HALL OF
Fame
CATHERINE TANKOOS
Perhaps the brightest star in the Tankoos legacy to Croquet has been Cathy Tankoos. In the days when organized Croquet was first getting under way in the United States Cathy alonside her husband Joe leapt directly into the mainstream. It can often be quite difficult to adopt a sport which your spouse has mastered, particularly as complicated a game as Croquet, however after a short time of spectating, Cathy soon took on the philosophy that if you can't stand watching it — play it! Play it, she did.
FULL BIO
Perhaps the brightest star in the Tankoos legacy to Croquet has been Cathy Tankoos. In the days when organized Croquet was first getting under way in the United States Cathy alongside her husband Joe leapt directly into the mainstream. It can often be quite difficult to adopt a sport which your spouse has mastered, particularly as complicated a game as Croquet, however after a short time of spectating, Cathy soon took on the philosophy that if you can't stand watching it — play it! Play it, she did.
Philadelphia born, Cathy moved to New York where she worked with Town and Country Magazine for several years. She married Joe Tankoos, past President of both New York and Palm Beach Croquet Clubs and Hall of Famer, in the early '70's. Between their Park Avenue apartment, Bermuda and Palm Beach residences, and visits to Southampton, Joe's unselfish commitment to croquet soon became Cathy's as well.
Cathy's style is fashioned after many of the excellent Bermuda women players and it earned her victories in the Southampton, New York, Palm Beach and Bermuda Invitationals. Beyond this, Cathy has competed in several National Championships and Club Team Championships. Her Croquet prowess is not restricted to tournament play however, nor did she let her interest and involvement wane after the tragic death of her husband. In fact, if anything can be said, Cathy renewed her efforts and remained steadfastly loyal to the game.
Between hosting many, many parties for the New York and Palm Beach Croquet Clubs, helping run Croquet tournaments, buying trophies, and keeping the New York courts up to par, Cathy has traveled the world extensively where she continued to support and promote Croquet. In fact the current defending National Doubles Co-Champion, Richard Illingworth first encountered the game under Cathy's tutelage in Monaco. Cathy served as past President and is currently Chairman of the New York Croquet Club. She was the first Vice-President of the International Division of the U.S.C.A. working hard to establish Croquet in Monaco and at Las Brisas in Acapulco and Cuernavaco, Mexico.
From the early days of New York Croquet when Joe dated the demurring "nutsky" to her challenging new role in fashion design, Cathy has always been and will be the elegant, beautiful Lady of Croquet.
From those of us who have enjoyed the gift of her friendship and those of us who have that pleasure yet to come, we say welcome back and welcome to the Croquet Hall of Fame.
Catherine Tankoos was inducted into the United States Croquet Hall of Fame in 1984.