1934 Connecticut Aerials

[Bret Lawrence]

UPDATED 1934 CONNECTICUT AERIAL LIST

I have gone over all of these changes with Anthony Pioppi, Jim Kennedy and Brett Zimmerman, the originators of this list.

I have labeled all of the existing golf courses by their most recent name. The only exceptions are Edgewood, now TPC at River Highlands and Westport Country Club which is now Birchwood Country Club. These two courses share similar sites, but little else. Three duplicate entries have been removed including Windsor Golf Club (Plymouth Meadow); Taft School (Watertown Golf Club) and Fairview Country Club. The aerial on the Fairview frame is a duplicate of the Paul Block Estate which shares some of the land Fairview owns today.

Two sub-categories have been created to include former and future courses.  These courses were either NLE by 1934 or hadn’t been built by 1934, so their assigned aerials do not show an active golf course. These entries somehow made their way onto the list many years ago and no one really knows how. We have included these listings at the bottom to maintain consistency with the original list. 

For the architects, we tried to list any known architect who contributed to the 1934 design we see in the aerial.  We have made a few changes to the architects in the original list based on information uncovered in the last 10-15 years.  There are a few questionable entries and many unknowns waiting to be discovered, so feel free to ask questions. If you have any additions or corrections, please feel free to share.

Link to aerial finding aid:
https://cslib.contentdm.oclc.org/customizations/collection/p4005coll10/pages/indexes/digital_idx_map_state_1934.html

Alling Memorial Golf Course, New Haven, Robert D. Pryde, 10062. FKA-New Haven Municipal GC
Beardsley Park Golf Course, Bridgeport, Unknown, 03452 (NLE)
Brooklawn Country Club, Fairfield, A.W. Tillinghast, 04341
Buena Vista, West Hartford, Robert J. Ross/Maurice Kearney, 06146. FKA-West Hartford Golf Club
Canaan Country Club, North Canaan, Unknown, 08356
Candlewood Lake Club, Brookfield, Ted Farley, 07422
Canton Public Golf Course, Canton, Robert J. Ross, 09461 (NLE)
Cheshire Country Club, Cheshire, Unknown, (NLE)
Chippanee Country Club, Bristol, Herbert C. Lagerblade, 06231. FKA-Chippanee Golf Club
Clarkhurst Ranch Golf Course, East Hampton, Unknown, 06974 (NLE)
Clinton Country Club, Clinton, Unknown, 03106 (NLE)
Cogswell Brook Golf Club, Ellington, Unknown, 02302 (NLE)
Country Club of Fairfield, Seth Raynor, 05491
Country Club of Farmington, Devereux Emmet, 06408,06455, 06456, 06463
Country Club of New Canaan, Willie Park, Jr., 04764
Country Club of Waterbury, Donald Ross, 07106, 07107
Cummings Park Golf Course, Stamford, Unknown, 04782 (NLE)
D. Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course, Fairfield, Robert White, 05516. 36 holes.
East Hartford Golf Club, Orrin Smith, 09656. FKA-Long Hill Country Club
East Mountain Golf Course, Waterbury, Wayne Stiles & John Van Kleek, 07054. FKA-Waterbury Municipal Golf Course
Edgewood Golf Club, Cromwell, Robert J. Ross/Maurice Kearney, 09207 (NLE). Current site of TPC at River Highlands
E. Gaynor Brennan Golf Course, Stamford, Maurice McCarthy, 04121. FKA-Hubbard Heights CC
Enfield Golf Club, Enfield, Unknown, 07818 (NLE)
Farmingbury Hills Golf Course, Wolcott, Robert D. Pryde, 06275. FKA Mattatuck Golf Club, Chase Country Club.
Fenwick Golf Course, Old Saybrook, Unknown, 02847
Glastonbury Public Golf Course, Glastonbury, Unknown, 09152 (NLE) FKA Williams Memorial GC
Golf Club of Avon, Avon, Robert J. Ross, 09478
Goodwin Park Golf Course, Hartford, Harry Jackson original 9, Robert J. Ross redesign, 09250
Goose Run Golf Course (Military), Groton, Unknown, 00457
Grassy Hill Country Club, Orange, Unknown, 03199. FKA-Wepawaug Country Club, Orange Country Club
Great Neck Country Club, Waterford, Charlie Brooks, 00209. FKA-New London Country Club
Greenfield Hill Country Club, Fairfield, Unknown, 05480 (NLE)
Greenwich Country Club, Greenwich, Lawrence Van Etten, Barker, Macdonald/Raynor, White, 03975
Green Woods Country Club, Winsted, Unknown, 07931
Guilford Lakes Golf Course, Guilford, Gardner Wheeler, 04472
Harkness Estate Private Course, Waterford, Unknown, 00513 (NLE)
Harrisville Golf Course, Woodstock, John Salvas, 01185
Hartford Golf Club, West Hartford, Devereux Emmet/Alfred Williams, 08949. 27 Holes
Highland Country Club, Middletown/Meriden, Robert D. Pryde, 09333 (NLE)
Highland Golf Club, Shelton, Frank H. Gates, 03367
Hob Nob Hill Golf Course, Salisbury, Devereux Emmet, 08187 (NLE) AKA-Fulton Private Estate Golf Course
Honey Pot Country Club, Cheshire, Unknown, 06370 (NLE)
Hop Brook Golf Club, Naugatuck, Unknown, 07063
Hotchkiss School, Salisbury, Seth J. Raynor, Charles H. Banks, 08126
Hunter Memorial Golf Course, Meriden, Robert J. Ross, 06168. FKA Meriden Municipal Golf Course
Indian Hill Country Club, Newington, Robert J. Ross, 09343. FKA-Maple Hill, Sequin, New Britain GC
Indian Neck Golf Course, Branford, 05583 (NLE)
Innis Arden Club, Old Greenwich, A. W. Tillinghast, 04125
Keney Park, Hartford/Windsor, Devereux Emmet-9, Robert J. Ross-9, 09719
Lake Waramaug, New Preston, Unknown, 05911
Litchfield Country Club, Litchfield, Robert D. Pryde, 07585
Longshore Golf Course, Westport, Orrin Smith, 05314. FKA Longshore Country Club, Westport-Longshore
Louis Stoner Private Course, West Hartford, Orrin Smith, 09897 (NLE)
Madison Country Club, Willie Park, Jr.-9, Orrin Smith-9, 04447
Manchester Country Club, Tom Bendelow-9, Devereux Emmet-9, 06942
Meadow Brook Country Club, Centerville (Hamden), Unknown, 04922 (NLE)
Milbrook Golf Club, Greenwich, Unknown, 04078
Mill River Country Club, Stratford, Thomas Winton, Robert D. Pryde , 03400
New Haven Country Club, Willie Park, Jr., 04926
Newtown Country Club, George Sparling, 03761
Norfolk Country Club, A. W Tillinghast, 09794. (Upper Right)
Norfolk Downs Golf Club, Norfolk, Unknown, 09794 (NLE) (Lower Right)
Norwich Golf Course, Norwich, Tull & Tull, 02029
Old Lyme Country Club, Old Lyme, Unknown, 07237
Orange Hills Country Club, Orange, Robert D. Pryde, 03181
Paul Block Private Estate Course, Greenwich, Stiles & Van Kleek, 04042 (NLE)
Pequabuck Golf Club, Terryville (Plymouth), Unknown, 06229
Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club, Branford, Robert D. Pryde, 05591
Pleasant View Golf Course, Meriden, Unknown, 06174 (NLE)
Plymouth Meadow Country Club, Windsor, Charles Henderson, 09705 (NLE). FKA-Windsor Golf Club
Pomfret Country Club, Pomfret Center, Arthur G. Lockwood, 01217
Putnam Country Club, Putnam, Unknown, 01088 (NLE)
Quinnatisset Country Club, Thompson, Unknown, 01054
Quotonset Golf Club, Westbrook, Unknown, 02987 (NLE) FKA-Westbrook Golf Club
Racebrook Country Club, Orange, Robert D. Pryde, 03254. 36 holes
Ridgewood Country Club, Danbury, Devereux Emmet, 02633
Rockledge Golf Course, West Hartford, Robert J. Ross/Maurice Kearney, 06145
Round Hill Club, Greenwich, Walter Travis, 04015
Salmon Brook Country Club, Granby, Orrin Smith, 09816 (NLE). 36 Holes
Sharon Country Club, Sharon, Unknown, 07279
Shennecossett Golf Course, Groton, Donald Ross, 00464
Shorehaven Golf Club, Norwalk, Willie Park Jr./Robert White, 05250
Shuttle Meadow Country Club, Kensington (Berlin), Willie Park, Jr., 06471 & 06469
Silver Spring Country Club, Ridgefield, Robert White, 07175
Shenipset Golf Club, Rockville (Vernon), Robert D. Pryde, 02302 (NLE)
Sleeping Giant Golf Course, Hamden, Ralph Barton, 04916. FKA Giant Valley Country Club
Southington Country Club, Southington, Unknown, 06384
Stafford Springs Golf Club, Stafford, Robert D. Pryde, John Shippen, 01710 (NLE)
Stanley Golf Course, New Britain, Robert J. Ross, 06150
Stonington Manor Inn Golf Course, Stonington, Maurice Kearney, 00155 (NLE)
Suffield Country Club, Suffield, Orrin Smith, 09690
Sunset Ridge Country Club, East Hartford, Orrin Smith, 09654 (NLE)
Tamarack Country Club, Greenwich, Charles Banks, 04045
Terre Haute Golf Course, Bethel, Unknown, 03950
The Cedars, Lakeville, Unknown, 08128 (NLE)
Torrington Country Club, Goshen, Orrin Smith, 10260
Tumble Brook Country Club, Bloomfield, Willie Park Jr., 08970
Wallingford Country Club, Wallingford, Unknown, 05666
Wampanoag Country Club, West Hartford, Donald Ross, 08968
Washington Golf Club, Washington, Unknown. 06055
Watertown Golf Club, Seth Raynor-9, Unknown-9, 07478 (9-NLE)
Wee Burn Country Club, Darien, Devereux Emmet, 04776
Westport Country Club, Westport, Unknown, 05302 (NLE). Current site of Birchwood Country Club
Wethersfield Country Club, Robert D. Pryde-9, Jack Stait and Sidney Covington-9, Orrin Smith-(R), 09254
Wilcox Country Club, Milford, Unknown, 03193 (NLE)
Winchell Smith Private Estate Course, Farmington, Unknown, 06409 (NLE)
Windham Golf Course, Willimantic, Edward Connery, 03657. FKA-Willimantic Country Club
Woodbridge Country Club, Orrin Smith, 04809 (NLE) FKA-Woodbridge Hills Country Club
Woodstock Golf Course, Woodstock, Robert Bonar, 01182
Woodway Country Club, Darien, Willie Park Jr., 04774
Yale Golf Course, New Haven, Seth Raynor, 04811

CONNECTICUT FORMER COURSES NLE BY 1934 AERIAL
Alfred Pope Private Estate Course, Farmington, Unknown, 06454 (NLE)
Danbury Golf Club, Danbury, Unknown, 07400 (NLE)
Danielson Golf Club, Danielson, Unknown, 01077 (NLE). FKA-Quinebaug Golf Club
Ethel Walker Golf Course, Simsbury, Unknown, 09529 (NLE)
Shenipset Golf Club, Rockville, Robert D. Pryde, 02302  (NLE)

CONNECTICUT FUTURE COURSES REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL 1934 AERIAL LIST
Banner Resort and Country Club, Moodus, Built in 1957,
Deercrest Country Club, Greenwich, Built in 1955,

MASSACHUSETTS

Longmeadow Country Club, Longmeadow, Donald Ross, 07818


NEW YORK

The Blind Brook Club, Rye Brook, Seth Raynor, 04039, 04011
Pound Ridge Golf Club, Pound Ridge, Unknown, 04107. FKA-High Ridge Country Club
King’s Ridge Country Club, Rye Brook, Thomas Winton, 04039. (NLE) AKA-Green Valley Country Club, Doral-Arrowhead Golf Course
Old Oaks Country Club, Purchase, Albert W. Tillinghast, 04040. FKA Progress Country Club
Robert J. Law Private Estate Course, Rye Brook, Unknown, 04039. (NLE) AKA-Law Ridge
Westchester Women’s Golf & Tennis Club, Banksville, Devereux Emmet, 03985 (NLE). AKA Middle Patent Club

RHODE ISLAND

The Misquamicut Club, Westerly, Donald Ross, 00079

[Stewart Abramson]

The link in the original post doesn't work. Is there a new link?

[Bret Lawrence]

Stewart,


Here is a new link:
https://cslib.contentdm.oclc.org/customizations/collection/p4005coll10/pages/indexes/digital_idx_map_state_1934.html


I have taken screenshots of all of the courses and will be loading them on here shortly, similar to Sven’s Wisconsin Aerial Photograph thread.


Bret

[Colin Sheehan]

Bret,
Thanks for that. Where did you get those other images?
The thing I could could never quite figure out was where the second green was. I presumed it was just in what looked like the same cut of fairway.
 
I saw later today you wrote an article and posted some images with a scorecard. I couldn't get past the paywall. Was the card based on anything you had found? I had emailed my contact at the USGA if there were any cards in the CT file for Eolia or Edward Harkness Estate and nothing turned up.


I look forward to your posts. Thank you for doing it. Many of them are on this list. And I have some more, like the Bloch Estate and Women's Westchester to add that I have meant to get around to doing.


https://goo.gl/photos/wwArnTF9n4WVY23u7


I think I looked at nearly all the ones on the list but I'm sure there's a few I missed. A few years ago I was interested in the various estate courses and there was at least one or maybe two that didn't correspond with original post.

[Bret Lawrence]

Colin,


I have always enjoyed your aerial collection and reference it often.  For some reason, I forgot about all of your Connecticut courses in your collection.  I could have saved myself a lot of work.  Your images are exceptionally clear compared to many I will be posting. 


I just wanted to clarify I didn’t write the story that appeared in The Day, but Anthony Pioppi and I did consult with the writer and staff artist to come up with a routing for their aerial photograph.  Their photograph (which I posted earlier) was from the 1940’s and by that point, the third hole had been eliminated and a new short hole was added between the 6th and 7th holes.  The writer, John Ruddy also had a very grainy copy of the original 1938 scorecard which the staff artist Scott Ritter recreated.  One of the problems we ran into on the scorecard was that because the numbers were so grainy on the copy a few yardages were difficult to interpret. The numbers we thought we were reading didn’t add up to the total yardage, which I have never encountered before. I think we got it as close as possible, but it is just a recreation at the end of the day. 


The writer also had a quickly scribbled description of how the course played in 1936 written by an old superintendent of the grounds.  In these notes, he mentions the original 3rd green out to the east and how you played the 4th and 8th holes to the same green. I feel like the 1934 aerial routing is very accurate based on the old superintendents notes.  The routing for the 1940 aerial that the newspaper wanted may not be as accurate, because the short hole between 6 and 7 was a little confusing. I was going to post a link to the article yesterday,  but I noticed the paywall as well.  I have a hard copy from the actual newspaper if you’d like me to send you a copy. 


I agree the second green is very hard to see in the 1934 aerial, it becomes more apparent when you see the later aerials.  I have.a bunch of pictures from walking the property where you can see old bunkers and hole corridors and just the setting in general.  The beach section of the property was stunning.  I think I posted a few pictures to the Private Estate courses thread on here, but I can’t find it now.


I had never gone through all of these aerial slides before this, although I have looked at most of them, so I also had trouble locating some of the courses in the still provided. I think because there were three or four people working on it originally, not many people have looked at all of the slides.  I think Ethel Walker Private Estate was one of the courses you mentioned earlier in the thread.  I also could not locate a golf course in this still.  Ethel Walker School was founded in 1911,  so by 1934 it was actually a school and not an estate.  Regardless, I couldn’t find a course at the school or an estate in the still.


Some of the other courses I could not locate were Banner Resort, Danielson Golf Club in Danielson, Indian Neck in Branford, and Deercrest in Stamford.  Banner wasn’t built until 1957-1958, Deercrest wasn’t built until the 40’s or 50’s and it was located in Greenwich (not Stamford), just north of Stanwich.  The code for Deercrest is actually E. Gaynor Brennan in Stamford.  The code given for E. Gaynor Brennan was the Westchester Women’s Golf & Tennis Club, which later became The Middle Patent Club. These are some of the issues I am trying to sort out with this update.


Bret

[Bret Lawrence]

Colin,


One of the additions I have for the list is the Winchell Smith Estate in Farmington, CT.  I would have never found this one if it weren’t for the October 1931 cover of The National Greenkeeper.  This looked like a very small-scale pitch and putt course.



Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.

A slightly zoomed in look, it’s still very grainy but you can make out some of the bunkers and corridors seen in the cover photo below.

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.



Bret

[Bret Lawrence]

Alling Memorial Golf Course-New Haven, CT.  FKA-New Haven Municipal Golf Course
18 Holes, 6,000 Yards, Par 71:1930-1931 American Annual Golf Guide;
1929 AAGG: Under Construction
Designed by Robert D. Pryde. Established in 1929.

1934 Aerial:

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial:


Story about the New Haven Municipal Golf Course mentioning Robert Pryde. The rest of the story can found in the link below this page.



https://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/golfd/article/1933mar50.pdf

Beardsley Park Golf Course-Bridgeport, CT. (NLE)
9 Holes, 2,300 Yards, Par 33: 1930-1931 American Annual Golf Guide
Designed by: Unknown. Established in 1913

This is a new addition to the original list. This course is difficult to make out. The clubhouse is at the bottom of the frame and you can even see cars lining the road.  It appears you would play one hole north, cross the river, then play 7 holes before crossing back over the river to finish up in the same field you started. The Beardsley course lasted until D. Fairchild Wheeler was opened. D. Fairchild Wheeler was still under construction in the 1934 aerial, but one of their 18-hole courses looked like it may have been ready for play at this point. This aerial ishows the Beardsley Park course just before (or just after) it closed.

1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
1920’s postcard showing the first tee:

Another postcard picture from the course:


Sven sent over a story about the opening of Beardsley Park, I changed the date of establishment accordingly.  The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer., May 29, 1913:




Interesting article/interview with Al Ciuci talking about getting Gene Sarazen started in golf at the Beardsley Park links.  The article also talks about Gene at Brooklawn Country Club (below). This is the first page of the article, the rest can be found on the link below this page.



https://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/golfd/article/1949sep44.pdf

Brooklawn Country Club-Fairfield, CT
18 Holes, 6,241 Yards, Par 71: 1930-1931 American Annual Golf Guide
Designed by Albert W. Tillinghast. Established in 1895.

Postcard photo of original clubhouse, near today’s 15th green:


Postcard photo showing clubhouse and 18th hole:



1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial

[Cob Carlson]

Brett: Thank so much for these terrific photos. Brooklawn is where I grew up caddying (5 years). A wonderful golf course.
Such a hoot to see my elementary school Our Lady of Assumption pointed out, alongside the Rooster River, which actually gets some screen time in my latest film "THE GREATEST RADIO STATION IN THE WORLD." Beardsley Park is also mentioned in my film, but long after it was a golf course.

[Bret Lawrence]

Cob,


You’re welcome.  I had that label on there by mistake, but I am glad it could bring back some fond memories. I think of Brooklawn as a wonderful course as well. Thanks for sharing your experience. Good Luck with the film, I’d like to see it.


Bret

[Bret Lawrence]

Buena Vista Golf Course-West Hartford, CT. FKA-West Hartford Golf Club
9 Holes. 3,300 Yards. Par 34: 1930-1931 American Annual Golf Guide
Designed by Robert J. Ross/Maurice Kearney. Established in 1927.

Today's course is only 1,832 yards. Several of the holes have been redesigned onto the smaller footprint, but a few original holes and greens remain.


Early story on West Hartford Golf Club:



1934 Aerial:

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial



Canaan Country Club-North Canaan, CT
No listing in 1930-1931.
9 Holes, 2,862 Yards, Par 35: Modern Scorecard
Designed by: Unknown. Established in 1927.

1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial



Candlewood Lake Club-Brookfield, CT
No listing in 1930-1931.
9 Holes. 1,775 Yards, Par 30: Modern Scorecard
Designed by: Ted Farley? Established in 1931.


I’m not 100% sure we are looking at a golf course in this 1934 aerial, but this was on the list and shows the eastern portion of the property you see in the modern aerial below. The history of the Club notes it was founded in 1931. However, they make it sound like the first five holes of the golf course were built in 1937.  Regardless of whether these were golf holes they didn’t make it into today's course, which was designed primarily by Alfred Tull.  Ted Farley who is listed as the architect for this course was actually one of the developers of Candlewood Lake.


1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial

[Bret Lawrence]

Canton Public Golf Course-Canton, CT (NLE)
No listing in 1930-1931.
9 Holes, 3,068 Yards, Par 36: Modern Scorecard (prior to course closing)
Designed by Robert J. Ross. Established in 1932.

Canton Public Golf Course lasted until the late 1990’s, early 2000’s before it was developed into a shopping center. Canton was one of the few courses open for winter golf in the area, so I enjoyed many winter rounds here.  The shopping center developers restored and moved the golf club’s old barn which still stands on the property today.  You can still see where a few holes existed in the surrounding property. One hole was actually across the street from the shopping center, but its fate was the same. One bunker remains in the garden landscape outside the shopping center as a reminder.

1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.

Cheshire Country Club-Cheshire, CT (NLE)
No listing in 1930-1931
5 Holes.
Designed by: Unknown Established in 1917

See Reply 95 below for more information.

1934 Aerial

Chippanee Country Club-Bristol, CT
9 Holes, 3,165 Yards, Par 35: 1930-1931 American Annual Golf Guide
Designed by Herbert C. Lagerblade. Established in 1924.

I wish I had more information on Herbert Lagerblade handy, but I will try to summarize from memory. He purchased the patent rights for the steel shaft from A.F. Knight and was hugely responsible for the success of steel shafted clubs.  For many years they were made in Bristol, Connecticut and you may have even seen the old advertisements for Bristol Steel Shafts.  His company was called the Horton Manufacturing Company and they also produced steel fly rods.

Herbert Lagerblade was a former professional at the Country Club of Buffalo and was reported as one of Ross’ teaching assistants at Pinehurst in the winter.  He appeared to be a very good player who had been associated with Pequabuck (formerly Highland) in Terryville, before breaking off to Chippanee, which is only 3 miles away. I will try to add some articles at a later time.

History of steel shafts written by Herbert Lagerblade can be found here:
https://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/golfd/article/1954jul52.pdf

Lagerblade designed the front nine in 1924 and a second nine was added by “members” in the 1950’s, according to the previous club’s history. (Chippanee Golf Club)

Herbert Lagerblade advertised as one of the pros at Pinehurst in 1919.

Herbert Lagerblade leaving the professional golf ranks.  Youngstown, Ohio and Pinehurst are mentioned:


Chippanee Country Club opens in 1924:


1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial



Clarkhurst Ranch Golf Course, East Hampton, CT (NLE)
No listing in 1930-1931. 9 Holes.
Designed by:Unknown. Established in the 1920’s.

This is a recent find from Jim Kennedy and I don’t have a lot of information on this particular course. Maybe Jim can chime in at some point?

Sven included some information in reply 100 . The Clarkhurst Ranch golf course was located in East Haddam on the old estate of George, Henry and Thomas Clark. The 9-hole golf course ran along the shore of the Connecticut River.  Once the golf course was built, the estate appears to have become a resort. Today the Clarkhurst Ranch estate is home to George Dudley State Park.

1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.

[Tim Martin]

Bret-Great stuff!!! Is it your understanding that Lagerblade’s only new commission was Chippanee? What info do you have on Great Hill in Seymour?

[V. Kmetz]

UPDATED 1934 CONNECTICUT AERIAL LIST

.....

CONNECTICUT FORMER COURSES NLE BY 1934 AERIAL
Alfred Pope Private Estate Course, Farmington, Unknown, 06454 (NLE)
Danbury Golf Club, Danbury, Unknown, 07400 (NLE)
Danielson Golf Club, Danielson, Unknown, 01077 (NLE). FKA-Quinebaug Golf Club
Ethel Walker Golf Course, Simsbury, Unknown, 09529 (NLE)
Indian Neck Golf Course, Branford, Unknown, 05583 (NLE)

A lifelong area resident, I have no knowledge of what is referenced as "Danbury Golf Club"... I am familiar with these CT and many other aerials, and I re-scanned throughout the map zone 07400 and see no evidence of a course.


However, if you look at maps 3950 and 7396, which covers the vertically-orientated Danbury/Bethel boundary line, you will see an 9-hole NLE (almost dead center in 3950) which I knew as Terre Haute Golf Course, and disappeared as the 70s became the 80s, It was closer to an executive course than a true 9-holer, with only 3 "two shot" holes out of 9.  Most of its property is now the site of a Clarke Industrial Park whose street address in in Bethel. Perhaps this is the thing that came to be listed as Danbury Golf Club.


20-25 Years ago, there was a burgeoning effort to create a new 18-hole public (o-o or municipal?) encompassing the remaining old Terre Haute parcel and adjacent lands, but public support was lukewarm and its general location nearing a watershed made for ultimate doom.


  Other than Terre Haute, the only golf I've known to have existed in Danbury are the Emmet private track, Ridgewood Country Club, and local designer Ed Ryder's municipal Richter Park in 1970.  I'd love to hear more, if my understanding is faulty.
[size=78%] [/size]

[Bret Lawrence]

Tim,


Thanks.  I am not aware of any other courses Herbert Lagerblade designed.  I almost get the sense that Chippanee was his club, where he could test out his steel shafts, but I’d like to find more information on the beginning of the club.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he built a few holes at Pequabuck, but that is pure speculation.


Great Hill in Seymour was an Al Zikorus design from 1960.  I am not sure when it closed.


Vin,


Thank you for the addition of Terre Haute golf course, I had never heard of it before.  I will add that to the list. Danbury Golf Club, from what I understand was the predecessor to Ridgewood Country Club.  Danbury was likely out of existence by the early 1920’s when Ridgewood opened.  The site of the course is where Immaculate High School is today.  Danbury was listed on the original list as if it was an active golf course,  However, I agree with you that a golf course can not be seen in this frame.  I moved this course to a new category.  Every course in this category only shows the land where the former course existed. I didn’t completely eliminate it from the list, because I wanted to keep this list consistent with the original.


Bret

[Bret Lawrence]

Clinton Country Club-Clinton, CT (NLE)
No listing in 1930-1931.
9 Holes.
Designed by: Unknown. Established in 1895.

Clinton Country Club still exists today, but the course shown in this aerial does not. This golf course was the club’s second course. The Clinton Country Club moved to this site in 1921 and used this course until the 1950’s.  In the 1950’s the club moved to their third and current site, which is home to an 18-hole Geoffrey Cornish design.

1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.

Cogswell Brook Golf Club-Ellington, CT (NLE)
9 Holes.
Designed by: Unknown. Established in 1933

This course is a new addition to the original list.  Sven discovered this course recently and sent over a small amount of information and the aerial below.  This course was located in Ellington, close to Rockville and no longer exists.

Hartford Courant., June 23, 1933

1934 Aerial


Country Club of Fairfield, Fairfield, CT
18 Holes, 6,588 Yards, Par 71: 1930-1931 American Annual Golf Guide
Designed by Seth Raynor. Established in 1914.

The Country Club of Fairfield was established in 1914, but the golf course wasn’t completed until 1921.  This aerial shows the original Seth Raynor design. Several alterations were made to the course by A.W. Tillinghast, Robert Trent Jones and Geoffrey Cornish after 1934.

Routing from a 1928 Scorecard

USGA Museum, Seagle Archives.

1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial


Country Club of Fairfield is featured in one of the “Courses by Country” write-ups.  If anyone would like more information or photographs, you can find it here:
https://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/

Country Club of Farmington, Farmington, CT
18 Holes, 6,300 Yards, Par 72: 1930-1931 American Annual Golf Guide
Designed by Devereux Emmet in 1924. Established in 1896.

Country Club of Farmington dates back to 1896. They recently went through a renovation and aggressive tree clearing program to get it more in line with the 1934 design. Emmet made further recommendations to the club in the 1930’s that were not carried out until after he had passed away.  One of his recommendations was to design the 17th hole similar to the 18th hole at Wampanoag and to finish with a Par 3.  These plans were eventually carried out by other architects. The holes you see across the Farmington River in the modern aerial belong to Tunxis Country Club, formerly Tunxis Plantation Golf Course.

Story about the Little Red Clock Shop dating back to 1790. This building is still used as the Pro Shop today:
https://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/golfd/article/1959feb38.pdf

Postcard photo of the clubhouse:

Farmington Magazine


1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial

[Sven Nilsen]

Bret:


Do you have anything on a Berlin Construction GC located in Berlin, CT?  The only mention I've seen of it is in the 1926 AAGC.


Also be interested in any information on Cheshire CC, which was claimed to be the first country club owned and operated by African Americans in the United States.


Sven

[Sven Nilsen]

Bret-Great stuff!!! Is it your understanding that Lagerblade’s only new commission was Chippanee? What info do you have on Great Hill in Seymour?

Lagerblade designed and built Conneault Lake CC in PA in 1917, with the course being expanded to 18 later on by Scott Robson.


He also designed Greenville CC in 1917 and Corry CC in 1920, both in PA and worked with Loeffler in 1920 in expanding Highland (aka Bellevue).

[Bret Lawrence]

Bret:


Do you have anything on a Berlin Construction GC located in Berlin, CT?  The only mention I've seen of it is in the 1926 AAGC.


Also be interested in any information on Cheshire CC, which was claimed to be the first country club owned and operated by African Americans in the United States.


Sven

Sven,


I don’t have anything on Berlin Construction GC.  I went to find it in the 1926 AAGG to try to understand the context, but I couldn’t find it.  What town was it listed under? I checked most of the other golf guides and couldn’t find it in there either. Berlin is a town in Connecticut, but I have never noticed a listing for it.  Shuttle Meadow which is actually in Berlin was always listed as New Britain.

The one Connecticut entry that I question in the 1926 Golf Guide is Colonial Country Club in Greenwich. It’s listed under construction in 1926, 1927 and 1928 and then never mentioned again after that.  I’m curious if anyone has ever heard of this club or know of its location?

I have never heard that story about Cheshire Golf Club or Honey Pot Country Club.  I don’t really have a lot of information on the course, but I did recently find this local article including some of its history. I’d be interested to learn more.


https://cheshirepedia.org/article/from-honey-pot-country-club-to-cheshire-golf-club-to-condos-part-i-the-1930s-and-40s/


Bret

[Bret Lawrence]

Country Club of New Canaan-New Canaan, CT
9 Holes, 3,000 Yards, Par 37: 1930-1931 American Annual Golf Guide
Designed by Willie Park Jr. Established in 1899.

Country Club of New Canaan dates back to 1899.  Willie Park Jr. is credited with this design, but no one seems to know exactly when Willie was here. Park claims this course in one of his later advertisements, but that is about the extent of information we have on this course’s design.

Walter Travis was hired by the club to design a second nine holes in the 1920’s.  You can see the cleared corridors from his design in this 1934 aerial.  The club ran out of money during clearing putting the project on hold.  In the late 1940’s Alfred Tull was hired to extend the course to 18 holes and he followed many of the corridors left behind by Travis. The club has made several modifications to the course over the years leaving few Willie Park originals. The club is currently in the middle of a renovation.  Since this modern aerial was taken a new Par 3, 10th hole has been designed by Andrew Green to replace the Par 4 that existed prior. (Lower-right of the modern aerial)

Old Photo of today’s 7th hole-June 27, 1962:

O.J. Noer/Milorganite Image Collection, MsU Turfgrass Information Center.
Alfred Tull is constructing the course his father started building 23 years prior:
Golfdom., July 1946:


Alfred Tull’s new back 9 opened at New Canaan. Reconstructed front 9 to open Labor Day 1947.
Golfdom., August 1947:


1940’s Layout of the golf course:


1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial


Country Club of Waterbury, Waterbury, CT
18 Holes, 6,240 Yards, Par 69: 1929 American Annual Golf Guide
Designed by Donald J. Ross in 1926. Established in 1908.


Ross designed the Country Club of Waterbury course in 1926 and later claimed it to be one of the most difficult pieces of property he had ever worked with.  There appears to have been a course on the property prior to the Ross design, but I know very little about the club’s  earlier course.  Ross mentions pre-existing holes in his field notes, and it look like there are a few old, abandoned corridors on this aerial (in the far-right of the southern portion aerial). From his field notes, it sounds like Ross only had to work around the old course on a few holes with much of his design occupying new land.


Today's course doesn’t look all that different from what you see in 1934. The course has been evolving over the last few decades while staying true to its original design. 


I am breaking this course into two aerials to show more detail. I have the aerials rotated so that north is to the left.


1934 Aerial (Northern Portion)

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
1934 (Southern Portion)

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
1934 Aerial (Full Course)

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial

Apple Maps, 2023.

Country Club of Waterbury’s 3rd Hole: (1928, 1951, 2022j

1928 Construction Photo

1951 OJ Noer Slides

2022


More photos from Country Club of Waterbury 1951.
8th Hole (1951)

9th Hole (1951)

11th Green (1951)

All photos above from: Noer/Milorganite Image Collection, MSU Libraries Turfgrass Information Center.

Cumming Park Golf Course-Stamford, CT (NLE)
9 Holes, 2,100 Yards, Par 34: 1930-1931 American Annual Golf Guide
Designed by: Unknown. Established in 1922.


This is a new addition to the original list.  Cummings Park was listed in a few of the old golf guides.  This course was also listed on Ralph Kennedy’s list of over 3,000 courses he had played.  The land today is still referred to as Cummings Park, but the course no longer exists. It’s hard to make out an entire course on the aerial, but you can certainly spot a few holes.


1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.

[Bret Lawrence]

D. Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course-Fairfield, CT
36 Holes. Black and Red Courses
Designed by Robert White. Established in 1934


This aerial shows the Black Course just about fully grown in while the Red Course is still under construction. Beardsley Park Golf Course which was the only municipal golf course in Bridgeport prior to the construction of this course, closed shortly after D. Fairchild Wheeler opened. 


1934 Aerial showing the completed 18-hole Black course.

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
1934 Aerial (Both Courses)

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial


An old postcard picture of the clubhouse:

refriedjeanspostcards.com

The Bridgeport Municipal Golf Course was a brief Olmsted Associates project.  The Olmsted Bros. suggested Wayne Stiles as golf architect.  Stiles even made a site visit.  There are several pages in the Archives dedicated to Stiles.  About half-way through the letters D. Fairchild Wheeler asks the Olmsted Bros. if they could use Robert White as golf architect. A few of the members of the golf committee were familiar with White from his consultation work at Brooklawn.  The letters also mention Walter Hatch and Donald Ross. The collection includes 22 pages of letters, most of them short.  It's an interesting look into the start of D. Fairchild Wheeler, and their golf architect selection:


Olmsted Associates Records: Job Files, 1863-1971; Files; 694; Public golf course; Bridgeport, Conn., 1930 | Library of Congress (loc.gov)


East Hartford Golf Club-East Hartford, CT. FKA Long Hill Country Club, East Hartford Country Club
9 Holes.
Designed by Orrin Smith. Established in 1930.


This aerial shows Orrin Smith’s original nine-hole design.  Al Zikorus later added 9 holes to make up today’s 18-hole course.


9-hole plan for the course from 1929. (The aerials below are rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise)



1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial


A brief description of the progress while East Hartford was under construction.


East Mountain Golf Course-Waterbury, CT. FKA-Waterbury Municipal Golf Course.
9 Holes.
Designed by Wayne Stiles & John Van Kleek. Established in 1934.


The Waterbury Municipal Golf Course opened with 9 holes right around the time this aerial was taken.  The first nine holes were designed while Stiles & Van Kleek were still partners. The construction plan for the first nine holes bears both of their names. The construction plan for the second nine holes only lists Wayne Stiles solo. This info comes from The Life and Work of Wayne Stiles by Bob Labbance and Kevin Mendik. The second nine was completed in 1934-1935. The stone clubhouse was also designed by Wayne Stiles and is currently undergoing a restoration.


Cornish and Whitten suggest the Gordon’s worked on the course around 1960, when they built Western Hills in Waterbury. Stephen Kay worked on the course in the early 2000’s and made a few changes to the original design out of necessity.  He swapped the par on today's 2nd and 16th holes creating a new green on 2 but preserving the original on 16. I think the 2nd green is the only green that isn’t original. The greens are certainly the highlight of the course. This has been the course I’ve called home the last four years.


The holes shown in this aerial do not belong to any one nine today. If you ran the sequence of today's holes in relation to the 1934 aerial, you would play todays: 10th, 11th, 15th, 16th, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 18th.


1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial



18th green and clubhouse at East Mountain (Waterbury Municipal) Golf Course. August 28, 1941. This bunker on the left no longer exists.

Noer/Milorganite Images. MSU Turfgrass Information Center.

[Sven Nilsen]

Bret:

Berlin -

In the 1926 Annual Guide there's a section after the main course listing for courses the guide is seeking more information on, which is where you can find Berlin listed.

Colonial -

This is the only information I have on Colonial.  I have not seen anything confirming the course was actually built or opened.

April 15, 1924 -



Cheshire -

The story of the original Cheshire CC is best summed up here -

http://waterburythoughts.blogspot.com/2014/01/cheshire-country-club.html

Here's the 1934 aerial of my guess of the location of the club, as well as an early article noting a 5 hole course.



Dec. 14, 1919 Detroit Free Press -



Honey Pot -

Honey Pot, named for a famous trout stream, confusingly, would later be known as Cheshire CC.  It was built a bit east of the location of the Cheshire CC noted above.  Although the club had plans for 18 holes, only 9 were opened in 1930.

Nov. 21, 1929 Meriden Daily Journal -



June 20, 1930 The Journal -

[Bret Lawrence]

Sven,


Thank you for clarifying this information, I didn’t realize you were talking about two different golf courses/clubs.  Now I understand and I apologize for the confusion Thank you for including the information on Cheshire Country Club.  I’ve never heard of it until now and I am curious to learn more about it.


Do you think there are still golf holes in this 1934 aerial? I am having trouble determining if a few courses are very rudimentary and seasonal (where they might hay the course in May) vs. Are they already gone?


I cannot find anything on the Berlin Construction Club in the Hartford Courant after a few quick searches. I also can’t find any mentions of the pro E. J. Patience.


Bret

[Bret Lawrence]

Edgewood Golf Club, Cromwell, CT. (NLE) FKA Middletown Golf Club.
Current site of TPC at River Highlands.
18 Holes. 6,461 yards, Par 72: 1930-1931 Annual Golf Guide
Designed by Robert J. Ross/Maurice Kearney. Established in 1927.

Today, this is the site of TPC at River Highlands. The former club, Edgewood Golf Club was originally known as Middletown Golf Club, opening in 1928 and changing names in 1934.  The course you see in the aerial was designed by Robert J. Ross and Maurice Kearney.  The golf course was constructed by Orrin Smith and no longer exists in this form.

Early story on Middletown Golf Club, later called Edgewood Gol Club.
The Hartford Courant., April 29, 1928:



1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial-TPC at River Highlands


E. Gaynor Brennan Golf Course-Stamford, CT. FKA-Hubbard Heights Golf Club
18 Holes, 6,113 Yards, Par 72: 1930-1931 American Annual Golf Guide
Designed by Maurice McCarthy. Established in 1922.

This course was listed incorrectly on the original list.  The slide for this course should be 04121. This course was originally called Hubbard Heights Golf Club and today operates as a municipal golf course in the City of Stamford.

Old postcard photo of the golf xourse:




1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial


Enfield Golf Club-Enfield, CT (NLE)
No listing in 1930-1931.
Designed by: Unknown. Established: Unknown.

I have very little information on this course.

1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.

[Bret Lawrence]

Farmingbury Hills Golf Course-Wolcott, CT.  FKA Mattatuck Golf Club,
Chase Country Club
9 Holes, 3,000 Yards, Par 36: 1930-1931 American Annual Golf Guide
Designed by Robert D. Pryde. Established in 1924.

Mattatuck Golf Club was 1931 US Open winner, Billy Burke’s first job as a pro.  At the time he took the job, he was known as William Burkowski.  This course is still very much intact.  One or two additional greens have been added for variety when playing 18, but the original routing is the same.  It’s one of the few courses in CT you can still hit your tee shot across a main road. (Shennecossett being another)

An article from 1924 announcing William Burkowski as pro and Robert Pryde as supervising the development of the golf course.  This article was sent to me from Anthony Pioppi.
Waterbury American., July 21, 1924:


1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial



Fenwick Golf Course-Old Saybrook, CT
9 Holes, 2,585 Yards, Par 34: 1930-1931 American Annual Golf Guide
Designed by: Unknown. Established in 1896.


Fenwick is one of the oldest golf courses in the state, playing golf on the property as early as 1894. The routing you see in the 1934 aerial looks the same as what we play today, but the bunkers and many of the greens look like they may have been updated after the 1938 Hurricane.  The course claims that the 6th green is from the original course in the 1890’s and is the oldest green in the state in continuous use.


1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.
Modern Aerial



Glastonbury Public Golf Course-Glastonbury, CT (NLE). FKA Williams Memorial Golf Course
No listing in 1930-1931
Designed by: Unknown. Established in: Unknown.


This is a new addition to the original list.  This course was discovered recently from the list of golf courses Ralph Kennedy played.  Very little additional information has been found for this course. This course no longer exists.


1934 Aerial

Connecticut State Library, State Archive Record Group 089:11a, Records of the Department of Transportation.

This postcard from Cardcow.com helped me determine the location.

[Sven Nilsen]

Bret:


Glastonbury Public GC was previously known as Williams Memorial GC, the earliest mention of which I've found comes from 1927.


In the 1938 Guide there's a listing for Glastonbury CC, which is probably the same course.  No information is provided.


Sven

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