Palmerton
Pennsylvania
Add an Article
Add an Event
Edit
The Blue Ridge Country Club
History
The Blue Ridge Country Club was organized on April 16, 1915, with charter membership of 32 active and 21 associate members. The officers elected at this meeting were: President, Dr. J.W.Luther; Vice President, O.O.Jarrard; Secretary, H.N.Blunt; Treasurer, F.P.Sinn.
At a subsequent meeting held April 30,1915, the Constitution and Bylaws were adopted, and a Board of Governors elected consisting of the following: J.C. Loose, J.E. Hayes,Jr., F.B. Gearhart, J.A. Singmaster, Eugene W. Baer, G.L. Ostgren, Dr. B.F.R. Clark, and John Gordon. O.O. Jarrard was elected chairman of the House Committee; J.A. Singmaster, of the Greens Committee and F.B.Gearhart of the Membership Committee.
The membership for the year of 1915 was composed of 7 family, 88 active, 36 associate, 7 non-resident and 1 junior. During the first year a 9 hole course was laid out with the efficient assistance of J.S. McKaig, of Franklin.
The clubhouse was officially opened on July 3, 1915, and about the third week in July the entire course was opened for play. In 1916, T.N. Black was employed as the clubs first professional. Since the late 1940’s no professionals have been hired.
On January 3,1928 the Blue Ridge Country Club was granted a charter as a non-profit corporation. The incorporators were: C.H. Beatty, W.J. Colwell, C.B. Conover, H. Pettit, T.C. Routson, F.B. Gearhart, W.C. Hooey, E.H. Bunce, Lloyd Teter, A.S. Loose, W. Richards, G.A. Kummer, R.W. Williams. The first officers under the charter were: C.H. Beatty, President;W.J. Colwell, Secretary; C.B. Conover, Treasurer.
On February 1,1928 the Club purchased 137.56 acres of land from the Palmer Land Company for the sum of $6,070.00. Again on July 24, 1958 the Club purchased 168.8 acres from the New Jersey Zinc Company for the sum of $3,000.00.
In 1957-1958 the clubhouse was completely renovated, a caddy house, men’s and ladies’ locker rooms, players’ bar, social bar and dining room were added. The new facilities were intended to provide adequate space for the increased golfing and social functions required by a recent increase in membership.
A revival of interest in the construction of a new nine holes was renewed following the purchase of land. Several plans were submitted by golf course architects, but for a variety of reasons it was deemed impractical to initiate any construction until a more feasible time.
In the mean time, each successive Board in its own way implemented programs which led to continued improvements in the existing golf course as well as the attending physical facilities. Restroom and a banquet entrance were provided for the dining facility.
The golf course improvements were equally extensive. New tees were implemented, a few greens rebuilt, an automated watering system was installed and improved maintenance procedures were practiced. A golf cart fleet was purchased and gold cart paths were installed. Much has been done over the years, an eighteen hole golf course is emerging as a result of a loyal membership dedicated to the pursuit of golfing excellence.
The Blue Ridge Country Club was organized on April 16, 1915, with charter membership of 32 active and 21 associate members. The officers elected at this meeting were: President, Dr. J.W.Luther; Vice President, O.O.Jarrard; Secretary, H.N.Blunt; Treasurer, F.P.Sinn.
At a subsequent meeting held April 30,1915, the Constitution and Bylaws were adopted, and a Board of Governors elected consisting of the following: J.C. Loose, J.E. Hayes,Jr., F.B. Gearhart, J.A. Singmaster, Eugene W. Baer, G.L. Ostgren, Dr. B.F.R. Clark, and John Gordon. O.O. Jarrard was elected chairman of the House Committee; J.A. Singmaster, of the Greens Committee and F.B.Gearhart of the Membership Committee.
The membership for the year of 1915 was composed of 7 family, 88 active, 36 associate, 7 non-resident and 1 junior. During the first year a 9 hole course was laid out with the efficient assistance of J.S. McKaig, of Franklin.
The clubhouse was officially opened on July 3, 1915, and about the third week in July the entire course was opened for play. In 1916, T.N. Black was employed as the clubs first professional. Since the late 1940’s no professionals have been hired.
On January 3,1928 the Blue Ridge Country Club was granted a charter as a non-profit corporation. The incorporators were: C.H. Beatty, W.J. Colwell, C.B. Conover, H. Pettit, T.C. Routson, F.B. Gearhart, W.C. Hooey, E.H. Bunce, Lloyd Teter, A.S. Loose, W. Richards, G.A. Kummer, R.W. Williams. The first officers under the charter were: C.H. Beatty, President;W.J. Colwell, Secretary; C.B. Conover, Treasurer.
On February 1,1928 the Club purchased 137.56 acres of land from the Palmer Land Company for the sum of $6,070.00. Again on July 24, 1958 the Club purchased 168.8 acres from the New Jersey Zinc Company for the sum of $3,000.00.
In 1957-1958 the clubhouse was completely renovated, a caddy house, men’s and ladies’ locker rooms, players’ bar, social bar and dining room were added. The new facilities were intended to provide adequate space for the increased golfing and social functions required by a recent increase in membership.
A revival of interest in the construction of a new nine holes was renewed following the purchase of land. Several plans were submitted by golf course architects, but for a variety of reasons it was deemed impractical to initiate any construction until a more feasible time.
In the mean time, each successive Board in its own way implemented programs which led to continued improvements in the existing golf course as well as the attending physical facilities. Restroom and a banquet entrance were provided for the dining facility.
The golf course improvements were equally extensive. New tees were implemented, a few greens rebuilt, an automated watering system was installed and improved maintenance procedures were practiced. A golf cart fleet was purchased and gold cart paths were installed. Much has been done over the years, an eighteen hole golf course is emerging as a result of a loyal membership dedicated to the pursuit of golfing excellence.