History

This is the second of a series of articles about the club’s history. Information about the club’s early years is from digitized copies of the Petaluma Argus Courier available at the Petaluma Library using Newspapers.com. The Press Democrat and the Oakland Tribune were also used. The club’s own records before 1943 have apparently been lost to history. However, the club’s minutes and other historical pieces from 1943 on remain.

Work Begins

Work on the golf course began Saturday, May 20 1922, under the supervision of golf architect William Locke, who had participated in the site selection in March. Red flags were used to indicate the location of each tee and green flags for each green. Work on the gravel road to the site was already in progress under the supervision of the contractor, S. E. Adams. By June 10, improvements to the road were nearly complete and sheep were put on the course to take care of the mowing.

The first golf in Petaluma was played on June 18, 1922 when the club president George. P. McNear tried out the new course in its rough state with temporary greens. Through the summer work continued on the course building the permanent greens and tee boxes. Ten thousand feet of water pipe and a pressure system were installed to connect to the city main on McNear Avenue. H.C. Scrutton, who was also a member of the Meadow Club in Fairfax, organized the work laying out the course under Mr. Locke’s supervision. In addition, work was nearing completion on the new shop and a store house by local contractor, Frank Emenegger.

The first golf instructor and grounds custodian, Thomas Leuchars, arrived with his family in mid-August and settled in a small cottage not too far from the course. He went to work to finalize work on five greens and the remaining aspects of the course and to get ready to instruct beginning members in the game of golf.

The Petaluma Golf and Country Club held its formal opening on Sunday, September 24, 1922, after being rescheduled from Sunday, September 17, 1922, due to a conflict with the Elks Club’s Oyster Bust, as many members belonged to both clubs. Nearly 350 people attended the opening and at 1 o’clock were served an elaborate luncheon al fresco.

After the luncheon, everyone gathered at the first tee (present day third). The father of the club and its greatest benefactor and enthusiast, George P. McNear, hit the first drive. Tom Leuchars, the club’s professional hit the second and H.P. Scrutton the third. Mrs. A. L. Phillips was the first female member to drive and Mrs. H.P. Scrutton the second. After the ceremony, many of the crowd played a round while others observed.

Many present had never been to a golf course nor seen a game of golf, prompting many questions. Nor had many in the crowd been up May’s hill and they were astonished by the work already completed and unable to believe they were in Petaluma. The panoramic views the site afforded and its beauty were lauded.

Later in the afternoon, plans were presented regarding the financing of the club house and other improvements. Mr. McNear announced an additional gift of approximately 20 acres bringing the total to 100 acres, laughingly saying that he had kept this splendid piece of property for 40 years just for use as a golf and country club.