NATIONAL CROQUET MUSEUM

Over the past 25 years, David R. Ekstrom has been captivated with the sport of croquet along with his wife Martha (Martie). Shortly after joining the Lenox Croquet Club (Lenox, Mass.) in 1994, they spent a winter vacation on Florida’s West Coast and joined the Useppa Club. They soon began a journey they never anticipated. Ekstrom was given a handicap of 12, which over time moved down the handicap ladder, eventually earning a -2 handicap with 24 tracking points. He was inspired by experienced and new players from all over including several future Hall of Fame inductees. He has continued friendships with many players over the years, a unique feature of the sport of croquet.

Returning to Lenox, he and then club President Kristine Sprague started the Lenox Club’s own croquet tournament and named it The Berkshire Invitational. Whenever possible, Ekstrom volunteered to keep deadness boards as an opportunity to study players and their strategies, a habit he continues to this day. In the beginning, the club had access to the nearby Blantyre, a Relais and Chateaux Hotel, and one of their tournaments was featured on the front page of USCA magazine. This year, the Berkshire Invitational celebrated its 27th anniversary with Ekstrom having served as tournament manager all this time. Over several years, $50,000 was raised from tournament profits and contributions and the club built a croquet pavilion with restrooms and a kitchen. This serves as a special congenial place for the members’ daily use and their tournament guests.

Noteworthy, the club does not own its croquet lawns but has the privilege of using the facility in exchange for totally maintaining the courts and buildings for owners of the adjacent, vintage Lenox Club. Ekstrom also serves as Croquet Director for the club’s social events. He was often called upon for advice and help with croquet clubs providing clinics or starting new tournaments. Charitable fundraising hosts have called on Ekstrom to coordinate their croquet events and introduce people to the engaging sport of croquet. Many thousands of dollars were raised for the Foundation for Mental Health in Farmington, Conn. Chesterwood National Trust in Stockbridge, Mass, and Aim Services Inc, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., hold an annual fundraiser for people with diverse abilities supporting the “power of potential.”

Ekstrom’s leadership in croquet was demonstrated when he served as President of the Lenox Croquet Club off and on for many years, tournament manager of the Berkshire Invitational for 25 years, Regional USCA President for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for more than 10 years, a Class Two USCA instructor, handicapper and a referee. For several years he coached croquet at Smith College in Amherst, Mass., in the Collegiate Division and attended national tournaments in Delaware, Md. As a tournament manager, he produced six Northeast Regional tournaments and six Massachusetts state tournaments, all financially successful.

In the competitive field of croquet, he is a force to be reckoned with, often described as a player with reckless abandon. See ball, hit ball and make things happen. During the past 25 years, he has played in so many (more than 100) tournaments where he won, placed or showed in games in all flight levels of both singles and doubles that he cannot keep track. Because of his shooting skills, opponents are fearful of setting up or leaving a ball on the court. One of the best ways to describe Ekstrom is that he plays croquet to have fun and is never shy to attack. He is willing to take a risk for a great shot and loves to run a “two-ball” break to see how far he can go. His sense of humor on and off the court infects others and makes it a wonderful game for everyone.

A member of the USCA since 1994, Ekstrom won the NE Regional Sportsmanship award for First Flight in 1997, served as District President for Massachusetts for 10 years starting in 2000, started the first of six Massachusetts state croquet tournaments in 2004, managed six Northeast Regional tournaments starting in 2008 hosted by the Lenox Croquet Club. He won the Northeast Regional Tournament in 2017, having placed runner-up in previous regional events. Over the past eight years, with a few exceptions, Ekstrom placed in the top 10 players in the Grand Prix, with a personal best of third in years 2020 and 2021. As a class two instructor and retired referee, he continues to work with players who want to improve their games.

Born in Bridgeport, Conn., David and Martie recently celebrated their 61st anniversary. His business career was 25 years in banking in Connecticut and then as a Senior VP in Massachusetts. He changed his career to Chartered Consultant in life insurance and investments. The Ekstrom’s home base is in Pittsfield, Mass., and their winter home is in Lake Worth. Together, they raised two daughters and one son, and they now have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. During his working career, Ekstrom held leadership positions with the Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, Historical Societies, Barnum Festival, Parks & Recreation Commission and Vestry for several churches.

Ekstrom is often called upon to visit new and existing croquet clubs to provide clinics, strategy and improvements and demonstrate techniques. For the past 10 years, he has supervised retired senior citizens every Friday morning during the croquet season from Devonshire retirement facility for golf croquet.
Ekstrom remains actively involved in the Lenox Croquet Club, currently as president, and is a regular player at the National Croquet Center where he also volunteers at special corporate and private events. As a supporter of the USCA, David and Martie were charter contributors to the establishment of the Charles P. Steuber National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., and the establishment of the Croquet Foundation of America. They have committed to future estate giving plus ongoing contributions. Several years ago, Ekstrom introduced the “Grand Master” category to the Seniors Masters tournament to inspire players and to draw attention to active croquet after age 70. Recognition is given to the best performance regardless of flight.

The US Croquet Hall of Fame members are pleased to welcome David R. Ekstrom into this club of croquet ambassadors and accomplished players.