HALL OF FAME GALA 2022

On November 18, 2022, the United States Croquet Hall of Fame inducted its two newest members, David R. Ekstrom and Jacques Fournier, during the Croquet Foundation of America’s (CFA) 2022 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala. The event was held at the National Croquet Center (NCC) on a warm and still Friday evening in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The evening began with cocktails from an open bar and elegant hors d’oeuvres served inside the NCC, the site of much postpandemic mingling. Attendees were ushered to the south veranda for the induction ceremony, an area taking full advantage of ambient illumination provided by the night’s stars and lighting from a nearby south court. The master of ceremonies for the induction was David McCoy, Chairman of the CFA.

The first inductee was David R. Ekstrom, a longtime member of the Lenox Croquet Club in Massachusetts. Ekstrom was presented by his club friend and colleague Rita McNamara, who gave a light-hearted but touching account of Ekstrom’s many outstanding contributions to the sport over 25 years, as a regional president, club president, tournament manager and college croquet coach.

David Ekstrom

Ekstrom’s acceptance speech was humble and humorous. Ekstrom pivoted away from his contributions to the sport, and instead focused on his playing ethos. He described the seminal moment in his playing career when, after playing conservatively in a doubles game, he went on the attack in last turns and played well. His partner later asked him, “Why wait ‘till the end of the game to get aggressive?” That moment gave birth to Ekstrom’s “see ball, hit ball” spirit. Once when asked by an assigned doubles partner to describe his playing style, Ekstrom responded, “Reckless abandon.”

Jackie Jones once told Ekstrom, “You make great shots, but play stupid.” Years later Ekstrom took it as high praise when Jones told him, “You don’t play stupid anymore.”

The second inductee was Jacques Fournier, the first American to make the finals of the British Open and later to win a world croquet championship. Fournier was presented by his friend, the author, who summarized his brilliant playing career thusly: “For 10 years, Jacques was the best breathing American croquet player, and from the standpoint of time, he is one of but a handful of the greatest ever American croquet players.”

Jaques Fournier

In his acceptance speech, Fournier proudly described his greatest playing achievements, in a career that began when he was 11 and led to him winning the world championship at age 17. Fournier closed his speech by thanking the many whom he believed helped him most in his croquet career, including his grandfather, parents, brothers, mentors, college coach and teammates on U.S. National Teams with whom he competed in international events.

Before the inductees were given their coveted red jackets, McCoy announced the CFA’s ambitious program to raise $6 million in cash and commitments over the next three to five years for major renovations to the NCC, including adding six more courts; acquiring adjoining property to build more courts, offices and shaded parking; new court lighting; major upstairs renovations, including building a second-floor veranda and bar; and an electronic recognition wall in the firstfloor central area. McCoy announced that more than $3 million has already been committed and enough cash raised to facilitate prompt plans for the court expansion.

The gala was cheery and festive. Dinner tables were arrayed on the east veranda overlooking the main croquet courts, and the menu featured steak, salmon and vegetables, finished with a crème brulee dessert. A DJ played a popular dance mix under a canopy adjoining the veranda, with serious dancing beginning after dinner, when Dr. Sandra Knuth went onto the dance floor while encouraging others to join her. Dancing under the canopy and stars continued until the event concluded later that evening.

The Honorary Chair of this event was Freear Pollard, and the CoChairs were Ruth Summers and McCoy. Aside from paying welldeserved respect to newly inducted members of the Hall of Fame, the event always is a major fundraiser for the CFA, which in turn uses the money to support the NCC. Revenue comes from the sale of tickets for the event, purchased congratulatory messages placed in the evening’s souvenir program, benefactors who make contributions ranging from $500 to over $10,000 and proceeds from a 50/50 drawing.

—Article and Photos by Eric Sawyer