Timber Ridge Golfing
Extractions from the TR-POA Reporter Newsletter – Editor, Dan Ellis
November 2000
Timber Ridge Property Owners Assoc.
While the Timber Ridge Subdivision was still being promoted and developed by the subdivision owners, a few of the older land holders and residents were visualizing a grand community. Among those folks were Guy and Ellie D’Antoni, both who pushed for a community civic organization which resulted in the Timber Ridge Property Owners Association as chartered on August 25, 1975.
Prior to the time of the “turnover” of “assets and common areas” to the TR-POA, the holding company was Guaranty Properties, and had renamed the subdivision — Bay Colony.
The D’Antoni’s led the effort to have the subdivision name reverted to Timber Ridge.
Next year, 2001 will be the 20th Anniversary of the “Turnover” of assets, which included the pool, tennis court, canals and other common area properties. Along with this came responsibilities, all of which, has been and continues under the direction of volunteers who have served on the TR-POA Board of Directors through the years
March 2001
The Italian Open
April 21st Weekend
Shirley and Frank Cefalu headed up the organizers of the first Itallian Open by patterning it after the one held at New Orleans. The Gulf Club organization had run into rough times, and “not able to pay its bills,” according to Shirley who kept the books. The first tournament rolled in only 163 players, but raised $1400 over expenses – enough to cover pressing club debts. Through its 25th year, the Italian Opening generated $258,000 in accumulated income for the Club.
Honoring St. Joseph, the Italian Open was initially held on or near St Joseph’s Day, March 19th 1975. Celebrating its 25th year in 1999, the Open is now very well attended by participants and well wishers. As the attendance grew, Day Light Savings Time became a hindrance. As a result, in past years the Open has been held in mid-April to allow more rounds of play on the greens. There were 340 players in last year’s Open.
March 2001
Golf Pro
On March 1st, just passed, Mike Burke celebrated his 18th anniversary as Golf Pro for the Pass Christian Isles Golf Club. Originating from Upstate New York, Mike retired at Keesler having completed a 20-year engagement with the U.S. Air Force. After taking a few Pro Contracts in Louisiana and Mississippi, he settled here in Pass Christian.
The Golf Club presently has 472 paid up players with the highest year having 485. Mike explained that each year has a swap out of 20 to 25 members dropping with about the same amount subscribing. Of the total membership, about 20%, or nearly 95 members are Timber Ridge residents.
July 2001
Timber Ridge — My Place - My Home
For several years, our weekends were occupied with water skiing and participating at the Golf clubhouse and Yacht clubs as dictated by the Kellys. During those early days, the Golf Club’s 19th Hole was a great social event. There were at least a hundred local people who showed up on Friday nights as Lucien tended bar. For several years, my wife and I set up a portable bar near the #10 tee to fortify the players who participated in the Italian Open – with Bloody Marys
September 2001
19th Hole
Ellie D’Antoni likes to reflect back on some of the “Good Ole Days” in Timber Ridge. As an avid Golf enthusiast, Ellie recalls that the PCI Golf Club was operating in the “red” during the 70s. Membership was only about 200 and while a few of the familiar “Old Timers” were entertaining each other at the club, they decided to start a 19th Hole Social. The Cefalus, D’Antonis, and the Rabalaises cast the first die and put on a Saturday Night Pot Luck affair to which they invited friends and guests of the community. They had hoped to recruit new club members, or at least, create more trade at the club’s bar.
The first affair was such a success that the 19th Hole events continued every month from 1975 through 1979. Each month a couple or a team of couples would take turns in sponsoring the food and hosting preparations for their selected Saturday night. The event became quite famous with as many as 300 people in attendance. The setting was buffet style, cash bar, and music from the juke box or a local one-man-band.
However, it was success that killed the events, because the crowds got too large, making the sponsorship quite costly – and of course – there were those who just showed up for the free feed bag and left without a Thank You! Needless to say, the PCI Golf Club was finally in the “Black!”
January 2002
Excerpt
The McKeoughs were among the earliest residents of Timber Ridge. They arrived just after Camille’s wrath during the period that Louisiana's Jamar Adcock was still developing the area. Marie McKeough remembers the red clay covered roads that rambled through vast wilderness sections to reach the condominium apartments at Sweet Bay Drive. In the early 1970s, the area was teaming with wild life including rabbits and deer.
In a hushed tone, Marie described the often seen coveys of Quail that would proudly march across the roadway. First, Poppa Quail, then Mamma Quail – followed by an unending string of little baby quails.
Notes from Article written by Jim Winchester
Timber Ridge was incorporated as a non profit corporation on August 11, 1975
In 1978, its name was changed to Bay Colony
In 1985, its name was changed back to Timber Ridge
In August 1985, Timber Ridge and part of the Isles were annexed by City of Pass Christian
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