When Boulder Creek Men’s Club was founded in 1963 with newly-built Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club as its home course, the redwood-lined links on Big Basin Highway were nine holes in length. A landing strip used by out-of-towners to fly in and golf occupied the space where the back nine stands today. Things have changed – the course was lengthened to 18 holes – but much has remained the same, including the venerable men’s club which celebrates its 50-year anniversary next weekend.
Bill Aragona, a part-owner of the course along with John Denault and Fred Turner has interacted with club members since he bought into the course in 1979.
“They have been a stalwart through the good times and the bad,” said Aragona. “Through it all, they’re kind of like family, they stick with us.”
The golf course was built in 1961 by Jack Fleming, an apprentice of Augusta National and Pasatiempo designer Alister MacKenzie. Naturally, the men’s club formed several years later. The men’s club is still going strong and will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a tournament, dinner and dance Saturday, June 1 at the course.
The club and its 94 active members are not officially tied to the course, but call Boulder Creek their home course. The club is also a member of the Northern California Golf Association, allowing its members to establish a handicap. It holds monthly tournaments for its members at sends members to three NCGA qualifying tournaments each year, said Dan Kelly is the current president of the club and John McCormick serves as vice president.
“We have a board of directors and bylaws,” Kelly said. “It’s a good group of guys and we Women are included as associate members of the club.
Paul Novie, a member of the men’s club since 1993, and the course director from 1998 to 2004, said that many members purchase annual memberships to the course because it is accessible to the amateur golfer. A par-65 executive-style course with more par-3s and par-4s than a full-length course does not require long drives. However, the narrow fairways lined by redwood trees challenge golfers making the course fun to play often.
“And if your game’s gone to hell, just look at the surroundings,” he said.
In addition to golf, the men’s club has a charitable mission, raising money and collecting food and gift certificates for Valley Churches United Missions and San Lorenzo Valley High School.
Kelly said the club is always looking for new members – and at $95, the annual fee is reasonable to establish a handicap. Club dues go toward food and prizes at tournaments and a monthly newsletter.
The 50th anniversary celebration will be a best-ball tournament open to all current and former members and their guests. The tournament will be followed by a barbecue and dance at the old clubhouse on the course. The cost is $75 for golf and dinner or $25 for dinner only.
For information: www.bouldercreekmensclub.com
Men’s Club 50th anniversary tournament, barbecue and dance
When: Saturday, June 1
Where: Boulder Creek Golf Club, 16901 Big Basin Highway, in Boulder Creek
Details: Tournament is open to all current and former members of the club and their guests.
Info: www.bouldercreekmensclub.com or John McCormick, 831-234-8348
