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In 1834, the Naper settlement was visited by a traveler and businessman from Hyde Park, New York — a Captain Morris Sleight. After he became familiar with the area, its proximity to roadways, and its natural resources he believed the area had the potential he was looking for. Sleight acquired over 700 acres of farmland, as well as several lots in the Naper settlement, and continued to increase his holdings in the area after he settled in Naperville.
Prior to the Civil War, Jacob Brossman, a local farmer, purchased land which was to become the site of Naperville Country Club. He paid the government $1.25 an acre under the Homestead Act. Brossman then sold the piece of land south of the tracks to Delcar Sleight in 1868. A deal was struck between the two men and the acreage was sold for $1300.
In December of 1920, rumors began to circulate in Naperville that a small group of local golfers had met to discuss the matter of establishing a golf course in Naperville. The group placed an ad in the Naperville Clarion inviting all interested golfers to attend a meeting at the City Hall to see what the support level would be. The turnout was very encouraging.
February
The 130 acre plot, that city residents referred to as at the ― "top of the hill," originally owned by Jacob Brossman, would become the interest of the early organizers of the club in 1921. On February 14, 1921 the club purchased the land from Delcara, who would be the club‘s first female member and later be referred to as ―"The First Lady" of Naperville Country Club, for $19,500.
March
By early March of 1921 committees had been organized for Membership, Finance, Grounds, Activities, and Women; and the Grounds committee was actively engaged in clearing stone, brush and old fences in preparation for play. In April ―"Sandy" Anderson arrived at the club in full Scottish regalia of kilts and bag pipes to begin as the clubs first golf professional. On May 30th, a mere 5 months after the meeting to discuss the town‘s interest in a golf course, Naperville Country Club had its formal opening. Prizes for the initial competition consisted of a golf club, golf balls, and a box of candy.
April
A shield displaying the N.C.C. letters with a picture of a club and ball, as well as bag pipes seems to be the original logo of the Club. The bag pipes may reference the Club‘s first pro, ―'Sandy' Anderson. The Naperville Clarion reported on April 14, 1921, ―‘Sandy‘ Anderson, golf professional, arrived here his(sic) week with kilts, bag pipes, etc., and from now on Sandy‘s pipes shall peal forth music on the Naperville golf course in the way of lessons for the new members. This shield remained the logo of the club into the early 1980's.
May
The first club tournament was held on May 30, 1921. It was a flag tournament where participants would play until their handicap was reached and place a flag. Mrs. C.C. Coleman was the winner by finishing on the 12th hole. She won an Eversharp pencil and a pair of silk garters.
The growth of the club was rapid, and in early 1922 noted golf course architect Tom Bendelow visited Naperville for the purpose of laying out a full 18 holes for the club. During the one day Bendelow was on the property, he created a plan for 18 holes with grass greens, new location for the clubhouse, railroad station, tennis courts, trap shooting, parking lot and a practice area. The Board of Directors met with unanimous approval for the plan, and by October of 1922 four grass greens were constructed.
Plans for a full 18 holes were in the working stages throughout the first year the course was open. As a result, in March of the courses sophomore year, a plan surfaced by Tom Bendelow of a full 18 hole course. Bendelow spent one day at the club, and charged $30 for his design.
The first hole-in-one was recorded on August 10th, 1924 by George H. Dunlap. It was reported on the front page of the Naperville Clarion on August 14.
In the late 20's membership numbers were nearing 170 and the club was doing well until the Depression hit in the early 30‘s. Nobody was immune to the crash of the stock market in 1929, and the 30‘s would prove a difficult time for the club. In 1932 only 35 members remained who paid dues of $35 a year, and the days of Naperville Country Club were numbered. Delcara Sleight still held the mortgage on the property which was way in default, for a long period of time, and filed a foreclosure proceeding and a sale date was set. Winfred G. Knoch, a member and judge in DuPage County, advised the members at a special meeting that issuing new bonds at $100 a piece until the default is covered was the only option for saving the club. In a fortuitous 3 days the amount needed was raised, the mortgage paid off, and the club was saved. In 1953 the club granted the Honorable Winfred G. Knoch with an honorary Life Membership for his council.
- Jim Foulis, an early pioneer of golf in America, played at the club in 1927. He was considered the first pro to be hired west of New York, at Chicago Golf Club, and was the Champion of the second U.S. Open in 1896 at Shinnecock Hills.
- In the late 30‘s, while the club was trying to recover from the depression, Augie Germann made tireless efforts to recruit new members. He even offered a membership with a house he was trying to sell!
- The Club Championship Cup was awarded to the Club Champion and was given the first time in 1921 to Dick Manning. If a member won the Cup three successive years, it remained in their possession. 1927 marked the 3rd straight year for Dick Wehling to claim the Cup, and so, the Cup became his possession. The 2nd club Championship Cup is on display in the cabinet located outside the members grill.
- The honey locust tree behind the first green is known as the ―Kennedy Tree.‖ It was planted the morning of the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
- Dr. Winfred Martin, Club president in 1933, was well traveled. On a trip to Egypt he obtained a mummy that returned to the U.S. with him. In the 1940‘s he donated the mummy to Naperville Central High School, which was under construction. The mummy was stored in the basement and proceeded to be forgotten until the 1970‘s when a teacher was looking for something else and came upon the mummy. It was initially thought to be a student project until further study confirmed it was an authentic 2000-year-old mummy of an Egyptian boy
- The Pump is the first object man put on this property to utilize the lands natural qualities. The club has since added several other objects, all in an effort to enjoy the lands natural qualities. The well has since been filled, but the pump has been saved. Though it no longer provides water where it stands at the halfway house, and remains a symbol of our bucolic past.
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