Speaking His Final Farewell
At the ball, surrounded by the friends and supporters who financed the birth of the sport of croquet in America under his single-minded leadership for two decades, he spoke his final farewell. "The game of croquet, to which I have given such a large portion of my life, fuses so many different elements: competition, a fine eye, a sharp mind, a firm stroke, a large amount of patience, ability to plan ahead and, by no means the least, a control of one's temper. Few of us have had all of these qualities in hand in every game. But they are there to strive for in all games.
"Yet beyond all of these, our game provides that finest of outcomes — comradeship. It is that which brings us together. It is that which I have always enjoyed, wicket by wicket."
Osborn excelled as a player in the early days of the USCA, winning two national doubles titles with partner Archie Peck and leading the United States International Team for eight years. He never won a national singles title.
Osborn authored the books that have been for many years the standard texts of American croquet. He wrote with Jesse Kornbluth Winning Croquet — from Backyard to Greensward, and later with his son John Osborn the current standard, Croquet, the Sport.
Osborn is survived by his son John, one of the top players in the country and among the most popular professional instructor/coaches. The father and son owned together the Osborn Croquet Academy at PGA National Resort & Spa.
Even in death, Jack Osborn will retain his influence in the sport and in the many projects, enterprises, and corporate structures he put together around it and which will continue to bear his stamp for many years to come.
In organizing the sport, with its uniquely American Rules and culture, he did, perhaps, what no one else could have done. The sport of croquet in America will endure - as will Osborn's beloved American Rules — as his everlasting legacy.
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