve Berry in the final. The semifinal scores were Berry 7-3 over Dylan Goodwin and Harrison 7-5 over Ned Sperry.
PRO PLATE WINNER CARTER HARRISON
The event ran 87 games in three days through two courts and saw 14 hours of action on Saturday.
Additional photos and reporting still to come. The Silver Playoff and Pro Plate events will be posted online, and all events will be updated on croquetscores.com soon.
