Our speakers for the day were Max Eimiller, Ben Windoft and Dave Bargar to address Rotary’s Vision and the Founding of Moon Brook Country Club.
Max began by giving some history. Our Rotary Club was founded in 1919, and its community vision was to coordinate charitable giving and enhance local recreational opportunities. Its first efforts were to establish Moon Brook Country Club to provide a high-quality golf course as a social and cultural asset AND to establish the Community Chest which has since become the United Way.
L to R: Ben Windoft, Moon Brook Golf Pro; Max Eimiller, chairman of Rotary’s 2026 Charity Golf Tournament; Michelle Jones, Rotary President; and Dave Bargar, President of Moon Brook Country Club.
Erwin Shearman became the acting President of Moon Brook and encouraged over 200 leaders to invest by raising funds and personally guaranteeing loans for long-term success. They raised $90,000 which translates to $1.5 million in today’s funds.
Willie Park, Jr., a renowned golf architect, was hired to design the course reflecting commitment to quality and longevity. The first nine holes were constructed in 1921, followed by 4 more in 1928. Then the Great Depression hit! Members were lost and bankruptcy was declared and foreclosure was imminent. Members personally financed and reorganized the Club’s debt to ensure Moon Brook’s survival and continuity. By 1943 the club had paid off all liens and in the 1950s, Robert Trent, Jr. was engaged to revamp the course.
In 1964, the New York State DOT claimed some of the Moon Brook Land for a revamping of Route 60, and the DOT funded a revision of holes #12, 13, and 14 and redesigned hole #1. The clubhouse, pool and tennis court were also revamped.
Ben Windoft, Moon Brook professional golfer then described the club of today. Eleven greens are still original today. The club hired Ray Hern four years ago to develop a new master plan, and the club has invested in tree maintenance, bunker improvement, etc. Today, the pro shop maintains daily tee times, organizes men’s, ladies and couple’s programs, provides golf lessons, as well as leads the development of a revised junior golf program. Moon Brook participates in First Tee, to host youth to give them the opportunity to play a premier course and continue to grow the game.
Moon Brook has wonderful amenities and holds fine social events as well as provides an excellent dining experience. The Club maintains a computer App for all information and reservations and has a world class pro shop with top-of-the-line clothing, gifts, as well as golf club fittings. Howard Ellis continues to provide course maintenance and improvement as he has done for many years, with a fine crew under his tutelage.
Next up was Dave Bargar, current MBCC President, who gathered the club membership to discuss where the club is today, where the club is going in the future and where the club fits with Jamestown.
Much is changing – the average age of the members was high, and the club really needed an infusion of families and youth. MBCC used to have 300 to 400 families, membership was tax deductible and many local corporations retained memberships.
At the meeting, the members committed to reinvestment in the club. The goal is $2.4 million and $1.2 million has already been raised.
The members set a priority to invest $100,000 in the golf course immediately as well as completely revamping the swimming pool. The tennis courts were removed from the property. They are now working towards a healthy membership of 303, with goals of 25 new members each month and there have been 10 new members added in the past two weeks. Memberships include golfing, social and dining. The dining membership hosts events frequently and continues to grow under the leadership of House Manager Anthony Cusimano.
Dave is proudly leading the Board and staff of Moon Brook to become one of Jamestown’s finest assets much like the National Comedy Center, the RTPI, and the Northwest Arena with affordable dues and a staff that is approachable while continuing to foster the game of golf as a universal sport and a game for a lifetime.
The Rotary Club of Jamestown continues to hold its annual charity golf tournament at Moon Brook Country Club and it is scheduled for July 13, 2026.
Please think of playing by engaging a foursome. If you don’t play, solicit a sponsorship or purchase one yourself and participate by donating items for the raffle held after the game concludes.
