History
The Clayton Golf Club was organized in 1925. It was opened on May 28, 1927.
May Irwin, a silent film actress was the first person to hit a golf ball at the Clayton Golf Club. In the photograph, from the Thousand Islands Museum archives, she is the first woman standing from the left. May Irwin sponsored parties and dances to benefit the club. She was very interested in the golf club and did much to promote and maintain the organization.
Arthur L. Williams was the club’s first president. During his four years as president, a nine hole course and clubhouse were built. He was succeeded in 1929 by Crouse M. Klock. Mr. Klock was followed by J. Leslie Cummings. Floyd A. Tifft served after Mr. Cummings until 1946.
In 1946 Alvah A. Bertrand and Carl L. Bertrand who were brothers and long time Clayton residents purchased the club. Alvah Bertrand had been in charge of the club for ten years as a professional golfer and greens keeper. His wife was a hostess at the clubhouse. In 1983 Gerald “Smok” Girard purchased the club from Carl Bertrand who had owned it for 37 years. Smok & Sally Girard added a full service bar and snacks to the clubhouse which is still a great gathering place for fellow golfers today. Smok also added gas golf carts and built several more tee boxes over the years.
The photograph above takes us back to the late 1920’s. The efforts of the group above established a business that has served the area over 90 years in social, physical, and financial ways.
Amos Bazinet stands first on the left next to Don Bazinet. Sitting in front of the Bazinets is Irvin Wilder. Next, standing and towering everyone in this picture is Bob Fitzgerald followed by Clarence Hall. Then we see May Irwin next to Beulah Ford. The line continues to the right with Jimmie (perhaps May Irwin’s Chauffeur). The group continues with Helen Brooks, Mabel Cabel, Crouse Klock, Kenneth Haliday, & Bill Marshall. Francis Wagner, next was an uncle to Linda Schleher and Norm Wagner, Claytons town historian. Grendle Natali is standing last with Thomas Casselman sitting.
Since Smok Girard’s passing in 2004, Sally Girard and their daughter Lori Roberts continued working and making improvements on the golf course until its sale in 2015 to new local ownership and management. The new owners are year round Clayton residents. The Throop, Kittle and Grater Families invite you for year around enjoyment.
Photograph and subsequent information is courtesy of The Thousand Islands Museum. For more information, click here to visit the Thousand Islands Museum website.
May Irwin, a silent film actress was the first person to hit a golf ball at the Clayton Golf Club. In the photograph, from the Thousand Islands Museum archives, she is the first woman standing from the left. May Irwin sponsored parties and dances to benefit the club. She was very interested in the golf club and did much to promote and maintain the organization.
Arthur L. Williams was the club’s first president. During his four years as president, a nine hole course and clubhouse were built. He was succeeded in 1929 by Crouse M. Klock. Mr. Klock was followed by J. Leslie Cummings. Floyd A. Tifft served after Mr. Cummings until 1946.
In 1946 Alvah A. Bertrand and Carl L. Bertrand who were brothers and long time Clayton residents purchased the club. Alvah Bertrand had been in charge of the club for ten years as a professional golfer and greens keeper. His wife was a hostess at the clubhouse. In 1983 Gerald “Smok” Girard purchased the club from Carl Bertrand who had owned it for 37 years. Smok & Sally Girard added a full service bar and snacks to the clubhouse which is still a great gathering place for fellow golfers today. Smok also added gas golf carts and built several more tee boxes over the years.
The photograph above takes us back to the late 1920’s. The efforts of the group above established a business that has served the area over 90 years in social, physical, and financial ways.
Amos Bazinet stands first on the left next to Don Bazinet. Sitting in front of the Bazinets is Irvin Wilder. Next, standing and towering everyone in this picture is Bob Fitzgerald followed by Clarence Hall. Then we see May Irwin next to Beulah Ford. The line continues to the right with Jimmie (perhaps May Irwin’s Chauffeur). The group continues with Helen Brooks, Mabel Cabel, Crouse Klock, Kenneth Haliday, & Bill Marshall. Francis Wagner, next was an uncle to Linda Schleher and Norm Wagner, Claytons town historian. Grendle Natali is standing last with Thomas Casselman sitting.
Since Smok Girard’s passing in 2004, Sally Girard and their daughter Lori Roberts continued working and making improvements on the golf course until its sale in 2015 to new local ownership and management. The new owners are year round Clayton residents. The Throop, Kittle and Grater Families invite you for year around enjoyment.
Photograph and subsequent information is courtesy of The Thousand Islands Museum. For more information, click here to visit the Thousand Islands Museum website.