Lakewood Croquet Club

LAKEWOOD, WA – Lakewood Croquet Club President Brian S. Johnston III not only held onto his office (thanks to Jeff Gepner’s failure to win the Champions Cup), but also earned a new level of respect from members of the LCC. Johnston found himself in position late in the match to directly influence the outcome, but instead chose the high road and allowed the competitors themselves to decide the winner.

As Kevin Sutton and Mark Becker closed in on the final stake at Saturday’s Cup event, Johnston had the opportunity to eliminate one or both players using “kamikaze” tactics. Instead, Johnston officially withdrew himself from the competition, allowing the outcome to ultimately be decided by the play of the competitors.

“President Johnston did the right thing,” said Tom Carmony. “I haven’t always been supportive of some of his executive decisions, but by bowing out late in the match, he ultimately gave us the most exciting Champions Cup finish we’ve had.”

The champion himself was also impressed.

“I didn’t expect Johnston to do what he did,” stated Sutton. “He made the respectable choice by letting us play, and that’s something that’s not often done here in the Lakewood Croquet Club. Things are so cutthroat here, that competitors are always trying to cheat or stab someone in the back. He impressed me today.”

The 1999 Champions Cup was also surprising in its relative lack of controversy. Concerns had been expressed leading into the event regarding the rules (or lack thereof), following the debacle at the 43rd Annual Gary Coleman Memorial Team Challenge in May. Only one rule interpretation was requested during the two hour match, and neither side objected when the ruling was made. All in all, the event ran surprising smoothly.

So is Johnston to thank?

“Why the hell not?” responded the President himself. “I’m not saying the success of this year’s Cup should be entirely credited to me, but I did my share. I’m proud of what we’ve done here, and I’m looking forward to my next year in office.”