Ticonderoga Golf Course turns 100

TICONDEROGA | 1925 was a big year for Ticonderoga. The Chamber of Commerce was founded, the Hancock House was built, and an idyllic piece of property on Route 9N that represented the best of the Adirondacks became home to a community institution. The Ticonderoga Golf Course (TGC) was established 100 years ago this year, and the upcoming 2025 season will be all about celebrating that tremendous centennial milestone, while thanking- and uniting- the community. "I have played a lot of clubs myself around the country, and Ticonderoga is very special," said Nick Lemma, TGC Centennial Committee member. "It really has been developed and it's the people who put a lot of time and energy into making it a really fabulous destination. Now we have golfers coming from all over to play on our course. It is a gem." TGC has withstood ten decades overlooking Lord Howe Valley. There is a mystique about the location, its wildly addicting nature coexists with its serene soul. If a person has ever had the pleasure of experiencing a summer sunset from the patio, they may truly wonder if in fact a Heaven does exist- and that is not hyperbole. "It's pure peace out here," noted Mickey Fitzgerald, lifelong Ti resident, golfer of 40 years, and 19th hole appreciator. Fitzgerald, now retired from the mill, spends his spring and summers at the club as a Pro Shop attendant. "It's nirvana." Revered golf instructor of the time, Scottish-born Seymour Dunn, proved talented not only on the green but as a designer as well, serving as the architect who brought the country club to life. The first nine holes opened in 1926, with 18 opening six years later. 200 members chartered the club in 1926, their annual dues amounting to $25.00 plus a Federal tax of $2.50. Greens fees for non-members were fixed at $1.00 per day or $5.00 per week. The club opened for play promptly at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 31 that year with the instructor A.J. Stearns on hand, a Silver Bay YMCA guest for the summer. Forty-eight hours before the club's opening, the Ticonderoga Sentinel prepped readers with anxious excitement, reporting that the course was in excellent condition and predicted TGC would be a power player in the expansion and prosperous growth of the town. Over the years, a number of golfing professionals have offered their services at Ticonderoga - Les Avery, Mike Doctor, Bill Duprey, Tony Fortino, Jack Giles, Tom Gunning. The longest-serving professional was George Mackey, who retired last year after 44 memorable and cherished years. "I don't think we would still be here if it wasn't for George Mackey," Lemma said. Though Mackey was humble about Lemma's praise, even he couldn't deny that over the years, his name also became synonymous with the country club. Starting there at the age of 25, his goal for TGC was always to make people comfortable, and to feel as he felt- that TGC was a home away from home. Over the years, he got to the point he knew 90 percent of people by name when they came through the doors. "It was an amazing community of golfers and a mix of local players and summer residents over the years," Mackey recalled. "The community has a great facility and hopefully people can enjoy it, and I hope the camaraderie that existed there will continue, that was always important to me. And it amazed me when I first came here how many people had a connection here, local folks and summer folks both. Just from viewing it from the outside even, and I think that still exists when people come. They develop an attachment to the place. I will always have a connection. Golf professional Tom Rancour has come aboard to replace Mackey, and will be embarking on his TGC journey this year. "I wish him nothing but the best and I am sure he'll do well," Mackey said. Many historical golfing figures have made a pilgrimage to TGC and walked upon its groomed fairways. In 1932, Bobby Criukshank (17 PGA Tour wins) and Wiffy Cox played 18 holes against the Ticonderoga golf pro and club champion. Gene Sarazen, who won the second Masters ever contested was also the first player to win the career Grand Slam. He fired a 74 at TGC in a 1940 exhibition round. In 1950, Jimmy Nichols, a world-famous one-armed golf star, shot a 73 at TGC. Touring professional, Joey Sindelar, won the 1976 NYSHSAA Championship at TGC with a 68-66. Local professional Brian Tennyson holds the course record with a 64. Dunn's original building left an indelible imprint on residents and seasonal visitors alike that remains alive and strong today, over a decade after it was lost to a horrific and all-consuming fire that burned it quite literally to the ground. Countless weddings, anniversaries, retirement parties, birthdays, and every other imaginable special occasion for locals took place within the old country club's walls, and Erin and Mark (Wood) are still remembered fondly by most anyone who was a regular at Emeralds. As it neared the end of its life, the Ti country club may not have been the most modern or updated facility, but for those who loved it and the hospitality that hung in the air like a welcome scented candle, it was always their first choice. When the country club was completely consumed and lost by fire that began in the late hours of a spring evening in May of 2018, the heartache and magnitude of that loss sent a shock wave through the community, leaving many to wonder if something irreplaceable and precious was truly lost to the ages. "I sat there on the main drag just watching and taking pictures," recalled Fitzgerald. "I was just in a state of complete shock." Out of the ashes, however, came a Phoenix. It would have been inconceivable to not rebuild the club house, and though not quite in the original footprint, the current building of present-day has developed an identity of its own. Seymour's has claimed its place amongst the popular restaurants of the area during the season, and though different in style to its predecessor, the club house has an appeal and charm of its own, especially when dining out on one of the screened porches on a warm summer evening. Branding itself as a premier golf course and restaurant and wedding venue in the Adirondacks, TGC has all of the ingredients to cement its next 100 years. Now with a number of weddings and special occasions under its belt, TGC has become a desired location to many outside of the Adirondacks' boundaries. "Twenty years ago, I knew it would become a summer resort and vacation course," Maceky said. "Ten years ago, during the renovation of course, I knew if we were going to survive, it had to be a destination where people would take a day trip from Saratoga, Glens Falls, Burlington, and other places. We have seen that come to fruition the last few seasons." But the success of lasting ten decades is no accident- it takes time, money, and passionate people to reach that benchmark, and Lemma is hoping the centennial celebrations will inspire residents to make the trip out to the Hague Road and enjoy one of its greatest community assets. "This course was built for Ticonderoga, and it is really important to make sure the local community knows that everyone is welcome and to come out and say, "This is ours," Lemma said. "TGC is owned by locals, there are hundreds of local stake holders that invest and want it to flourish and grow and continue to be very special, that is what this summer is going to be about, everyone coming out and taking advantage of it." Friday and Saturday, Aug. 15 and Aug. 16, are set to be an all-encompassing golf weekend where TGC's 100-year anniversary will be celebrated in grand fashion. On Friday, Aug. 15, there will be a 100-yard 18-hole tournament. A par three, everyone can participate and enjoy a fun scramble and get in the mood and mindset to party as music from local bands plays on into the night on the patio. The following day of Saturday, Aug. 16, the 1925 Tournament will commence, and Lemma and his fellow committee members are currently working behind the scenes to ensure large prizes for the victors. Lemma explained that the goal of the Centennial Weekend is to raise money for continued investment into TGC. "A lot has gone into the club to make it phenomenal, the course has never been in better shape with 16 new greens in the last couple of years, the club house is phenomenal- a lot has been done, but there is more to do. What do we have to improve next to keep on making this place more and more special?" he reflected. "We need a new cart path done, the septic system needs to be revamped, we have some big projects left to do." In addition to the golf tournaments, there will be a gala dinner and silent auction, and Jay Wells down the road at Five Nations will be hosting kid-friendly activities, ensuring that families as well can make a trip to the Hague Road and be part of the historic festivities. "Ticonderoga is a small town with a really big vision, and the course is one of those dramatic, exciting assets that in a lot of towns would be nice, but not world-class, and this course has really become premier when it comes to golf," Lemma remarked. "It stands out as just an oasis out here for people who not only golf, but who enjoy the restaurant and celebrating weddings and holidays and events and is something special and really adds to quality of life in our area." The TGC Centennial Committee is seeking silent auction donation items and sponsorships at every level. For businesses and individuals who would like to make a contribution, please call Lemma at 203-814-7000, or email at djlemma28@gmail.com. Please keep an eye out at the TGC Facebook page (facebook.com/TiconderogaGC) for Centennial Weekend and silent auction updates throughout the coming weeks.

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