Lakewood Croquet Club

LAKEWOOD, WA – Following a rather placid post-Cup 98 lull in club activity, the Lakewood Croquet Club has been gripped by a shocking turn of events as the Champions Cup trophy is missing. The trophy, last seen as it was presented to Jeff Gepner following the conclusion of the 1998 Champions Cup event, has apparently been missing since that night…

Gepner first reported the Champions Cup missing late last week, more than ten days after he last had possession of the Cup. Why the delay?

“I was doing what I could to find it,” stated the champion. “You think I wanted to be the one to have to come out and say that I’d lost the trophy?

“Not that I lost the Cup…” he continued. “it was stolen from me.”

Stolen? By whom?

“Let’s just say I’ve got a short list of suspects…”

Just who could be capable of such heinous chicanery? There are a number of likely individuals who may be involved:

Brian S. Johnston III – Johnston, the current LCC President, has returned to Pullman, Washington following the Cup and has been keeping a low profile as of late. The President has spent much of the past year attempting to belittle Gepner and ensure Gepner would not repeat as the Cup winner.

Andrew Cooper – One-half of Double X with Gepner, Cooper has declared that he was supposed to be aided to victory by Gepner and has clearly expressed a feeling of being double crossed by Gepner at this year’s Cup.

Kevin Sutton – Sutton, who won the inaugural Cup in 1996, watched the victory at this year’s event slip through his fingers when Gepner came from behind to take the win.

At this point, it is unclear exactly what has happened to the Champions Cup trophy. A full investigation has been launched by the Lakewood Croquet Club and the matter will be resolved. The LCC Web Site will provide full coverage of the investigation as it proceeds.