Draft:The Edison Club

The Edison Club is a private golf and country club located in Rexford, New York.

History

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In 1903, employees of General Electric (GE) founded The Edison Club as a men's social club that would serve as a gathering place for GE employees, fostering friendships that had developed through their business relationships. The social club was sanctioned and funded by GE and membership was exclusively for GE employees. Drawing from their GE ties, the founders - Mr. J.E. Brobst, Mr. A.R. Tanner and Mr. R.R. Earle - named the club after Thomas Edison, a prominent inventor of the early 20th century, who had significant ties to GE in Schenectady. However, there is no indication that Edison himself was involved in the club's formation.[1]

The original 138-member club consisted of a pair of rented buildings and an outdoor recreational space near Ellis Hospital in Schenectady. Members would gather here to socialize, read, study, and play various games. Four years after it opened, and with a growing membership of over 200, the club purchased land at 60 Washington Avenue along the Mohawk River. A new clubhouse was built along with additional recreational facilities, including four bowling alleys, gymnasium, and a 100-canoe boathouse.[2]

In 1925, a member by the name of Mr. O.D. Young proposed the addition of a golf course. The Washington Avenue property was transferred to GE and The Edison Club relocated to farmland in Rexford, NY where it remains today. GE purchased the property and leased it to the club for $7,320 a year.[2] An 18-hole golf course was built, along with four tennis courts, a recreational area, and a new clubhouse. In 1929, a third nine was added, turning The Edison Club into a 27-hole course. Land for a fourth nine was also purchased but never developed and later sold.

In 1974, The Edison Club took over the property mortgage from GE and became an independent member-owned and operated golf club. Membership was also no longer exclusive to GE employees.

Present-Day

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Today, The Edison Club remains a 27-hole private golf course. The club also consists of the original tennis courts and a swimming pool which was constructed in 1950.

References

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  1. ^ "About Us - The Edison Club". The Edison Club. Nov 3, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Reddy, Tom (2004). The Edison Club: A Centennial Celebration (1st ed.). Schenectady, NY: Benchmark Printing. p. 5.