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(1940-1950)
All summer resorts were struggling to survive and York was no exception. Wartime restrictions curtailed activities at the country club which had not yet recovered from the depression period.
America's entry into the war following the attack at Pearl Harbor made the situation even more critical. Food and gasoline were rationed and travel by non-military personnel was severely restricted. The draft claimed many of the younger members. Older men, who were involved in war-time business activities, found vacation time unpredictable. Many of the York Harbor summer homes were not opened. Some were sold to war workers who came for jobs at the Navy Yard and were unable to find housing.
In May of 1942, the Governing Board of York Country Club held a special meeting in New York City. They attended at their own expense because there was virtually no money in the treasury. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the problems brought about by the war. In spite of the uncertainties of automobile travel, military restrictions in coastal areas and other such matters, the Board concluded that every effort should be made to operate the club during the coming season.
All the board members felt that the future of the club would be jeopardized if the facilities were closed down. The golf course and the tennis courts would soon deteriorate to a point where post war rehabilitation would be prohibitively expensive. A full season of neglect would probably ruin the putting greens.
In the meantime, several fund-raising plans were put into operation by the treasurer at the request of the governors. They voted a schedule of dues and charges for "supporting hotels" in the area. The fee for hotels accommodating more than 100 guests was set at $100. Hotels having rooms for at least 50 guests but less than 100, would pay a fee of $60 for the season. Overnight guests at supporting hotels could play golf for $1.75 and tennis for $.60. Similar arrangements were available for smaller hotels outside the Town of York.
Several of the larger establishments were approached for a donation or deferred loan to provide operating funds for the club until enough people arrived to support the operation with cash from green fees and memberships. The town assessors were asked to consider a temporary reduction in the assessed evaluation. The York Beach and York Harbor Village Corporations were asked for direct contributions to keep the club open.
The success of the fund-raising program enabled the club to survive the 1942 season. The golf course was kept in good condition because William Wilson would have it no other way. Wilson, Jim Holland and Will Grant made every effort to keep things going in spite of seemingly insurmountable problems. However, it was obvious that the war was not going to be over before another season rolled around. At the close of the 1942 season, plans were already in operation to insure that the facilities would be able to open in the spring.
Fergus Reid, Jr., headed a special committee that was formed to consider reorganizing the club so that local people could be admitted to membership. The plan was to organize a new membership corporation, without shares of stock, which would lease and operate the club property for a term of years.
Fergus Reid Jr. headed a special committee that was formed to consider reorganizing the club so that local people could be admitted to membership. The plan was to organize a new membership corporation, without shares of stock, which would lease and operate the club property for a term of years. The rental would be sufficient to pay taxes, interest, insurance and amortization of the mortgage. Membership in the new club would include both permanent residents and summer residents who would have exclusive voting power to organize and elect a board of governors that was truly representative of both the summer and permanent residents of York and vicinity. Membership would entitle the holder to all club privileges without additional charge.
There was no hope of receiving municipal assistance for the 1943 season so the governors sought the services of Gene Sewall to help them organize the new membership club. News that Frank Marshall was planning to open both hotels provided a ray of hope when it was most needed. Although the new plan was not in effect at the opening of the season, donations from the Marshall House, Emerson Hotel, York Harbor Village Corporation and "friends" helped to get work started in the spring.
On July 27, 1943, the following notice was sent to the shareholders of York Country Club:
In light of the financial difficulties which were encountered during the season of 1942, the Governing Board decided that steps must be taken well in advance of the 1943 season, to secure financial support sufficient to warrant the opening of the Club. Several plans were discussed and it was finally decided to form a new non-profit membership club under the name of York Golf and Tennis Club, which would make an appeal for a large number of full season memberships, irrespective of the use which the members might make of the club facilities, and to provide for the operation and maintenance of the club property by the new club, in consideration of its paying the fixed and maintenance charges. This was accomplished in the spring of the year and the response was quite gratifying. As a result, the grounds were put in shape for carrying on the usual golf and tennis activities and deterioration prevented thanks in large measure to Messrs Wilson, Grant, Holland anc others. The management of the two clubs is practically identical. The authorization and confirmation of such an arrange ment by the stockholders will be one of the important items o business which will come before the stockholders meeting. Th( Governing Board believe that the authority should be given to the Board to continue such an arrangement by means of i lease or otherwise as being the best method for insuring the preservation of the club property.
They also proposed to sell about two acres of the club's land fr the Town of York. This land, north of Indian Trail road, had not beei used for many years and the town wanted to acquire it for school ath letic purposes. It was proposed that the purchase price be applied t the payment of taxes or reduction of the mortgage, or both.
The shareholders approved the proposals of the Board of Governors and the York Golf and Tennis Club assumed responsibility for the operation of club facilities. Membership was opened to permanent residents of the town of York and several of them became members of the new Board of Governors. This was a dramatic turning point in the history of the club and the beginning of a national movement that would eventually make golf and tennis popular middle class activities.
The recreational and social facilities available to the members of the York Golf and Tennis Club did not resemble the lavish accommodations at the "York Country Club" in the pre-war period. Mary Noble was no longer directing operations at the club house and the building was closed to members. The tennis pro lived there, but leaks in the roof and cracks in the plaster made it a dismal habitat. The caddy house and Flossie Holland's "nineteenth hole" were also closed. Jim Holland was made responsible for the caddies, the ladies locker room, and the concessions, in addition to his regular duties in the men's locker room. In spite of war-time restrictions, he was able to obtain candy and soft drinks to sell to the caddies. "Pecan Petes" and other unusual brands appeared on his shelf, one box at a time. They were stored in a large, metal-lined ice box which Jim kept securely locked.
Golf balls and tees were about the only golf supplies that Willie Wilson had for sale. When the pro shop was closed, Jim agreed to handle these items from his concession area in the locker room. Lack of shelf space prevented Wilson from leaving a large stock of balls, but he stopped by each day carrying a fresh supply in a large leather bag that served him for many years.
There were no funds for maintenance and the buildings became shabby from neglect. William Wilson continued to care for the golf course with meager funds and a small crew. The club house was virtually abandoned, many of the tennis courts were deserted and the lawns became choked with weeds.
All available manpower was recruited for essential war work. This included many high school boys who worked special shifts at the Navy Yard. It was impossible to hire able men to maintain the course and strained finances ruled out any attempt to compete with the wages that were being offered to defense workers. Several of the larger caddies were employed to help on the course and Wilson worked right along with them. He soon learned that the boys weren't strong enough to push the hand mower that was used on the greens. Undaunted, he tied a rope on the front of the mower and with one boy pulling and another pushing, the greens were kept in fine shape.
Caddies were scarce enough without losing the bigger boys to the grounds crew. Most of the available boys were so small that the golfers had to switch to light canvas "Sunday bags" containing a few essential clubs. Six or eight young women reported for work and were immediately pressed into service. They were assigned to a special bench in front of the locker room which was off-limits to the other caddies. Several of the young women were larger than the male caddies and Jim didn't have to do them any favors when jobs were being assigned.
On June 5, 1945, Germany was placed under the supervision of an Allied Control Council and divided into four occupation zones. A great air offensive was launched against the Japanese homeland and, in August, atomic bombs obliterated Hiroshima and Nagasaki. V-J Day marked the end of World War II and homesick American servicemen began counting the points that would win them a discharge.
The impending Allied victory did little to change the summer activities in York. Caddy fees were increased from $1.25 to $1.50 for eighteen holes. There was hope that the increase in fees would attract some of the larger boys from jobs created by the labor shortage. During the early war years, golfers had been willing to settle for a caddy of any size. By 1945, they were beginning to ask for "one of the bigger boys."
The number of members did not increase significantly between 1944 and 1945. The actual breakdown was forty-one summer memberships, twenty-four resident memberships and three Army-Navy memberships. Daily tennis did increase, however, and the club house was opened to serve tea on tennis afternoons.
The expected post-war revival never materialized. In 1946 and 1947, a number of house lots were sold to provide funds for taxes and operating expenses.
The expected post-war revival never materialized. In 1946 and 1947, a number of house lots were sold to provide funds for taxes and operating expenses. Although the receipts increased by nearly $5,000, so did the expenses. The club was badly in need of motorized maintenance equipment. In fact, the need for a power mower became so acute that Fergus Reid,Jr. and Harold Richard donated one to the club.
Wilson reopened the pro shop and hired Robert Moulton so be caddymaster. Bob also sold golf balls, repaired clubs and scheduled lessons with the professional. Wilson never did restock his pro shop to the pre-war level. There were a few clubs, canvas bags, balls and tees. He felt that it was too late in his career to become involved with restocking a pro shop.
During the 1948 season, the members of the York Country Club agreed to renew the lease to the York Golf and Tennis Club for another five year period. By this action, they extended the plan of dual organizations with overlapping memberships and a profusion of officers, governors and meetings.
The club was far from self-supporting and donations were sought to finance the purchase of a new tractor and to meet operating expenses. The Town of York abated over $850 in 1948 real estate taxes and was requested to do the same in 1949. The club house was in bad condition and was rarely used by the members. It was opened for an occasional summer wedding reception or cocktail party, but the cracked plaster and peeling paint discouraged many prospective clients.
The "war" could no longer be blamed for the problems of the decaying country club that had once boasted an illustrious membership that was second to none. Lucien Horton made an amazingly accurate prediction when he said, "More use by residents and guests is our hope for a continuing operation that will be a credit to the community."
by Florence Amelia Paul On July the fourth was the visit to the club of Don Budge, world famous tennis player and professional champion. People began to arrive long before it was time for the professional matches to begin on Saturday afternoon, the porches were crowded and all of the seats on the embankment were taken. It was estimated that some three hundred people watched the matches. Although the guest player won the singles matches, York Country Club members were extremely proud of the play of tennis professional Malcolm Hill, of Exeter. Mr. Hill expertly returned many of the world renowned "shots" of his opponent, returning the ball so skillfully that his playing won him well-merited applause. Spectators were present from Kittery, Ogunquit, Portsmouth and Kennebunk.
The Old York Transcript, Friday, July 12,1940
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