EARLY HISTORY OF THE GOLF IN MIDDLEBURY: Pre-1921
Golf in Middlebury had its origins in the late 19th and
early 20th centrury, when several holes were laid out to the rear of the Chapman place. This was located...... Detail of the exact layout or number of holes is no longer part of the public record, but it is likely that tees and greens differed little from the pasture fairways, where sheep were likely to graze. Before this time, the nearest golf facilities wer the nine hole courses in Grosse Pointe, Hyde Manor, and a nine hole course just west of Port Henry which, incidentally, still operates today, and apparently little changed.
FORMATION OF THE MIDDLEBURY COUNTRY CLUB: 1920'S
Formal golf in Middlebury really began in 1921 with the formation of the Middlebury Country Club. The prime mover in developing the old Middlebury Country Club course was Philip Manchester. Land was leased at what was the Remele farm. located south on Route 30 about one-quarter mile from the present-day entrance of the Ralph Myhre Golf Course at the base of the hill on the bottom land. Nothing remains today of this initial nine hole course, but the first four holes headed north from the road, hole five turned west onto the rocky ridge, and the final four holes turned south back to Route 30.
Early members included names familiar to many in the Middlebury community: Wainwright, Fletcher, Wells, Stewart, Moody, Weston, Wriston et al. Apparently, the Middlebury Country Club members were relatively casual in their attire, and avoided the "affected" golfing look...such as knickers and sporty headware...of more urban clubs. The standard golf bag in the 20's consisted of a driver, brassie,mid-iron, mashie, niblick and putter. Much like today, where every new club innovation holds the promise of a scoring breakthroughs, personal bests and won wagers, some members couldn't resist investing in a spoon and a mashie to give them a scoring edge. And much like today, a few extra minutes here and there practicing chipping and putting would likely have done more to improve scores than buying the latest fad in clubs.
The first pro in 1923 was a member of the college football team by the name of Al Quackenbush who knew little about the game of golf. The course was altered in 1926 with the building of a new first and second hole. Manchester died in 1926 and in 1927 the Manchester Cup, which is still played for annually, was presented to the club. In conjunction with the sprinkler system installed in 1978 the pumphouse was built by Theron Wolcott and dedicated in Manchester's name.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE "ORIGINAL NINE"
In September of 1927 the club purchased the "Mathews" property consisting of about 108 acres. At that time the club was incorporated for $50,000 in shares of $100 each with Mrs. Charles M. Swift as the largest stockholder. In July of 1929 the new clubhouse was opened and Ben Beck, who was the college football coach, was named as the new pro.
Shortly after the course opened the stock market crashed and in 1936 the club had to mortgage its property. The course was not used during World War II. After the war it was leased to Middlebury College for a term of 10 years and the College spent a great deal of time and money during this period putting it back into shape. At the same time the College acquired the shares of all the stockholders, largely by gift. On November 13, 1963, the stockholders voted to transfer the assets of the club to Middlebury College on its assumption of the current mortgage, and to dissolve the corporation.
In the 1960s, Ralph Myhre took over the management of the course and it was his dream to see it turned into an 18-hole facility. He was able to get this project in motion in 1974 and it was finally completed in 1978. The new 18-hole facility, with its complete watering system and scenic beauty, is now one of the finest in Vermont. The new course has been appropriately named the Ralph Myhre Golf Course. Howard Kelton, who assisted Ralph for many years, was the manager for several years, before Jim Dayton, PGA, took over in the late '90s. George "Dud" Phinney was the teaching pro at the course from 1952 though the '90s.
The final touch was the building in the 1980s of the John and Barbara Kirk Conference Center at the course which contains the pro shop, snack bar and locker facilities on the lower level.