Written by Robert Rich

A Brief History of Carlowden Country Club

THE EARLY YEARS

“A meeting of persons interested to form a corporation for a golf or country club was held pursuant to call at the Grange Hall in the Town of Denmark, Lewis County, New York, on the 28th day of July, 1925, at 7:30 o’clock P.M., and there were present fifty subscribers.”
Thus did the minutes record that first meeting of what was to become Carlowden Country Club, Inc. 
The idea for a golf club had its conception at a meeting of the Carthage Rotary Club on May 26, 1925, when the late George McAllister Gilbert “gave an excellent report of observations he made while visiting the golf links of the Potsdam Golf Club.”
“Local golf enthusiasts have three and possibly four different properties in view,” a newspaper account of that meeting continued. “It was voted to secure an experienced man familiar with the laying out of links to come to Carthage and look over the different sites. Mr. Gilbert was named a committee of one to interview a number of men and to raise funds to meet the expenses of a preliminary survey.”
One month later, on June 23, 1925, Mr. Gilbert reported back to the Rotary Club. “He described different properties, one in particular being a farm near the Denmark Grange Hall, known as the Austin place and containing 168 acres.
“The first consideration,” Mr. Gilbert told the Rotarians, “is the selection of a property accessible and adaptable to golf requirements.” He said he had gone to Clayton and interviewed the “golf pro” building the course there.
“I brought him back to Carthage the same evening, and the following morning I took him up to see the Austin farm at Denmark. We were there about two hours, then came back to Carthage and got Urban Hirschey and John Strickland and went back and looked the property over again. In the afternoon, Urban, Joe Reeder and Ben Smith took him to see the Metcalf property, the Arthur place on Martin Street, the Welsh place in Irish Settlement, the Casey property, and the Thoma and Hazelton properties adjoining the Athletic Field. His final report was that the Austin property was the only one suited to the economic construction of an interesting course."
Mr. Gilbert estimated a clubhouse could be built for the same amount ($3,500) that the Potsdam clubhouse had cost. “Or possibly less,” he added, “owing to the fact that there are three or four buildings on the Austin property of heavy frame construction, which would give us all the rough lumber necessary.”
The cost of constructing a nine-hole course -- based on ploughing, grading, cultivating, rolling and seeding every foot of the fairways -- would run about $1,000 per hole, including a water system, Mr. Gilbert continued.
How to raise the money needed? Mr. Gilbert had this suggestion: “Once or twice a year or oftener, we all take or ought to take what we call a vacation; that is, we go away from home for a week or so, possibly longer, and stay at hotels where rarely, if ever, we have as good a room or bed or food as we have at home, and the Lord knows we never could find as good water or milk as we have here, and if we want something with more kick than milk or water, no town has nicer bootleggers than we have right here in Carthage.”
“In other words, we leave a community and a section of the country that we are trying to sell to the rest of the world as a very desirable place to live, with fine scenery, bracing climate and all the desirable features of a rest and recreation center, and spend our money in helping some other community to be just what we are trying to be ourselves.”
“You have all read or heard Russell Conway’s celebrated lecture, ‘Acres of Diamonds,’ and all of us fellows who pack up once or twice a year and beat it for a vacation are just like the old duffer Conwell tells us of who left his little farm in search of riches, and returns in later life poorer than when he left to find that the old home was a literal acre of diamonds.
“Now suppose instead of taking what we are pleased to call a vacation in one or two big allopathic doses, coming back home nine times out of ten as tired as when we left, we were to take the money that our so-called vacation costs and put it into this proposition and all of us take a little vacation every day or even two or three times a week right here at home. We would all have more rest, better health and something to show for our money. Think this over.
“There is not a man within my hearing but whose life would be prolonged by the exercise derived from playing golf, and his life more abundant at that. If you do not believe me, ask Tom Lynch. He is a banker and one of those conservative fellows who never get wildly enthusiastic about things, but he will tell you that golf saved his life. If you do not believe it, look at Dean Cook, strong and stalwart and the best looking man in Rotary today, and see what daily contact with the wind and sun on Denmark Hills has done for him.
“Words fail me when it comes to describing the property which we have under consideration. It is ideal and affords a more magnificent view of our beloved Black River Valley and the Adirondacks than any place I have ever seen in Northern New York. I have seen some of the finest courses in New York and New England but I have never seen any more magnificent setting for a country club than is afforded on the Austin farm.”
“During the past week I have personally shown the property to some 20 different people, and practically every one of them was ready to go in on this proposition.”
“Emory Jones, Tom Lynch, Clark Johnson and George Webster have all seen the property and will be glad to take you up or go up with you and show you the general scheme and layout. I myself will be more than glad to do this, too.”
Mr. Gilbert, Orman H. Braman, Charles J. Reeder and Antonio F. Mills signed a property agreement July 1, 1925, with Mrs. Orphana L. Stubbs, Carthage, for the purchase of the John Austin farm of 181 acres, for $3,250, and the movement quickly gathered momentum.
“Plans for purchasing the Austin property in Denmark and organizing a country club will go forward immediately,” reported the CARTHAGE REPUBLICAN TRIBUNE July 16, 1925.
“A committee from Lowville, comprising MacGregor A. Phillips and Raymond S. Richardson, was in Carthage Tuesday evening to meet a delegation of local men... .The Lowville men reported 31 stockholders had signed up for the proposition and that about 20 more from that village would join. It is estimated the organization will consist of about 150 charter members, which will insure financial success.
“A golf course expert will be engaged to lay out the course and supervise the grading this summer. A clubhouse will be built on the property, and the golf course will be ready for play about July 1 of next year, according to Charles J. Reeder.”
Then came the historic meeting on July 28, 1925, in Denmark Grange Hall. Mr. Gilbert was chairman, Mr. Richardson secretary.
“Attorney Antonio F. Mills [the minutes continue] explained the proposed purchase of about 181 acres in the Town of Denmark from Mrs. Orphana L. Stubbs, for $3,250.” [Try and buy this kind of land today for $17.95 an acre!]
The 50 subscribers present authorized Mr. Gilbert, of Carthage; Mr. Phillips, of Lowville, and Harold D. Cornwall, Beaver Falls, to select a committee of 20 organizers, who subsequently became the incorporators.
In addition to Mr. Gilbert, Mr. Phillips and Mr. Cornwall, those named were: DeWitt C. West, Mr. Richardson, Edward E. Fowler, Frank G. Scofield, William J. Milligan, George S. Reed, Bernard F. Donahue and Russell Harris, all of Lowville; Herbert Cook, Denmark; and Mr. Reeder, Urban C. Hirschey, Mr. Mills, Edward Villars, Emory H. Jones, Mr. Braman, Dr. Frederick G. Metzger and James J. Butler, all of Carthage.
Mr. Gilbert suggested that the name of the club consist of the first three letters of the three places “most directly interested” -- CAR for Carthage, LOW for Lowville, DEN for Denmark. The committee of 20, which met following the general session, agreed to offer a prize of $5 in a contest for the best name submitted.
[The contest generated much interest and produced several suggestions, but whether the prize ever was awarded is not certain, for the name first suggested by Mr. Gilbert was the one chosen by a majority vote in a poll of the charter members. The names, “Stony Brook” and “Tug Hill,” were used in early correspondence concerning the club before “Carlowden” was selected. Indian names for the Black River [Kamargo, Kahuahgo and Nikahuonhakowa] and for the Deer River [Ganegtadoa], were among the suggestions. Others submitted were: The Ridge, Clover Ridge, Maple Ridge, Clover Wood, Cloverlea, Centercrest, Three Village, Weneedarest, North Country, Far Hills, Cloverset, Clovercrest, Cloverview, Cedarcrest, Cricket, Cold Spring, Idlewild, Lowcarden, Denlowcar, Centerlea, Middletown, Breezy Knoll, Birds Eye View, and Denmark Tri-Town. ]
The committee appointed Mr. Cook, Mr. Reeder and Mr. Hirschey a committee to arrange for electric lights with Northern New York Utilities, Inc.; appointed Mr. Mills, Mr. Butler and Mr. Reed a committee to file for incorporation and to draft bylaws; and voted to award a contract for construction of the golf course to T. H. Dolson, “who had the contract for the practically completed course at Clayton.”
Mr. Dolson’s contract was based on his bid of July 22, 1925, in which he agreed to construct a nine-hole course at a cost of not more than $8,500; and to plan a total of 18 holes, “so that construction of the second nine may be undertaken at any time without disrupting play on the first nine.”
The 18-hole layout, Mr. Dolson proposed, would encompass 6,000 or more yards, with the greens occupying 40,000 or more square feet, planted to bent stolons and “adequately trapped.” A watering system with pipe would be installed to all tees and greens, and the project would be completed in three months, Mr. Dolson said. His fee would be $400 per month for three months, plus expenses not to exceed $100 per month. He would supply and pay a construction foreman $200 a month, and he would deduct from his fee the $100 he had been paid for his preliminary survey and report.
[The contract subsequently drawn up between Mr. Dolson and the club, dated Sept. 15, 1925, called for, among other things: seven teams for 10 weeks at $7 per 10-hour day -- $2,940; six laborers for 10 weeks at $4 per 10-hour day -- $1,440; one tractor for 15 weeks -- $750; 5,000 feet of black steel pipe, plus fittings, valves, labor, pump and tank -- $2,000; gas and oil -- $370; shovels, picks and small tools -- $50; compensation insurance -- $150; and Red Top and Blue Grass Bent Stolons -- $800.]
After the initial meeting in the Denmark Grange Hall, developments followed rapidly. Reporting a meeting of the executive committee on Dec. 7, 1925, at the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, the REPUBLICAN TRIBUNE related that “exceptional headway was made during the fall months in laying out the golf course, and although the well diggers met a serious problem in locating water in the large quantity that will be needed when the course is opened next summer, 10 gallons of water per minute were secured. The men in charge of locating water dug down into the earth for a depth of 654 feet.”
That brief reference to Carlowden’s early water problems (which, regrettably, continue to this day) did not half tell the story.
In the fall of 1925, the winter of 1925-26 and the early spring of 1926, Mr. Gilbert carried on a staggering amount of correspondence on the subjects of pressure tanks, storage tanks, gaskets, ditchers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, seed, mowers, tractors, contractors, construction, caterpillar damage to maples -- and, most of all, water.
On Aug. 29, 1925, Mr. Gilbert wrote to the Artesian Well and Supply Company, Providence, R. I., authorizing that firm to drill an eight-inch well “at the site shown you yesterday in Denmark.” The agreed price was $6.50 per foot, to a depth of “not less than 150 feet.”
The first hint of trouble was given in Mr. Gilbert’s letter of Oct. 17, 1925, to the New York State Geological Department in Albany. “Our well,” he wrote, “is down about 450 feet with little if any indications of water. The hole starts into limestone about 10 feet from the surface and has continued in limestone all the way.”
Julian D. Sears, acting director of the Geological Survey, U. S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C., replied Nov. 2, 1925, to letters Mr. Gilbert had written October 21 and 22:
“An examination of samples indicates you are correct in thinking that your well in Denmark Township, Lewis County, N. Y., has passed through limestone and is in sandstone which resembles outcrops considered to be of Potsdam age, and of variable thickness from zero to 300 feet. The sandstone rests on granite and other crystalline rock.”
“In view of the large quantity of water required and the investment already made in the well, you would be justified in exploring the sandstone to its base. There is no assurance you will be successful but the alternatives are not hopeful. Water occurs in limestone only in cracks and crevices, which in many places are enlarged by solution into caves in which water circulates in open channels. It is easy to put down a well and miss the water-bearing caves and channels.”
“You can shoot the well with dynamite at 475 and 235 feet, where water was struck, in hope of breaking through into larger openings, but success is dubious. After shooting fails, the well must be abandoned and a new site chosen. In view of this contingency, further drilling to the base of the Potsdam sandstone is justified.”
C. A. Hartnagel, assistant state geologist, advised Mr. Gilbert (Oct. 26, 1925) that the well at 525 feet no doubt was in a transition bed of a 60-foot-thick Pamelia formation, “which lies just below the limestone and above the Potsdam sandstone (125 feet thick).” He recommended that since the well was down 525 feet, it would be worth while to continue into the sandstone where there was a possibility of obtaining water.
[Mr. Gilbert had informed Mr. Hartnagel that only one or two gallons per minute had tested out, whereas the club needed some 100 gallons per minute. “The elevation of the Black River, three or four miles from the site, is 725 feet, and we are now 200 feet below the river bed, “Mr. Gilbert reported.]
Artesian, whose driller on the job was Miles Harris, advised Mr. Gilbert (Oct. 19, 1925) to stop the well “short of 1,000 feet unless you strike water sooner.” In a less than comforting final word, Artesian wrote: “Continue until you get what you need or you know it is not there.”
The state and federal geologists were urging Mr. Gilbert to continue with the existing well; Artesian was saying that “in eight out of ten cases, if there is no water at 600 feet, it is best to move to another location and start again.” The state and federal geologists thought dynamite might work; Artesian strongly advised against it: Do not spend a dollar in shooting; 99 out of 100 are failures.”
But Mr. Gilbert did not despair easily. On Nov. 19, 1925, he wrote Mr. Phillips, the Lowville publisher: “After leaving you and West yesterday noon, we went to Reed’s Crossing and later to Castorland where we checked on the wells the Artesian Company drilled at those places. It looks as though we stand a good chance of getting water as soon as we get through the sandstone into granite. We also got information on the milk station well at Deer River, which checks out very well with what we got at Castorland and Reed’s Crossing. I am really somewhat encouraged at the prospects.”
On the same day Mr. Gilbert received a letter from Artesian proposing another location, at $5 per foot. “You’re throwing your money away in the present well,” Artesian said bluntly.
“Rather than put another $3,000 or $4,000 into holes in the present limestone,” Mr. Gilbert replied Nov. 20, 1925, “we might better provide for the storage of surface water, or a pipeline, and pump from some other point where there is already an abundant supply of water. This is really a very serious matter for the writer, for as you know this whole proposition is up to him. I have good support in back of me, of course, and it is not so much a matter of money as it is my personal feelings that I want to see water on that golf course.”
Then, on Nov. 28, 1925, Mr. Gilbert had to report to Mr. Hartnagel that the water was “very strongly charged with sulphur.”
The unfortunate episode came to its unhappy conclusion in a letter from the Artesian Company to Mr. Gilbert (Dec. 1, 1925), saying that he (Mr. Gilbert) had used good judgment in stopping the well at 650 feet, where five gallons of water were being obtained per minute. A pump, added the company, would not be justified.
“It is strange that at Lowville and other places we were able to strike good wells. We are sorry on your account this well turned out as it did, but there is no person to blame.”
Accompanying the letter was a bill for $4,268.33, which was settled in full on Feb. 3, 1926, with Mr. Gilbert’s personal check for $4,000.
Mr. Gilbert’s voluminous file of correspondence on behalf of the new golf club contains many interesting entries:
Charles E. Norris, a Carthage lawyer who was one of the original subscribers, left for New York to join F. L. Carlisle & Company, Inc., shortly after the Carlowden movement was begun. Mr. Gilbert wrote Mr. Norris April 30, 1926, to seek additional financial support for the clubhouse project: “Spring is on the way; the muskrat is singing on the flat; Old Mother Gooseberry’s injun bed is under water; and all the other old familiar signs are at hand.”
Replied Mr. Norris: “I have your letter regarding the clubhouse matter, in which I also note that the muskrat is singing on the flat, together with the item about Mrs. Gooseberry’s injun bed. Golf is much more expensive here than in Carthage; it will cost me a $2,500 admission fee to join a club. Sorry I am not in shape to comply with your suggestion, but as Grover Cleveland said, ‘I am confronted by a condition and not a theory.’
Joseph MacGregor, who had been in Potsdam the previous year, was “engaged as pro for the coming season,” Mr. Gilbert informed the Burke Golf Company, Newark, Ohio, on March 27, 1926.
To Rob Williams, Deer River, on Oct. 3, 1925, Mr. Gilbert wrote: “We will sell you the hog pen on the golf grounds for $10 cash. You take all the lumber and clean up around it. This applies to the hog pen only and not to the corn crib.” [One week later Mr. Gilbert said he, Mr. Cornwall and Mr. Phillips had received an offer of $25 for the hog pen, and he called off the deal with Mr. Williams.]
On Oct. 21, 1925, Mr. Gilbert instructed the club treasurer Mr. Reeder, to pay Collector Lott Pierce a school tax in the amount of $36.82, based on a rate of 90 cents and an assessment of $4,050.
On Dec. 4, 1925, Mr. Gilbert wrote Mr. Cornwall in Beaver Falls that he had seen “a party who had some conversation with Cook about the old Blodgett Tavern, and he tells me the talking price at that time was $2,000 and he does not believe it could be bought for much less.”
The late Howard H. Splete, who had just become managing director of the new Branaugh Memorial Boys’ Club in Carthage, announced he would organize a class in golfing (REPUBLICAN TRIBUNE, March 11, 1926).
“There is a period in the afternoon when the Boys’ Club gymnasium is available, and Mr. Splete will give lessons to those desiring to learn how to wield the golf stick. It is an opportunity for beginners to get in practice in preparation for the opening of the golf season at Carl-Low-Den Country Club early the coming summer."
Harry S. Lewis, Beaver Falls, was host to the first meeting of the board of directors, April 22, 1926, at Beaver Inn, Beaver Falls. Present were: Messrs. Phillips, Hirschey, Gilbert, Cornwall, Jones, Richardson, Donahue, Cook, Reed, Villars, Butler, Scofield, West, Harris, Reeder, and John L. Strickland. Mr. Cornwall was temporary chairman, Mr. Strickland secretary. Bylaws were adopted.
Mr. Butler -- with Mr. Reed and Mr. Reeder -- made his first of what were to be many future appearances on a nominating committee -- a device that has mostly served him well in avoiding election to office throughout Carlowden ‘s 50 years! [One exception is noted: Mr. Butler in 1941 was persuaded to be vice president.]
Carlowden’s first officers were Mr. Gilbert, president; Mr. West, vice president; Mr. Harris, secretary, and Mr. Hirschey, treasurer.
Committees appointed at that initial directors’ meeting were as follows: Greens -- Mr. Phillips, Arthur K. Hinds (now living in Watertown) and Dewey Dekin; House -- Mr. Strickland, Leonard Pelton and Thomas C. Lynch, Sr.; Sports -- Mr. Cornwall, L. M. Toussaint and Clark A. Johnson; Executive -- Messrs. Gilbert, Phillips, Cornwall, Hirschey and Strickland; Entertainment -- Mrs. Reeder, Mr. Scofield, John C. Whaling, James M. McGrath and G. H. P. Gould; Building -- Messrs. Richardson, Lewis, Hirschey, Whaling, John Dence and Herman I. Starkweather. The directors voted to “canvass members for funds subscribed for construction of a clubhouse,” and agreed that “no assessment can be made on the stock heretofore subscribed for by the members.
The following day, April 23, 1926, a certificate of incorporation,notarized by Geraldine E. Thorpe and approved by Supreme Court Justice Edward N. Smith, was filed by Mr. Mills with Florence E. S. Knapp, Secretary of State, State of New York.
Less than a year after its organization, Carlowden lost the man whose vision and enterprise had chiefly been responsible for the club’s founding.
Mr. Gilbert died suddenly May 30, 1926, following surgery.
These excerpts from his obituary give attention to some data and aspects of his life of 50 years:
“George McAllister Gilbert was born May 19, 1876, in Carthage, son of Mrs. Hattie C. Gilbert and the late Attorney George Gilbert. He was graduated from Carthage High School and for many years had been connected with the Ryther & Pringle Company, where he was vice president and general manager at the time of his death.”
“Nearly every civic and community movement received his attention. He was twice elected village president and recently had entered his second term in that office. He was a charter member and vice president of the Carthage Rotary Club and his is the first death in that organization. It was largely through his efforts that the Car-Low-Den Country Club was organized and he was serving as president of the recently incorporated organization. He was a director and vice president of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, and was president of the Carthage Welfare Association.”
“Mr. Gilbert never was married. His home life in mature years had been with his mother and invalid sister, whose death occured early this year. The mother, nearly 80 years of age, survives, together with two brothers, Ernest and Bruce Gilbert.”
The directors met June 3, 1926, in the club rooms of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, to “prepare and deliver suitable resolutions of regret on the death of our president.”
Mr. Hirschey was elected president; Mr. Jones, treasurer to replace Mr. Hirschey, and Mr. Lewis, a director to complete the unexpired term of Mr. Gilbert.
The directors voted to negotiate a first mortgage with a bank to provide funds for construction of a golf course and clubhouse, and agreed to memorialize Mr. Gilbert with a tablet on the mantle over the clubhouse fireplace.
Continuing progress was noted in the REPUBLICAN TRIBUNE of July 22, 1926, when Mr. Hirschey reported “that the golf course on Denmark hill would be ready for play on or about August 15. The entire course may not be in the best of condition by that time, but members will be privileged to use at least a part of the course. On Monday the Northern New York Utilities Company began running power lines from the main highway to the golf course. The clubhouse has not as yet been started. Andrew Miller is at work on construction of the pumphouse.”
“Carlowden Will Erect Large Clubhouse on Denmark Hill” So read the headline on the following story in the Aug. 5, 1926, issue of the REPUBLICAN TRIBUNE:
“At a special meeting of the stockholders of the Carlowden Country Club, Monday evening in the Denmark Grange Hall, an amendment to the bylaws increasing the mortgage from $15,000 to $25,000 was approved. President Urban C. Hirschey presided.”
“It was agreed that the golf course not be opened for playing until early September. This decision was made after giving due consideration to the soft condition of the newly seeded greens. It was deemed wise to wait at least three weeks before allowing members the use of the course, which has now been completed up to six holes.”
“Plans for a clubhouse were approved, and it was voted to let the contract and start construction at the earliest possible time. The clubhouse will contain one large room for dancing. There will be a room for the caretaker and dressing rooms and lockers for men and women. Shower baths will be installed. When completed and furnished, the building and its equipment will cost in the neighborhood of $15,000.”
“When the golf course is in readiness and the clubhouse erected, members will have one of the finest country club properties in New York State. Its location is ideal and the view from the crest of the hill, showing the Black River Valley with its broad expanse of field, streams and mountains, is magnificent to behold.”
“Charter members are making a drive to secure additional memberships in Carthage, Denmark, Lowville, Beaver Falls, Castorland, and other nearby towns. Golf enthusiasts from Watertown also have expressed a desire to join the Carlowden Club.”
...And, in a story Aug. 19, 1926:
“Members of Carlowden Country Club received notice Tuesday [Aug. 17, 1926] that the golf course is in readiness for play.
“A force of a dozen men, under the direction of Joseph MacGregor, has been working daily about the course, while water from the two tanks at the new pumphouse is sprinkling the greens and fairway.
“Work on the clubhouse, which is to be erected near the maple grove on the side hill overlooking the entire course, will be started soon.”
Stockholders gathered Sept. 18, 1926, in Denmark Grange Hall, for their first annual meeting. Bylaws were approved, providing for a sustaining membership fee of $100 and annual dues of $25 (“war tax must be added to dues in every case”).
Two special classes of membership were added: for clergymen in a 30-mile radius (no dues), and for non-residents in a 30-mile radius ($25 dues). “Guest fees” were established as follows: one day, $1 (transients, $1.50); one week, $5 (transients, $7.50); one month, $15 (transients, $20); two months, $25 (transients, $40).
Directors elected were: Messrs. Gould, Cook, Scofield, Braman and Donahue, one year; Cornwall, Metzger, Reed, Richardson and Butler, two years; Phillips, Villars, Mills, Lewis and L. W. Arthur, three years; Hirschey, Harris, Jones, Reeder and Toussaint, four years.
Mr. Hirschey was reelected president; Mr. Phillips, vice president; Mr. Harris, secretary, and Mr. Jones, treasurer.
Mr. Mills reported that the Northern New York Trust Company was willing to accept a first mortgage of $10,000, covering the real estate, at six percent per year. It was proposed that a second mortgage of $15,000 be distributed among members, at four percent interest, with the Carthage National Bank as trustee.
“Members already had paid in “upwards of $16,000” toward construction. The first mortgage subsequently was issued Oct. 27, 1926. In an application to the Supreme Court, the property was said to have a total value of “upwards of $50,000.”
“The golf course of Carlowden Country Club,” the REPUBUCAN TRIBUNE reported Oct. 14, 1926, “will be closed October 15 to allow the caretaker to continue the work of re-seeding on the property.”
“Construction of the clubhouse is proceeding rapidly and it is expected that with continued favorable weather the roof will be completed within the coming week.”
“A new gravel road is being constructed beginning at a point just above Denmark Grange Hall and terminating at the rear of the clubhouse on the eastern slope of the hill.”
“When the season opens in June, 1927, the golf course will be in excellent condition, it is expected, and the clubhouse will be ready for occupancy.”
At a meeting May 26, 1927, in “Miller’s office, Lowville,” the directors discussed “the contract made with Mr. T. Dolson for his work done in preparing the course. Dolson maintains he has a claim against the club.”
The directors instructed the legal committee to notify Mr. Dolson “that he has no claim against the club.”
The opening was set for Saturday, June 11, 1927, with an afternoon reception.
Out of a discussion about “the playing of women and children,” came a motion “that the Greens Committee draft such instructions as necessary to inform new players as to rules and courtesies to be kept in mind while playing the course; also, that women be allowed to play with no time restriction for the first month or two, but that they be informed that on account of crowded conditions, they refrain from playing on Saturday afternoons and Sundays.”
The president and treasurer were authorized to borrow up to $3,000 to defray current expenses.\
The first board of directors meeting at the new clubhouse was on June 30, 1927.
On July 29, 1927, the directors voted to “close the resident membership list at 200,” and to spend $40 “for a tent for Mrs. Geary’s help.” The club had 216 resident and non-resident members. The treasurer reported receipts of $65,800; expenditures, $43,596.
At the annual meeting Sept. 27, 1927, dues were increased to $35, plus $10 “for each playing member of a family.”
The sale of membership stock had yielded $20,575; expenses had amounted to $9,592.65; receipts, $9,803.30 (including $8,875 in dues). A total of $887.50 had been received and paid out as a “war tax.”
Messrs. Hirschey, Phillips and Rourke were named to a committee May 18, 1928, to see to the construction of a reservoir to supply water to the golf course. Directors voted to spend $140 for a rough mower.
The executive committee was authorized (July 16, 1928) to select a site for a caddy house “and to build it when sufficient money is subscribed.” Appended to the minutes was a note that “R. S. Richardson guarantees up to $700 and Mr. Hirschey guarantees no expense to the club.” The executive committee was empowered “to purchase the West Street house in Carthage if they see fit.” At a subsequent meeting, on Aug. 23, 1928, the directors voted to purchase the building known as the “Print Shop” on West End Avenue, Carthage, and move it to the club premises. At that meeting also, they decided that “on Tuesday afternoon the preference of the course and caddies will be given to women; on Thursday and Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, the preference of the course and caddies be given to men.”
C. J. (Joe) Reeder in those days apparently was a persistent advocate of a project that found little favor with the other directors.
The minutes of a July 18, 1928, meeting recorded “the usual motion by C. J. Reeder that rest room be provided near No. 6 tee. Voted down.”
Oct. 3, 1929: “Mr. C. J. Reeder’s motion regarding the erection of a building to be located near the old barn was laid on the table in the customary fashion.”
Again on April 25, 1930, at a meeting at the Lowville Club, a motion made by Mr. Reeder and seconded by J. E. A. Warner, “that a building be erected on number 6 to be known as the Joe Reeder Memorial, failed to carry by 11 votes.” Considering that 12 directors were present, that was a most diplomatic way of recording the result of the vote!
But Mr. Reeder did not give up easily. On June 24, 1930, he “introduced a new conception of wayside conveniences by his proposal, put in the form of a motion and seconded by Mr. Braman, that the club erect a rest house for waterlogged players in the vicinity of No. 5 green. The motion was tabled.”
At the annual meeting Sept. 24, 1929, dues were increased to $40, “plus $10 for each playing member of a family.”
Following the death of Mr. Phillips, the directors voted on June 24, 1930, to establish the MacGregor Phillips trophy.
Raymond S. Richardson had become president when, at a directors’ meeting June 24, 1930, “a motion prevailed that a duplicate list of all members be posted in the club and caddy house indicating whether dues of each member are paid or unpaid as of July 1, 1930, and that Mr. John Geary enforce the bylaws in respect to unpaid dues.” (Mr. Geary, of Copenhagen, was the golf pro, and Mrs. Geary was the chef.)
The non-sustaining membership class, with dues of $25, was created at the annual stockholders’ meeting Oct. 28, 1931. Mr. Mills was elected president.
“Caddy boys who participated in the strike are not to be allowed on the course property hereafter,” the directors ruled Sept. 19, 1933, at a meeting in Lowville.