Joseph Tankoos

There is no doubt that Joe Tankoos was mainly responsible for bringing tournament croquet to Palm Beach at his hotel The Colony and later The Breakers.  January would find the most talented mallet wielders from New York, South Hampton, Bermuda, and elsewhere, arriving at Joe's to split the delicate Florida air asunder with the crack of croquet balls and the wounded cries of the players.  Tankoos, who became a very good player and frequent winner, also would help create major interest in the sport along with his late wife in Bermuda and with Herbert Swope, Jr. and Jack Osborn created the present New York Croquet Club winning approval for the permanent lawn in Central Park overcoming many obstacles through many Parks Administrations to do so. 

Joseph Tankoos was inducted into the United States Croquet Hall of Fame in 1979.