History - by Reds McCarthy

A figment of imagination, no doubt, planted the seed. It blossomed into a possibility through long winter evenings of planning. It mushroomed into reality via earnest efforts of men longing for a rendezvous of physical relaxation for themselves, and an atmosphere of social enjoyment for their families.

It was the origin of Plymouth Country Club, a beginning that developed from roundtable discussion by a small group of men; a beginning that is saluted with "thanks" this year for benefits derived by club membership of half a century.

During the winter of 1911-12, this small group of men met frequently in chambers of Norristown City Hall by night to mould their plans, and traveled the countryside by day, inspecting farm sited that might be available for their purposes.

The first known positive action of these pioneer gentlemen appeared March 20.1912, on the front pages of The Daily Herald, under the heading, 'Country Club Is Organized."

The newspaper account read: "Those interested in the proposed Country Club effected a permanent organization at a meeting held last evening in Select Council Chamber at City Hall. The board of governors chosen includes: "George H. Anders, Roy A Hatfield, Ned Irish, Horace C. Jones, C. Townley Larzelere, Matthias L. March, Joseph S. Rambo, Isaac Richards, Hon. William F. Solly, Henry E. Tripler, Harry B. Tyson, Irving P. Wanger, Frank B. Wildman and frank B. Wonsettler.

"The board of governors will meet on next Monday for the purpose of electing officers and appointing the various sub-committees. Immediately after that time, the Alvia Haines farm will be taken over, application will be made for a charter and permanent improvements will be made to the house, grounds and tennis courts in order to have the property in shape for use this spring.

"At the meeting last evening a constitution and by-laws were adopted and it was agreed to limit the membership to 250.

'In the view of the fact that a number of prospective members have not been approached, the provision in the by-lays as to election of members will not go into effect until April 1st, and persons already approached may join on payment of the annual dues up to that time.

"Others may become members on payment of dues up to April 1st upon application to, and approval by, the membership committee, to be elected at the meeting of the board of governors on next Tuesday evening. Application may also be made to C. Townley Larzelere, temporary secretary, who will place them before the membership committee."

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Purchase of the Alvin Haines property as a club site was recommended by a committee comprising Abram T. Eastwick, Horace C. Jones Walter H. Corson, C. Townley Larzelere and Dr. George Highley. The property, of course, is present location of the club.

Availability of the Haines property was made possible through circumstances. Mr. Haines, Overseer of the Plymouth Meeting Friends, had a very unfortunate experience. On several occasions thieves had been stealing his chickens, and in an effort to scare them off, he shot and unfortunately killed one of the thieves. He was so emotionally upset by the incident that he died within a few months, and his farm became available for purchase.

However, it was decided to build the golf course on the ground north of Sandy Hill Road.

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In March 26,1912, issue of The Daily Herald, under heading, "Officers Of The Country Club." appeared this story:

"The Plymouth Country Club is the name which has been unanimously decided upon for the new organization whose scene of pleasurable operations will be on the recently-acquired Haines farm on Sandy Hill Road, in Plymouth Township, just below Norristown.

"At a meeting of the board of governors held last evening, the following officers and committees were chosen:
"President, Abram T. Eastwick; Vice-President, Roy A. Hatfied; Secretary, Charles Townley Larzelere; Treasurer, Frank B. Wonsettler.
"Building Committee-Edward T. Boggs, Roy A. Hatfield, Matthias L. March, Samuel Roberts, Irving P. Wanger.

"House Committee- Roy A Hatfield, A. Markley Harry, Charles N. Rambo, William F. Solly, Henry E. Tripler.

"Grounds Committee-Clayton H. Alderfer, W. H. Corson, Horace C. Jones, Matthias L. March, Irving P. Wanger.

"Membership Committee-Ned Irish, W.M. Hiester Jones, Charles Townley Larzelere, Charles Paist, Jr., Harry B. Tyson.

"Finance Committee-Nicholas H. Larzelere, Joseph S. Rambo, Isaac Richards, Frank B. Wildman, Franck B. Wonsettler.

"Tennis Committee-George H. Anders, J.C. Moyer, George Wanger, J. Ambler Williams, Franlin L. Wright.

"The committees will hold meetings within three days and elect their chairmen and secretaries. The committees will start active work immediately and expect to to have the grounds and buildings ready for use within two months.

"Arrangements have been made to transfer the property to an individual to hold same until a charter is granted by the Court of Common Pleas. Application for a charter will be made at once.

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On the morning of May 24, 1912, Plymouth Country Club became a reality, with a charter granted by the late Judge Henry K. Weand in Montgomery County Court. Incident with the grant, the Alvin Haines property was conveyed by Irving P. Wanger and others to the club. Mr. Wanger, a charter member of the club, at the time was a congressman representing the counties of Montgomery and Bucks in the House of Representatives in Washington.

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The original golf course consisted of nine holes on 69 acres of ground around the clubhouse. Picture the fairways and greens of the present 1st, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 18th holes and you will have an idea of the original tract.

The 1st tee was just off the break of the wall in the parking lot, in vicinity of pro Pete DeAngelis' instructing tee. The 1st green was in its present location. The 2nd tee was in the area of the present 12th green, with the 2nd green at the Sandy Hill Road Boundary line, just across from the old Mann residence. The 3rd tee was to the left of the 2nd green, playing uphill on the present downhill 11th hole, and the 3rd green was the present 10th green.

The 4th tee was at the corner of Belvoir and Sandy Hill Roads, playing back to a green behind the barn and near the present 10th tee. A walk around the tennis courts got you to the 5th tee, which is the present 8th tee. The 5th hole played at a 45-degree angle, across the present 6th fairway to a green in the woods, adjacent to greens superintendent Bill Killen's residence. The 6th hole carried along the woods and over the creek to a green in front of the present 13th tee.

The 7th hole was a short par 3 with the 7th green the present 17th green. A walk back up the hill took you to the 8th tee, just off the present 12th green, driving toward the clubhouse along the creek to the present winter tee of the first hole. The 9th was back of the swimming pool, a par 3 hole to the present 9th green.

In 1924 it was decided to purchase additional ground to enlarge the course to 18 holes. The present woods containing about 22 acres were purchased from Casper Puche in 1925. The following year, the ground containing what is now the 2nd, 13th, 14th, and parts of the 16th and 17th holes was purchased. This tract consisted of approximately 28 acres.

The rebuilding of the course to make the change form nine to eighteen holes was started in 1926 and completed in late 1927. The cost of the change was financed by the sale of debenture bonds, most of which have since been retired.

The cost of the purchase of the original ground and house, the remodeling of the house and the building of the course amounted to about $35,000. It was raised by a first mortgage of $10,000, the sale of second mortgage bonds in the amount of $20,000 and the contributions of the first members.

The additional ground was purchased for the enlargement of the course by funds secured from the sale of unused ground. The extension of the course cost was about $50.000.

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In the early years the golf pro shop was located in the barn. The men's locker room also was in the barn, but the majority of the golfers were content to do their dressing at home.

Additions and improvements have been numerous over the years. The old ballroom, recently replaced, was the first addition in 1915. Old timers recall its opening as a "Big Deal," with Howard Lanin and his Society Orchestra providing the music.

In 1929 the clubhouse was remodeled, with dining room, kitchen, locker rooms, downstairs grill room and pro shop included in the work. Of only recent years has come additional remodeling with the Plymouth Room, the new second level grill room, the pro shop and grad new ballroom adding to the pleasure of the membership.

The competitive golf activities for Plymouth Country Club started almost immediately after organization of the club, and members enjoyed matches with Phoenixville, Pottstown, and West Chester. These events were under able direction of Spencer L. Jones.

The first golf professional was C.C. Clare, but he was soon followed by Morris Talman, who was with the club about six or seven years. A fine array of professionals instructed Plymouth members down through the years, not the least of whom is current pro Pete DeAngelis.

Members have carried Plymouth prestige to top achievement in Philadelphia Golf Association competition. Philip L. Corson won the Philadelphia Amateur Championship in 1925 and again in 1929. Spencer L. Jones won the same title in 1927.

Corson and George Cordonna are past winners of the Philadelphia District Boys' Championship, and District Girls' titles have been achieved by Charlotte Thomas Scheidt, Nancy Slaw Koelle, Leona Sayre Martin and Sue Honeysett.

Boyle Cup Championships have been brought to Plymouth by the teams of Phil Corson and Maria Kitson and Al Drake and Leona Sayre Martin.

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In tennis, the club enjoyed many outstanding seasons in district competition. The late Ernie Youngjohns was its greatest advocate. In years past, some of its tournaments attracted the leading tennis players of the nation. Probably the most prominent was William T. Tilden, later to become champion of the world.

Approximately ten years ago another step for leisure diversion and competitive participation opened a new outlet for family life in the club sphere-addition of a swimming pool.

It has become a mecca for indulgers of the cool splash and the sun worshippers, but mostly for the juniors learning the basic fundamental of competition on a sporting plane. Plymouth youngsters have done nobly in Inter-Club League swimming activity, bringing added prestige to the club-and a near hysteria excitement to parents at poolside.

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Plymouth Country Club has shown remarkable progress through the years of its existence. True, progress ran into detour on occasion, but fortitude of officers and membership surmounted every hurdle.

During the 1932-1924 period, Plymouth was able to remain open when 40% of the country clubs in the Philadelphia area had to close, many of them never opened again. There was the time, too, when the club experienced a flirtation with near mortgage foreclosure. The challenge was met and the problem was over come.

The founding fathers provided the pioneer work. Those who followed them in the early years generated the impetus. The succeeding generations of membership have kept faith with the original aim, gearing the policies to modern trend- all providing a testimonial to a 50th anniversary salute and accelerating enthusiasm for the continued prosperity of Plymouth Country Club.