Stillwater Yacht Club |
History of the Stillwater Yacht Club
The Stillwater Yacht Club was founded by Matt and Mimi Jenkins in
1948. Their house stood on the site overlooking Stillwater Cove, which
is now the 5th hole of the Pebble Beach Golf Course, and their property
included a small log cabin which served as the SYC clubhouse.
The
first official meeting of the Stillwater Yacht Club was held on the
first of July at the Jenkins’ home. Mr. John B. Morse, Chairman of the
Nominating Committee announced as Officers Commodore Matt Jenkins, Vice
Commodore Edward Holt, Secretary-Treasurer William T. Mahar and
Governors John B. Morse, William L. Hudson, and Jon Konigshofer.
The
first Board of Directors formed a Membership Committee, a Race
Committee and Entertainment Committee. The dues were set at $50 per
member per year, with an additional $50 for all boat owners, the purpose
of which was to create a fund to be used for possible boat housing and
servicing equipment.
An old local character named Cap Johnson had
already set in some mooring sites in Stillwater Cove and a pier had
been built long ago by the Del Monte Properties Company. The first item
purchased was a hoist for the boom at the end of the pier.
The
next matter of business was to establish a 4th of July party and race,
for which John B. Morris authorized the Secretary-Treasurer to purchase
up to $50 of fireworks, to be paid for by the Del Monte Properties Co.
The party would include a Children’s BBQ on the beach at 7:00 pm and an
adults’ BBQ at 8:00 pm in the Beach Club.
The Charter Members of the Stillwater Yacht Club were:
Mr. Matt C. Jenkins
Mr. Jon Konigshofer
Mr. W. L. Hudson
Dr. Henry A. Randel
Mr. Edison Holt
Mr. William T. Mahar
Mr. Tom Bunn
Mr. Tirey Ford
Mr. Stuart Haldorn
Mr. Gerrit Henry Jr.
Dr. C. B. Gorham
Mr. John B. Morse
Mr. S. F. B. Morse
While
there have been many changes to Pebble Beach, the Beach Club, Carmel,
and everywhere else, the Stillwater Yacht Club’s traditions are
relatively unchanged. The three pillars of the Stillwater Yacht Club –
Membership, Yacht Racing and Social Activities are the same today as
they were in 1948. In 2016, 68 years after our founding, Stillwater
Yacht Club members still enjoy beach BBQ’s and, to a lesser degree than
originally, yacht racing. Indeed, all Officers of the Stillwater Yacht
Club in 1948 were required to be sailors and the Race Committee were
honorary members who paid no dues. This is no longer the case. These
days the Commodore and all Board Members pay the same dues and party
fees as other members.