Course Beginnings
by Lynne Belluschio
In 1930, Donald Woodward, the youngest son of Jell-O magnate, Orator Woodward, announced that he was going to build Le Roy’s first public nine-hole golf course. It was to be located on the North side of East Main Road, opposite his huge stock barn on the corner of Asbury Road. He had already been bitten by the golf craze and had erected lights at his airport for a driving range. The Gazette ran an article that mentioned that at first there were not enough lights to see the golf balls but improvements had been made and that there was a “great fascination seeing the balls soar through the rays of the lights.”
Woodward had noticed that a lot of people were playing miniature golf and he noted that they really wanted to play regulation golf but couldn’t afford it. He told a friend, “It seems a pity that all those people cannot enjoy the real pleasures of real golf on a real golf course.” His plans for a regulation 9-hole course were soon on the drawing board. Eventually, the golf course, the airport, a gun club and target range, a baseball diamond and a “way-side inn” were all part of his holdings.
Woodward created the plans for his golf course based on his “observations and experience of what constitutes a good golf course.” He said that he did not intend to make the course as difficult as possible but there would be hazards and difficulties. It was noted that the land was ideally suited for a golf course with a rolling landscape and a creek. In the meantime, Don was converting his stock barn into a miniature golf course. The construction of the water hazard (pond) cost $4,000.
The First Pro
by Lynne Belluschio
In April, 1931, it was announced that “Coot” Webber was hired to be the golf pro at the new golf course. Coot was the former West High and Rochester champion scholastic golfer. Although Coot was “but a youngster” he had an impressive record of golf conquests and experiences.
After he graduated from high school, he worked as a pro at the Elkdale County Club in Salamanca for four years. He also served as assistant pro to Bill Nagell at the Stafford Country Club and assistant pro at Genesee Valley Park course in Rochester.
The nine hole “pay as you play” golf course opened on July 1st, 1931, covering about 30 acres between the highway and the railroad tracks. “The contour of the land affords a number of medium size hills and these have been utilized to provide a sporty course. There is a water hole – the bane of all golfers, and a lot of other interesting features.”
The new golf course had a sunken irrigation system with hundreds of little sprinkler heads imbedded in the greens. Rates for the course were $1 for nine holes. A ticket for ten 9-hole games was $7.50. Daily rates which entitled a player to play all day long, varied from $2.50 to $2.00. The Gazette mentioned that there was a golf house near tee #1 and showers and lockers were available at the Barn across the street.
Aerial Golf
by Lynne Belluschio
Weekends, when there were huge crowds at the airport, there were games of aerial golf. Russ Holderman explained the rules. “The team is composed of a golfer and a pilot. The pilot drops the ball from the plane on or as near the green as he can, then his partner, the golfer, holes it.”
“The game was played for the first time in Western New York here. We are going to invite players and pilots from the different fields for a tournament and give prizes soon.”
Expansion to 18 Holes
by Lynne Belluschio
By 1936, the Barn, which has been converted from an indoor miniature golf course into a restaurant, and had not been a financial success, was being sold at auction. The gold course had been transferred from Don to his younger sister, Helen, who was a “devotee of the ancient and honorable game of golf.”
Helen undertook a number of improvements. She built a “tidy little club house, completely equipped.” Helen enlarged the course from a 9-hole to an 18-hole course. The work was
begun in September 1935. Earl Seely was in charge of the 25-man work crew and it was mentioned that the work force was to be doubled in order to complete the work in time to reopen in 1936.
Five holes were added on the east side, adjacent to the Ribstone Silo Company. The other four holes were built on the West side, west of the present #6 hole. So with the financial backing, and determination of Donald and Helen Woodward, Le Roy gained its public golf course, so that as Donald said, people could play real golf on a real golf course.
The Ed Mills Years
by Lynne Belluschio
At the end of the 2006 season, Ed Mills decided to step down from his position as Head Pro at the Le Roy Country Club after holding the spot for thirty-three years.
Ed’s love for the game is long standing. He began as a caddy at the age of 10 and has worked all aspects of the game. Through the years Ed has worked on the course, in the locker room and eventually in the Pro Shop. In 1965, he became Assistant Pro under Joe Redanty and finally head Golf Professional in 1974.
At the time Ed became Assistant Pro, LeRoy Country Club was owned by Bra Cal Realty who had purchased it in the early 60s.
In 1985, the course was purchased by Gomil Enterprises. Ed was a part of that ownership group for over 20 years until several years ago. Most recently, the course was purchased by Jim Gomborone in 2004. Despite a degree in economics from Brockport State College, Ed chose a career in the sport of golf and has no regrets. He stills holds the course record of 61 at LeRoy Country Club that he set at the age of 27 when he was the Assistant Pro. The record has been standing for over 35 years and will probably never be broken.
Ed is known for his knowledge and love of the game, his fairness, easy demeanor and ready smile. One would be hard placed to find anyone in the surrounding area who holds a greater knowledge of the game.
