The Centennial News | oswegocountryclub

OSWEGO

COUNTRY CLUB

CENTENARY

100th

BIRTHDAY

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

1897-1997

Sixteen monthly issues of the early history of

The Oswego Country Club

Research and Writing • Lou Lorizzo

Editor - Bob Crist

November, 1997

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

Issue Ⅰ Oswego Country Club 1897 - 1997 July, 1900

Golf: The & Early Years

This is the first in a series of reports dealing with the centennial celebration of the Oswego Country Club. The Centennial Committee has been functioning for two and one half years, researching the club's history and planning events for the yearlong activities. They will be announced and highlighted in these columns and elsewhere. Heading the committee is Bob Crist. Members include Jack and Eileen Carroll, Don Christian, Jim and Nina Hastin, Lou Iorizzo, John Lisk, Carl Miller and Jen Miller.

Others contributing to the research and planning are Hosmer and Florence Culkin, Frances Cullen, John Davis, Betty Downey, Sue Downey, Joan Fitzgibbons, Keith Krause, Clark and Joan Morrison and Jack Scullin. The committee welcomes anyone who would like to contribute to this community effort.

We are especially hopeful that some of our members will be willing to share their reminiscences and photos with us. Others of you might have valuable insights on how the club developed, what were some of the more memorable events over the years, what fine golfers have played the course (amateur and professional), how the club has contributed to the social and economic life of the community, etc. If you care to help, contact Bob Crist.

The origins of golf are obscure. But, we know that it has been played for over 500 years. The first to do so may have been the Scots, Dutch, Belgians or French. All have solid claims.

Issue Ⅰ

We do know, however, that the first club was the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golf er circa 1744. About that time the first rules of golf were established for competition in the British Isles. It wasn't until the next century, however, that golf began to expand first in Scotland and England, later to Ireland and Wales, and ultimately to the rest of the world

Golf had been introduced to the United States in 1786 at Charleston, South Carolina and in 1795 at Savannah, Georgia; but, interest soon faded. It was the Canadians who took firmly to the game in 1873 when the Royal Montreal Club was formed, the oldest in North America. Within three years clubs were formed in Quebec and Toronto.

The origins of golf in the United States are also somewhat obscure. Some country clubs trace back to the middle of the nineteenth century. In all probability they were originally formed for cricket, hunting, or some other sport. The first club with any length and quality was St. Andrews Club of Yonkers, New York (1888). Some clubs started with three holes or six holes and later expanded. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club of Long Island (1891) has the distinction of being the first incorporated club and the first to build a club house.

July, 1996

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

Issue Ⅱ Oswego Country Club 1897 - 1997 August, 1996

OCC: The Beginning

Golf was introduced to the United States in 1786. But, it was not until a century later that the sport, as we know it, began to spread rapidly across the country. Oswego caught the fever in 1897 when Robert S. Sloan and a few other prominent citizens met at the Fortnightly Club of which they were members and decided to start a country club. The first step was to be experimental. Leasing a large plot of ground on the Boulevard, they had it properly laid out in links and set about obtaining the proper equipment: things such as gutta percha balls, crooked sticks, and caddy bags. These were foreign to virtually everyone in the community and were imported from Scotland

While some Oswegonians took immediately to the new game, the consensus of outsiders in 1898 was that golf was not an athletic activity, "but merely a mild recreation for old men, or a society fad. A local newspaper cautioned that it would be wrong to hold that opinion, for golf required the same muscular strength and skill needed in all higher performances in sports. The paper challenged Oswegonians: "Would it not be well if some of the enterprising people of Oswego would devote some little attention to the development of the game here?'

There were a few obstacles. A new city ordinance included a section which provided that no one shall at any time play ball or knock or drive any ball or play cricket, football or golf and assorted other activities (pitching pennies and playing marbles were among them) without permission of the Common Council

Issue Ⅱ

Moreover, playing golf (as well as a number of other sports) was prohibited on Sunday. Despite these impediments golf thrived.

With a membership of about 70 strong in 1899, the Oswego Country Club commissioned Harold Westcott of Syracuse to lay out the links on what was called the Murray property, farmland located on the road to Minetto overlooking the Oswego River. By the middle of May his work was done. Westcott commented that prospects for golf in Oswego were the brightest and that there were a number of people proficient at the game. From then on, the Daily Palladium regularly advertised for sale balls, caddy bags, and golf clubs, all imported from Musselburgh, Scotland and a full line of Spalding Brothers balls and sticks.

The paper also carried news of the bus schedule which carried members to the club. For a fare of five cents one could catch a ride from Wendel's Corner. On occasions, members would be picked up at their homes and driven to the club. The Fourth of July, 1899, marked an auspicious opening celebration for over 100 patrons who golfed and/or lunched on the lawn in delightful weather. Golf was er\joyed even on Sunday. Police it seems were too busy breaking up baseball games to stop the golfers. Given the prominent people associated with the development of golf in Oswego that comes as no surprise.

August, 1996

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

Issue Ⅲ Oswego Country Club 1897 - 1997 September, 1996

OCC: The Founders

Many prominent Oswegonians who had taken to the idea of forming a country club in 1897 decided to incorporate formally in 1899 for the purposes of developing the game of golf and other outdoor activities for the good of the membership. Among them were: Lucy Bush, George T. Clark, Grace Downey, F. C. Emerick and Stanley Emerick, George R Sloan, Jr. (son of Senator Sloan), and R S. 1 Sloan. Signing the incorporation papers were Niel Gray, Jr., President; G. L. Johnson, Treasurer; Karl Kellogg, Secretary; and the 1 Governing Committee: Susan Jermyn Downey (Mrs. R. A. D.); Lucy W. Emerick (Mrs. F. A. E.); Miss Lydia Lyman and George R Sloan, Jr. The earliest membership list numbered over 120 individuals among whom were familiar family names such as: Conde, Hosmer, Kingsford, Morrison, Mott, Oliphant, Penfield and Post. The club's constitution in 1899 set the number of directors at seven and the time for holding the annual meeting in the first week in December of each year.

On February 2, 1902, the club purchased the land on which it stands today, encompassing the same parcel that it had been leasing since 1800. It has been described variously in the deed as the William Duryea, or Hamilton Littlefield, or Calvin Bradner Burt farm adjoining the Hamilton Murray farm. The property included 91.5 acres, more or less. Club rooms were situated in the Murray Manor House until the club house was built and formally opened on September 7, 1903. Dues were set at $10 for men, $5 for women and $15 for a family. Non-resident membership was scaled at $5, $3 and $8. The earliest handicap tournaments had a 50 cent entry fee and were contested over 16 holes. Suitable prizes for men and women were awarded.

Issue Ⅲ

Moreover, playing golf (as well as a number of other sports) was prohibited on Sunday. Despite these impediments golf thrived.

September, 1996

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

Issue Ⅳ Oswego Country Club 1897 - 1997 October, 1996

OCC: The Play Begins

The formal opening of the present clubhouse took place on September 7, 1903. By sunset, it presented a wondrous sight with its many lights brightening the heretofore dark night air high upon the hill overlooking the river. Cut flowers and palms placed against the freshly stained brown and green walls and furniture provided the proper setting for a dignified reception and dance attended by hundreds of members and their guests. They were dutifully impressed with the handsomely furnished facility which accommodated their leisure-time needs. Attendees included the cream of Oswego's economic and social society as well as visitors from New York City, Chicago and many points in between. Presiding over the events was F. A Emerick whose son Stanley, defending the president's cup, was involved in the main match of the day against Thomas Sherman, the challenger from Yahnundasis Club in Utica.

President's cup events were 36 holes match play and held between golfers from different clubs in those days. The cup was frequently passed from one site to another depending on the outcome of the match. On this occasion, Emerick lost to Sherman. But, soon thereafter, Emerick journeyed to Utica where, being the first person ever to beat Sherman on his home course, he won back the cup. Though no medal scores were available for the Oswego competition, they were considered high, probably in the high 80s to low 00s. A better indication of the skill of these premier linksmen came in the rematch at Yahnundasis where Emerick was reported to have shot a 77 (or three under bogie as it was described) for the first 18 holes on his way to a two up victory over the 36 scheduled holes. This was no small feat since Sherman also held the challenge cup of Cooperstown Golf Club which numbered crack players from New York City and vicinity. Making Oswego truly a country club was the addition of tennis courts, constructed so as to allow for flooding in the wintertime to accommodate those who would ice skate. Announcements were also made that tobogganing,skiing and snowshoeing would be introduced soon.

Issue Ⅳ

Another essential part of the country club activity was the caddy. Caddying was a job. Those who caddied were required to report to work on playing days and were rated according to ability and dependability. Basically, they were categorized in two groups, the first numbering one to 25 and the second from 26 to 50. The first caddy master was Ray Owens. He heard complaints and l passed them on to the greens committee. The committee had the right to suspend a caddy at its discretion. Caddies had to have a · number in order to work and were paid ten cents for nine holes. But if, through their negligence, a ball was lost, they had to forfeit five cents, but no more than 10 cents a round. One exception was for balls sent into Tribulation Pond, located presently in front of the men's tee on number four hole. There was no forfeiture then though they were expected to make a diligent search for it. Whether or not that meant diving into the water was never made clear.

On the brighter side caddies were paid five cents for finding lost balls and could play caddy tournaments free of any entry costs. (Members, at times, had to pay to play competitive rounds). By the 1930s caddies could earn 25 cents for nine holes. That was good money in depression times. Many young Oswegonians prized those jobs and took up the game. Indeed, the Oswego Country Club's caddy shack produced a number of premier golfers. A short list includes: the Miller brothers, Coolie and Ed; the Lisk brothers, Stanley, whose career was shortened by World War II, Ed, Ted and John J., who became a successful PGA professional at his home course; Bob Murchie, son of an earlier Oswego club professional; and Bud Dowdle. Ted and John continue today to enrich the game for members who benefit from their willingness to share their infectious enthusiasm,skill and love for golf as did those who have passed on.

October, 1996

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

Issue Ⅴ Oswego Country Club 1897 - 1997 November, 1996

OCC: Professionals

Membership in the Professional Golf Association is the key to finding employment as a golf professional today. Unless one possesses the phenomenal ability of a Tiger Woods, which would enable the individual to jump into the touring ranks at a tender age, young men and women desirous of making golf their careers, that is as a club professional, must undergo a rigorous program presented in PGA schools around the country. They learn about the construction and maintenance of golf equipment, the care and maintenance of a golf course, how to merchandise and properly conduct a business, and how to run tournaments. In addition, they analyze the basics of the proper way to strike a golf ball: the grip, the stance, the takeaway, the turn, the set, the downswing, the impact, and the follow through.

They are drilled in the rules or golf so they can give authoritative rulings when club members challenge the actions of opponents. And, of course, they must demonstrate an ability to play at a level consistent with professional standards. This is done in a two-round tournament in which they must break a pre-determined score, usually cl to par, set according to the difficulty of the test site. Accordingly, when a club hires a new professional, it has some confidence that the individual has been thoroughly schooled in all aspects of the game of golf and is capable of tending to the needs of the club members in a competent manner. But, when golf professionals sign on with clubs today, all that is expected of them is that they operate a good pro shop, give lessons, and play. It wasn't always so.

The PGA program reflects what was expected of a golf professional over the years. Not only were they expected to teach and play, they needed to have some knowledge of farming and agronomy so they could be course superintendents. They had to know how to build and repair clubs. They had to be handymen, capable of fixing equipment, structures, engines, pumps, and whatever needed repair on the grounds and buildings.

Issue V

The PGA did not exist in 1897. In fact it didn't come into being l until World War I. How did the Oswego Country Club survive? The first golf professional was F. Tucker who came from Canada. This was not unusual since the Canadians were the first in America to take firmly to the game of the 1870's. Tucker would come to Oswego, give some lessons for a few weeks and leave, instructing his assistant (who remains nameless) to carry on until his next visit. Tucker was followed by a Johnny O’Connor (or O'Connor) whose origins are obscure. Presumably he was an Irishman who had red-hair and a hot temper to match. Some people suspect that he was the model for terrible Tommy Bolt, of club throwing fame, but we haven't been able to confirm that yet. Not able to get along well with the membership, O'Connor's tenure was short-lived. (If the PGA doesn't teach aspiring professionals how to get along with members, it should if it can.) He was succeeded by a professional named Scalley who stayed for a much longer time.

Scalley had his name stamped on some of his golf clubs, one of which is in the ion of our pro-emeritus, John J. Lisk. Then in 1927, Robert Murchie, Sr. arrived on the scene. Murchie was a Scottish immigrant who was living in Ipswich, Massachusetts and had a good reputation as a club maker. And he could play. The story goes that Stanley Emerick, who was extremely influential in the Oswego Country Club and also owned Battle Island at the time, offered Murchie an opportunity to work both clubs. It didn't tum out that way. Murchie came to Oswego and signed on at Oswego Country Club. He remained on and off, through World War II, until his death in 1948. He knew how to handle troublesome members as we shall see next time.

November, 1996

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

Issue Ⅵ Oswego Country Club 1897 - 1997 December, 1996

OCC: Professionals - Muchie and Lisk

Robert K. Murchie was born in Mayhole, Scotland and lived for a number of years in Prestwick, site of one of the world's famous golf courses. A carpenter by trade, he took to making clubs and playing the game. In 1920, he came to America, worked as a carpenter on Long Island, and eventually accepted a position as a professional at the Nannehagen Golf Club in Westchester county. Lured to Oswego by Stanley Emerick, he came in 1926 and immediately earned an excellent reputation as a teacher, player, and club maker. Anyone who had the privilege of seeing or playing with his son, the smooth-swinging Robert, Jr., can attest to the father's teaching skills. A member of the Professional Golf Association, he also actively competed in the events sponsored by the Central New York Professional Golf Association.

Murchie, Sr. was a confident professional who could be tough as nails when the occasion demanded. Not on his employees, on the members. The following example is illustrative. Murchie had a machine that would stamp a member's name on golf balls. One day, a certain member came into the pro shop and asked Murchie to stamp his name on some balls that had been purchased in a drug store. Murchie responded: "Not on your life laddie. You didn't buy them here. I'm not stamping your name on them." Upset, the member went to see Mr. Emerick who questioned Murchie about the incident. Murchie explained the situation and added: "You can fire me, my lad, before I do it." Needless to say, Emerick, who had hired Murchie for his skill as a golfer and club maker, decided to let the matter drop.

As World War II approached, golf had to take a back seat to the war effort. With the regular personnel off to war, the course, left in the hands of some members who pushed hand mowers, turned into a dandelion patch with extra-small greens.

Issue Ⅵ

Murchie, who had kept up his membership in the local l carpenter's union, went to work as a foreman carpenter for Raby's. He continued to give lessons part-time, usually late afternoon or evening. In effect, there was no professional working full-time at the club from 1940 to 1950. Members ran the pro shop. Enter John J.Lisk.

Lisk started caddying at the country club when he was nine years old. The pay was 25 cents for nine holes. Being at the bottom of the caddy ranks the only bag he got was "someone who couldn't play golf." In 1940, he steeled himself to visit Mr. Emerick at his office in the Oswego County Savings Bank and asked for a job as a greens keeper. John, who had worked his way up the caddy ranks and toted bags for Emerick, got the job. He learned a lot about greenskeeping from Wally Miller and the head superintendent, Fred Trapp, a farmer who lived just east of the present tenth fairway about a seven iron away from the green. When the war came John joined first the merchant marines and then the U. S. Navy. At the war's end, he returned to his job at the country club in 1946. Murchie was still working part-time as a golf professional. When he died in 1948, the club was without a pro. Once again John approached Emerick and put in a bid for the job. Emerick had seen John, who began playing at age five, developed into a good golfer. He also refereed the championship match which John won for the caddy's crown in 1938, a tournament that ran for about a month and concluded with a 36 hole competition. But, this was a big step up for the club and for John. So Emerick invited Bill Mitchell, the professional at Onondaga Club, after whom the Mitchell Cup in Central New York competition is named, to join Lisk and him in a round of golf. John would be evaluated. His career as a professional was on the line. After five holes, John was four under par. Mitchell turned to Emerick and said, "Where did you find this guy? You'd better hire him!" Lisk shot a 66 that day. He got the job.

December, 1996

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

Issue Ⅶ Oswego Country Club 1897 - 1997 Jan/Feb, 1997

OCC: Professionals - More on “Whitey” Lisk

John J. Lisk, aka as "Whitey", J. L. White, and the Dapper One· took over as head professional at OCC in 1950. In those days there were no fringe benefits, so John was put on a yearly salary. The job of head pro carried additional responsibilities. In season, he was greens superintendent. In the fall and winter, he was the handyman maintaining the structures and the club maker building and repairing clubs for the members. Unofficial duties included attending morning coffee klatches and educating the members on sports, politics, education and in whatever he thought they were deficient. John kept all those jobs until his retirement in 1988. (Still quick to give his opinions on the topic of the day, he continues his unofficial pre-noon duties with the same elan as before.) Deservedly so. He took them seriously. He joined and was active in the Professional Golf Association and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. He wrote articles about golf and attended courses at agricultural universities such as Maryland, Massachusetts, and Cornell. In effect, John ate, lived, and slept golf. It was a rare time that one could come to the club and not see the pro on the course, playing or checking its condition, giving lessons in the teaching area, tending his pro shop, or having a snack and silver bullet in the bar.

Despite all the distractions that go with being a head pro, John remained a player. A multiple winner in CNYPGA play, he set OCC's nine hole record of 64 in 1960. It held up until Gary Garahan shot 63 many years later. In 1976, in his 27th year of membership in the CNYPGA, Lisk was honored as the Golf Professional of the Year for Central New York. It was especially welcome to John and the club for a number of reasons. Only 36 professionals out of 8000 are so honored annually, and that was the year the second nine holes was started.

Issue Ⅶ

On that occasion, he was awarded a plaque which trumpeted his success as a golfer and his outstanding character as a human being. It was a true measure of the esteem and honor in which he was regarded by his fellow professionals. The Lisk era was something of a folksy, family affair with John Lisk, head pro; nephew Frank Lisk, greens foreman; brother Ted Lisk, president at one time; Dorothy, his wife, admired by all the members, a onetime amateur champion who helped in the pro shop and was a fixture in the ladies' league. Their children: Stan became a CNYPGA member in his own right; Shirley played in three national Public Links Championships and was a former Woman's Club Champion at OCC; Dodie Moreau is presently an active golfing member at OCC. The rolls of events winners at OCC are filled with Lisk's family members: wife, children, brothers, and nephews. In part, this is testimony to his own skill at playing and teaching.

John can look back with pride at his career at OCC which included three aces. He helped produce many fine amateur golfers,some of whom went on to the professional ranks. To name a few, there are: Brian Belden, David Branshaw, Don and Tom Christian, Tom Iorizzo, Bill Lach, Stu McGough, Billy Osetek, and Frank Plata, Jr. On a few occasions, John played with Wayne Levi and was known to have given him a tip or two. For thirty-five years, Lisk conducted free lessons for children on Thursday morning, and when, toward the end of his career, the Monday morning league was established to give youngsters a chance to put together what they had learned, he enthusiastically supported it. Of all his accomplishments, Lisk is most proud of his dedication to the children. He felt that golf was a great sport which helped humans develop civility and integrity. It taught people how to deal honorably with problems and pressure. He believed his lessons kept young boys and girls off the streets and gave them an opportunity to enter and to build a better world.

Jan/Feb, 1997

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

Issue Ⅷ Oswego Country Club 1897 - 1997 March, 1997

OCC: Professionals - Zurek and Fowler-

In 1985, Paul Zurek succeeded John Lisk as the head professional at the Oswego Country Club. Hailing from New York Mills, New York, Paul started golfing at age nine at the Twin Ponds Golf Club. He played high school golf for New York Mills and then Notre Dame High School. Upon graduation, he attended Utica College where he became the number one man on the golf team and earned a degree in Political Science. Paul has been a golf professional for 18 years, the last 12 as a member of the PGA. His first job was at Hidden Valley Golf Club in Whiteboro, NY. Two years later he became the first assistant at Skaneateles Country Club where he earned his PGA card after three years. Then it was on to Oswego where he served for ten years. Five of those years he doubled as the coach of the SUNY Oswego Golf team, which over the years had a number of OCC members on its roster. In 1994, Paul left to take a position at the Golden Bear Golf C-enter across from the Great Northern Mall The following year he decided to return to the cozy confines of a club professional and took the job as head pro at McConnelville Golf Club operated by Harden Furniture.

Paul Zurek showed great promise as an amateur. Among his accomplishments were his consecutive victories in the Utica City Championship. Today, he is an outstanding player. For twelve straight years, ever since he joined the PGA ranks, he has been one or the top ten players in the CNYPGA, thereby gaining membership on the prestigious Mitchell Cup Team. Four times, in 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1996, he qualified for and played in the B.C. Open, a regularly scheduled event on the national PGA Tour. Paul and his wife Ann continue to be members of OCC (he is presently on the Board of Directors) where they have made many friends. He spent many hours both at OCC and other courses golfing with various members in a friendly Nassau or in an interclub tournament. And if you happen to bump into him in Florida, he's ready to play with you. He gets up at 6 a.m., travels to a difficult course, tee off by 7 a.m. and shoots par or better on a course he's never seen before. His play is marked by consistency and quickness.

Issue Ⅷ

He uses no pre-stance drills. No time-consuming rituals. He makes the game simple. Go up to the ball. Hit it. Go on to the next shot. Paul wrote to us recently: “It was an honor for me-to be the Oswego Country Club's Professional f or ten years. I consider myself fortunate to have followed in the footsteps of two former great professionals, Bob Murchie, Sr. and John J. Lisk. Till this day I consider the people of OCC not only as loyal members, but good friends. I will always remember my first dinner at OCC. It was in those days the Board of Directors Dinner, where the Board got a chance to meet the new pro and I got a chance to meet the Board. At the conclusion of the dinner, Board members got up and went around the room telling jokes. I said to my, at the time, fiancee, Ann, this is going to be a great place to work. The ten years we spent at OCC were, indeed, fun-filled. I must at this time thank all the members of the club, wish all of you the best, and remember you have a great club to be part of”.

Our present professional, Jon Fowler, took over in 1995. A native of Cazenovia, Jon started playing golf when he was seven years old. He joined the Cazenovia Club in 1970 and was club champion in 1974. After attending SUNY Oswego for two years and playing on its highly regarded squad, Jon turned pro. He worked at Cazenovia, Pompey, and Sea Pines Plantation (specifically Harbour Town) where he earned his class A card and joined the PGA in 1991. His duties included supervising twenty individuals connected with all aspects of operating a classy golf resort. John has already captained two teams to coveted victories in 1996: the John J. Lisk Pro-Member and the Pro- Ladies at Beaver Meadows. He keeps busy giving golf lessons and maintaining an upscale Proshop.

His wife Nikki , a fine amateur golfer in her own right, helps to select much of the men's and ladies' merchandise. She is to be congratulated for winning Player of the Year in 1996 in the SWDGA Gross and Net categories. 1996 was a great year for the Fowlers, Jon and Nikki. We wish them many more such years at the helm of the Oswego Country Club.

March, 1997

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

Issue Ⅸ Oswego Country Club 1897 - 1997 April, 1997

Club Champions

Men's club champions have come in all sizes, shapes, and ages since, OCC first kept records of championship matches in 1935. Appropriately, it was Stanley P. Emerick, Mr. OCC, who won that first coveted title and followed it up with four more consecutive victories. His record or five consecutive wins still stands. Emerick, who had won interclub matches against Central New York's finest golfers in the first decade of the twentieth century, obviously maintained a high competitive edge for four decades. The most victories in club championship play, nine, goes to Edward A Lisk, brother of OCCs longtime professional, John J. Lisk. Ed won his first title in 1964, had a streak of three in a row from 1967-1970, and copped his last one in 1974.

Close behind Lisk was Carl (Coolie) Miller, father of Junior who is a good golfer in his own right and still active. Coolie won seven times, the first in 1 7 and the last in 1983 when he was 72 years old and beat 21 year old Tom Iorizzo. Miller's span of 36 years from first victory to last was testimony to his durability, skill, shotmaking ability, and fierce competitiveness. Simply put, Coolie, whether he was on the course or upstairs later on playing a friendly game of poker, !lat-out didn't like to lose. Incidentally, Miller holds the record for runner-up finishes, five.

Other high-multiple winners include Edward J. Dowdle (5 times) and Mark Mayo who shared one of his five victories with Don Christian. Fathers and sons who won individual club titles are the Emericks, Stanley and son Alan; and Frank Plata, Sr. and Jr. Brother combinations are also represented on the club championship plaques hanging in the clubhouse: Ed and Ted Lisk, and Tom and Don Christian. The oldest to win the club championship was Julie Miller at 72, and the youngest was Ryan Smith at 17. A number of club champions went on to distinguish themselves in Central New York PGA competition or beyond. Walter Knych, Jr., the golfing dentist from Fulton, was the first and only OCC member to

Issue Ⅸ

qualify for the United States Open. A winner of numerous events, he took the coveted Herald Championship five times. Tom Christian, who plays out of Bellevue C-Ountry Club today and has been a leading force in CNYPGA play for a number of years, won the prestigious District Amateur title three times. Don Christian, who plays out of Bellevue and OCC, is especially known for his victories in best ball competition with the leading players in the area. . Carl Miller did well in the New York State open competition, reaching the semi-finals once at Cooperstown. And many club champions claimed victory in the Oswego County Open: Mark Mayo, Don Christian, Kevin Dewey, Jim DeCapio, Walt Knych, Jr., Todd Travis, and Carl Miller who won the inaugural event in the early 1930's.

Probably the best OCC golfer never to win the club championship was the Fultonian, Edward F. Walsh. Runner-up in 1967 to Coolie Miller, Ed won two senior events, the SDGA in 1972 and the New York State Seniors in 1973. The latter was contested at the River Oaks Course at Grand Island over three days. In a thrilling finish Walsh bested E. Klier of Rochester by one stroke. Quiet, unassuming, always smiling, and willing to share his knowledge of the game with players of all skill, Ed was a pleasure to play with. One simply had to get accustomed to his walking along the rough, head down, in search of lost balls. He found so many that it was said of him that whenever had to buy a golf ball.

It is a popular saying that no one remembers who finishes second But, OCC does not forget. Runners up are included on the championship plaques. The list is impressive. Coolie Miller, for example, a seven-times champion, holds the record for runner up finishes, five. Many on it are still playing golf: F. Hosmer Culkin, Chris Dain, Jon Holcomb, Tom Iorizzo (three times), Stanley F. Lisk, Martin Meehan, Christian Morgia, and Clark Morrison, III (three times).

April, 1997

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

Issue Ⅹ Oswego Country Club 1897 - 1997 May, 1997

More Winners

The President's Cup is a handicap event and was contested in match play carried out over eight or ten weeks in the summer. Jontestants signed up for the event and were paired according to their qualifying scores. The individuals were responsible for playing each other and posting the winner in the appropriate position until the finalists met, usually around Labor Day. The winner received a trophy from the president and the usual taunts of Mr. Sandbagger at the annual meeting in November. Around 1900 the format was changed to medal play. Because the low handicap golfers had to give so many strokes to their opponents, they are not well represented among the winners. For example, only two club champions have won the President's Cup, Edward A. Lisk and Kevin Dewey.

Other low handicap golfers like Bill Farden and Dan Jordan managed to overcome the odds and post victories. No one was called sandbagger more than Jeep Dewey who was outstanding in both match and medal play. He won four president's cups, two at match and two at medal play. Ors. Sam Tripp and Lou Iorizzo, each of whom won three.times, took more than their share of ribbing. And Sachi, who always seems to be on the leader board when the chips are down, won twice. Among the singletons, it is worth noting that John Davis, who was champion at age 68, celebrated his ninetieth birthday in this our centennial year. Our best to John, who when last seen on the course was still hitting the ball down the middle.

The Men's Twilight League has been monopolized until recently by Bob Murchie and Ted Lisk. From 1965 until 1984 they won six times and were runners up four times.

Issue Ⅹ

The Mixed Couples League had repeaters in Ray and Barbara Jung in 1984 and 1992 and Jan and Gus Bailey back to back winners in 1977 and 1978. Notable is the victory of John Davis and Pegg Brennan when John was 78 years old.

Our senior competition which began in 1981 has produced three multiple champions: Ted Antos, four times, and Jim DeCapio and Frank Plata, Sr., twice. It also gave us a father/son combination: Carl Miller, Sr. in 1985 and Junior in 1989. One of our most popular tournaments, the member/member has produced the widest variety of victors. Only one team repeated as champions. The Canale brothers, Mike and Dom, took home the bacon in 1075 and again in 1980.

April, 1997

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

Issue Ⅺ Oswego Country Club 1897 - 1997 June, 1997

Women Golfers: Club Champions and President’s Cup Winners

Women have been active golfers at OCC from the very beginning. It was not until 1950, however, that the club regularized their competition or , at least, kept systematic records of their play. Dorothy B. Cooper was the first champion in 1950 and won again from 1952 through 1955. While she was at OCC only Margery S. McChesney, who won in 1961, was able to best her. After she left, McChesney and Barbara V. Lawton monopolized the championship from 1956 through 1962.

Thereafter, the women took turns beating each other: Anne Wuerschmidt, Maryann Riccio, Mary F. Walcott, McChesney, Dorothy E. Lisk, Lawton and Shirley A. Lisk. When Shirley won in 1970, it was the first and only time that OCC had a mother/daughter combination represented among the champions. Shirley, incidentally, holds the course record for women golfers, 75, set on the old tees, many of which were the present day men's tees.

In 1971, Mary Walcott began a remarkable run of nine straight championships. During this time, she also made the Championship Flight of the Women's Syracuse District Golf Association. Then, in 1980, after being runner up to Walcott for most of those nine years, Agnes Celestian tu.med the tables on her perennial rival. Since then, a number of women golfers have emerged on the scene and claimed the title along with some previous winners. From 1981 through 1996, eight different champions were crowned. Rheta Cunningham won twice. Anne Wuerschmidt won two more times. Mary Walcott also won on two occasions giving her a record 13 championships. Agnes Celestian copped three more titles. Barbara Tremblay, now Barbara Harrison, six times runner up, won in 1900. Nancy Patka and Sandy Forbes were also multiple winners. Forbes streak of three, from 1993 through 1995, was broken in 1996 when Nikki Fowler bested her.

Issue Ⅺ

Unlike the Men's President's Cup competition, many of the women club champions won the Women's President's Cup. The women's records start in 1966 and have a gap from 1987 through 1993. More than half of the President's Cup winners were also Club Champions: Dorothy Lisk, McChesney, Walcott (4 times), Lawton (3 times), Celestian, Wuerschmidt, Forbes, and Harrison (Tremblay). Those who excelled in handicap competition and won titles included: Wanda Segal, Gerry Jones, Margaret Goodman, · Dorothy Putnam, Pegg Brennan, Laura Spanbauer, Chris Deady, Sandy Travis, Linda McGlen, Jennifer Thieben and Jean Hogan.

Where are our women's champions today? Some moved to the South and the West where they could enjoy a longer golf season. John Lisk claims that Dorothy Cooper was an exceptionally fine golfer who continued her winning ways in California. Mary Walcott moved to North Carolina when husband John retired from the college. She won the women's championship at C-Onnestee C-Ountry Club and was runner up several times. She also accomplished something she never did at OCC; she had a hole in one, twice. One was erroneously reported as a 7 iron on a 350 yard par 4 hole for which Golf Digest sent her a double eagle pin as a memento of her feat.

Maryann Riccio is still playing great golf in Florida and was recently honored by the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater for her contributions to golf. Shirley Lisk won championships in Ohio's Public Lin.ks Tournament and in the City of Pittsburgh. She also held a clinic for disabled golfers sponsored by the Pro-Am LPGA at Avon Lakes in Ohio. Many of the other champions can be seen on the course enthusiastically fostering an interest in the game and revitalizing OCC's participation in the Syracuse Women's District Golf Association.

June, 1997

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

Issue Ⅻ Oswego Country Club 1897 - 1997 July, 1997

Club Tales: What They Could Have Shown in “Caddy Shack”

A certain member, who shall remain, had recently joined the OCC and was engaged in a match for the Wednesday night championship. An intense player who was known to be able to psyche out the opposition he once successfully employed a voluptuous co-ed in an abbreviated outfit to caddy for him so as to distract his opposition shanked an easy chip not more than 10 feet off the seventh green. After breaking his wedge across his knee, he drove off well and proceeded to shank his approach shot. Finally his third shot landed on the green. As his partner got ready to play into the green, he heard a whirring sound, and then another, and another, and another, eight in alL

Believing that the breaking and throwing of irons into the woods alongside the number eight hole was finished, the partner once again readied for a shot. Incredibly, the pattern began again. But, this time the sound was heavier, like woods being broken and hurled into the trees. And so it was. orr to number nine they went, where the frustrated linksman hit a splendid shot near the 150 yard marker, turned, broke his driver in two, and tossed it into the bushes behind the water fountain. As he started out toward his ball with only his putter in his bag, his opponent needled him gently with: “Why are you carrying that bag?” The new member responded, 'Why indeed and thereupon launched it into the brush. Coming upon his ball, he turned to his partner and pleaded with him to lend him his five iron. Only after promising to replace it if something should happen to it did his partner give in. The hole was concluded without further distress Whereupon the new member marched into the pro shop, bought a complete new set of woods and irons and bag to match and went on to have many productive years of golf before moving away.

Issue Ⅻ

John Lisk, the following day, came up to the new member's partner, put his arm around him, and said 1 like that member you brought into the club. Why don't you see if you can find more members like that where he came from. One doubts that John ever had a more explosive and supportive member, either before or since.

The above was not the only time a member or members had seen clubs destroyed on the course. Many years ago, one of Oswego's champion golfers was just a caddy, carrying doubles. C-Oming off the eighth hole was an adventure in those days. It was completely rough, two to three feet high, down to the bottom of the hill Anything short of that took some serious searching. As luck would have it, the last man to drive didn't make it to the fairway. Thinking he had a pretty good eye as to where the ball went in, his caddy put both car trolley tracks at the bottom of the hill. Everyone got so engrossed in searching for the ball, no one heard the roar of the train until it was upon them. Horrified, the caddy rushed to the clubs. Too late! The wooden shafts in both were cleanly cut in two. The foursome trudged silently to the clubhouse and dismissed their caddies with nary a word Most caddies would have been overjoyed with the result. They weren't fired. However, the responsible caddy, one of our future champions, was heard to complain to one of his friends later on that: "The dead beats didn't even pay me for the round.

June, 1997

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

Issue XIII Oswego Country Club 1897 - 1997 August, 1997

The Oswego Country Club - The Course Goes to 18 Holes

Oswego Country Club members began playing golf on three holes situated near the present Rudy's Stand on Washington Boulevard in 1897. In 1899 they were teeing it up on 91 plus acres occupying the present site on West River Road. Initially leasing the property, they bought it outright in 1902 and hired Harold Westcott, from Syracuse, who designed a six hole course on top of the hill to the north of Munn Street and to the west of West River Road. This served as the foundation for what became the old nine hole course. But, it was A. W. Tillinghast, the famed architect, who gets credit for putting together the nine. In 1915, he redesigned the grounds and utilized the land north of the clubhouse which allowed for our signature ninth hole with its severely sloped green. Members have complained bitterly over the years about its unfairness, especially when it exacted multiple putts. It is especially treacherous in August and/or when the pin placement is high. Good putters have been known to take four, five, and even six strokes to hole out once they are on the green. Lest one think that this is just mere sentimental folklore of a hole long past its prime, a recent (1997) Mixed Couples League outing witnessed a number of golfers, some of whom are considered very good putters, take five and six putts on the green. They shall remain nameless.

The old nine is presently the front side. But, when the new nine was added in 1978, the old nine was designated for a short time as the back side. If it ever returns to that status, the present ninth hole would make a fitting closing hole for a major tournament:.. Coming to that hole on the final day, anyone with a stroke or two lead would find it a severe test of skill and nerves. Albert Warren Tillinghast (1874-1942) came from a wealthy Philadelphia family. Having spent many summers in Scotland, he took to golf and was taught by the master himself, Old Tom Morris. Tillinghast was an accomplished amateur who played well in the U. S. Amateur from 190 to1915. In 1007, he designed his first course in Pennsylvania and went on to become a millionaire in his own right as a golf course architect. He was also a prolific writ.er on golf and is given credit for coining the word birdie. Building courses in his Wall Street garb, his achievements are many and include Winged F Baltusrol, and, of course, the Oswego Country Club. A stone marker placed just west of the first tee marks his contribution to Oswego as well as that of Geoffrey Comish, architect of the new nine. In 1997 the late David Nellis, club president, persuaded Bill Shigley to join the Long- Range Committee. Since Shigley agreed to join only it the committee would be productive (Shigley had expressed his disdain for busy-work groups which did nothing), Nellis appointed him chair of the group. Getting to work quickly, Shigley found that at each meeting that the group talked about club house repairs, locker room needs, installing automatic sprinklers, etc., the discussion would turn to what todo with the 69 plus acres that the club owned to the south of Munn Street.. The land had been purchased with good foresight during the presidency of Clark Morrison, IIl. It would make an ideal site for an additional nine holes if the membership wanted to do so. If not, perhaps the land could be sold and the proceeds used to address other strategic needs mentioned above. Shigley and committee engaged Geoffrey S. Cornish, the noted architect and golf historian, to give them a preliminary reading on the potential for golf on the new site. They approached the two savings banks in the city and found those

Issue XIII

In 1994. President Robert Crist appointed a committee, headed by Charlie Janice and composed of Mike Masuicca, Jim Molinari, Pete Mor Jim Patka, and Bill Shigley, to recommend a plan to the board for its actor Before they could go any further, they first had to decide whether or not to renovate the present structure or scrap it and start from scrat.cl'!-. Learning from building experts that the clubhouse was solidly built, the committee decided to plan an addition that would maintain the character and integrity of the old building and its beautiful view of the course. With help from Bud Coward who did a model rendition of one of the proposed additions, the committee decided on the plan submitted by JCM Architects headed by Joe Maryak, a club member. The final design was approved by the board in May, 1994 and by the membership in August 1994 by a two to one margirl The cost of the project was estimated at $400,000 to be paid for by extending a previous mortgage which Included the refinancing of previous debt. Oswego City Savin Bank St. handled the transaction When bids came in well over the estimated amount, refinements were made in the specs to lower costs. PAC won the construction contract; started building in November, 1994 and completed work in May, 1995. Members were generally pleased with the results. The one drawback has been an acoustical problem in the bar. Members began to notice the high noise level when any sizable gathering took place. In 1996, the board moved to solve the problem by purchasing fabric to cover the hard surfaces. This reduced the noise level somewhat, but some members would like to have it even quieter.

The clubhouse renovation project has given OCC an up-today attractive. Serviceable structure which meets code requirements on its electrical, plumbing, and safety features. It is handicap accessible and ·potty· parity•, affording equal facilities for men and women. Additionally, the spill-over effect of the project is noteworthy. The old-part of the clubhouse was redone to blend with the new. Upgrading the kitchen made it 30 percent roomier, more functional and more sanitary. The dining area. which previously sat 121. people. now accommodates 150. The new bar seats another 7 , and many members use it to eat lunch or dinner. One seldom, if ever, gets the feeling of overcrowding as in the old days.

Volunteer labor led by Charlie Janice installed replacement windows, painted as needed, laid down new carpet in the dining area, and replaced the old dance floor with wood found to be in excellent condition. preserved as it was under the old carpeting. Office space on the second floor was increased, and its air conditioning and heating units were made independent. The wiring was replaced throughout, ceiling fans were added, and insulation was put in overhead. The outside of the clubhouse and the locker rooms were painted grey to mat.ch. The men's locker room. no match tor the later installed women's room. was recarpeted and lockers reconditioned. The showers, which for years suffered from insufficient wat.er preserve and general debilitation, now featured new piping and stalls. During the clubhouse renovation, the City of Oswego was redoing its sanitation system. OCC was enabled to tie into it and save itself having to make a costly leach-field system. The problem of dumping raw sewage into the river was solved. rt

Oswegonians, including many non-club members, point to OCC's renovated grounds with pride as it presents a wholesome, attractive image to visitors when they enter the city from Route 48. The club's founders can rest assured that their establishment has been and remains an asset to the city for 100 years and counting.

September, 1997

THE CENTENNIAL NEWS

Issue XV Oswego Country Club 1897 - 1997 October, 1997

OCC: The Membership

The membership of the Oswego Country Club in 1997 reflects well the population of the community. It did not always do that, nor was it expected to do in 1897. Country clubs, in those times, were essentially elitist organizations representing the wealthier people in the community. At a time when the work week was six days and the work day ten to twelve hours, few people, other than the well-to-do, had time for leisure activities. Oswego was no exception. In 1900,Oswego had a total population of about m.ooo of which about 4,000 were foreign born. They came mostly from Ireland, Canada, Germany, England, Italy, Poland, Scotland, Austria and Russia. But, it was the White, Anglo-Saxon Protestants, those people from England and Scotland mostly, who were the community movers and shakers, businessmen, bankers, and industrialists, with enough time to devote to socializing during working hours.

They are the ones who conceived the idea of the Oswego Country Club and made it happen. The members reflected that reality. They were mostly Protestant, especially members of Christ Church (Episcopalian), though the other denominations, such as the Baptists and Presbyterians, were represented. Close on the heels of the founding members came the Irish Catholics. They had been in Oswego in great numbers since 18M and were beginning to win acceptance in the community. They played a vital role in the club's development, second only to those who went before them. The other ethnic groups, so prominent on the golf scene today, did not join the club, essentially, until after World War Il.

Country club life was also different then. Democratic. A few people held the power and worked to maintain the club as it was established. Formality was the rule. Photographs from the early days portray golfers playing in suits, ties, and dressy straw hats. Exclusiveness was maintained. Civility was the order of the day. Prospective members could be denied membership for whatever reason by secretly casting one black ball. Nor should this be considered unusual since the leaders often footed the bills to keep the club afloat in times of financial stress. Most of the leaders were reasonable and fair-minded individuals, but occasionally a bigot would be in control and an individual would be denied entry because of his/her religion or ethnicity. Still, as country clubs go, OCC was probably less restrictive than most. Prior to World War II Catholics and Jews were represented among the membership. At times, the entree of Catholics was facilitated by their intermarriage with establishment (WASP) types.

As the twentieth century wore on, more and more people began to have leisure time. The work day was shortened. The work week shrank. The immigrants from southern and eastern Europe climbed the ladder of social and economic mobility. They sought and gained admission to OCC and, eventually, assumed leadership positions which in a prior generation would have been unthinkable. After World War II the Italians were represented early on by the families of Ors, Cimildoro and Cincotta from Fulton, Dr. Jerry Belden, Lt. Sam Castaldo, and Nick Sterio. They were soon joined by Dr.Sam Fichera and various members of the Vona and Canale families. The early Polish members were FA Lisk and the Reverend Joseph M. Kowalcyzk. They were followed by other Lisks, E.Lupa, and Frank Plata among others.

Issue XVI

Unquestionably, golf at OCC is enhanced by its ambiance. The architects used the natural setting to such good-advantage and in such a manner as to encourage the wildlife to remain. And the members followed suit. W. Seward Salisbury is retired and living in North Carolina now, but he was active on the Conservation Committee in the 1980s and recorded his observations of the club's wildlife. Birdwatching was a favorite pastime of his, and he contributed houses to attract successfully some of the following species seen on the course: bluebirds, wrens, swallows, blue houses, yellow warblers, yellow-throated warblers, northern mocking birds (catbirds), killdeers, wood thrushes, cardinals, blue jays, kingfishers, gold finches, cedar wax wings, red-tailed hawks, morning doves, blackbirds, downy woodpeckers, and pileated woodpeckers (witnessed by Fred Wilbur as they were foraging in the tall stumps in the woods on the backside). These woodpeckers are as large as a crow and spectacular in flight, mostly black with white markings and a flaming red crest. There are also chickadees, nuthatches, meadow larks, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and phoebes. Salisbury wrote eloquently and instructively of different species tolerating each other because they did not compete for food. Swallows, for example, got their food on the wing, he said, while wrens fed from the ground and the bushes and the trees.

We have all seen the flocks of geese, ducks, and gulls which sometimes complicate our game of golf. But, how many have witnessed a great blue heron dropping down from the sky to feed on the goldfish in the ponds? Or a great horned owl which raised three baby owls and left a number of pellets under trees to the left of the sixth tee, pellets which are composed of the bones, feathers and fur of the kill that the owl's system could not digest? Or a turkey vulture circling high overhead in search of road kill? Fawns, does and bucks range over the course at times. Raccoon and fox likewise, and, of course, rabbits, chipmunks, skunks, possums, and on and on. Some feed on the vegetation. And even club members have been known to gather and enjoy dandelions, mushrooms, elderberries, blackberries, apples, and pears. Seward also wrote of the fullness of our woods, the elms, oaks, maples, other hardwoods, the variety of softwoods, and the movement to beautify the grounds with flowers such as roses, petunias, zinnias, and the like. He would be proud of the members who followed up on the early efforts of Ann Wuerschmidt and Susan Altimonda and have given of their time to enhance the natural beauty of the course hole by hole by planting and caring for bushes, flowers, and trees.

Seward said it best of OCC. It is not only a golf club, but also a pleasant place to relax, enjoy nature, and socialize with our friends and guests. He preferred OCC to the super slick and highly groomed and expensive courses you run across throughout the South: Come to think of it, this writer, who has played on barren, treeless· courses in the South and Southwest, interrupted from time to time by alligators, snakes, and lizards, could not agree more.

To all those who made it possible: thanks. And as for the future, as the Italians would say: cent'anni; to another 100 years.

Final Issue - Research and writing Luciano J. Lorizzo &/it,or. Bob Crist

November, 1997

Centennial Flags and Tree Dedicated