USCA Women's AC National Championship
National Croquet Center
Feb 15-18, 2026
Lynda Sudderberg won the USCA’s inaugural Women’s AC National Championship, beating Arlene Parker 13-11, 13-12 in the best-of-3 final. Her name will be engraved on the Lily Gower Trophy, donated by the Denver Croquet Club. (Lily Gower was one of the leading players of the early 20th century, one of only three women to have won the British Open championship.)
Seven players contested the championship. The field had an international flair, Canada’s Arlene Parker and Egypt’s Jana Mohamed Saeed — one of the USCA’s newest members — joining USA’s Loretta Cooper, Cami Russack, Chris Smith, Lynda Sudderberg, and Karen Weihs. Play began with a complete round-robin block, all seven players advancing to the knockout.
Parker won the block 5-1 with an attacking style and solid break play, earning a bye. Sudderberg and Cooper, who had tied at 4-2 for second place in the block, won their quarterfinal matches to join Parker in the semifinal round. The fourth semifinalist was Saeed, brand new to AC but a quick study, who built on her impressive GC skills to figure out the game on the fly, winning her last three block games and then making it four in a row by winning her quarterfinal match.
Sudderberg survived a defensive battle against Cooper, 10-3, to advance to the final. Parker and Saeed played aggressive tactics throughout their semifinal, Parker advancing 16-8. The final featured high-quality play from both players; the relatively low scores mainly a function of the short time limits; both players advanced a clip to 4-back with a good leave in each game.
Eileen Soo was the Tournament Referee. Jeff Soo was the Tournament Director. Thanks to Ron Eccles for arranging the donation of the Lily Gower Trophy, and for hosting a cocktail party after the semifinals.
— Jeff Soo
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
01. Lynda Sudderberg
02. Arlene Parker
03. Loretta Cooper
04. Jana Saeed
05. Cami Russack
06. Chris Smith
07. Karen Weihs