History
April 7, 1937
It is the aim of the Twilight Golf League to foster better interrelationships among the clubs and stimulate competitive golf at nominal expense...
Founding committee’s statement regarding the formation of the league
James W. Weldon
The beginnings
The very first Rochester District Golf Champion of 1929, Mr. James W. Weldon of Oak Hill, is the creator of the Twilight Golf League. In 1930 Jim moved to Boston for two years, and during that time he stumbled upon an interesting golf league of which 1913 U.S. Open hero Francis Ouimet was a participant. Ouimet was the first amateur in history to win the Open. It was called the Boston Twilight League, and one of the member clubs happened to be Oakley C.C., where Donald Ross (golf course architect for Oak Hill’s East and West course, as well as Monroe, CCR, Brooklea, and Irondequoit front nine) first worked upon arriving in America.*
*supplied by Mary Szpak, Oak Hill Historian 2/22/11, “From Little Acorns” Vol. II, The Story of Oak Hill 1901-1986, by Howard C. Hosmer) Also of local note, Jim’s grandson Chip Lillich would win seven Rochester District Championships, and fourteen Oak Hill club championships.
Ben Heughes (left) and Jim Weldon (2nd from left) at Oak Hill - 1935
A new kind of league
Jim returned to Rochester in 1934 and took a position with Hickok Manufacturing (of HIckok Belt fame). He rejoined Oak Hill Country Club and eventually became President of what would become the Twilight League of Rochester.
The thought behind the league was that there were a large group of men in every golf club who were unable to play much competitive golf due to the demands placed on them by the careers. There were RDGA tournaments available for participation, but these usually started on weekday mornings and lasted all day. The Twilight League would instead start their matches between 4 and 4:30pm and play until last group checked in. There were also no entrance fees and greens fees were reciprocated between amongst the clubs.
The first known published documentation states that the league officially began play in 1937 (the article can be viewed at bottom of this page). Jim would server as President until 1940.
Oak Hill CC, CCR, Monroe GC, Brook-Lea CC, Ridgemont CC and Locust Hill CC
1937 - Inaugural season
Six clubs that formed the league its first season were Brook-Lea, Country Club of Rochester, Locust Hill, Monroe, Oak Hill and Ridgemont. Each club would field 10 players each week.
The league format was based on a Nassau system that awarded points based on three matches being played simultaneously in each foursome. Every foursome included 2 teammates from each club. The teammates would each play a singles match for 3 points, but there would also be a best-ball match amongst them for another 3 points. The team with the highest number of match points was declared champion. The inaugural league champion was Oak Hill Country Club.
"WE HEREBY RESOLVE - REMEMBER DECEMBER 7th."
Local Identifier: 44-PA-191, National Archives Identifier: 513637.
League in flux
due to World War II
In 1939, the league expanded to 8 teams as Oak Hill and Midvale split their teams into East and West contingents. The following year, in 1940, CCR and Irondequoit merged to form a single team. However, in 1941, both the Midvale and CCR/Irondequoit teams dropped out, and by 1943, league play was suspended due to World War II.
8 clubs the formed the Twilight League from 1957 - 2010
Play resumes in 1946
After the war ended, play resumed the following year in 1946 with six teams. The players per team was increased from 10 to 12. Over the 10 years the league settled into the 8 club structure that remains today:
1950 - The league was back to 8 teams with CCR and Irondequoit rejoining as individual teams.
1954 - Oak Hill merges their East and West teams back to one team, leaving the league with 7 teams.
1957 - The league returns to 8 teams when MidVale rejoins after a 25 year absence.
An enduring tradition
In 1988, long time competitor Mr. John McGrath played his last year in the league. It had been nearly 50 years since he had first joined the league in 1937 with Locust Hill. Just like Mr. McGrath, many members of the league have played for decades representing their respective clubs. While few can recall the scores or standings, our memories of camaraderie, laughter and enjoyment are life-long.
In 2001 the format was changed to a Ryder Cup format where 3 points were awarded for each match (instead of 9). Team standings were changed from total team points to 2-pts. per team win and 1-pt. for ties each week.
In 2011 Penfield Country Club replaced Locust Hill Country Club as the 8th team in the league.