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Looking back at the founding of the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club, Mr. C. E. James is at the center, as he is with Signal Mountain history across the board. Prior to 1912, Mr. James bought 4,400 acres on Walden’s Ridge with great plans in mind, including a hotel and a town. The club idea came later and has a great twist: Which came first: The Town of Signal Mountain or the SMGCC?
But first, dig deeper. We read in Andy Tucker’s fine history of the SMGCC that after Mr. James started his Signal Mountain Inn (now Alexian Inn) in 1913, he wanted to add golf for the pleasure of the Inn’s guests. Golf was taking the country by storm and was no longer considered a “rich man’s game” after a 20-year-old immigrant, Francis Ouimet, won the U.S. Open. To join in the golf craze, James brought in British golf professional Reuben Wakerley, who was serving a one-year stint as golf pro at Chattanooga Golf and Country Club (1915), to build a course on Signal. Wakerley designed the Signal course that year before leaving our area for New York. The Signal course opened in 1916, and guests at James’ resort, as well as members of Chattanooga Golf and Country Club, could play there.
Dueling theories persist about the timetable of the construction of the golf course, with some stating that the course was built in two stages, with the current “back nine” as the part built first. References to this thinking come from an account written in 1983 by the late Richard L. (Bud) Dragoo, who got his information from Signal Mountain and Walden’s Ridge by the late Cartter Patten. In Dragoo’s historical account, which we got from Signal Mountain historian John Wynne, Mr. James built the current back nine in 1922 so that guests at the Inn could walk over to play. The current front nine was built in 1929, according to these reports. However, according to Andy’s history, because The Atlanta Constitution wrote the new facility up, mentioning the 6,200-yard course, and The Chattanooga News also noted the “excellent 18-hole golf course,” many trust the idea that the entire course was built at one time. This conundrum bears more research, but who’s around now who could settle the dispute?
Now, to the riddle of which came first: the Town or the Club. As unlikely as it seems, back in the days before the Inn or golf course, farmers from the surrounding towns used to bring their cattle up onto Walden’s Ridge to graze! Sounds alpine, doesn’t it? But it happened right here, and it continued after homes in the community and the golf course were built. The cattle would sally forth onto the new course and the original part of town (Old Towne), where they devastated all growing plants in their sight, including the courses’ greens. At that time, there was no official Town of Signal Mountain to issue ordinances against such vandalism, so Mr. James and the residents appealed to the state legislature for a town charter. The legislature granted the appeal, and the Town of Signal Mountain was incorporated in April 1919. With James as the new mayor and with the new commissioners, they made their first order of business an ordinance prohibiting the marauding cattle. The Town hired an employee, Deputy Tait, who went to work rounding up and impounding the invading animals.
With the boom in golf’s popularity, residents of the town wanted to join the Inn’s guests and CGCC members in the golf explosion, so in February 1922, the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club was incorporated with the State of Tennessee. Mr. James transferred his ownership of the course to the newly founded club, and the organization’s second clubhouse, the “Social House,” was erected on the current building’s site to take the place of the initial clubhouse, a dun colored, board and batten building, the “Caddy House,” located behind the current 13th green. Next, the Social House was razed and the wonderful Tudor-styled clubhouse that stands today replaced it. This was in the spring of 1929, the year of the Crash that would almost devastate the club.
During the Roaring Twenties, everything progressed wonderfully at the SMGCC, but when the Great Depression hit in September 1929, the club suffered accordingly. Membership declined, and the organization was forced to take out a loan of $70,000 ($1.1 million in today’s money) from Volunteer State Life. Ultimately, Volunteer Life foreclosed in 1937. The property was scheduled to be sold at public auction, and the lenders bought the entire operation, including the 132 acres, for $12,000. A group of interested club members, including Dr. Gene Kistler, Joe Richardson, and Newt Trindler, got together, founding a corporation (the Signal Mountain Park Company), pooling funds, and buying the outfit back from Volunteer for $25,000. These champions of the club made an agreement to give the property to the town, to be used by all citizens. Next, they established a lease for the golf course so the club could continue to function and rebuild. This lease still exists today.
According to an account written by former mayor Walter Greenspan in 1975 for the Signal Mountain Observer newspaper, during the Depression, club members themselves mowed the greens and fairways, cleaned the rough, and did all the necessary physical work to keep the course in playable shape. Monthly dues were $2, and club membership only numbered 70. According to Greenspan’s history, the Town constructed the tennis courts, ball fields, etc. behind the club without consulting the organization. There was no protest, however, due to the friendly relations between the club and the Town.
This agreement that this land could be used by citizens of the town explains how, adjacent to club property, we enjoy Althaus Park, the playground, tennis courts, and baseball/softball fields today. For 20 years, there was also a swimming pool there, the town’s first public pool, built in conjunction with President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. This pool was later filled in and its space is now the upper-level playground of Althaus Park.
It must be mentioned that a contributing factor in the early success of the club developed when Mr. James sold the Inn to the Alexian Brothers in 1936, transforming the resort into a home for elderly people. This was the end of the social amenities so many had enjoyed at the Inn, including a pool, dancing, horses, and so forth. With nowhere to go, people joined the club to have a social and recreational outlet.
According to Bud Dragoo’s history, World War II had a terrible effect on the club, which could barely hang on. In the 1950’s, however, the trend was for families to move to suburbs, which helped the club increase its membership from a measly 80 members to 300 by 1956.
From Mr. James’ first inkling, golf has been preeminent at the SMGCC, so we need to look at the professionals who have managed play and have been central to the success of the institution. Sadly, history of the first pros has been lost, and the first one on record in Dorsey Meade, who served until 1956. Following Dorsey was the late great Don Malarkey, who served from 1956 until 1973. (Read next month’s issue to learn more about this pivotal in the history of the club.) Lee Campbell followed Don, serving as pro from 1973 to 1980, when Ike Franklin took over the job, serving until 1994. Don Jones followed, and while serving as Signal pro, won the Tennessee PGA Championship. He left in 2001 and was succeeded by Scott Hare from 2001 to 2007. Jay Underwood was pro from 2008 until 2011, when Paul Helle took the job and remains pro today. SMGCC honors its pros with the knowledge that their job isn’t an easy assignment, what with long hours, many responsibilities, and opinionated members eager to engage.
The clubhouse today, built in 1929, is a far cry from the Caddy House and Social House back in Mr. James’ day, having gone through many upgrades through the years, notably in 1980, and especially after the recent striking renovation. Architect and club member in charge of this renovation, Ray Boaz, told us that during the three-year run-up to the Centennial, several improvements were made: new stairs were installed from the ground floor to the dining room; the patio, women’s locker room, and bar were enlarged. Also redesigned, the large porte cochere gives a much more comfortable entry into the club. Now, visitors leaving by the main entrance have a clear view of Hole No. 1 and the newly installed Centennial Clock, a useful as well as charming addition to the club environment. Another needed improvement was moving the handicapped entrance that opened into the ballroom to the side of the verandah, a much more accessible route. Ray pointed out how club members are enjoying the openness of the updated bar as well as the verandah. With the French doors of both open, guests get a wonderful indoor/outdoor experience.
The social aspect of the club can’t be overestimated, as the space gives gracious surroundings to weddings, receptions, luncheons, ladies’ book club, and golf tournament events. The newly redecorated dining room, ballroom, living room, grill, card room, bar with deck extension, and the living room with verandah extension provide ambiance and space for marvelous soirees. Central to these events is the club manager. There are too many to list here, but an outstanding one of these was Tommie Carrier, who served the club tirelessly from 1973 until 1983. Current manager Joe Fidelibus has added tremendously to the success of the club and its attractiveness to prospective members.
The addition of the pool and Ollie’s Bar in 2007 have been huge draws for summer fun, with all kinds of suppers, parties, and other events hosted there. Surrounded by tables with huge umbrellas, the pool is heated for comfort on overcast days, and is a great cool-off place for children, teens, and adults who also enjoy ordering pub food and drinks from Ollie’s.
Club President Chad Sikes credits his predecessors for setting a sound groundwork, and he hopes to go forward with outstanding programs for members, activities for kids, financial stability, and an all-around improved membership experience. He’s proud of the environmentally friendly practices the club follows such as composting green waste and reusing the resulting mulch. Challenges he foresees are the aging Bent Grass greens and irrigation system on the golf course.
Chad is also pleased with the lengthy list of applicants hoping to join the club. He pointed out that those interested in joining should come by or call Katherine Powers at the business office at (423) 886-5767, ext. 240. Also, club General Manager Joe Fidelibus will be glad to take prospective members on a tour of the facility.
The Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club goes forward with optimism as it observes its colorful past. Congratulations to all who have supported the organization from its inception in 1922 to its promising position in 2022. Here’s hoping for a marvelous future.
(In next month’s Mirror, we will look at the three Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame members who have played at SMGCC over the years, players who have won accolades in the wider world of golf and brought acclaim to the club.)
by Anne Rittenberry
But first, dig deeper. We read in Andy Tucker’s fine history of the SMGCC that after Mr. James started his Signal Mountain Inn (now Alexian Inn) in 1913, he wanted to add golf for the pleasure of the Inn’s guests. Golf was taking the country by storm and was no longer considered a “rich man’s game” after a 20-year-old immigrant, Francis Ouimet, won the U.S. Open. To join in the golf craze, James brought in British golf professional Reuben Wakerley, who was serving a one-year stint as golf pro at Chattanooga Golf and Country Club (1915), to build a course on Signal. Wakerley designed the Signal course that year before leaving our area for New York. The Signal course opened in 1916, and guests at James’ resort, as well as members of Chattanooga Golf and Country Club, could play there.
Dueling theories persist about the timetable of the construction of the golf course, with some stating that the course was built in two stages, with the current “back nine” as the part built first. References to this thinking come from an account written in 1983 by the late Richard L. (Bud) Dragoo, who got his information from Signal Mountain and Walden’s Ridge by the late Cartter Patten. In Dragoo’s historical account, which we got from Signal Mountain historian John Wynne, Mr. James built the current back nine in 1922 so that guests at the Inn could walk over to play. The current front nine was built in 1929, according to these reports. However, according to Andy’s history, because The Atlanta Constitution wrote the new facility up, mentioning the 6,200-yard course, and The Chattanooga News also noted the “excellent 18-hole golf course,” many trust the idea that the entire course was built at one time. This conundrum bears more research, but who’s around now who could settle the dispute?
Now, to the riddle of which came first: the Town or the Club. As unlikely as it seems, back in the days before the Inn or golf course, farmers from the surrounding towns used to bring their cattle up onto Walden’s Ridge to graze! Sounds alpine, doesn’t it? But it happened right here, and it continued after homes in the community and the golf course were built. The cattle would sally forth onto the new course and the original part of town (Old Towne), where they devastated all growing plants in their sight, including the courses’ greens. At that time, there was no official Town of Signal Mountain to issue ordinances against such vandalism, so Mr. James and the residents appealed to the state legislature for a town charter. The legislature granted the appeal, and the Town of Signal Mountain was incorporated in April 1919. With James as the new mayor and with the new commissioners, they made their first order of business an ordinance prohibiting the marauding cattle. The Town hired an employee, Deputy Tait, who went to work rounding up and impounding the invading animals.
With the boom in golf’s popularity, residents of the town wanted to join the Inn’s guests and CGCC members in the golf explosion, so in February 1922, the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club was incorporated with the State of Tennessee. Mr. James transferred his ownership of the course to the newly founded club, and the organization’s second clubhouse, the “Social House,” was erected on the current building’s site to take the place of the initial clubhouse, a dun colored, board and batten building, the “Caddy House,” located behind the current 13th green. Next, the Social House was razed and the wonderful Tudor-styled clubhouse that stands today replaced it. This was in the spring of 1929, the year of the Crash that would almost devastate the club.
During the Roaring Twenties, everything progressed wonderfully at the SMGCC, but when the Great Depression hit in September 1929, the club suffered accordingly. Membership declined, and the organization was forced to take out a loan of $70,000 ($1.1 million in today’s money) from Volunteer State Life. Ultimately, Volunteer Life foreclosed in 1937. The property was scheduled to be sold at public auction, and the lenders bought the entire operation, including the 132 acres, for $12,000. A group of interested club members, including Dr. Gene Kistler, Joe Richardson, and Newt Trindler, got together, founding a corporation (the Signal Mountain Park Company), pooling funds, and buying the outfit back from Volunteer for $25,000. These champions of the club made an agreement to give the property to the town, to be used by all citizens. Next, they established a lease for the golf course so the club could continue to function and rebuild. This lease still exists today.
According to an account written by former mayor Walter Greenspan in 1975 for the Signal Mountain Observer newspaper, during the Depression, club members themselves mowed the greens and fairways, cleaned the rough, and did all the necessary physical work to keep the course in playable shape. Monthly dues were $2, and club membership only numbered 70. According to Greenspan’s history, the Town constructed the tennis courts, ball fields, etc. behind the club without consulting the organization. There was no protest, however, due to the friendly relations between the club and the Town.
This agreement that this land could be used by citizens of the town explains how, adjacent to club property, we enjoy Althaus Park, the playground, tennis courts, and baseball/softball fields today. For 20 years, there was also a swimming pool there, the town’s first public pool, built in conjunction with President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. This pool was later filled in and its space is now the upper-level playground of Althaus Park.
It must be mentioned that a contributing factor in the early success of the club developed when Mr. James sold the Inn to the Alexian Brothers in 1936, transforming the resort into a home for elderly people. This was the end of the social amenities so many had enjoyed at the Inn, including a pool, dancing, horses, and so forth. With nowhere to go, people joined the club to have a social and recreational outlet.
According to Bud Dragoo’s history, World War II had a terrible effect on the club, which could barely hang on. In the 1950’s, however, the trend was for families to move to suburbs, which helped the club increase its membership from a measly 80 members to 300 by 1956.
From Mr. James’ first inkling, golf has been preeminent at the SMGCC, so we need to look at the professionals who have managed play and have been central to the success of the institution. Sadly, history of the first pros has been lost, and the first one on record in Dorsey Meade, who served until 1956. Following Dorsey was the late great Don Malarkey, who served from 1956 until 1973. (Read next month’s issue to learn more about this pivotal in the history of the club.) Lee Campbell followed Don, serving as pro from 1973 to 1980, when Ike Franklin took over the job, serving until 1994. Don Jones followed, and while serving as Signal pro, won the Tennessee PGA Championship. He left in 2001 and was succeeded by Scott Hare from 2001 to 2007. Jay Underwood was pro from 2008 until 2011, when Paul Helle took the job and remains pro today. SMGCC honors its pros with the knowledge that their job isn’t an easy assignment, what with long hours, many responsibilities, and opinionated members eager to engage.
The clubhouse today, built in 1929, is a far cry from the Caddy House and Social House back in Mr. James’ day, having gone through many upgrades through the years, notably in 1980, and especially after the recent striking renovation. Architect and club member in charge of this renovation, Ray Boaz, told us that during the three-year run-up to the Centennial, several improvements were made: new stairs were installed from the ground floor to the dining room; the patio, women’s locker room, and bar were enlarged. Also redesigned, the large porte cochere gives a much more comfortable entry into the club. Now, visitors leaving by the main entrance have a clear view of Hole No. 1 and the newly installed Centennial Clock, a useful as well as charming addition to the club environment. Another needed improvement was moving the handicapped entrance that opened into the ballroom to the side of the verandah, a much more accessible route. Ray pointed out how club members are enjoying the openness of the updated bar as well as the verandah. With the French doors of both open, guests get a wonderful indoor/outdoor experience.
The social aspect of the club can’t be overestimated, as the space gives gracious surroundings to weddings, receptions, luncheons, ladies’ book club, and golf tournament events. The newly redecorated dining room, ballroom, living room, grill, card room, bar with deck extension, and the living room with verandah extension provide ambiance and space for marvelous soirees. Central to these events is the club manager. There are too many to list here, but an outstanding one of these was Tommie Carrier, who served the club tirelessly from 1973 until 1983. Current manager Joe Fidelibus has added tremendously to the success of the club and its attractiveness to prospective members.
The addition of the pool and Ollie’s Bar in 2007 have been huge draws for summer fun, with all kinds of suppers, parties, and other events hosted there. Surrounded by tables with huge umbrellas, the pool is heated for comfort on overcast days, and is a great cool-off place for children, teens, and adults who also enjoy ordering pub food and drinks from Ollie’s.
Club President Chad Sikes credits his predecessors for setting a sound groundwork, and he hopes to go forward with outstanding programs for members, activities for kids, financial stability, and an all-around improved membership experience. He’s proud of the environmentally friendly practices the club follows such as composting green waste and reusing the resulting mulch. Challenges he foresees are the aging Bent Grass greens and irrigation system on the golf course.
Chad is also pleased with the lengthy list of applicants hoping to join the club. He pointed out that those interested in joining should come by or call Katherine Powers at the business office at (423) 886-5767, ext. 240. Also, club General Manager Joe Fidelibus will be glad to take prospective members on a tour of the facility.
The Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club goes forward with optimism as it observes its colorful past. Congratulations to all who have supported the organization from its inception in 1922 to its promising position in 2022. Here’s hoping for a marvelous future.
(In next month’s Mirror, we will look at the three Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame members who have played at SMGCC over the years, players who have won accolades in the wider world of golf and brought acclaim to the club.)
by Anne Rittenberry
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