Lakewood Croquet Club » Rival Clubs

Seattle Invasion ‘08: Ironman Croquet Again Falls Short in Attempt to Wrest Gold from the Washingtonians

King of Qualifying — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:56:59 +0000

SEATTLE, WA – Another year, another failed attempt by Oregon’s Ironman Croquet League (IMC) to cross the state line with a Lakewood Croquet Club (LCC) title in tow. The IMC made it’s most aggressive push to date this year, sending a six-player contingent north in hopes of returning with the Poison championship belt. The group also posted their best showing to-date, claiming second and third place in the event, before the LCC’s own Brian S. Johnston III captured the win.

Over the previous two years, the IMC challenged the LCC at Champions Cup XI (2006) and Poison (IV). Last year’s Poison event actually featured the unlikely unification of LCC and IMC rivals in an effort to prevent a victory by a troupe of Canadian Interlopers from British Columbia. Their uneasy truce was short-lived however, as the LCC and IMC were once again squaring off at this year’s event.

“We battled, and it was our best showing yet,” said third-place finisher “King” Mike Cough. Each year, it’s been the LCC’s home course advantage though. I want to see them do the same on our courses, playing by our rules.”

“While good hosts, these LCC guys are clearly scared to come down to face us on our home turf,” reiterated IMC head Brandon Lasher at the post-match press conference. “We’re throwing down the gauntlet for 2009 – we’ll see if they step up to the challenge.”

There are rumblings that the LCC might be finally stepping up to that challenge (out of both competitive zeal and outright guilt). Rumors are swirling about a potential July 2009 showdown on either Seaside or Astoria, and IMC and LCC club officials are expected to begin negotiations in the coming months.

Mr. Brian S. Johnston III Builds Momentum with Poison Win

King of Qualifying — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:32:21 +0000

SEATTLE, WA – Mr. Brian S. Johnston III continued to build momentum heading into the 2008 season finale, Champions Cup XIII, notching his third win of the year at Poison V, Saturday, August 16th at Mount Baker Park in Seattle. The victory was not an easy one, as he had to battle his way past two members of the rival Ironman Croquet (IMC) organization, both of whom had already qualified as “poison”.

The heated Lakewood Croquet Club (LCC) vs IMC showdown proved to be the most competitive of the three annual matchups, as the final turns came down to the IMC’s Nathan “Super-Stitious” Cole and King Mike Cough going toe to toe with the LCC’s Johnston and “The Franchise” Jeff Gepner (all four competitors were “poison”). Gepner stacked the odds against Johnston, his club-mate and former longtime rival, by accidentally eliminating himself, striking a wicket on a long distance shot.

Gepner’s screw-up was the second self-elimination by an LCC competitor. “King of Qualifying” Tom Carmony, who finished the course first and qualified as the first “poison” player, accidentally cleared a wicket from a distance of 75 feet (after missing an IMC player’s ball) and struck the inside edge of that wicket to disqualify himself. He was the third elimination of the “poison” round.

The LCC hosts were outnumbered from the start, six to four, by the competitors from Oregon (one competitor from the University of Washington’s Honors Croquet League also took part), who made the trek up I-5 for the weekend. Johnston and Carmony jumped out to an early lead, with IMC’s Cole and Brandon Lasher in close pursuit. Carmony began to pull away, along with Gepner, who rebounded from a horrendous start to take a second-half lead.

Carmony was the first to stake out and reach Poison, with Gepner close behind. The two apparently reached an unofficial truce, however, as they clearly expressed no inclination to eliminate one another, instead focusing on targeting IMC competitors.

“I’m not going to say whether there was any agreement, so to speak,” said Gepner in a post-event interview with the press. “I will say, however, that we certainly had the best interests of the LCC in mind, and we wanted to make sure that the title stayed with the club, in the state of Washington.”

Carmony was less vague.

“Oh yeah, we had a pinky promise,” stated the King of Qualifying. “Jeff may not want to admit it, but it was his idea. I said, ‘do we REALLY need to hook pinkies to agree to this?’ but he insisted. It seemed a bit strange to me.”

Poison V marked the third consecutive year that the IMC made the trip north to challenge the LCC on their home turf. LCC officials have vowed to finally return the favor and are making tentative plans to journey to Oregon next season for a showdown on IMC turf.

Poison V Final Standings:

Mr. Brian S. Johnston III (LCC) *
Nathan “Super-Stitious” Cole (IMC) *
“King” Mike Cough (IMC) *
“The Franchise” Jeff Gepner (LCC) *
“King of Qualifying” Tom Carmony (LCC) *
Brandon “Croquet Cool” Lasher (IMC)
Cassee “Big Cheater” Hansen (IMC)
Timeri Hansen (IMC)
Ben “No Nickname” Lasher (IMC)
Nikki Gepner (LCC)
Ezra Bradford (UWHCL)

* = Players who completed the course and reached poison status.

View Photos from Poison V on Flickr »

Event Notes: Defending Poison Champion, “Mr. Fantastic” Kevin Sutton, was unable to defend his title at this year’s event due to a family commitment. He made a brief pre-match appearance to drop off the championship belt and vowed to be in top form for the final match of the season, Champions Cup XIII in September. LCC regulars Dianne Learned, Kristina Johnston and Jenn Sutton were also unable to make the event, due to other commitments. All are expected to be on hand for next month’s Cup.

Poison V Set for Saturday, August 16th at Mount Baker Park in Seattle

LCC Staff — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:25:42 +0000

SEATTLE, WA – The Lakewood Croquet Club will host its fifth annual Poison championship on Saturday, August 16th at Mount Baker Park in Seattle. The event, the final LCC Major prior to the end-of-the-season Champions Cup, marks the club’s second foray into the Mount Baker neighborhood (June’s Gary Coleman Memorial Team Challenge was also held in the area).

Poison V will also feature the return of Oregon’s Ironman Croquet group, who will once again make the trek north on I-5 in a valiant, albeit doomed, attempt to wrest one of the LCC’s championships away from them. The IMC took part in last year’s Poison IV, but came up short as “Mr. Fantastic” Kevin Sutton took the victory in a marathon match-up.

Poison is an open event, meaning all competitors (even newcomers) are invited. If you’d like to take part, simply RSVP via email to lakewoodcroquet@yahoo.com or simply show up on Saturday.

EVENT DETAILS

Event Name: Poison V
Location: Mount Baker Park, 2521 Lake Park Dr. South, Seattle, WA
Start Time: 1pm

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“Benedict Arnold” Johnston Reportedly Offers IMC Easy Win at Champions Cup XI

LCC Staff — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 22:44:49 +0000

SEATTLE, WA – In an unexpected, shocking turn of events, LakewoodCroquet.com has obtained a copy of an email secretly sent by the Lakewood Croquet Club’s (LCC) resident curmudgeon Brian S. Johnston III to Ironman Croquet (IMC) head Brandon Lasher, offering to “be your goon” and “[knock] other competitor’s [sic] balls out of contention so that you can win.”

The discovery of this email comes on the heals of LCC President Kevin Sutton announcing a formal investigation into recent actions taken by Johnston. At the time of that announcement, made earlier today via press release from LCC Headquarters, little was known what might have prompted such action, aside from Johnston’s recent public rants against Sutton, “King of Qualifying” Tom Carmony, and others.

Contacted by reporters for comment, IMC’s Brandon Lasher remained silent on the matter.

“I have no comment,” stated Lasher. “All I’ll say is that Brian S. Johnston III seems to be an upstanding citizen and a fine member of the croquet community.”

The text of the email, which has been deemed authentic by the LCC’s On-Staff Email Authentication Official™, seems to implicate Johnston in offering to fix the upcoming Champions Cup XI. He offers Lasher the opportunity for an “guarantied [sic] victory” if he and the other IMC competitors would be willing to vote for an alternate date for the Cup (Johnston is unable to compete in this year’s event due with a scheduling conflict).

From: Brian S. Johnston III
Date: August 4, 2006 8:47AM PDT
To: Brandon Lasher
Subject: RE: Alternate Champions Cup Date?

OK Duck you win. For some sick reason my friends are choosing you over me. It appears the only way I can compete in the Champion’s cup is if you are flexible enough to come at a later date. I realize you have taken work off yada, yada, yada. However, there must be something I can do to make a change in your schedule worth your wile. Just name your price. I hate the LCC so much that I would be willing to be your goon, forgoing all wickets and simply knocking other competitor’s balls out of contention so that you can win. A guarantied victory for you and your club…

Think about it.

Mr. BS Johnston III

At this time, it’s unclear what the future may hold for Johnston if he is indeed found guilty of treason against the Club. LCC President Sutton has promised a full and impartial investigation, the implications of which may be felt for months to come.

LCC President Launches Investigation into Johnston’s Recent Actions

LCC Staff — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 17:06:51 +0000

MERCER ISLAND, WA – The following is a statement released to the press earlier today from the office of Lakewood Croquet Club President Kevin Sutton:

“It is with great sadness that I announce today the Lakewood Croquet Club is launching a full-scale investigation into allegations of treason, sedition and Cup fixing against former LCC president and longtime competitor Brian S. Johnston III.

Mr. Johnston, in his tireless whining about this year’s Champion’s Cup date, has stepped beyond the bounds of what even the LCC considers ethical behavior in his lobbying efforts.

At this time, Mr. Johnston remains a full member of the LCC and retains all rights and associated privileges, including his position as Head Referee. However, should these accusations be proven true, punishment could range from stripping Mr. Johnston of his Head Referee duties, to suspension, expulsion, or detention.

Due to the ongoing nature of these investigations, the exact charges leveled against Mr. Johnston will not be revealed at this time. However, Mr. Johnston, I believe, is fully aware of what he has done.

We have entered into a dark chapter in this Club’s proud history, indeed. While it is true that, historically, no Champions Cup has been without its share of controversies, the allegations against Mr. Johnston warrant these extreme measures.”

Johnston Wins the Cup; Brings Championship Back to Lakewood Croquet Club

LCC Staff — Mon, 04 Oct 2004 06:17:39 +0000

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Champions Cup IX, held for the second straight year at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, was clearly destined to be a watershed moment in Lakewood Croquet Club (LCC) history. The year prior marked the first time the Cup had ever been claimed by a non-LCC competitor, as the San Francisco Extreme Croquet Club’s Steak Boy walked off with the four feet of plastic, much to the chagrin of the Cup faithful. With their trademark trophy in the clutches of the SFECC for the past thirteen months, the LCC would either step up to the plate, reclaiming their crown, or fade off into obscurity.

Unlike Champions Cup VIII (2003), a much more formidable contingent of Lakewood Croquet Club competitors made the journey to the Bay Area in search of the gold (-colored plastic). 2003 competitors Tom Carmony and Kevin Sutton were joined by “The Franchise” Jeff Gepner, a three-time Champions Cup winner (III, IV and VI) and Brian S. Johnston III, the former LCC President who was making his return to the world stage at the Cup after a summer-long sabbatical from competition.

Click here for complete results of Champions Cup IX

Sutton Confident in State of the Club Address

LCC Staff — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 06:22:16 +0000

SEATTLE, WA – Lakewood Croquet Club President Kevin Sutton made his first major appearance since taking office last week, delivering his State of the Club address before top LCC brass at the organization’s headquarters. Sutton was direct in addressing a number of recent issues, including the resignation of former President Brian S. Johnston III, “Queen of Croquet” Lin Cherry’s recent free agent signing with the San Francisco Extreme Croquet Club (SFECC), as well as the SFECC’s decision to hold hostage the Champions Cup trophy.

“We don’t need a trophy to crown our champion,” Sutton declared. “The Lakewood Croquet Club is about competition, on the field, not second-rate publicity stunts. Okay, we may have pulled a few less-than-classy publicity stunts,” he acknowledged, “but we never stole anything.”

Sutton opened the twenty-seven minute speech by touching on his quick rise to office following Johnston’s June 27th departure. “President Johnston served this club for six years,” he stated. “He may not have always had the LCC’s best intentios in mind, he may have screwed a few people, he may have awarded himself a number of championships and other accolades, but you know, we all have our faults. This is not the time to look to the past, but instead to look to the future and I see a bright future for a new, revitalized Lakewood Croquet Club.”

The President was also direct and to the point in addressing the escalating rivalry with the SFECC.

“I’m disappointed that our fellow croqueters in San Francisco feel they have to resort to stealing our members and stealing our Champions Cup trophy in order to compete with the LCC,” Sutton charged, bringing the crowd to its feet. “If they need to pillage our ranks to bolster their own operation, we will not sit idly by and fall victim to such terrorizing. Our response will be three simple words, “BRING IT ON.”

Sutton concluded the rousing call to arms with a simple message. “If we are indeed on the brink of a Croquet Cold War, then remember this…. you’re either WITH US or AGAINST US.”

Queen of Croquet Bolts LCC for San Francisco Club

LCC Staff — Tue, 06 Jul 2004 06:23:27 +0000

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.

WACCOS Champion Ken Little Joins the Fray

LCC Staff — Tue, 11 Aug 1998 07:49:30 +0000

TACOMA, WA – The 1998 Champions Cup featured a special appearance by a bonafide croquet celebrity… Ken Little, winner of the 1998 WACCOS Fourth of July Tournament. Little offered stories of past WACCOS events, the history of their club’s championship, and discussed the current state of his struggle to gain possession of the WACCOS Traveling Trophy.

Little also participated in the Cup, becoming the first member of another croquet club to take part in the LCC’s crown jewel event. Although he did not stay for the duration of the event, Ken made an impressive showing for himself and won the respect of all LCC competitors.

LCC President Brian S. Johnston III and Director of Media and Public Relations Tom Carmony also took time to meet with Little concerning legal actions being taken in the WACCOS Traveling Trophy controversy.

“We just wanted to clearly express our sorrow at the turn of events concerning Ken’s trophy,” reitterated President Johnston. “Having him here to participate in our event was a show of solidarity. We fully support him in his struggle and hope things turn out for the best.”