If paying by check remit payment to PO Box 68, Cramerton NC 28032

All checks made payable to: Cramerton Historical Society

Cramerton Historical Society is a 501 c3 Non-Profit Organization

All sponsorships are tax-deductible

Proceeds go to help fund the Cramerton Historical Society's Fourth Grade Education Field Trip Program

&

The work of the Montcross Chamber in promoting area businesses

The Legacy of Golf in Cramerton

Golf was a big part of Stuart Cramer’s life. He was a member of the Charlotte Country Club and founding member of Linville Country Club. It’s only natural he would want golf to be a part of the Model Mill Village he was creating in Cramerton.

In 1922 Mr. Cramer built the town’s first golf course on the banks of the South Fork River. The nine hole layout ran from behind the present Cramerton Presbyterian Church to 10th Street and featured Pinehurst inspired sand greens. Five years later he built a new course on the Southeast slope of Berry Mountain. It featured several scenic holes hugging the shore of newly formed Cramer Lake and even what is believed to be the first ever island green. Newspaper accounts described it as “A Marvel of Natural Beauty” and as fine a links of any Country Club.”

Stuart “Major” Cramer Jr. shared his father’s love of golf. An influential person in the Roosevelt and Wilson Administrations during WWII, Major developed a friendship with Five Star General and soon to be President Dwight Eisenhower. Eisenhower invited Stuart Jr. to Augusta for a round of golf and was introduced to Bobby Jones. Jones promptly invited Cramer to become a member of Augusta National.  Over the years Major and his brother George enjoyed many rounds of golf at the famed course.  Of particular interest to those of us today is the famous portrait of Bobby Jones hanging over the fireplace in the Butler Cabin which millions see each year during the television broadcast and Green Jacket Ceremony.  That painting was commissioned and partially financed by Major Cramer.

Upon the death of Stuart Cramer Sr. in July of 1940, Major took control of Cramer Mills. In 1946 the Cramer family sold assets in the town to Burlington Industries. To ensure golf lived on in Cramerton Major Cramer wrote a stipulation into the sale which required Burlington Industries maintain a public golf course in the town with discounted rates for mill employees as long as it owned the property. 

In 1952 Burlington closed “The Old Course” and opened Lakewood Golf Course. Designed and operated by local pro “Mike” Michael, the course served generations of Cramerton golfers before closing in 2004. It was located on the property where Stuart Cramer High School sits today. Pine trees which lined the first fairway still stand between Old & New Lakewood Roads.

The Cramer Mountain Club opened originally as Cramer Mountain Country Club in 1986. The unique landscape of Cramer & Berry Mountains allowed renowned golf course architect Dan Maples to create a course unlike any in the area. A true link to the past, hole #5 is located on a portion of the 1927 layout.  The par 3 15th is CMC's signature hole.  Initially envisioned as a par 4, the rock on the mountain proved too hard for demolition crews to remove so the decision was made to change it to a par 3.  It left CMC with a unique layout of five par 3's & five par 5's.  Until the construction of the famous par 3 17th Island Green at TCP Sawgrass, #15 at Cramer Mountain was the most expensive hole ever built by the Maples Group. 

The legacy of golf Mr. Cramer started in 1922 continues today as a world class golf course which winds through the woods, vineyards and pastures surrounding his beloved home Maymont. We believe he would be very pleased.

The Cramerton Historical Society is proud to partner with the Montcross Chamber in celebrating the Legacy of Golf in Cramerton. A part of the proceeds go to sponsor the Historical Society’s field trips for area 4^th grade students. Thanks to the support of our sponsors & players over 1,600 students from the Gaston County area have participated in our field trip program. 

We hope you will join us for this fun and impactful event.