NATIONAL CROQUET MUSEUM

Ben Rothman’s accomplishments on the croquet court are unmatched in the history of American croquet. Ben is ranked #1 in American Rules and is the only player to hold a -4.5 handicap. In Association Croquet, he is currently the top American player and is ranked fifth in the world. In 2016, he became the first American ever to win the British Open Championship.

Ben has also given a great deal back to the croquet community. As the resident croquet professional of the Mission Hills Croquet Club in Rancho Mirage, CA, from 2009-2015, he helped that club win the “USCA Club of the Year” award in 2010 and 2011. At Mission Hills, Ben directed regional, national and club tournaments and taught individuals and groups. He was very instrumental in the growth of the club as he nurtured many new players into the game, generously sharing his knowledge and skills. Ever the student of croquet, he often meticulously revealed the nuances of the game in his play, courtside advice and commentary. He brought energy and prestige to a great croquet venue. His total dedication to the sport has helped establish Ben as the unquestionable leader among the elite players in the United States.

Born in Berkeley, CA, on November 9, 1983, Ben graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in Psychology. He married Cody Aichele in 2014 and they have a one-year-old daughter, Leonora. Ben began playing croquet as a child with his older cousin, the late Larry Stettner, also a long-time USCA member and tournament player. After competing in the 1995 Claremont Classic in Southwest Harbor, Maine, at age 11, he was soon playing in American and Association six wicket tournaments and Golf Croquet tournaments.

Ben was awarded USCA’s “Player of the Year” multiple times and currently holds the Grand Prix record for most points in a season at 35,150. He was the leading point scorer during the 2009 Solomon Trophy competition, which was the first victory by the United States in 19 attempts going back to the 1980s. Ben has won 84 tournaments – 62 Singles and 22 Doubles. He holds 20 USCA National Championships and has won both the British and Irish Opens. He holds the World Record for 24 consecutive Triple Peels. No American can approach this compilation of impressive croquet achievements.

Beyond his many individual titles, Ben has been a leader of the United States Croquet Team for years, leading us to unprecedented victories in the Solomon Trophy and solid finishes in the MacRobertson Shield. Ben is a great teammate and representative of the USA and USCA, and he has captained some of the most successful Solomon and Carter teams.

The members of the US Croquet Hall of Fame represent the best of the founding players, organizers, contributors and officials of our great game. As the finest croquet player to come out of the United States, it is impossible to imagine a Hall of Fame without Ben. The CFA is proud to have him join its ranks in 2018 as an excellent addition to the roster of croquet greats.