HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY
Rehoboth Beach Country Club
Welcome to an extraordinary year in the history of Rehoboth Beach Country Club! We are thrilled to have you as part of RBCC as we step into the Centennial Year, celebrating 100 years of tradition, friendship, and excellence.
Founded on March 26, 1925, in the heart of downtown Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, our club has been a cornerstone of this beach community. As we reflect on the rich history that has shaped us, we are equally excited about the future and the opportunity to celebrate the many milestones we've achieved together over the past century.
2025 promises to be a year full of excitement as we soar through the decades with a bimonthly publication and an array of special events that highlight the cultural, social, and historical moments that have defined each era. From the roaring '20s to the modern-day, we'll experience the decades like never before, creating memories that will last for generations to come.
The pinnacle of our celebrations will be the Centennial Gala on August 2, a night to remember! The clubhouse will come alive with different decades and themes, with each room showcasing a unique era. It will be a spectacular evening of music, fashion, and history, where we’ll live through the decades in style.
In addition to the Gala, we have carefully curated a series of other events throughout the year designed to offer the must-have membership experience. From intimate gatherings to larger celebrations, every event will provide a unique way for you to engage with the Club, connect with fellow Members, and make lasting memories as we honor 100 years of RBCC.
We look forward to celebrating this milestone year with you. Here's to the next century of friendship, innovation, and fun!
CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
2022 through 2025
Karen Schneiderman, Chair
Jeremy Fitzgerald
Frank Fraser
Lori Hardwick
Kimberly Hutzel
Peggy Marilley
Marilyn Martens
Raquel Maynes
Sally McDonough
Susie Nevins
Diane Palmieri
Barbara Sievers
Anne Slonaker
Laura Truchio
Cathy Zambito
Spaska Ivanov
Bethany Ackerman
221 West Side Drive Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Clubhouse: 302-227-3811
Golf Shop: 302-227-3616 rehobothbeachcc.com
Event Recap
The Club rang in the Centennial with the “Wine Dinner & Culinary Journey Back to 1925" representing the 1920s for our first event. The 19th Hole was transformed into a speakeasy, and Members enjoyed dishes inspired by the 1920s while listening to live jazz music.
Stay tuned for decadethemed events throughout the year as planned by the Centennial Committee, leading up to the Centennial Gala in August.
BACK IN 1925
1920sAVERAGECOST
U.S. POPULATION
115.8 million
U.S. PRESIDENT CalvinCoolidge
'20s SLANG
Ankle:Towalk
Bearcat:Alivelywoman
Berries:"Bee'sknees"
Darb:Splendid
Gigglewater:Liquor
Hotsy-totsy:Attractive
Sinker:Adoughnut
IN THE NEWS
TheFirstMotel,theMotorists Hotel,opensinSanLuis Obispo,California. TheGreatGatsbybyF.Scott Fitzgeraldispublished. ThesiteoftheMount RushmoreNational Monumentwasdedicated.
InStyle...
WOMEN
ArtDecofashion
Felthats&bonnets
Chemisedresses
High-heeledshoes
Bobbedhair&furcoats
MEN
Knickerbockers
Wingtipshoes
Custom-tailoredsuits
Fedora&newsboyhats
Shiny,slicked-backhair
SearsRoebuckbeganasamailordercatalog.In1925,Sears Roebuckopeneditsfirstretail storeinChicago,Illinois. TheGrandOleOpry,oneof thelongest-livedandmost popularshowcasesforwestern music,beginsbroadcastinglive fromNashville,Tennessee.
POPULAR SONGS
"SweetGeorgiaBrown"-BenBernie "ThePrisoner'sSong"-VernonDalhart "St.LouisBlues"-BessieSmith "SeeSeeRiderBlues"-MaRainey
"TeaForTwo"-MarionHarris
HisPeople
TECHNOLOGY
CalvinCoolidge becomesthefirst Presidentofthe UnitedStatesto havehis inauguration broadcastedon radio. Airlinesareformed aroundtheworld forfreightmailand passengertraffic.
RichardG.Drew, workingat3M, inventsScotch Tape.
1925 - 1935
JOIN US AS WE SOAR THROUGH THE DECADES
We invite you to soar through the decades with us starting from 1925-1945, reliving the moments, memories, and milestones that have shaped RBCC’s history. This special centennial publication, “Soaring Through the Decades” brings together a collection of images, memorabilia, pull quotes, history, and stories from across the years and the Centennial Book written by local author Elise Seyfried, offering a look at where RBCC began and how far the Club has come.
REHOBOTH HEIGHTS
The original golf course of Rehoboth Beach located in, what was then, Rehoboth Heights was designed by Francis Warner, former President of the Golf Association of Philadelphia. Bounded by Rehoboth Ave., Silver Lake, Scarborough Ave. and State Rd. the challenging nine-hole course was built on sandy, quick-drying soil, playable two hours after a heavy rain. Although it would be three more years before the original Clubhouse was completed, the 65-acre property containing the golf course was the beginning of the Rehoboth Beach Country Club, which was incorporated on March 26, 1925. According to Member Dan Wilson, founding Club Members included his grandfather M. Hayes Wilson, Harry and Bill Richardson, Frank Grier, JG Townshend, Dan Layton, Dr. Joe Waples, Dr. James Beebe and Ben Vinton Sr.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 1927, Rehoboth Heights was annexed into the city and in 1928, attorney and judge, Ruby Vale, and his business partners built the first Clubhouse. The original Clubhouse was the renovated Thompson farmhouse. According to Lillian Burris, the property had been a seaside salt and sheep farm during World War One.
GOLF CHATTER
A treasure trove of memories from that first decade comes to us courtesy of Captain Henri Virden Rice. Rice was a real character and talented writer, who wrote a regular newspaper column, “Golf Chatter,” in the early 1930s. Here is one of his gems:
“You know, fans, the old game is very much like life—one day you take your clubs and sally forth, stand on the first tee and hit your drive, it sizzles—you play your second shot—it reaches the green—you sink your putt. You win—you are in the Eighth Heaven that only a golfer knows. Now, another day, you drive from the first tee and you foozle—your second shot lands in the sand and so forth. You lose—there is a burning question in your soul: ‘It worked Monday, why couldn’t it work today?’ The next day you are at it again, filled with the same determination to lick old man par that keeps you plugging at your job and trying your best to defeat the obstacles life puts before you.”
The Centennial Logos
Celebrating 100 Years:
A Dual-Logo Tribute to the Past and the Present
As Rehoboth Beach Country Club embarks on its Centennial celebration, a special tribute to both its rich history and bright future will be recognized. The Club will feature two distinct logos throughout the year, each symbolizing a different aspect of its 100-year journey.
The Primary Logo: Looking to the Future
The first logo, the primary centennial logo, will honor the Club’s current brand image while celebrating its forward-looking spirit. Drawing from the classic club logo, it will be reimagined in an all-gold color scheme, symbolizing prestige and timeless elegance during the Club’s “golden” year. Instead of the original founding year of 1925, the numbers "100" will be incorporated, representing the Club’s remarkable milestone of 100 years. This new version of the logo will serve as a reminder of how far RBCC has come and the exciting future that lies ahead.
The Alternate Logo: Honoring the Past
The second logo, the alternate centennial logo, will serve as a heartfelt homage to the Club's past. It features the Conestoga wagon that is pictured in the Clubhouse on the historical wall, and was a part of the Club’s history during the difficult years of the Second World War. When the war arrived in 1941, food and fuel rationing made travel difficult, and the Club’s Members, who once relied on automobiles to get to the course, found themselves facing a significant problem: how could they continue to reach the Club? With innovation at the forefront, the leaders of the Club turned to the past for inspiration. They hired farmers’ horses and Conestoga wagons to transport Members to and from the country club. This ingenious solution helped the club meet its $33,000 budget for the year, ensuring it could continue to serve as a place of connection and competition. The Conestoga wagon, symbolizing resilience and adaptability, is now immortalized in gold in this alternate logo as a reminder of how the Club’s strength came from overcoming adversity to celebrate 100 year
A Year-Long Tribute
Memorabilia with both logos will be avai purchase exclusively in the Golf Shop for one year, offering a chance for Members and guests to carry a piece of the Club’s Centennial legacy. Whether you choose the forward-looking gold logo or the historical Conestoga wagon design, each emblem serves as a unique reminder of the Club’s centurylong journey a blend of honoring the past and embracing the future.
As we celebrate 100 years of Rehoboth Beach Country Club, let these logos stand as a testament to the dedication, ingenuity, and community spirit that has shaped the Club into what it is today.
1935 - 1945
The Rehoboth Beach area fared pretty well during 1935-1945. The city benefitted from multiple projects undertaken by the Civil Works Administration from the building of the ocean jetties and the creation of the Five Points intersection to the post office. Also, many Greek families, most connected to one man, Tom Pachides, arrived in town. These immigrant families soon invested in real estate and began businesses, many of which survive today, including Dolle’s, Gus and Gus, Louie’s Pizza and Robin Hood restaurant.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION & EXPERIENCE
As the club celebrates its centennial anniversary, it is remarkable to reflect on how much membership has evolved since its founding in 1925. When the Club first started, a prospective Member could join by filling out an application, much like the center picture, indicating their name, address, reference, nationality, membership category selection and who they were sponsored by for membership. During the late 1930's there were no initiation fees required, and stock purchase was optional.
Membership in those days was $30 for a family, with no initiation fees and stock purchase optional. Golf, dinners and other social events continued to boost the spirits of members and guests.
Members joined and the local community used RBCC as a place to boost the spirits of such rough times for Members and guests. The Delaware Coast News reported that the Lewes branch of Sussex Trust Company entertained their directors and employees at the club over a “delicious turkey dinner.”
During 1945 a “Buffet Supper and Dance” evening was offered for $2 per Member and guest with reservations and payment due via mail, as shown below.
In contrast, today's application process is more structured with a detailed and online fillable application, introduction letter, sponsor declaration, formal interviews, reviewal, approval and a posting period that ensure a welcoming environment with fairness and transparency. Now it is a $1,000 application, $35,000 social initiation fee and $75,000 regular golf initiation fee with stock purchase mandatory for Regular Golf Members. Much like the past, Members still enjoy dinner buffets, dancing and social events throughout the year. However, reservations are now digital and instead of payment upfront there is a cancellation policy.
This shift reflects the Club's growth and commitment to adapting to the changing times, while still maintaining the traditions set fourth.
FUN FACTS
1935 -1945
Also around this time (1937) Member Pope Grier shot a golf score of 66, a feat that was never surpassed at the old Club.
In a recent interview for the Centennial Book, John Burris shared that his grandfather was “an astute real estate guy. He predicted that the Club would eventually have to leave Rehoboth. The Club had a chance in the 1940s to buy 200 acres for $80,000, and didn’t do so. The recommended and rejected purchase became known as “John Burris’ Folly.” Later, Burris would be proven correct, as the Club paid far more in their eventual move.
Centennial Events Save The Dates Save The Dates
