Shelter Island Country Club celebrates 125 years

The widespread rain the Island experienced this weekend was not enough to stop the members of the Shelter Island Country Club (SICC) from celebrating the club’s 125th anniversary with a wide range of events and activities. Here’s a look back at the festivities.

This summer marked the fifth annual Junior Golf Program, where 41 young golfers of all ages spent their summers learning from a wide roster of coaches at Goat Hill. Golfers spent time on the driving range, on the putting green and out playing the course, all within five weeks. To conclude the summer, members of the Junior Golf Program and junior members of the Shelter Island Country Club ages 10-17 were invited to play in the inaugural Goat Hill Junior Championship.

In the championship, which took place Friday, Aug. 21, golfers were divided into two age categories: 10-14 and 14-17. In the 10-14 category, junior golfer Jackson Surerus took home first place, while in the 14-17 bracket, club member Jackson Rohrer won 1st place.

The event could not have happened without the hard work of Junior Golf Coordinator and Club President Linda Springer, along with tournament organizers Tim Sheehan and Brett Surerus. Additionally, the wide roster of volunteer coaches, many of whom have coached for all five years of the program, made the summer and August tournament possible. The volunteer coaches included Linda Springer, Ginny Gibbs, Bill Hannabury, Casey Hannabury, Charlie Pensa, George Goodleaf, Chick Grubb, Fr. Peter DeSanctis, Maeve Springer, Jackson Rohrer, Tucker DeWolf and Liam Sobejana.

After the morning junior tournament, the club celebrated its 125th anniversary with a cocktail party later that day at the 1901 Grill and its third annual Member-Guest Tournament.

Nearly 50 golfers took to the course in the Member-Guest, as many members chose to treat their guests to a practice round before Friday’s cocktail party, though many opted to skip this option and stay dry Friday evening. However, the rain that carried into Saturday morning eventually cleared as the golfers took to Goat Hill with a 9 a.m. shotgun start in a shamble format.

Teams consisted of twosomes, members and their guests, as both players hit tee shots and selected the best shot. From there, both players played their balls individually until each player holed the ball, with the lower score recorded. Member John C.G. Brownlie and his guest Steve Grise took home the title with a score of 1 over par after 18 holes.

Additionally, Susanne Wesnofske took home the honors in the ladies’ longest drive, while Steve Grise claimed the men’s title. Peter Eagon won the closest-to-the-pin challenge on Hole 5.

Despite the muggy weather, the tournament was a massive success, as the proceeds raised from the event will all go back into the nonprofit that maintains and operates the Shelter Island Country Club. After 125 years, the course’s layout remains almost unchanged since its founding in 1901, the clubhouse is filled with nods to the club’s storied history, and the hilly nine holes remain a staple in the community. 

Here’s to 125 years, and many more to come.