New Bedford Country Club Envisioned
In 1902, the new golf links was incorporated as the New Bedford Country Club. The original Board of Governors was comprised of some of New Bedford's well known business leaders.
The first meeting of the Board of Governors for the proposed Country Club of New Bedford occurred on June 30, 1902 at the Bullard residence. Those present elected Dr. John T. Bullard (President), William E. Hatch (Secretary), Edward S. Brown (Treasurer), and William C. Hawes, Clarence A. Cook, Edward T. Pierce, Oliver Prescott, Jr., Frederick D. Stetson, William R. West (Directors)*5
You can sense the success and growth of New Bedford in the early 1900's as you read between the lines of the original Board minutes and in the Boston newspaper reports describing the new club.
The Board of Governors was composed of prominent local businessmen who had a hand in shaping New Bedford’s economy as it transitioned from whaling to the Industrial Age. President Dr. John T. Bullard - a New Bedford physician from 1890 - 1920 *10 served as the Acting Assistant Surgeon inspecting immigrants for the Board of Health in 1902. *7 In addition, he was a Director at the Potomska Mill Corp., Pierce Manufacturing Corporation and the Pairpoint Corporation. *6 Secretary William E. Hatch was President of New Bedford Textile School on William St. in New Bedford. *8 Treasurer Edward S. Brown, Edward T.Pierce, Oliver Prescott and Clarence A. Cook were all Directors for the Union Street Railway where Mr Cook was also Secretary. *11 Frederick D. Stetson, a member of New Bedford’s City Council, *13 was also Director for Grinnell Manufacturing Co. *12 William C. Hawes was a Director at the Barnaby Manufacturing Company in Fall River *9 and later became President of Pilgrim Mills in New Bedford. *8
Also in attendance at that first meeting was Nat Smith, an architect who was present by appointment. Mr. Smith submitted a sketch for a proposed clubhouse and the surrounding grounds which he had prepared - as instructed by a committee previously appointed by the subscribers. A map of the grounds was accepted and a bill of $58.80 for a land survey done by Mr. Metcalf was ordered paid by the Treasurer. The initial plan submitted for the Club House was met with general approval by the Board, however, Mr. Hatch urged the addition of a private dining room to the original design.
After some discussion on the motion of Mr. Clarence Cook it was
Voted: That the sketch of plans for the Club House be adopted substantially as submitted by Mr. Smith with the addition of a private dining room and the President and Treasurer be authorized to contract with Mr. Smith for making plans and specifications and for the supervision of the work. *5
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