Golf and History connect at the Country Club of Wilbraham
- Ken Cerino
- 40 minutes ago
- 10 min read
Members and guests entering the golf shop at the Country Club of Wilbraham (MA) may not realize it, but they are stepping into one of the most historic buildings in town. It didn’t surprise me when researching the property that it was the home of an early Wilbraham resident named Samuel Warner, and that several generations of family members lived there before it became part of a golf course.
First settled in the early 1700s, Wilbraham had a population of approximately 400 people in 1763. The golf facility at 859 Stony Hill Road was initially among the many early farms in the small town.
In 1976, the Wilbraham Bicentennial Committee listed the year 1760 (see above photo) for the house, "and for many years it was home to some of my ancestors, starting with Samuel Warner, Jr., my great-great-great-great-great grandfather," wrote Derek Strahan in his Lost New England Journal.
Family relative Gretchen Warner Hebert also noted that Samuel Warner, Jr., was her fifth great-grandfather. “He was a veteran of both the French & Indian Wars and the American Revolution, and he lived here until his death in 1823. The house remained in the family for several more generations before being sold in 1893,” she wrote in an email.
Samuel Warner, Jr. was born in 1734, and the Ancestors and Descendants of Samuel Warner publication showed that “He missed by two-and-one-half months being the first child born in Wilbraham.” The same publication noted that Warner Jr., with his father, enrolled in Capt. John Bancroft’s Co., Col. Timothy Ruggles’s regiment for the French and Indian Wars, and was at Ticonderoga and Crown Point in 1759.”
While many old records are often incomplete or unavailable, retired Wilbraham Fire Chief and long-time resident David Bourcier, the President of the Atheneum Society of Wilbraham, confirmed that "this house was built by the original Samuel Warner, to whom it is closely connected." Bourcier is the author of “Historic Tales of Wilbraham,” which recalls several amazing stories of people and events in town history.
The Massachusetts Historical Commission describes the home as originally featuring "elements of the Federal and Greek Revival styles. At some point, the center entry was altered to the Greek Revival style, which was a common stylistic trend among Wilbraham's Federal era houses."
The Commission's Architectural Description noted that the house "likely dates back to the late 1700s or early 1800s," but this claim has never been verified.
Samuel Warner "The Clerk"
Samuel Warner was born on Oct. 8, 1708, the second child of Ebenezer and Hannah Bliss Warner, and the eighth child of his father, who had six children with Mary Gerald (Garrald) Warner. He kept the records of births and deaths in Wilbraham for almost 50 years, beginning in 1734 (when he was 26) until he died in 1783 at the age of 74.
Bourcier noted that "According to Wilbraham historian Chauncey Peck, Samuel Warner arrived in Wilbraham with his father, Ebenezer Warner, in 1733 or 1734 and settled on the west side of Main Street. Samuel played an important role in the early development of the town and is remembered for his meticulous documentation of local events."
"He kept a detailed journal of the 1759 expedition in which twenty-two Wilbraham men served during the French and Indian War,” Bourcier added.
The Clerk had 12 children, the oldest, Samuel Junior, and another son, Phanuel Warner, who died in the Revolutionary War at Crown Point in 1776. Large families were common back then, and the Warners were no exception.
The Coffin Door
Historian Bourcier also noted that one of the most interesting aspects of the house is what's known as The Coffin Door, located on the left side of the building (see photo below). "Most commonly associated with 18th and 19th century homes in New England, this exterior door is typically positioned at the corner of a side wall, leading directly into the parlor rather than through an entrance hall. Also referred to as the death door, end door, corner door, or funeral door, it reflects past traditions and practical design considerations. A few homes in Wilbraham still retain this distinctive architectural feature. These homes serve as enduring testaments to early New England craftsmanship and to the traditions that shaped domestic life in Wilbraham," said Bourcier, who also writes articles for his popular Wilbraham Historical Tidbits blog.
Over the years, several Warner Family Reunions took place at the property. There is a famous photo of a large family gathering in 1924 in Strahan's article in Lost New England. (see photo below)
Stony Hill Country Club was established
Stony Hill Country Club was established in March 1927. The headline in the Springfield Morning Union read, "Work on New Nine-Hole Golf Course in Wilbraham to Be Started Soon." The year before, the Wilbraham Business Corporation made plans to develop a large tract of land at the corner of Stony Hill and Springfield Street. The land “has a commanding view of the valley and Wilbraham Mountain and is the most attractive location on this beautiful suburban town,” according to an article in the Springfield Evening Union on June 19, 1926. “It has been understood that a part of the land composing this large area is to be utilized as a country club, the plans and details of which will be announced in the near future,” the newspaper reported.
Willie Ogg, the famous golf pro from Carnoustie, Scotland, who was instrumental in arranging the first Ryder Cup championship at his home course at Worcester Country Club in 1927, was hired as the Architect for the new Wilbraham course. Born in 1888, he was highly-regarded throughout the golfing world and was among the founding members of the PGA of America, serving as its Vice President. Ogg died in 1969 at the age of 71.
It took three years, but once the discussion (which included a possible 18-hole layout), paperwork, and construction delays were completed, and with the Wilbraham Mountains in the background, the new Stony Hill Country Club opened on Saturday, April 19, 1930. “Members of the club are looking forward to a busy season with Allan Macintosh of Ludlow as the pro. Improvements in the first and sixth holes have been practically completed, but for the first few weeks of the season, winter greens will be played,” reported the Springfield Evening Union. Regular greens opened for the first time on May 17 with a kickers’ handicap tournament held at the course.
Alan Macintosh was named the first club professional
Allan “Red” Macintosh was only 19 years old and among the best local amateur players, winning the New England Public Links title at the Springfield Country Club the year before at age 18. He made 11 aces during his career, once made a double-eagle at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, and played against the legendary Sam Snead at the same course.
Four months after Stony Hill opened, Red set the course record with a 65 (33 for the first nine, and 32 over the second trip around the front). He made nine birdies over the par-74 layout. Red made what is believed to be the first hole-in-one at the club on the par-3, fifth hole on July 6, 1932, and the first ace on the second hole on Nov. 10, 1947.
Red served two stints as the head pro for 33 years, from 1930-33 and then again from 1947-74. He even worked for a time as the greens-keeper, according to an article in the Springfield Morning Union (April 23, 1950).
Red was the recipient of the Western Massachusetts Tee Party Award in 1963, among his many accomplishments. A former caddie, Red was a 71-year member of the PGA. He passed away on Jan. 28, 2008, just a few weeks before his 97th birthday.
According to available records, former Springfield alderman and attorney Ernest W. Carman was the first club champion in 1931. He was among the founders of the Stony Hill Country Club and a long-time member of its Board of Directors.
Herman Bronkie, who played seven years in the major leagues with the Cleveland Naps, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and St. Louis Browns from 1910-22, captured the men’s club title in 1932 and 1933. Jean Chase is believed to be the first women’s champion in 1932. She also captured the inaugural women’s open tournament at SHCC in 1933.
Name change
Despite the Great Depression taking place around the nation, the first season at Stony Hill Country Club was so successful that another nine holes were discussed to make the course an 18-hole layout.
In fact, the headline in the Springfield Daily Republican on Monday, Nov. 10, 1930, announced, "Stony Hill Club Will Sport 18-Hole Course." Red Macintosh was rehired as the club pro. "He was kept busy giving lessons and taking care of his duties at the shop," the paper stated.
Cummings L. Lothrop was elected president of SHCC with Olin D. Roats as treasurer and Ernest W. Carman as Secretary. Walter E. Jones returned as steward.
Club officials were happy to report during the fall that the fairways were re-seeded and that the course was in excellent condition. An interesting note was that the second green was rebuilt as "a saucer green, tipped up from the rear," which it remains today.
The clubhouse was also repaired. Nearby Springfield College offered a new class in golf with indoor practice taking place at the club. SHCC opened for its second season on April 18, 1931.
Stony Hill stayed open during the recession, and in 1937, a new private group purchased the course and building on the property. Wilbraham Country Club replaced Stony Hill Country Club as the new name of the popular course. WCC was a nine-hole semi-private course, privately owned and operated, for several decades until the end of the 1968 golf season.
The Springfield Morning Union reported on Jan. 28, 1969, that The Country Club of Wilbraham would be the new name of the golf course and that a new commission would lease the property from the town for $18,000 a year. “This is the first phase of utilizing the Stony Hill Road property, which was approved for recreation and conservation purposes at a special town meeting last October. The property was bought then for $360,000,” the paper reported.
Three weeks later, on Feb. 19, 1969, the paper reported that the CCW was seeking members and that Wilbraham residents had first preference to join the club. Three decades plus later, with a new 30-year lease in place, a new maintenance building replacing the existing barn (which is still in use for golf cart and bag storage), and a restaurant was built as part of a $4-million expansion.
The new 18-hole course opened on May 18, 2002, with a beautiful nine-hole layout (designed by Rowland Armacost) across Stony Hill Road rolling through wooded terrain on the back. That same year, the Town and Club signed the lease extending the partnership until July 1, 2052.
"The course features Geoffrey Cornish's trademark modifications of fast, undulating greens and strategic bunkers on the front," according to the CCW website.
In 2018, then CCW president and long-time member Ed Prystupa noted in an article in the Springfield Republican that the clubhouse "became a designated historic building by the Massachusetts Historical Commission in 2009."
Walking up the 17th fairway, players can witness history first hand starting with the old stonewalls that were common in the area more than three centuries ago.
On the left side of the 17th is the historic Newbury Line sign (see below) that states, "The west line of Outward Commons (a section of Springfield that became Wilbraham) was established by Roger Newbury's survey of 1729.
In June 1763, Governor Francis Bernard signed an act passed by the General Court setting off Wilbraham as a town apart from Springfield. An additional stripe of land, a half mile wide and west of the Newbury line, was added to the Town at that time. This added land now includes the 13th and 14th holes as well as half of the 12th, 15th, 16th, and 17th holes."
One can imagine Colonel Henry Knox passing through Wilbraham on his 300-mile march from Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York to Boston to assist the Continental Army with dozens of cannons during the harsh winter in 1775-76. Who knows, perhaps Samuel Warner noticed the troops and assisted them through town.
Today, the Country Club of Wilbraham has over 300 members and ranks among the best courses in New England. The officers and directors meet regularly to discuss the operational needs of the club. Just like the early days, there are numerous events for everyone each year. CCW was a qualifying site for the Massachusetts Amateur Championship in 2025.
Over the years, many great players called Wilbraham their home, including the late Ronnie Mattson, who at the age of 15 became the youngest Massachusetts Junior Amateur Tournament champion in 1953. He was the winner again two years later. Ronnie and his brother, Harry Jr., led Springfield Technical High School to three Western Massachusetts Championships. Ronnie’s other brother, Jackie Mattson, was also an outstanding amateur golfer and the Greens Superintendent at CCW for many years.
“The Mattson brothers came by their golfing prowess naturally, as their proud and similarly-talented father, Harry Mattson, was the long-time Head Professional at Springfield Country Club,” noted long-time CCW member Charlie Gray.
Like his dad, Ronnie was a highly-regarded head pro at Ludlow (MA) and Twin Hills (East Longmeadow, MA) for several decades. He died in 2024, a little more than a week before his 87th birthday. The Macintosh-Mattson Four-Ball Tournament at CCW ranks among the highlights each year on the CCW schedule.
PGA Professional Bobby Downes, who grew up just a short distance from the club, heads the staff that handles the day-to-day operation. He is in his eighth year at CCW and seventh as its head professional. Ciaran Carr is the assistant professional, while Michelle Dunklee handles Finance & Administration, and Joe Falzone handles Member Relations.
In 2024, Bobby and his brother Billy (the head pro at nearby Greathorse in Hampden) and their father William (former golf coach emeritus at Western New England University in Springfield) were honored at the annual Western Massachusetts Tee Party for their contributions to the game.
As a fitting reminder to the building’s legacy, the restaurant is called the Warner Room. In 2027, the Country Club of Wilbraham will celebrate its centennial anniversary.
Special thanks to David Bourcier, Derek Strahan, Gretchen Warner, and former CCW president (and present club member) Ed Prystupa for sharing the history of the club with me.
Dennis Lopata and Charlie Gray from CCW helped provide information on CCW. The late Wilbraham Selectman David Barry deserves special mention for his outstanding work authoring the history of golf at CCW before he passed away in 2019.
CCW member Ken Cerino retired in 2016 after a remarkable 42-year career in college athletics communications. He is also a contributing author for Wilbraham Historical Tidbits. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Ken for his thorough research and for sharing this wonderful story with us.
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