Dr. Ernest Pendleton had come to Granby in 1920 to practice medicine and build a . By 1923, people were traveling from other New England states, New York and New Jersey to be cared for by Dr. Pendleton. With many long term patients, who did well in the pure country air of Granby, the “Doc” had the idea to do create something to aid in their recovery but also a facination that he had personally long held . . . to build a golf course!
The links were originally used only by Dr. Pendleton, his family and his patients. The greens and fairways of the main course stretched across both sides of the Salmon Brook just south of Pendleton Road. The original nine were laid out behind the homes from 229 to 235 Salmon Brook St. with the house at 8 Pendleton Road being used as the original “clubhouse”.
By 1927, the local residents who had been growing jealous of the hospital patient’s luxurious recreational benefits, convinced the “Doc” to open the golf course to the public. The course began to gain a tremendous popularity and so soon Dr. Pendleton began leasing and purchasing more land to add another 27 holes!
Find out what's happening in Granby-East Granbyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The new course, designed and built by the Club’s first pro, Dan Sutton, was laid out around the bends and pools of the Salmon Brook. The 6,100 yard, 18-hole, par-70 course connected to an additional nine holes in the Green family’s meadow near Bushy Hill Road. The course was quite open but was well trapped and required frequent play across the brook. Golfers often took advantage of the crystal clear water of the Salmon Brook on steamy summer days as they crossed several bridges to complete a round of play on the “lower 18."
The course had its challenges, too! The 10th and 12th holes were both par 5. The infamous 6th hole was known far and wide because of its 350-yard dog-leg that rose sharply to the right and up to an elevated green.
Find out what's happening in Granby-East Granbyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
When ladies complained of not feeling welcome on the course, “Doc” Pendleton built The Ladies 9 south of the main course. The women quickly became protective of their course as the men were of theirs, for men, rarely were known to play there. In later years, women also played the main 18 holes.
Corporations from Massachusetts and Connecticut frequently used the Club’s facilities for outings. In addition to the golf course, a renovated multi-level log club-house was located on a small rise across the driveway from the present day tennis courts in Salmon Brook Park.
A swimming pond was dug into the brook close to the 4th hole, not far from the present pond and bath-house. A nearby twenty-table picnic grove was a favorite family gathering spot during a day at the Club. For those who didn’t pack a lunch, a luncheon and dinner were served in the Clubhouse dining room. It was also a popular spot for evening dances and although Granby was a dry town until 1963, it’s questionable whether all activities were totally “dry."
On the grounds there was also a residence for the Pro, a caddy and Pro Shop and a refreshment stand. The cost for 18 holes was 50 cents or 75 cents to play all of them. An additional 60 cents was charged for caddy service where many a local teenager earned a decent Depression-era wage for working the course.The Salmon Brook Country Club was at its heyday during the 1930s and provided people from all over the Northeast with pleasure during years when fun was a hard commodity to come by.
The "Doc" closed the club in 1943 when war-time gas rationing made travel for pleasure, even from Hartford, virtually impossible. Around 1945 the Clubhouse burned to the ground.
1946 bought the end of WWII and was also the year Dr. Pendleton suffered a heart attack and thus, he never re-opened his golf course again. The untended greens and fairways slowly reverted back to pasture land they had originally been and the club was abandoned.
Today the old course is vital again. It is where Granby might go for a picnic, watch a Little League game, enjoy Granby Rovers Soccer, play tennis, swim, check out the dog park, enjoy the new tots playscape and at Christmas time, the annual .
Much of today's story is taken from research done by Chris Levandowski.
