All ‘fore’ history at the Millbrook Golf and Tennis Club

MILLBROOK — The Millbrook Historical Society held its last meeting, about the history of the Millbrook Golf and Tennis Club, which was founded in 1900 by local residents. 

Dianne McNeil, Historical Society president, opened the meeting on Thursday evening, June 16 with a welcome to the audience of more than 125. She announced the winner of a $1,000 award, Millbrook High School senior Ben Yager, whom, she said, wrote a “wonderful essay” on the importance of local history. He was also active in volunteer work. 

Vice President Robert McHugh announced a walking tour of 10 of Millbrook’s historic buildings. The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Town Historian David Greenwood then spoke on the actual history of the club, noting that it was originally the Willet’s Farm. While visiting the home of Captain Richard Somers Hayes in Millbrook, Helen Stafford met Oakleigh Thorne, whom she later married, moving to Millbrook and becoming known as “The first lady of Millbrook.” The couple had a great interest in the game of golf, and was instrumental in raising interest in creating a golf club. The first officers were H.R. McLane, John Morgan Wing, and G. Howard Davison; they bought the land, built the clubhouse, laid out the links and set up the tennis courts.

The original club was actually built across the road as a pavilion for wedding guests at a Flagler society wedding in 1926  and was moved to the current club ground in 1928.

Chip Ciferri was the next speaker; he talked about his childhood years in Millbrook, and how many of his memories center on the club. He noted that a great many young boys caddied there, learning the game, and learning about life as they walked the nine-hole course. Ciferri also talked about what the club meant to the Italian population at the time, providing jobs in labor, grounds maintenance and caddying 

James Flanagan also recounted many of his experiences at the club over the years. It was impressive to note, in both Ciferri’s and Flanagan’s stories, how many of the Millbrook boys fished, sledded, tobogganed and hung out at the site, later caddying. A lot of them grew up to love golfing and became members, and sometimes club champions, in later years. 

It was noted that the establishment was not all male, women also played there, although many preferred tennis to golf. In the early days the men wore shirts, ties, jackets and knickers. The women wore long skirts, and billowy shirts, all in white. This must have tough at times, because, as Flanagan pointed out, the weather was different back then, often by the time you got to the ninth hole the temperature was in the ‘90s. Nor were the greens manicured as they are today. Early on, there was more dirt and rock than green, and occasionally, a golfer would find deposits left by neighboring cows.

Garth Bishop of Hopewell Junction, a member of the Golf Collectors Society, owns an extensive collection of golf memorabilia. He brought with him one of his mementos, a silver cup for First Place, 1897, awarded to Dr. S. Delancy Townsend at Halcyon Hall, a Millbrook resort until 1910 when it became part of Bennett College.

Members of the Historical Society mingled with club members, enjoying conversations  about history, golf and tennis in Millbrook.