NATIONAL CROQUET MUSEUM

Mack is well-known to many USCA members, especially those in the state of North Carolina. Since the late 1970's Mack has been a guiding force behind the growth of the sport in North Carolina. He began playing croquet in 1968 under the tutelage of another famous North Carolinian Croquet Hall of Famer, Francis Tayloe. Mack and Francis teamed up to play in the 1978 USCA National Doubles Championship and finished second behind Ted Prentis and Jack Osborn.

In the early 1980's, Mack taught Peyton Ballenger and helped her to develop croquet at the Pinehurst Hotel & Country Club. In association with Butch Bessette — the first USCA North Carolina District President, Mack was an instrumental part of the first major USCA sanctioned tournaments in North Carolina, the Aulander Invitational and the Pine Mallet Invitational.

When George Barnes took over the USCA North Carolina District, he and Mack worked together for three years and brought unprecedented growth for croquet to the state. Mack's excellence as a croquet instructor was a pivotal part of this success. Among the clubs where Mack was a major influence are the Aulander, Bald Head Island, Chattooga, Fishing Creek, Grandfather Mountain, Linville, Linville Ridge, Pinehurst, Pine Mallet and Stoneridge clubs. He has done clinics at nearly every major club in the state. North Carolina now has twenty-one registered USCA clubs.

In 1988, Mack was named to the U.S. National Croquet Team and competed in the U.S./International Challenge Cup. The U.S. was victorious in that encounter, beating the International Champions by the score of 39 to 33 games. Mack tallied an impressive 6-3 personal record in the tournament.

Mack's personal qualities make him an ideal ambassador for croquet. He demonstrates personal integrity, dignity and warmth in his roles as teacher, teammate, player and advocate of the sport.

Mack Penwell was inducted into the United States Croquet Hall of Fame in 1993.