NATIONAL CROQUET MUSEUM

Danny Huneycutt’s accomplishments as a competitor are remarkable and rivaled by very few in this country. Just as important, however, are his contributions to the sport of croquet. He is a gentleman and an inspiration…on the court as well as off.

Huneycutt has a true passion and love for the game that inspired him to make a lifestyle change and dedicate his career to teaching and encouraging others to enter the world of croquet. He has a magical ability to connect with players at all levels with his infectious enthusiasm, sincerity, warmth and care for his students.

His ability as an instructor has enabled many players to gain impressive handicaps, well beyond their imagination. Originally mentored by Hall of Fame member Mack Penwell, Huneycutt, in turn, continues to mentor others to championship-level play, including top-ranked players such as Matthew Essick and Randy Cardo. He recently formed and is managing a Ladies Croquet Development Program for Association Rules. A select group of these women will compete in 2019 against Great Britain’s Ladies Team and will also play in the Irish Championships in Dublin, Ireland.

Huneycutt began playing croquet in 2002. He quickly became immersed in the game and was named USCA Co-Rookie-of-the-year. In his first tournament, the North Carolina Open, he recorded the quickest career triple peel in the world. He soon became an adept triple peeler, and subsequently joined that elite band who have completed a sextuple peel in a ranked game! The combination of his break-making skills and accurate shooting make him a formidable opponent at the highest levels of croquet.

Huneycutt started the Meadows Mallet Club that went on to shatter the North Carolina Club Teams record by winning the event 10 times. He also won eight North Carolina State Singles Championships and seven Regional Singles or Doubles Championships.
In 2003, he became the North Carolina District President. Under his leadership, many tournaments and instructional events were developed. Two major Association Croquet events he championed were the US vs. North Carolina Test Match and the North Carolina vs. World Test Match at Pinehurst Resort. These events were an important springboard for the US becoming competitive internationally in Association Rules croquet.

In 2003 and 2004, Huneycutt created the nationwide Croquet Fever Purse Series, a 2-3 day, 17-tournament, Association Rules competition.

In 2005, he won the Association National Singles Championship and was on the American Team for the Solomon Trophy. From that year on, Huneycutt represented the United States in almost all the Solomon Trophy and MacRobertson Shield Tournaments, and was captain for six of them. This may represent the quickest rise for a croquet player in the history of the game.

Huneycutt played numerous times on the United States team during international competitions as well as serving as captain eight times. At the 2009 Solomon Trophy event, he was undefeated when the US beat Great Britain for the first time, captaining the only US team to beat Great Britain on its own soil.

For many years, Huneycutt traveled the country teaching croquet. In 2013, he was hired by John’s Island to develop croquet for the club. In three short seasons, he increased the number of regular players from 12 to more than 60. During his four seasons at John’s Island, Huneycutt brought the Florida Regional Tournament there for two years and also started the John’s Island Invitational.

In 2017, Huneycutt was hired as Winter Director of Croquet at The Beach Club in Palm Beach, Fla., and Summer Director of Croquet at the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. At both locations, he built strong programs and significantly increased membership.

Huneycutt has run clinics and schools in more than 10 states and has started or helped to start four new croquet clubs. He also is tournament director of 12-15 tournaments around the country each year. In all, Huneycutt has won more than 60 USCA tournaments and won the USCA Grand Prix three times! He holds nine National Titles and is one of only four US players who have won five of the six annual titles. He is the current USCA National Champion for American Rules, National Seniors and Club Teams Doubles Tournaments.

Danny Huneycutt qualifies for induction into the 2019 US Croquet Hall of Fame as a player who has reached the very highest levels of today’s game. He plays with integrity and respect for his opponents, partners and team mates. Huneycutt is the complete package, embodying skill, passion, sportsmanship and generosity. He is a remarkable ambassador for the sport.