HALL OF
Fame
MARY SUE MCCULLOCH "SUSIE" LINDEN
During the 1957 wedding reception for her daughter, in a huge tent set up on the beautiful block long garden next to her ocean front summer mansion in Spring Lake, N.J., Susie decided that the lawn upon which her five hundred guests were seated would make an ideal croquet court. Today, not one but two immaculately manicured courts serve as the home of The Green Gables Croquet Club.
FULL BIO
During the 1957 wedding reception for her daughter, in a huge tent set up on the beautiful block long garden next to her ocean front summer mansion in Spring Lake, N.J., Susie decided that the lawn upon which her five hundred guests were seated would make an ideal croquet court. Today, not one but two immaculately manicured courts serve as the home of The Green Gables Croquet Club. Now in its twenty-fourth year (making it the oldest in the USCA) the club is named after the 198 year old main house whose spacious basement serves as the club house for the almost fifty member group who during the summer season, meet each Thursday evening for croquet and dinner.
A constant world traveler, Susie Linden has decorated the clubroom with furniture from Hong Kong and artifacts from Figi and Bali. A replica of the club flag is inlaid in the marble floor in front of the bar. Widely known for her philanthropic works and gracious hospitality (not to mention her sharp shooting croquet eye) Susie and her husband, Carvel C. Linden, this year served as the principal hosts for the First Green Gables Invitational Tournament sanctioned by the USCA over July 24-27 weekend. Its success has assured that this event will become an annual highlight of the USCA circuit.
The Lindens spend each winter in the Indian Creek Island home in Florida where we wouldn't be surprised to hear the sound of mallet on ball one of these days soon.
Susie Linden was inducted into the United States Croquet Hall of Fame in 1980.