Delray Beach Golf Club

History

Delray…Delray Beach Golf Club
Sandra Eriksson
Revised 12/04

What do Delray Beach Golf Club and Pebble Beach Golf Links share, other than the word “Beach” in their names? At first glance, one would say, “nothing”! True, they both are public facilities but Pebble Beach is a world-renowned links course while Delray Beach is a quietly bustling inland track in one of the sleepier small towns in the middle of Florida’s Gold Coast. But upon closer look, one notes that, not unlike Pebble Beach, Delray Beach Golf Club has a wonderful history and heritage that rivals some of the most prestigious private clubs of the land.

From the very beginning, Delray Beach GC was destined to have distinction in many circles because it was designed by the legendary golf course architect Donald Ross. The City of Delray Beach had purchased land for the course in 1923 and a nine hole course was officially opened in 1926. That course continued in operation until forced to close because of World War II. After reopening the course in 1945, the City leaders voted to add a second nine holes which opened in 1950.

But the real story of Delray Beach Golf Club is not so much about the facility…although its history goes on through a third nine-hole addition (1962); three private owners; a re-purchase of 18 holes by the City (1978); and, three different clubhouses (1955, 1976 and 1995)…as it is about the people who frequent the facility! The members, the residents, the “Inner Circle,” the “Beach Boys,” the “Wolf Pack,” the ladies’ Tuesday “Playmates,” and the pros …and were there ever pro’s!

It seems it all started when the “touring” professionals, on their way to Miami to play would stop over in Delray to loop the excellent Ross-designed layout. As Betty Jameson, LPGA Hall of Fame member and long-time Delray resident, recalls, “It was accurate in
measurement, had excellent fairways and exceptional drainage.” In fact, it was listed as one of the top ten courses in the country at the time! As word spread, more and more players and club professionals began “hanging” at DBGC.

Around the same time the locals were playing their share of the game as well. In 1949 eight “young” men (over 60!) began gathering early on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays to play. Soon they were joined by others and, in 1952, they gave themselves the name, “The Inner Circle.” The group was first brought to the attention of the world outside Delray Beach in 1955 when Jimmy Burns, writing for the Miami Herald, featured a story of 75 year-old Frank Truxal’s first hole-in-one after 48 years of golf and 340,690 shots!

Although there was lively competition among the players, no handicaps or prizes were given out until 1957 when golf course architect Dick Wilson gave a dozen golf balls to the group and suggested they be given as prizes. Formal competitions did not begin until 1966, but nevertheless, it is generally accepted that his group was, in fact, the first ‘senior’s group in Florida. And, not surprisingly, the “Circle” is still strong and walking nine on Mondays and Fridays

But, even before the “Inner Circle” became completely organized, the inner circle of pros at Delray Beach was growing. The names read like a ‘who’s who” of thirty years of American golf: Sarazen, Bolt, Snead, Nelson, Tom Creavy, Tommy Aaron, Walter Hagen, Lou Graham, and Jim Dent. And the brightest and best of women’s golf as well: Glenna Collete Vare, Betty Jameson, Louise Suggs, Patty Berg, Peggy Kirk Bell, Carol Mann, Marilynn Smith, Betsy Rawls and Mickey Wright, who lived in a home adjacent to the old 17th (now the 8th) fairway. Matter of fact, an LPGA Tour event was held at Delray Beach Golf Club in 1967. Former superintendent Art Nock painted the fairways green as the temperature plummeted to 24 degrees; killed the Bermuda greens and tees the day before the Tour was to tee-it-up. Sometimes, even couples would come to Delray Beach, like Alice and Pete Dye and Bob and Marlene Hagge. Alice would leave a set of clubs in the ladies locker room and just pop over for a quick round.

In addition to the splendid golf course, Delray Beach Golf Club had another drawing card for these professionals, one master teacher by the name of Tommy Armour. Armour taught at DBGC for about 15 years. During that time the man and the legend gave rise to about 15,000 stories which still circulate regularly through the club today.

Among the most famous “Armour tales” are the ones concerning his favorite chair. The Throne because that’s what it looked like, was located at the bar. If one innocently sate down one was promptly stared out of it when Tommy entered the area. It was rumored for years that when he died The Throne was shipped to Notre Dame and that it sits there today. Reality says that Bob Hagge bought it and packed it away in a local storage unit.

Closely related to his “throne” tales are the stories of Armour’s assistant for those 15 years, Billy. Billy’s job was to tee up the ball for Tommy’s students and do whatever other tasks he needed done. Although no one’s sure of Billy’s real last name he will be forever known around Delray Beach as “Billy Whiskey” because that’s what Tommy always yelled, “Billy, Whiskey”!

But no stories are better known that the ones about Tommy Armour’s teaching. Like the one that says when he was bored with a lesson, he’d just turn his watch ahead. Then he’d look at the watch, show it to the puzzled student and say, “See you next week.”

Or the one about how he’d set all the girls (LPGA Tour players) down under the shade of the big ole’ Banyans to watch one of their fellow professionals perform and then give the performer difficult tasks to show their mettle under pressure. Or how he’d have every one of them swinging in unison down the line, prompting local wags to comment that it look like some sort of golfing chorus line.

Definitely it is the people who have made, and who continue to make Delray Beach Golf Club one of a kind. It seems innovators have always been associated with the club. In 1964 when the club was sold to a private owner, he asked at a dinner meeting of regulars for money to put in an air conditioner in exchange for a ten-year membership. He was pledged $100,000 on the spot and got not only his air conditioner but a new bar as well!

Long before it was fashionable to have a “lady” pro both Betty Jameson and Louise Suggs were teaching at Delray Beach Golf Club. In fact, the women amateurs at DBGC have always been a pretty active group as well. One woman golfer, Madeline Salman, recounts her first wagering game at the club. She was a fairly new golfer, having just moved to Florida after retirement but was game for a match anyway. When told the stakes were to be “five cents,” she thought, “Well I can handle five cents a hole.” Little did she know the wager was five cents for the match!

The stories would go on and on…for example, how many other clubhouses do you know that have hosted a wake? Bill Mudge, Inner Circle president from 1970-71 had no formal religious affiliation, so upon his death, his wake was held at the clubhouse. And, at his request, his ashes were scattered over the 18th fairway. Matter of fact, two other golfers’ remains are in the greenside bunker at 18. They occasionally get the best of some of our regulars and guests!

Having been affiliated with Delray Beach Golf Club for some 14 years now, I can understand why ole’ Bill Mudge wanted to stay here forever…it’s that kind of place. I felt the specialness of Delray Beach Golf Club the first time I entered the club’s driveway. It’s more than a golf club. It’s a bit of history. It’s a part of America’s golfing heritage. It’s full of bright futures---Delray Beach Golf Club is a great course in a great small city. “Pebble Beach - you’ve got nothing on us!”

P.S. In 2004, Mike O’Connor captured the course record, 63, (back tees) and he didn’t even birdie the back nine’s two par fives and only had 21 putts that day! Mike is the brother of Sean O’Connor, a previous head professional at Delray Beach Golf Club.

About the author: Sandra Eriksson is a member of the LPGA T&CP, has quite possibly found the perfect match for her interest in history (undergraduate degree) and sports administration (graduate work) at the Delray Beach Golf Club. A past director of research for the National Golf Foundation and regional sports director for the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, Sandra is the director of instruction for this municipal facility and is employed by JCD Sports Group, the Club’s managing firm. Eriksson was recognized as the 1999 LPGA Professional of the Year. In addition she is a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. In 2004 the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce presented Eriksson with the Ken Ellingsworth Community Service Award.