More on the History of the First Pelham Country Club, Renamed to Become Today's Wykagyl Country Club

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During a meeting held on May 12, 1898, Pelham residents organized what we refer to today as the "First Pelham Country Club."  The club is not related either to today's Pelham Country Club or to the club that once stood along Shore Road known simply as "the Country Club."  Rather, as the open countryside around today's Fowler Avenue began to be developed, the Club was forced to move to a new property along North Avenue in New Rochelle and changed its name to "The Wykagyl Country Club."

Immediately after its organization, the First Pelham Country Club constructed four holes of golf.  Within a short time the club added five additional holes for a nine-hole golf course.  The club built its links on leased land in the area of today's Fowler Avenue.  The course extended from Colonial Avenue to Boston Post Road.  The club used a residence that stood on the land near Colonial Avenue as a clubhouse.  By 1904, the club secured land to open a larger course in New Rochelle.  The club became today's Wykagyl Country Club.

A map published in 1899 shows the golf course of the First Pelham Country Club.  A detail from that map showing the course appears below.  

PELHAM COUNTRY CLUB GOLF LINKS" From Map Published in 1899.
The Road on the Left is Boston Post Road. The Small Road on the Right
is Colonial Avenue. Source: Fairchild, John F., "Town of Pelham Plate 22"
in Atlas of the City of Mount Vernon and the Town of Pelham, Plate 22
(Mount Vernon, NY: John F. Fairchild, 1899).
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Extensive research recently has shed additional light on the history of the First Pelham Country Club.  The club leased about fifty two acres of land between today's Colonial Avenue and Boston Post Road from its owner, Benjamin F. Corlies.  Within a matter of weeks after the May 12, 1898 organizational meeting, construction of the first few holes of a planned nine-hole course began.  

The club hoped to complete six holes and hold a grand opening of the course on July 4, 1898.  Though construction progressed nicely, only four holes were complete by July 4.  That did not dissuade members of the Club.  They opened the four holes for play on July 4 that year.

At its outset, the club limited membership to one hundred.  The club marketed memberships by portraying the new course as particularly "sporty" and one of the most accessible such courses in the New York City region with train and trolley transportation nearly to its doorstep.

On Saturday, July 2, 1898, the club filed its certificate of incorporation with the Office of the County Clerk of the County of Westchester.  The stated purposes of the club were "to encourage golfing, to promote physical culture among it members and for social purposes."

Members of the club did not elect their first officers until late July, 1898.  Its first officers were:  

President - Howard Scribner
Vice President - Frederick Wilson
Secretary - George K. Perry
Treasurer - John Butler
Golf Captain - Harlan Victor Gause

The members of its first Board of Governors included all of the officers listed immediately above as well as the following members:  Lincoln Pierce, John K. Muir, William H. Webster, Ralph K. Hubbard, Jabish Holmes, Jr., William B. Randall, and C. W. Colton.  

Almost immediately after opening the first four holes of the new golf course, members of the club began planning to construct a new clubhouse rather than continuing to rely on the tiny little residence they had converted for the purpose that stood near the first tee of the course.  Also within days after opening the first four holes, the number of members of the club had "almost reached" its one hundred member limit.  

By September 20, 1898, a local newspaper reported that the "full nine holes of the Pelham Country Club Golf links will be completed this week."  The newspaper further reported that one of the new features of the course was a lake hazard.  The lake stood on the sixth hole of the course (see map detail above).

The little nine-hole golf course was an immediate success.  Once the 1898 golf season drew to a close, members of the club immediately began planning to improve the golf course and to hold a second season opening of the club the following May. 

In March, 1899, members of the club held their annual election and elected their second set of officers.  Those officers were:  

President - Howard Scribner
Secretary - George K. Perry
Treasurer - John Butler
Golf Captain - William K. Gillett

The members of the second Board of Governors included all of the officers listed immediately above as well as:  Harlan Victor Gause, Kenneth J. Muir, Frederick Wilson, Charles W. Colton, William B. Randall, Ralph K. Hubbard, F. S. Rollins, George K. Perry and Jabish Holmes, Jr.  Although it may simply have been a news reporting error, there does not appear to have been a Vice President during the club's second year.  

By 1902, the First Pelham Country Club was, in effect, bulging at its seams.  The Board of Governors authorized, and work began on, a project to expand and lengthen the nine holes that comprised the course.  

That year the First Pelham Country Club announced a host of grand plans.  It announced that negotiations were "pending" for the lease of additional property to serve as a baseball diamond on which the Club's baseball team could play home games rather than constantly traveling to play other teams.  It further announced that plans to erect an indoor sports building to include squash courts, ping pong, shuffleboard, and other such sports were "under consideration."  A new tennis court was built for club members.  

The club offered "club dinners" to its members and their guests that year beginning on Friday, May 30, 1902 (Decoration Day).  Thereafter such dinners were offered on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the season.  

By 1902, the club still had not built a new clubhouse.  Indeed, before the 1902 golf season began, efforts were still underway to secure a lot and build a new clubhouse "in the fall."  

By 1904, the days of the First Pelham Country Club were numbered due to the press of local residential development.  The club never owned its land in Pelham.  It leased the land from Benjamin F. Corlies, a real estate speculator who had been heavily involved in the development of Pelham Heights.  By 1904, Corlies was pushing to develop the land he had leased to the club.  

In September, 1904, residential development in the area of the club began in earnest.  On September 28, 1904, a local newspaper reported that "Excavation has been made for a residence on Fowler avenue on the first green of the Pelham Country Club's golf links.  This spoils the course to such an extent it may be necessary to change the location of the first green."

With the handwriting on the wall, the First Pelham Country Club chose not to change the location of the first green but, instead, to change the location of the club.  Barely three months later, in December, 1904, the club announced that it had secured a lease of extensive property in New Rochelle.  The 186-acre tract bordered on North Street and had been used as a pasture for "the greater part" of the previous thirty years.  The club announced that it already had in hand plans for a new eighteen hole golf course on the site with a playing distance of 6,200 yards.  It further announced plans to open the first nine holes of the course on May 1, 1905 and the remaining nine holes by June 1.  The club stated that it would build a new clubhouse, tennis courts, and an indoor sports center with squash courts, among other indoor sports facilities.  


With the move of the club out of Pelham, a name change seemed in order.  During the Spring of 1905, the club pursued judicial proceedings and obtained an order from the Special Term of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Westchester County, authorizing the club to change its name from the "Pelham Country Club" to "The Wykagyl Country Club."  Notices announcing the name change appeared in local newspapers that spring.  

Pelham was, for a short time, without a country club. 

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Below is the text of a number of news articles and materials that relate to the history of the First Pelham Country Club.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"NEWS OF THE GOLFERS.
-----
Pelham Country Club's New Links to Be Ready July 4. . . . 

The recently organized Golf Club of the Pelham Country Club, Pelham, N.Y., has a nine hole course in process of construction.  It announces the opening day for the Fourth of July.  By that day it is expected that six holes will be in good condition and the full nine holes very soon thereafter.  The links are probably the most accessible of any about New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad from Forty-second street to Pelham, from which station it is but a short walk to the grounds on the Boston road, or by train from One Hundred and Twenty-ninth street and Third avenue to Pelham Manor, thence by the new trolley line, which will shortly be running past the grounds on the Boston Post road.  The new extensions of the trolley system between Mount Vernon and New Rochelle will make the links very convenient for residents in those places.

An expert has described the links as 'sporty.'

The membership is limited to 100, and includes the principal citizens of Pelham, Pelham Manor, and New Rochelle.  The secretary is G. K. Perry, Pelham, N.Y. . . ."

Source:  NEWS OF THE GOLFERS -- Pelham Country Club's New Links to Be Ready July 4, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Jun. 27, 1898, p. 5, col. 6.  

"PELHAM'S NEW GOLF CLUB.
-----
Six-Hole Course Will Be Ready for the Opening, July 4.

The new golf club recently organized by members of the Pelham Country Club, Pelham, N.Y., has a nine-hole course in process of construction.  It announces July 4 as the opening day.  By that time it is expected that six holes will be in good playing condition, and the full nine holes soon thereafter.

The links probably are the most accessible of any about New York.  They can be reached by train on the New York, New Haven and Hudson River Railroad from the Grand Central Depot, Forty-second street, to Pelham, from which station it is but a short walk to the grounds on the old Boston road, or by train from the 129th street and Third avenue to Pelham Manor, thence by the new trolley line which shortly will be running past the grounds on the Boston post road.  The new extensions of the trolley system between Mount Vernon and New Rochelle will make the links convenient for residents in those places.

An expert has described the links as 'sporty.'  The membership is limited to 100, and includes the principal citizens of Pelham, Pelham Manor and New Rochelle.  The secretary, G. K. Perry, Pelham, N.Y., will be pleased to answer all inquiries."

Source:  PELHAM'S NEW GOLF CLUB -- Six-Hole Course Will Be Ready for the Opening, July 4, The New York Press, Jun. 28, 1898, Section BC, p. 6, col. 7.

"--The Pelham Country Club plans to open its new course on July 4.  By that day it is expected that six holes will be in full playable condition, and the full nine holes shortly afterward.  The links may be reached from Pelham Manor, by the new trolley line, which will soon run past the grounds on the Boston Post Road.  The new extensions of the trolley system between Mt. Vernon and New Rochelle will make the links convenient for residents in those places.  The membership is limited to one hundred.  G. K. Perry, the secretary, Pelham, N. Y., will be pleased to answer any inquiries."

Source:  [Untitled], New Rochelle Pioneer, Jul. 2, 1898, p. 5, col. 2.  

"WHITE PLAINS.

The certificate of incorporation of the Pelham Country Club was filed in the County Clerk's office yesterday morning.  The association is formed to encourage golfing, to promote physical culture among it members and for social purposes.  The principal office is to be in the town of Pelham, and the directors are Howard Scribner, John Butler, Frederick Wilson, Ralph K. Hubbard, Lincoln Pierce, George K. Perry, W. H. Webster, H. V. Gause and K. J. Muir, all of Pelham, N. Y. . . ."

Source:  WHITE PLAINS, New-York Daily Tribune, Jul. 3, 1898, p. 13, col. 3.  

"PELHAM CLUB TO OPEN TO-DAY.

The Pelham Country Club, which includes among its members many of the prominent residents of Pelham, Pelham Manor and New-Rochelle, will open its links to-day with an attractive series of matches.  The club has leased a large tract of land near the old Boston Post Road, and is planning an active season."

Source:  PELHAM CLUB TO OPEN TO-DAY, New-York Daily Tribune, Jul. 9, 1898, p. 5, col. 6.  

"NOTES FROM THE GOLF LINKS. . . . 

The Pelham Country Club held a successful opening on the Fourth of July on the grounds leased from Benjamin F. Corlies, of Pelham Manor.  The entire golf course, of nine holes, has been laid out on an area of fifty-two acres of exceptionally promising country, extending from the old Boston Post Road on the north to the Boston Turnpike on the south and west of Sycamore Park.  Four holes are now in playing condition, and work on the remaining five is being pushed with so much vigor that in three or four weeks play over all may be commenced.  The first limit of membership has been almost reached, although the club is scarcely eight weeks old.  The course is easily accessible from the city.  The secretary is G. K. Perry, of Pelham, N. Y."

Source:  NOTES FROM THE GOLF LINKS, N.Y. Herald, Jul. 10, 1898, p. 11, col. 6.  

"PELHAM COUNTRY CLUB.
-----
Its Nine-Hole Golf Course Soon Will Be Ready for Play.

The Pelham Country Club had a successful opening on July 4 on the grounds recently leased.  The entire golf course, of nine holes, has been laid out on an area of fifty-two acres of exceptionally promising country extending from the old Boston Post road on the north, to the Boston turnpike on the south and west of Sycamore Park.  Four holes are now in playing condition, and work on the remaining five is being pushed with so much vigor that in three or four weeks play over all may be begun.

The first limit of membership has been almost reached, although the club is scarcely eight weeks old.  The golf course is the most accessible about the city.  The secretary is G. K. Percy, Pelham, N.Y."

Source:  PELHAM COUNTRY CLUB -- Its Nine-Hole Golf Course Soon Will Be Ready for Play, The New York Press, Jul. 12, 1898, Section BC, p. 5, col. 3.  

"NEW ROCHELLE. . . . 

The Pelham Country Club this week elected the following officers:  President, Howard Scribner; vice president, Frederick Wilson; secretary, George K. Perry; treasurer, John Butler; captain, H. V. Gause.  The Board of Governors comprises these officers, together with Lincoln Pierce, John K. Muir, William H. Webster, Ralph K. Hubbard, Jabish Holmes, Jr., W. B. Randall and C. W. Colton.  The members are considering a proposition to erect a clubhouse close to the links."

Source:  NEW ROCHELLE, The New York Press, Jul. 24, 1898, p. 21, col. 3.  

"NORTH PELHAM NEWS. . . . 

PELHAM'S GOLF CLUB

The full nine holes of the Pelham Country Club Golf links will be completed this week.  This course is one of the most sporty courses near New York.  The Union Railway Company now has its line on the South front of the course and with the proposed extension on the old Boston Post Road will make the course of most convenient access to the whole section.  

A lake is one of the features of the new links.

The club's membership is increasing rapidly and already plans for a fine club house are being discussed. . . ."

Source:  NORTH PELHAM NEWS, Mount Vernon Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 20, 1898, Vol. XXVI, No. 1,976, p. 1, col. 5.  

"PELHAM COUNTRY CLUB.
------

The second annual election of the Pelham Country Club was recently held and the following Board of Governor was elected:  -- Howard Scribner, John Butler, Harlan Victor Gause, Kenneth J. Muir, Frederick Wilson, Charles W. Colton, William B. Randall, Ralph K. Hubbard, F. S. Rollins, William K. Gillett, George K. Perry and Jabish Holmes, Jr.  Mr. Scribner, Mr. Butler and Mr. Perry were re-elected president, treasurer and secretary, respectively, and Mr. William K. Gillett, captain.  

The Greens Committee have arranged to improve the golf links and active work will be immediately commenced.  They have secured the best talent obtainable, and it is expected that the picturesque  links will become even more attractive than they were last season.  The Pelham Country Club has become very well know of late and is attracting considerable attention from all lovers of the golfing sport."

Source:  PELHAM COUNTRY CLUB, N.Y. Herald, Mar. 18 1899, p. 13, col. 4.  

"NOTES FROM THE GOLF LINKS. . . .

The Pelham Country Club, which laid out a small golf course last year is making arrangements to improve the links this season, and it will probably be opened in May with better facilities for playing.  The new officers, recently elected, are:  President -- Howard Scribner; Treasurer -- John Butler; Secretary -- George K. Perry; Directors -- Harlan Victor Gause, Kenneth J. Muir, Frederick Wilson, Charles W. Colton, William B. Randall, Ralph K. Hubbard, F. S. Rollins, William K. Gillett, and Jabish Thomas, Jr.  Gillett has been chosen Captain of the club for the coming year. . . ."

Source:  NOTES FROM THE GOLF LINKS, N.Y. Times, Mar. 20, 1899, p. 8 col. 3.

"PELHAM COUNTRY CLUB. 
-----

The management begs to announce that improvements in the links are now under way, as the result of which the course will be widened and lengthened, giving better turf and greater playing distance.

The links is in better condition today than it has ever been before at this time of year and we anticipate putting and fair greens of exceptional quality during the season.

The schedule of handicap and scratch events is being made up and will include five-men matches with prominent local clubs.

Negotiations are pending for the lease of additional property, to be converted into a base ball field, which we hope may be the scene of many victories for the Country Club nine.  

The erection of a 'squash-court' building, containing accommodations as well for 'ping-pong,' shuffleboard and other indoor sports, is under consideration and will be built if sufficient interest is shown.

A club dinner will be served to members and their guests at the Club house on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, commencing Friday, May 30 (Decoration Day).

We hope to receive the cordial and hearty support of every member in our efforts to make the Club agreeable and attractive.

A new tennis court has been added to the outfit and a lot secured upon which a new club house will  be erected in the fall.

E. M. Fowler, chairman house committee; A. K. Alexander, chairman greens committee."

Source:  PELHAM COUNTRY CLUB, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Apr. 5, 1902, p. 6, col. 2.  

"PELHAM NOTES. . . .

Excavation has been made for a residence on Fowler avenue on the first green of the Pelham Country Club's golf links.  This spoils the course to such an extent it may be necessary to change the location of the first green. . . ."

Source:  PELHAM NOTES, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 28, 1904, p. 4, cols. 4-5.  

"NEW LINKS FOR PELHAM CLUB.
-----
Extensive Property Secured in New Rochelle -- Plans for Tennis and Squash.

An eighteen-hole golf course, with a playing distance of 6,200 yards, will be available for the members of the Pelham Country Club of Pelham Manor early next year.  The club which was organized several years ago, has had only a nine-hole course at Pelham manor.  The difficulties of enlarging the course and the steady growth of the club during the past two years has led the committee to look around for new quarters, and a few days ago a tract of 186 acres was leased in New Rochelle.  The property borders on North Street, and having been used as a pasture during the greater part of the last thirty years, its facilities for an excellent golf course are apparent.

Plans for the new course have been drawn and work will begin as early next season as possible.  It is the intention of the officers to have nine holes ready for use by May 1 and the entire eighteen holes are expected to be thrown open by June 1.  In addition to the enlarged golf course, the club proposes to add other attractions to its list of amusements.  A number of tennis courts will be laid out near the new clubhouse, and plans are being made to build a house for squash courts.

T. L. Jaques is Captain of the Pelham Country Club's golf team, and, with the additional opportunities for playing next year, he hopes to arrange a number of team matches with neighboring clubs and to hold several tournaments."

Source:  NEW LINKS FOR PELHAM CLUB -- Extensive Property Secured in New Rochelle -- Plans for Tennis and Squash, N.Y. Times, Dec. 19, 1904, p. 10, col. 3.  

"PELHAM'S NEW LINKS.
-----

The Pelham Country Club has closed a three years' lease of the Livingston Disbrow farm of 186 acres adjoining the Tom Paine farm on North street, New Rochelle, and will transform the property into one of the largest golf links in the vicinity of New York.  The new course will cover a distance of 6,700 yards, which is about the size of the links at Deal Beach.  L. E. Van Etten, who laid out the Deal Beach links and also the Pelham Bay Park and Knollwood Country Club courses, will have charge of the construction of the new links.  The property includes two houses, the large residence of Mr. Disbrow, which will be remodelled [sic] and used for the main club house, and the other, a smaller building, will be used as a dormitory and fitted up with lockers and shower baths.  About $25,000 is to be spent in remodelling [sic] and refitting the buildings.  

The Pelham Country Club has been forced to move because the links at Pelham Manor will soon be cut up into building lots.  It is probable that the Siwanoy Tennis Club, of New Rochelle, will be merged into the new club and that members of the Larchmont Club will also join, as the Larchmont links are being rapidly encroached on for building purposes."

Source:  PELHAM'S NEW LINKS, N.Y. Herald, Jan. 2, 1905, p. 10, col. 2.  

"AT A SPECIAL TERM OF THE Supreme Court of the State of New York, held in and for the County of Westchester, at the Court House in the Town of White Plains on the 10th day of May, 1905. -- Present, Hon. Martin J. Keogh, Justice.  In the matter of the application of Pelham Country Club for authority to change its name to 'The Wykagyl Country Club.'  Upon reading and filing the petition of the Pelham Country Club, a domestic corporation, duly verified by Morton J. Condon, its president, wherein said petitioner prays for an order authorizing it to assume another corporate name, to wit:  the name of 'The Wykagyl Country Club,' and upon filing the certificate of the Secretary of State annexed thereto, certifying that the name which such corporation proposes to assume is not the name of any other domestic corporation, or a name which he deems so nearly resembling it as to be calculated to deceive, and upon filing due proof by affidavits showing that notice of the presentation has been published for six weeks in the Albany 'Evening Journal,' a newspaper published at Albany in the State of New York, and in the 'New Rochelle Pioneer,' a newspaper of the County of Westchester, in which County such corporation has its principal corporate property, and the Court being satisfied by said petition and the affidavits and certificates presented therewith, that the petition is true and that there is no reasonable objection to the change of name proposed, and that the petition has been duly authorized, and that notice of the presentation of the petition, as required by law, has been made; now, on motion of Robert Davidson, Attorney for the said petitioner, no one opposing, it is ordered that said petition be and the same hereby is granted and that the petitioner herein, the Pelham Country Club, be and it hereby is authorized to assume another corporate name, to wit, the name 'The Wykagyl Country Club' on and after the 15th day of June, 1905, and it is further ordered and directed that this order be entered and the papers on which it is granted be filed within ten days from the date hereof in the office of the Clerk of the County of Westchester, the County in which the certificate of incorporation of said corporation is filed and that a certified copy of this order within ten days after the entry thereof, be filed in the office of the Secretary of State, and further that a copy of this order be published once a week for four successive weeks in the 'New Rochelle Pioneer,' a newspaper in the County of Westchester, beginning within ten days after the entry hereof.

MARTIN J. KEOGH, J. S. C."

Source:  [Untitled Legal Notice], New Rochelle Pioneer, Jun. 3, 1905, Vol. 47, No. 10, p. 3, col. 4.

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I have written before about the First Pelham Country Club that became the Wykagyl Country Club.  See, e.g.:

Tue., Nov. 29, 2016:  1902 Report on Activities of The First Pelham Country Club on Fowler Avenue.

Mon., Jan. 11, 2010:  The First Pelham Country Club's Plans for a July 4, 1898 Opening of its New Nine-Hole Golf Course Accessible by a New Trolley Line. 

Thu., Nov. 26, 2009:  The First "Pelham Country Club" Established in 1898 Built a Nine-Hole Golf Course in Pelham in 1898.  

Bell, Blake, The Early Days of Golf in Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 36, Sep. 10, 2004, p. 12, col. 2.

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