The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-19
NEW LEASED SIGNED
BY COUNTRY CLUB
Injunction Formally Dissolved
BY Chancellor Benners
LONG STATEMENT ISSUED
Board of Governors Think Club Would
Be In Danger BY Losing Golf
Players-Harmony
Is Urged.

Is Urged.
The new lease for the golf course of
the Country club was signed yesterday.
The injunction secured by Dr. Wyatt
Helm to prevent the signing of the
lease was dissolved by Chancellor Ben
ners and he refused to reinstate the in
junction on application of b. NJ. Allen,
attorney for DR.. Helm.
AS soon as the injunction was dissolved
the board of governors met, signed the
lease and issued a statement to the men,
hers of the club. which is signed by all
the governors except two who are out of
the city.
The lease provides that the annual rent
for the next six years shall be $500. in
stead of $500 as under the old lease. and
shall be $500 for the ten years following
The rent is increased in consideration of
the extension of the lease.
Following is the statement that was is
sued by the board of governors:
THE injunction which restrained the
board of governors of the Country club
from executing certain controct of
pany having been dissolved. the board did
not feel at liberty to hazard the risk of
losing the opportunity to make the con-
tract by further delay and hence directed
its vice president to sign the contract
of lease, which has been done. In taking
this action the board carried out the in
structions of the club, as expressed at
the recent meeting of the members on the
21st day of February last.
Statement BY Governors.
THE litigation over this matter and
the publication given to it justify, If they
do not require, statement from the
board of governors of the reasons which
impeled them to negotiate with the Realty
company for such extension.
1T will be remembered that before the
union of the Golf club with the Country
club neither of them was much of a sue
cess, certainly the Country club was not
Since the merger of the two into one, no
institution in the city has hourished more
or had more remarkable growth. 1t is
now the pride of its members and reve-
lation to strangers visiting our city. With
its beautiful club house. it's golf grounds,
tennis courts, bowling alleys, billiard and
pool rooms and elegant bali room 1t min
listers to many tastes and hence has at
tanned degree of popularity that is
not enjoyed by any other social organiza-
ton.
Popularity of Golf.
"There is no one of these features of
the club which has crown more in popu-
larity or which attracts more visitors to
the club than goiI = f.ie, those who
play golf visit fhe club frequently and
patronize 1t literally. This club is unique
in that 1t Is so near the heart of the CITY
Probably nowhere else in the United
States can there be found country club
with golf links only fifteen minutes dis
lance from the center of a large city
These links were rough at first, but
are now growing smoother and more
beautiful every year, so that for two
years or moro the question has been agi-
tated as to what we should be able to do
for golf links after the expiration Of the
present lease. which has six more years
to run. In view of the time which is re-
quired to lay off and build up good
course, 1t was thought that negotiations
should be begun at once for renewal of
the lease, so that IL they were unsuccess-
full, beginning mi9ht he made Ut once
towards procuring other grounds and put
ting them In shape against the time when
we should have to give up the preseul
links.
announcer reason.
Another reason for doing so, was that
the property was growing so fast in
value, by reason of the growth of the
city and the development of ADJACENT
lands, 1t was feared that II we waited
longer 1T might be impossible to obtain
renewal of the lease except on terms
that would be prohibitory.
80 1t was, that after much negotia-
ton with the realty company the board
OF governors at last procured the offer
or extension In controversy, on the very
best terms obtainable While the emount
that the club will have to pay for this
lease may seem to be large, 1t Is a small
return on the present value of the prop
erty, to say nothing OF what Its value
will be six years from now. The board
OF governors have, therefore, with prac-
teal unanimity, advised the acceptance
of the offer of the realty company for
these reasons:
First. 1t was apparent that IL an ex-
tension of the lease was not secured the
golfers would withdraw from the club
at an early day. and go elsewhere for a
golf course while ii could be secured on
more reasonable terms than would prob
ably be the case five or six years from
now. For the whole club to remove else
where would involve the loss of the
present club house and improvements
representing an Investment OF about sixty
thousand dollars To duplicate ID else
where would cost at least as much, be-
sides the cost of the land, and it Is by no
means certain that any suitable property
could be secured that would be accessible
by electric cars. Certainly there ia none
so convenient and so desirable in every
way as the present location.
Needs Golf Players.
Second. With the golfers out of tho
club 1t is doubtful If it could be success
fully maintained and supported. That ele-
ment al present gives to the club much of
its vitality Without them, it would be
a dull and quiet place, except perhaps
on Saturday nights. If it be claimed that
large part of the revenues of the club are
expended for the golf links. It may be
answered that 1t would not be possible
to support the cafe and buffet of tho
club without the golfer. The club dues
of those who play tennis alone would
not begin to pay the expense of prepar-
ing and keeping up the tennis courts.
The same thing is true of those who
avail themselves Of the weekly dances,
the cost OF which are considerable as we'll
as of the devotees OF other features of
the club which appeal to certain members
only.
Essential Features.
1.-THE fact is, that all of these features
are essential to any successful country
club All Of the privileges of the club are