Club History Cont 2
A non-profit corporation known as Columbia Hills Country Club, Inc. (CHCC), was formed in 1932 by the private portion of the club members, Columbia Hills Country Club then being a semi-private organization. In 1938, CHCC purchased the Columbia Hills Country Club from George L. Williams, who was unable to continue to handle the club because of serious health difficulties, culminating in his decease in June, 1938. Provision was made in the Contract of Sale for Henry to serve on the Board of Trustees representing George’s interest and Henry continued to serve on the Board representing his Aunt Marion Williams who inherited the Club from George.
The ownership and operation of the Club by CHCC was ill-fated, The Board and members operated as a strict “private” club and were unable to make their payments, so that a “friendly” foreclosure in 1944 returned ownership to Marion Williams with Henry representing her, and Johnny Randall continuing as Club Pro and Manager.
John’s Chef and principal assistant in the Clubhouse was “Burky” a huge 350 lbs. Who ran the kitchen from a large chair built especially for him adjacent to the kitchen, and where candy bars and light refreshments were kept, and Burky always had a great pile of change lying on his table and anyone, selecting refreshments, made his own change without any security or assistance from Burky. Burky was with the Club for some 32 years and passed away in 1961 and he was the most familiar figure at the Clubhouse because of his size, and, also, for his friendship to the caddies who were his best customers for refreshments. He knew that the caddies always made their change with a few cents benefit to themselves, but never complained.
The Greens Superintendent for some 20 years (1939-1959) was Lester Dayton who lived and raised his family in the old farmhouse on the west side of the golf course, that is westerly from the 15 tee and No 7 tee. He was responsible for many of the good results of the golf course. He also was famous for putting on the Columbia Hills Clam Bake which was an annual treat for the membership. He loved Columbia Hills so much that he was known, after a few beers at Ann & Andy’s, to claim that he was the owner of Columbia Hills. It can be truly said that he lived and died on the golf course because, on his final day, he passed away from a heart attack while working on the golf course.
In 1949, Marion L. Williams announced that she was ready to sell the Club and she said that she would give Henry the first right of refusal to buy at her price. So, at the close of the 1949 golf season, the Club was conveyed to Henry J. Williams and he owned and operated the course for 13 years until January 1, 1963.
Henry operated the Club (1949-1962) in a semi-private manner with Johnny Randall still the pro, Burky the chef and Lester Dayton the greens superintendent. Each did a wonderful job. During the 13 years of ownership by Henry a new men’s locker room was constructed, new showers, restrooms, area for card players, and the swimming pool and present bathhouse.
Johnny Randall passed away in 1958 and after a few interim golf pros, Ed Brosky, Sr. took over and held the position until his health deteriorated so that he had to hand over the reins to his son, Ed Brosky, Jr.
In 1962, the Officers and Board of Trustees of Columbia Hills Country Club, Inc. (CHCC) began serious discussions with Henry for the purpose of acquiring membership ownership of the Course, Henry having indicated that he would like to move to a warmer climate and be relieved of the strenuous obligations of operating a club of this kind as a one-man operation. The negotiations culminated in the purchase of the CHCC under a Land Contract purchase arrangement of the real estate, all equipment, furnishings and everything that comprised Columbia Hills Country Club at a purchase price of $800,000.00.