Long Beach’s Los Cerritos

The Virginia Country Club was incorporated in November 1909 with 119 charter members. The members assessed themselves a $25 initiation fee and monthly dues of $2.50 to cover the annual rent payment of $1,200 to the Alamitos Land Company for their first site, now Recreation Park in Long Beach. Many charter members were residents of Los Cerritos, including Ralph H. Clock, James F. Craig, and Walter Desmond. Beset by financial difficulties, a 1912 agreement between the club and the Seaside Investment Company paid the club in exchange for club privileges for guests of the Virginia Hotel. As the club approached the termination of its 10-year lease with the Alamitos Land Company, the club considered the acquisition of the Recreation Park site, as well as an area including the Rancho Los Cerritos adobe. It finally agreed in June 1920 to a 20-year lease of 135 acres with an option to purchase near the rancho adobe. On August 31, 1921, the new clubhouse and golf course were dedicated. The club was able to purchase the land after receiving a fee of $150,000 from Shell Oil for drilling rights. An agreement with Associated Oil Company paid a fee of $75,000, which was used to improve the clubhouse. On September 10, 1927, the Spanish hacienda-style clubhouse was formally opened.

The early records of the club have little reference to women’s activities. In 1920, a woman, Mrs. Fred Leavens, was hired as a hostess and assistant secretary for $125 per month. At the club board meeting of September 21, 1921, a letter from the board of the YWCA about women smoking in the clubhouse was received and filed. The club’s own history, published in 1928, included a quote from Charles Cushing’s series in Country Life on the subject of country clubs: “It has brought our women out of stuffy houses and out of their own hopeless, aimless selves; has given color to their cheeks, vivacity to their movements, charm and intelligence to their conversations.”

ORIGINAL VIRGINIA COUNTRY CLUB. The first Virginia Country Club course was located in east Long Beach, now Recreation Park. The club was famous for its wooden platform tee, 260 yards long and uphill. Pictured here at the 16th hole in this 1912 photograph are, from left to right, A.M. Goodhue, president; Bert Paul Sr.; and George Martin, the club’s first professional. (VCC.)

ORIGINAL CLUBHOUSE. The club leased the Recreation Park site for 10 years beginning January 1, 1910, from the Alamitos Land Company. The Land Company spent $3,500 constructing the clubhouse and $2500 improving the grounds. (VCC.)

VIRGINIA COUNTRY CLUB. An early proposal for the new country club was 100 acres of land, including the old rancho adobe and the home of George H. Bixby, which would have been converted into a clubhouse. The rancho adobe would have been reserved by the Bixby family. Ultimately, the club selected 135 acres next to the rancho. This 1928 photograph shows the proximity of the clubhouse to the old rancho. (RLC.)

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF VIRGINIA COUNTRY CLUB. This image of the Virginia Country Club shows the early layout of the buildings and parking. The rancho adobe is on the far right. (VCC.)

COUNTRY CLUB AND STABLES. The club was founded when horses were the primary means of transportation. In 1910, club records show a purchase of a horse from Fred Bixby for $250 for use on the grounds. The club provided places for members to park their cars or their horses. (VCC.)

THE 18TH HOLE AT VIRGINIA COUNTRY CLUB. Members watch as a player tackles the 18th hole green. The first Long Beach Open Tournament was held on January 23, 1926. (VCC.)

CLUBHOUSE AT OFFICIAL OPENING. After having a successful first tournament in 1926, the members hired C.T. McGrew and Sons to remodel and expand the clubhouse. The official opening of the Spanish hacienda-style clubhouse was September 10, 1927. (VCC.)

FEMALE GOLFERS AT VIRGINIA COUNTRY CLUB. This early-1920s photograph shows women playing the Virginia Country Club Course. According to club records, as cars became more common, the use of the club by women increased. (RLC.)

LLEWELYN BIXBY HOLE-IN-ONE. On February 28, 1931, Llewelyn Bixby Jr. earned his Canada Dry Official Hole-in-One certificate for his golf prowess. (VCC.)

LONG BEACH MUMBLERS MEET AT VIRGINIA. The Mumblers, who supported the Pacific Coast Club, meet here at the Virginia Country Club in the 1950s. Pictured are (at the left end) Red Thompson; (background row, facing forward) Neil Ensch, Bob Reid, Joe Bishop, Gerald Houts, and James G. Craig Jr., Fred Kerns, and George Craig; (foreground row, with backs to the photographer) Emmet Sullivan, Earle Sullivan, Eldredge Combs, Latham Brightman, Frende Combs, unidentified, and Laurence Houts. Standing in the right rear is club manager Pearl McInnis. (VCC.)

COUPLES AT VIRGINIA. The happy club members celebrating here are, from left to right, Dorothy McGrew, Milton McGrew, unidentified, Vernon Fay, and Corrine Fay. (VCC.)

TEAM MATCH PLAYERS. Seen at hole No. 1, the members of the 1939 team are, from left to right, Joe Rodgers, Harry Graham, John Halbert, Len Pulley, Harry Witz, Bob McCrystal, Wendell Schooling, Franklin Robinson, and an unidentified nonplayer. (VCC.)

THE SS VIRGINIA. This c. 1950 photograph of a cruisethemed evening at Virginia County Club shows, from left to right, Opal Evans, Denny Evans, Ruth Hubbell, Maurice Hubbell, Grace Houts, and Dr. Gerald Houts. (VCC.)

MEN’S TOURNAMENT PLAYERS. From left to right, the members are (first row) Al Davis, Milt Arthur, unidentified, Rae Waesdman, John Walter, Pete Drake, Franklin Robinson (in the front with plaid shirt), Ray Wall, and unidentified; (second row) Julie Bescos, Tom Murphy, unidentified, Joe Kessler, Charlie Pearson, Chuck Decoudres, Joe Gill, Ed Spurlin, John Conolly, and Dennie Evans. (VCC.)

WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT PLAYERS. Virginia Country Club joined the Women’s Southern California Golf Association when it was created in 1933. Only a few of the woman in this photograph are identified. On the far right in the first row is Janice Campbell. In the second row, second from left, is Louise Montague; fourth from left is Charlotte Waldwagel; and second from right is Joanne Borce. (VCC.).

CHARITY TOURNAMENT. On October 1, 1939, the club held a charity tournament in which Bing Crosby played along with Patty Berg, a pioneer in women’s golf and winner of 15 major championships during the 1940s to 1960s. Also attending were actors Richard Arlen and Elizabeth Hicks. (VCC.)

THANKSGIVING MENU. In 1966, a full-course Thanksgiving dinner could be had for $4. (VCC.)

A YOUNG TIGER WOODS PLAYS AT VIRGINIA COUNTRY CLUB. The boy pictured in the center is Tiger Woods, who played at many Long Beach golf courses when he was growing up, including Virginia County Club. (VCC.)