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Our Heritage and Early History Heritage
Early History
In the summer of 1952 a casual conversion between Springfield golfers, Ray Streeter and Bill Clace, and Henry Duskett, the golf professional at Proctor Pittsford Country Club provided the spark that was to become the CPCC. Henry: I
don't know why you fellows don't have a golf course in Springfield. Ray and Bill returned to Springfield and immediately started talking to their friends. In a matter of days a mood of utter exuberance swept the community, exciting young and old, golfers, as well as non golfers. An organization meeting was held at the Jones and Lamson Machine Company. A Board of Directors was established to oversee the project, a search for suitable land was begun, and stock put on sale at $50 a share (shareholders subsequently voted to convert shares to memberships and these stocks were withdrawn). The farm owned by Ray Trombley was quickly declared the ideal choice. The farm had been on the market for some time at about $10,000, although ultimately the negotiated price was $18,000, with an additional $1500 paid for 25 acres - an area that now includes the 7th green and 11th tee boxes. Enthusiasm for CPCC continued to grow and expand during the initial years of 1952 and 1953 with as many as 100 volunteers in one evening working at the site, picking rocks, cutting brush, digging ditches, etc. Henry Duskett was hired as project supervisor and proved as good as his original word managing and directing both hired and volunteer help. Ray Streeter became invaluable as the CPCC water-master, designing and overseeing construction of the ponds near the 9th and 17th greens and a pond near the Club's southern boundary, thus assuring that CPCC would have sufficient water. The design for the original 9 holes was the result of numerous membership discussions, which were condensed and codified by Lee Davis and Eddy Duclos to form a course layout. A golf authority, Geoffrey Cornish, was hired to overlook the plan. He made a few relatively minor suggestions, but reported that "the overall plan was fine". On June 29, 1953, Jack Armstrong, the first president, was able to write to the stockholders: "You have shown your interest in having a country club in Springfield by purchasing stock in CPCC Inc. Through your support and that of others similarly interested over $30,000 has been invested in the project." Regular club meetings soon shifted to the Adnabrown Hotel where they continued to be held while the original farmhouse was extensively renovated to become CPCC's first clubhouse. The farmhouse served as the clubhouse until 1990.
Drawing
of the original farmhouse made by M. Wheeler in 1956. The course was officially opened on August 22, 1953. After opening speeches. the first foursome teed off. The group included Lt. Governor Johnson, and Albert Gutterson, president of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and CPCC 's first treasurer.  President Eisenhower accepted an honorary membership in CPCC from Senator Flanders on October 22, 1953. By 1961 volunteer help began to taper off, but membership demands for improvements continued to accelerate As a result more and more professionals were hired and fees and dues were increased to cover these costs. The original membership dues were modest by any standards, and the current dues are still modest for courses of comparable quality. On August 28, 1958, ground was broken for the back nine. The back nine was designed and built by the Mitchell brothers for a sum of $60,000. Our full 18 hole course was christened by Bobby Locke. Other notable golfers to play the course were Gene Sarazen and Ted Kroll. In addition, CPCC has hosted both Men's and Women's State Amateur Championships, at least two Tri-State Cup matches, and the 1983 New England Amateur Championship which was won by Billy Andrade. He shot 12 under par over 72 holes including a course record tying round of 66. 
Poster for the 10th anniversary of CPCC. Note:
The current clubhouse became necessary because of the age of the old farmhouse structure, new government regulations regarding the electrical systems, etc, and the general lack of amenities for the Club's growing membership. With an outside cost estimate of $300,000 for a proposed new facility, the Board had to consider ways to finance the project. It was quickly apparent that CPCC land west of the 11, 12, and 13th fairways could be sold with no damage to CPCC now or into the future. A committee to plan and oversee the project to completion was formed. Eric Bibens acted as general contractor. Pete Koledo arranged to purchase the carpets wholesale, and installed them himself at no charge to the Club. Emil Nagy and his brother completed the new bar, and Art Brown & his wife Carol finished the woodwork. Many other members contributed volunteer time, and Harold Austin, Bud Oberg, Eric Bibens, Bob Martel and Clair Wheelock each joined the "2000 hour" club, continuing the tradition of enthusiastic volunteerism existing from the CPCC founding days. The project was finished in 1990 under budget, and without using the $38,000 contingency fund. Originally CPCC was a Springfield community project, but by 2003 only a third of the membership had Springfield or North Springfield as their primary residence. The membership ranks now are geographically widely dispersed with a significant percentage of out-of-state residents who may own second homes in Vermont or only be in Vermont for weekends and vacations during the golf season. By remaining owned and operated by and for the benefit of its members, CPCC is not subject to the whims and control of a large resort as are so many of the current courses in Vermont. With a proud 50 year history, the Club looks forward to serving its membership and guests over the next 50 years. JRW 
Crown Point Country Club Weathersfield Center Road P.O. Box 413 Springfield, VT 05156 cpcc@vermontel.net |
