Lakewood Croquet Club

SAN FRANCISCO – In what may prove to be the biggest shocker in an already tumultuous croquet season, Lakewood Croquet Club superstar “Queen of Croquet” Lin Cherry renounced her affiliation with the club and signed a long-term deal with the rival San Francisco Extreme Croquet Club (SFECC). It is believed that Cherry’s move is the first of it’s kind in major league extreme croquet.

SFECC officials, forever in need of good publicity, were quick to hype the signing in a press release.

For Immediate Release:

Lin Cherry, Former Member of the LCC Has Announced Her Defection to the SFECC.

July 5, 2004 – Citing the LCC’s decline in membership, internal strife, the resignation of President Johnston and an overall malaise within the club, Cherry felt it was time to “jump this sinking ship” and join a club that would showcase her unique extreme croquet skills.

In related news, LCC founder Tom Carmony was similarly courted by the SFECC but declined membership. Carmony was able to withstand drunken verbal abuse, threats of physical violence, bribery, extortion, and “please”, to stay loyal to the LCC – a decision that industry insiders feel is a short and long term career mistake.

The SFECC now not only holds the LCC Champions Cup, but can count Lin Cherry, wife of LCC founder Tom Carmony, as it’s newest and most welcome member.

The self-proclaimed “Queen of Croquet” has a long record of success in the sport. Prior to joining the LCC in 1999, she was reportedly a top-flight competitor throughout the Northeast, winning multiple NPTSRSLSA (Northeast Pennsylvania Tri-State Regional Seasonal Lawn Sports Association) championships. In addition to her success on the competitive circuit, Cherry often barnstormed from town to town and taking on all challengers at local carnivals and town fairs.

Her five years in the LCC also included a number of high profile successes, including winning the 1999 Showdown at Ship Bottom and sharing the Commonwealth Championship with Amy Egan after their win at the 2002 Pennsylvania Open.