The History of Wildwood Golf & Country Club

Pre – 1916: “Old Joe MacKissick’s Farm”

1916: Winter…“Wildwood Golf and Country Club” chartered and
incorporated by five men on December 16th. The club operated in this manner during the years of World War I for approximately five years.

1921: A successor corporation, known as the “Wildwood Golf Club” was formed. This was the doing of ten men and had two classes of membership – Active & Associate. Active membership was limited to the ten who fully controlled the club. Associate members had no vote. The club operated in this fashion into the early stages of World War II.

1923: Spring…Golf Course & Clubhouse construction begins. Golf course designers were Wayne Styles and John Van Kleek.

1923: July 21st…Exhibition match between Walter Hagen and Joe Kirkwood takes place at Wildwood Golf Club.

1923: Summer…Raymond H. Topham becomes the first Club Champion.

1924: Spring…Thomas B. Wootton is the winner of the first “Eastern States Inaugural Tournament”. In 1944, this event became what is now known as the “C.A. ‘Gus’ Heil Memorial Tournament”.

1928: Summer…Clarence D. Fisher, better known as “Spike” Fisher wins his first club championship. This was the start of a streak consisting of seven consecutive titles. Mr. Fisher eventually became the Club Champion of Wildwood GC a total of 12 times which spanned a period of six (6) decades with his last taking place in 1970.

1934: Fall…Willard Goeckler wins the first William H. Bright Memorial Trophy.

1941: The current club structure came into being. The club is controlled by a 20 member Board of Trustees, 12 permanent and 8 elected every two years.

1944: Fall…Al Besselink, who later became a successful Tour Player, wins the William H. Bright Memorial Trophy.

1951: Summer…Arnold Palmer, a Coast Guardsman stationed at Cape May,
makes several appearances throughout the summer to play and practice.

Early '50s: Garden State Parkway construction begins. Four of the original holes were affected. The golf course is reconfigured.

1953: Wildwood GC’s long serving Golf Professional, Harry “Pop” Avery retires.

1964: Spring… “Pop” Avery’s successor, Ed DeBaufre, is killed in an
auto accident.

1964: Summer…Kitty Austin becomes the first Women’s Club Champion.

1965: Spring…legendary club professional, Ronnie Ward, is appointed.

1981: Summer…southpaw, Terry Smick, wins first Club Championship.

1986: Summer…Terry Smick begins ten(10) consecutive Club Championships streak.

1991: Summer…Jeannie Grieshaber wins the first of six(6) consecutive Women’s Club Championships.

1993: Fall…Beloved Club Professional, Sam Duncan, dies of complications
from a stroke.

1995: Two “new holes” built. (current 11th & 12th holes)

1999: Summer…Terry Smick wins 15th Club Championship. He was Champion for 15 out of 19 years.

1999: Spring…“new holes” re-done. Driving range and practice areas completed.

2000: Summer…Reigning 2004 Champion, Janet LaMonica, wins her first of five(5) consecutive Women’s Club Championships.

2004: Fall…Fred Riedel returns as Club Professional.

Our club is uniquely structured, as an association, incorporated and not-for-profit. The Corporation owns all of the real and personal property. No one individual owns any corporate stock, bonds, certificates or equity in the Corporation. There is one Board of 20 Trustees that operates our club’s business. Trustees do not receive any income, benefits or privileges for their services other than dinner at the re-organization meeting.

Many thanks to Robert Scully, Curator of the Wildwood Historical Society, Ernest Troiano, Joseph Tirri, Dr. H. Robert Nelson and several other Club Members for their assistance in obtaining the above information.

Wildwood Golf & Country Club’s Head Golf Professionals

1925 – 1953 Harry “Pop” Avery
1953 – 1964 Ed DeBaufre
1964 Bill Moran
1965 – 1984 Ronnie Ward
1984 – 1993 Sam Duncan
1994 – 1998 David Startzel
1998 – 2000 Fred Riedel
2001 – 2004 David Smolsky
2004 – Present Fred Riedel