Courtesy of Ballston Spa Country Club
By Rod Bacon
During the Golden Age of Golf, which is typically referred to as the period from the early 1900s to the 1930s, the sport experienced a significant surge in popularity and golf course design by renowned architects flourished.
A local course that was created during this period is the Ballston Spa Country Club. It was founded in July 1925 by a group of golf enthusiasts who purchased 116 acres of the John Gilman farm that was located a mile west of the village of Ballston Spa.
This year the club celebrated its centennial with a series of events June 20-22.
According to Jake DeVito, a member of the board of directors and the driving force behind the celebration, the weekend started with a ceremonial ribbon cutting attended by local officials that included Sen. James Tedisco, Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, Town of Milton council members, Village of Ballston Spa trustees, and representatives of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and the Capital Region Chamber.
That night there was a hickory cocktail scramble in which 72 players used the old fashioned wooden sticks from the era of the club’s founding.
“We used the spoon, the mashie niblick, all that stuff from 1925,” said DeVito. “This was a great hit.”
Saturday there was a beer tasting featuring craft brews from the Speckled Pig, Common Roots, and Adirondack Brewing, among others.
The weekend wound up on Sunday with a centennial dinner attended by 95 members. Awards were presented to two longtime members. The longest participating male member is Dave Ostrom, who has been active since 1970. The longest participating female member is Kate Oppedisano, who has been active since 1973.
Much of this activity took place at the new clubhouse, which was completed in May by Middle Grove-based Munter Enterprises, Inc. It replaces the 100-year-old barn that served as the clubhouse since the course’s founding.
DeVito noted that the new building is open and modern, allowing light to enter through large bay windows and provide a welcoming atmosphere.
“There are beautiful views of holes number one, three, ten and eighteen from the patio,” he said.
He mentioned that the locker rooms were refurbished and the men’s lockers sold out within a day.
The Iron’s Edge restaurant, which opened in 2022, was significantly upgraded during construction of the new clubhouse. Its vendor is Chad Dorrough, who is also the vendor at McGregor Links Country Club, Shaker Ridge Country Club, and Saratoga Lake Golf Club. Mark Berning oversees daily operations. The restaurant is open to the public seven days a week.
DeVito, who has been an active member since 2020 and worked in the pro shop for seven years before that, is attracted to the club not only for its unique challenges but also for the camaraderie among its members.
“We have a lot of guys who are low handicaps who go out and have good events with you, and we also have a lot of higher handicappers who just want to have a good time,” he said. “Everybody mixes well. It’s laid back. It’s competitive when you want it to be.”
He is also impressed with the condition of the course. He gives kudos to Course Superintendent Steve Solsky, for keeping everything manicured and in excellent shape for competitive play.
DeVito said it offers 18 uniquely different holes. Players won’t beat it with length, he noted, but they have to hit their targets. They must keep the ball in the fairway and keep the ball below the hole because when the greens are running quickly they are very difficult.
The Golf Director and PGA Playing & Teaching Professional is Todd Manderson, who has been there since 1999. In addition to teaching, he is responsible for organizing tournaments as well as the men’s and women’s leagues using Golf Genius, and operating the pro shop. He also monitors the two indoor golf simulators that members can use through the winter as well as participate in a 10-week league.
The regular season runs from approximately April 15-November 15.
Some notable people have played the course. Saratoga Springs native and LPGA professional Dottie Pepper has played there. Former football coach Bill Parcells has played a few rounds, as have jockeys Mike Luzzi and Jose Ortiz.
When the club was incorporated on September 16, 1925, there were 98 charter members. Dues for the first year were $25 for the six holes that had been constructed up to that date. Jim Thompson, the golf professional and manager at Mohawk Golf Club, designed the first nine holes.
On June 1, 1934, the club applied for membership in the United States Golf Association (USGA) and Women’s Northeastern Golf Association.
In September 1962 plans were made to enlarge the club to 18 holes. Sixty-nine acres of land were purchased through a $75,000 ten-year loan from Schenectady Savings Bank. This portion of the course was designed by Gino Turchi and Jim Farina. Due to many delays, including a drought, the back nine was opened in April 1965.
Currently they are closing in on 400 members, which is their cap.
For many years the club’s logo has featured the face of a fox because members often see the animals near the fairways when playing. To honor the course’s history, a Centennial Logo, which is a revamping of the original used in 1925, was designed. It includes drawings of crossed golf clubs, a green, a ball and tee, and of course a fox. These are displayed over a ribbon with BSCC above the years 1925-2025.
“In addition to the excellent condition of the course, there is great camaraderie among the members,” DeVito said. “I want to see it continue to grow, and I think that’s reflected in the fact that we have almost 400 members and people are still showing an interest in joining.”
For more information on the offerings at Ballston Spa Country Club go to ballstonspacc.com.