Lakewood Croquet Club

SEATTLE, WA - Lakewood Croquet Club President Brian S. Johnston III shocked both supporters (yes, he had his supporters) and rivals today by announcing his resignation from office, effective immediately. Word spread quickly through the LCC community following a press release issued by Johnston via e-mail.

The release stated:

Dear Fellow Club Members,

It has been an honor and a pleasure serving you as President of the Lakewood Croquet Club these many years. Together we have taken our sport to a new level. We have spread the word of extreme croquet across the country with major tournaments from coast to coast. Indeed we have done great things. But now, it has been my observation that extreme croquet has hit a wall. It is that barrier that separates a fad from immortality. I fear that extreme croquet will eventually will be a type-cast relic of the new century along with Brittany Spears and the Backstreet Boys. I believe it is time for change, which is why I am resigning as President of the Lakewood Croquet Club. It is my decree that Mr. Sutton will serve in my place as interim President until which time the board can choose a permanent replacement. Unlike others that shall not be named, Mr. Sutton will continue to bring honesty and morality to our organization in my absence. Furthermore, I believe Mr. Sutton as the energy and the free thinking that will be needed to take croquet to the next level. I hope that all of you will support him as you did me.

Yours Truly,

Brian S. Johnston III

Johnston employed a little known official privilege to name his successor, Kevin Sutton. Sutton, a three-time Champions Cup winner, is well-respected among the extreme croquet community. In addition to his long record of stellar play on the pitch, Sutton served as Head Official for the LCC from 1998-2000 and oversaw the Rocky Mountain chapter of the LCC for the past two years. The LCC Board of Directors is said to be pleased his Johnston’s selection of Sutton and so far has no plans to hold a formal election.

Reaction amongst the LCC membership was generally positive.

“I have to say I’m going to miss Johnston running the show around here,” said Andy Cooper when reached for comment. “Sure, it was chaotic and half the time we didn’t know which way was up, but that was part of his charm. I mean, he was overstepping the bounds of the presidency from the moment he got into office. You’ve gotta respect that kind of moxy.”

Even Johnston’s long-time rival, “The Franchise” Jeff Gepner, had good things to say. “The thing that shocked me the most about the announcement was his spelling! If you’ve ever read some of those early presidential press releases, I swear he must have been typing with his eyes shut.”