NATIONAL CROQUET MUSEUM

Dr. William Luke has been dedicated to promoting the sport of croquet and is always a gentleman on and off the courts. His influence in developing and promoting croquet is remarkable.

He was the founder, driving force and financial support to establish croquet at St. Andrews Club, Gulfstream, FL. With Paul Staton, he resurrected the Cape Cod Croquet Club in Falmouth, Mass. He was also a member, host and frequent winner at Chatwood Club in Cashiers, NC. He answered the call from Chuck Steuber to become the first major financial donor to the National Croquet Center.

Bill was a Board Member of the Croquet Foundation of America until poor health (ALS) forced his resignation, at which point he became an advocate for ALS programs locally and nationally. His illness forced him to give up boating, tennis, flying and his passion for croquet.

During his playing years, Bill and his wife Joan felt that they never went to a tournament without having met a new friend. He remarked that croquet has been one of the best adventures of their lives and that the croquet community has always been stimulating, intelligent, challenging and warm.

Dr. William “Bill” Luke was inducted into the United States Croquet Hall of Fame in 2010.